In defense of the National Post, which I am not familiar with but understand, from other contributors here, is known to be sensationialist and right wing, they have made their apology unreservedly and will be donating their proceeds from the advertisment to an organization that promotes the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people.
That the banner may have been taken up by others, while unfortunate, is, I suggest, relatively insignificant. The cause of the right of people, such as ourselves, to exist has taken a major step forward.
I am becoming, daily, less fearful of those that fear what they don't understand. Granted, they are becoming more vocal, more vociferous, more extreme. But that in itself will lead to their demise, as this advert and the reasons, stated by the National Post for disassociating themselves from it, make clear.
The action by the National Post is, by any standards, a major victory. The world is moving forward. Children are starting to present as their gender and not their physique. Parents are becoming less fearful. Medical authorities are becoming more supportive. Politicians are becoming less populist.
There are still enormous strides to take. There are still too many living in fear. There are still far too many, unable to express themselves at all. Freedom is coming for all of us. Many of us will probably never see that day. I accept that, I hope others of my age group can as well. But it is coming. Our children will not have to live in fear and shame for how they are made.
QuoteThe fact that we will not be publishing this ad again represents a recognition on our part that publishing it in the first place was a mistake. The National Post would like to apologize unreservedly to anyone who was offended by it. We will be taking steps to ensure that in future our procedures for vetting the content of advertising will be strictly adhered to.
The Post will also be donating the proceeds from the advertisement to an organization that promotes the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people. .Posted in: Editors .
http://news.nationalpost.com/2011/09/30/an-apology-from-the-national-post/I'm a girl. Please don't teach me to fear what I don't understand. Please don't teach me to hate those that are differnt. Please teach me to judge others, not on how they appear but on the content of their characters.
