Toronto Pride Promo Raises Eyebrows

via Joe. My. God. by Joe on 6/7/11

The below promotional clip from Pride Toronto and Tourism Toronto has some complaining that it reinforces gay stereotypes.

In the video, instructor Brody wears skintight shorts to show off his glistening oil-rubbed skin, promoting a gym lifestyle centred on the fact that all gay men and women want is "the best chest." Amid "sparkle crunches," a "disco break," a requisite "bear" appearance and a lesbian who is grossed out by a penis (some may be surprised to note that this woman has a deep voice), we can't help but wonder how out of touch (or straight?) the person who cooked up Pride Toronto's painful-to-watch and setting-back-the-movement promotional video was. If gay activism is on the rise, how will the community be taken seriously if the organization that fronts the city's largest gay celebration backs these old-hat, shouldn't-be jokes? If they were looking to shoot fish in a barrel, why didn't the Pride committee just hire Big Gay Al?

Some folks need to lighten up, but it just wouldn't be Pride season without some controversy out of Toronto. Remember all the hoopla about Queers United Against Israeli Apartheid last year?