If You Can't Lick 'em, Join 'em
ISSUES: Canada Post honours singer kd lang, but what about other LGBT individuals and contributions?
Story by Gordon Bowness
gordonbowness.com, June 25, 2014
As part of a series recognizing great Canadian country artists, Canada Post releases a stamp in July honouring lesbian singer kd lang. Only a miniscule number of LGBT Canadians have been so honoured before: actors Marie Dressler, Raymond Burr and William Hutt were all I could find (I don't know if bachelor prime minister Mackenzie King counts). Seems really thin to me, especially given Canada's world leadership in LGBT rights. Moreover, this year the US postal service recognized slain gay activist and politician Harvey Milk, and the Finns created a racy series of stamps featuring the work of gay erotic artist Tom of Finland. Canada really needs to up our game, philately speaking.
Story by Gordon Bowness
gordonbowness.com, June 25, 2014
As part of a series recognizing great Canadian country artists, Canada Post releases a stamp in July honouring lesbian singer kd lang. Only a miniscule number of LGBT Canadians have been so honoured before: actors Marie Dressler, Raymond Burr and William Hutt were all I could find (I don't know if bachelor prime minister Mackenzie King counts). Seems really thin to me, especially given Canada's world leadership in LGBT rights. Moreover, this year the US postal service recognized slain gay activist and politician Harvey Milk, and the Finns created a racy series of stamps featuring the work of gay erotic artist Tom of Finland. Canada really needs to up our game, philately speaking.
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I recently talked with Bob Waite who chairs the Stamp Advisory Committee, a group of historians, graphic designers and stamp enthusiasts who determine which person or what theme gets onto a Canadian stamp (I did the interview as research for a Toronto Star story on kd lang's appearance at the World Pride Awards and Gala). Anyone and everyone is welcome to submit suggestions. "Whether it's the prime minister or a five-year-old, all suggestions are given equal weight," says Waite. "The debates can be quite heated. It's a lively process."
Other than the Queen and some hockey players, living Canadians started appearing on stamps beginning in 2005 (Oscar Peterson inaugurated that change in policy). Only Order of Canada recipients or Governor General's Award-winners are considered. "We just don't have the capacity to vet folks like those organizations do," says Waite. And while diversity is one of the themes Canada Post aims to celebrate, no LGBT-specific stamp has ever been issued. "It's been discussed at some length. We're still looking for the best way to promote diversity in all its forms," he says.
"We have dialogued wth members of the community," says Waite. "There's actually quite a mixed view as how we might do that from their perspective. I was a bit surprised to learn that some folks were not all that excited by the rainbow flag. That was an education for us. So, again, any suggestion that comes in, we welcome."
LGBT stamp contest
Other than the Queen and some hockey players, living Canadians started appearing on stamps beginning in 2005 (Oscar Peterson inaugurated that change in policy). Only Order of Canada recipients or Governor General's Award-winners are considered. "We just don't have the capacity to vet folks like those organizations do," says Waite. And while diversity is one of the themes Canada Post aims to celebrate, no LGBT-specific stamp has ever been issued. "It's been discussed at some length. We're still looking for the best way to promote diversity in all its forms," he says.
"We have dialogued wth members of the community," says Waite. "There's actually quite a mixed view as how we might do that from their perspective. I was a bit surprised to learn that some folks were not all that excited by the rainbow flag. That was an education for us. So, again, any suggestion that comes in, we welcome."
LGBT stamp contest
In honour of World Pride in Toronto, I propose a contest to select what person or imagery would best honour the contribution made to this country by LGBT activists, artists and "extra" ordinary folk. To get the ball rolling, I also propose putting the art of my boyfriend of many years, Maurice Vellekoop, on a stamp. Okay, so the celebrated illustrator doesn't have the OC or a GG... yet. But we really can't let the Finns out-sexy us Canadians!
Who or what do you think should be honoured with a queer stamp? Post a comment below or email me your own mock-up and I'll append it to this post.
Who or what do you think should be honoured with a queer stamp? Post a comment below or email me your own mock-up and I'll append it to this post.
Suggestions
Drag queen Mama Dominatrix
submitted by Daniel Paquette
Singer Carole Pope and art trio General Idea
submitted by Mary Dickie
Former New Brunwick premier Richard Hatfield
submitted by RM Vaughan
Drag queen Mama Dominatrix
submitted by Daniel Paquette
Singer Carole Pope and art trio General Idea
submitted by Mary Dickie
Former New Brunwick premier Richard Hatfield
submitted by RM Vaughan
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