Govt booed as Canada's Out Games open 

Tens of thousands booed as a conservative government minister took the podium at the opening of the inaugural Out Games in Montreal, Canada, yesterday. They were reacting to the proposed roll back of gay marriage and the refusal of Prime Minister Stephen Harper to attend the Games, instead sending Public Works Minister Michael Fortier, in his place. The crowd of over 40,000, who had packed into Montreal’s Olympic Stadium, were beseeched by organisers to stop booing the government’s representative, so the ceremony could continue.

Canada’s LGBT community are upset at the efforts by Harper’s conservative government to overturn the same-sex marriage legislation, introduced last year by the left-leaning Liberal party, while they were in power. Lesbian singer k. d. lang, who performed at the ceremony, has recently said Harper’s decision not to accept the invitation to attend showed that he had chosen to “support intolerance.”

The opposition New Democratic Party has slammed the Canadian government for holding up visas for people attending the Games. After an earlier outcry the government finally approved visas for all but those from the African nation of Cameroon. It is a setback for Cameroon, a country where homosexuality is a criminal offence and many gays are refused employment. Canadian law requires the visa applicant to be employed in his or her home country to qualify for entry as a tourist.

Representatives of the main opposition parties, Bloc Quebecois and the Liberal Party were welcomed with cheers onto the podium.

k. d. lang headlined the opening ceremony, which featured Cirque du Soleil performances, and local singer Celine Dion lent her support by way of a video message.

Lesbian tennis great Martina Navratilova and Canadian Olympian Mark Tewksbury presented a declaration of human rights that was passed on Friday at the International Conference on LGBT rights.

The Montreal Declaration says LGBT must be recognised as equals throughout the world, and LGBT rights must form part of a greater quest for a global recognition of fundamental human rights.

The inaugural Out Games run until August 5. Over 12,000 participants from over 100 countries will compete in 35 sports and games, and six cultural events. Dozens of New Zealanders are competing in the Games, many arriving directly from the 7th Gay Games, which closed in Chicago last week

Federal minister Fortier booed at Outgames opening ceremony in Montreal
13:28:24 EDT Jul 30, 2006

MONTREAL (CP) - Federal Public Works Minister Michael Fortier was loudly booed at the opening ceremonies of the Outgames.

The Conservative senator's speech was interrupted as he attempted to welcome the estimated crowd of 40,000 at the Olympic Stadium Saturday evening. The Conservatives have been criticized by members of the gay community over their plans to reopen the same-sex marriage debate this fall with a free vote in the Commons.

Montreal Mayor Gerald Tremblay, who was greeted with sustained applause, intervened to urge the crowd to listen "with respect" to the representative of the Harper government.

The speeches were followed by energetic performances by the likes of Cirque du Soleil, Diane Dufresne, k.d. lang, Martha Wash, Deborah Cox and Jonas.

The reaction to Fortier came a day after lang chastized Prime Minister Stephen Harper for not participating in the opening ceremony. Officials in his office said his schedule couldn't accommodate the event.

During the ceremony, tennis legend Martina Navratilova and Mark Tewksbury, the Outgames co-president and Olympic swimming champion, read a human rights declaration emanating from a pre-games conference.

The sports stars were warmly welcomed as they recalled that many countries still punish homosexuals. They called for the international community to apply pressure on these states and suggested that May 17 be proclaimed International Day against Homophobia.

Celine Dion welcomed the crowd by video. the Quebec-born singer said she hoped the games would become "an unforgettable moment in the fight for tolerance."

More than 12,000 athletes from around the world are participating in the Outgames, which runs until Aug. 6.

The traditional Pride parade will take place Sunday evening.

如果celine演一个女同志，大家觉得会是怎么样？