In Yet Another Example Of Multiculturalism Failing, Political Science Professor Shinder Purewal Suggests Overt Displays Of Sexuality At Pride Parades Should Be Banned; “Women Had To Fight For The Right To Vote And They Didn’t Go Out Walking Naked”

Days before Vancouver's annual pride parade, a Kwantlen Polytechnic University professor has caused controversy by calling the event "vulgar" and by suggesting it should be banned, CTV News reporting that it all began with a pair of messages Shinder Purewal posted to his Twitter account Thursday afternoon, which criticized the "obscene sexuality at display in the parade,” adding that “Vancouver’s so called ‘Pride Parade’ should be banned. It is vulgar ... to say the least.” Purewal clarified his comments for CTV News on Friday, saying he has been a long-time supporter of same-sex marriage and that his objection to the parade has nothing to do with gay rights. "Everyone who does not like sexual display in downtown is not a hatemonger," Purewal said in an e-mail statement. "I have raised a reasonable question about one aspect of the parade. In a civilized society, let's debate as civilized people." Vancouver Pride Society president Ken Coolen admits there are sexual aspects of the parade, but said calling for the popular annual celebration to be banned and labelling it as vulgar crosses a line. "The comments do come across as being homophobic," Coolen said. "If I was a student in one of his classes and I was struggling with my sexuality I would not feel comfortable being taught by him." Coolen acknowledged that the parade has "risqué" aspects, but said it is nothing you wouldn't see on television. "Pride is an opportunity for people to be proud of their authentic self," Coolen said, adding that "in the past, even being gay or lesbian was considered vulgar. It's all very subjective." Purewal says he is no stranger to discrimination, having immigrated to Canada in 1979 to face what he calls "open racism in school and on streets." He added that he has openly argued in favour of gay marriage on radio and television. In an interview with the National Post Friday Purewal was asked if he thinks the public turns a blind eye to overt sexuality in the parade when they would not in day-to-day life? He answered “It’s been accepted. And in our society, anything people have on their minds, the sooner you say something, people are always afraid in Canada of being dubbed racist, homophobic, you name it, we have it. It’s almost that fear of being labelled, that people don’t say it.” When it was pointed out that the gay community would say that Pride is a celebration of their sexual identity as much as their overall identity, and that therefore why cannot they flaunt it, Purewal replied “Sexuality is what you do within the four walls of your home and that’s your business. Openly in streets, we don’t normally do that. Heterosexuals, we don’t display that. If someone says we’re making a parade by the gay community, it already sends the message that this is put on by people with different sexual orientations.” Reminded that gays have had to continually fight for acceptance and for their rights, Purewal said “So many other groups in Canada had to do that too though. Women had to fight for the right to vote and the fight to be recognized as persons. They didn’t go out walking naked and saying ‘Look, we are women, see us.’” Purewal added that he will not be attending the Pride Parade, which begins Sunday at noon in downtown Vancouver.