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Toronto gives Miss Universe cold shoulder
Last Updated Tue, 19 Jul 2005 16:01:39 EDT
CBC News
The city of Toronto, which years ago prevented the Barenaked Ladies from playing at City Hall because of the group's name, has now barred Miss Universe from opening a festival over concerns about sexual stereotyping.

"I was a little bit hurt by the whole thing. I love Toronto. It's my hometown," said Natalie Glebova, the 23-year-old Canadian woman who captured the Miss Universe title in Bangkok in May.


Natalie Glebova in Toronto, Tuesday.
"I definitely don't think that the Miss Universe title is any kind of stereotype or sexual stereotype."

Glebova was set to open the Tastes of Thailand festival last weekend at Toronto's Nathan Phillips Square. But the Thai Trade Centre received word that Glebova would not be allowed to act in her capacity as Miss Universe.

According to a city bylaw, "activities which degrade men or women through sexual stereotyping, or exploit the bodies of men, women, boys or girls solely for the purpose of attracting attention," are not permitted on Nathan Phillips Square.

Glebova could still open the festival, organizers were told, but under strict conditions. She couldn't wear her sash or tiara, and couldn't be referred to as either Miss Universe or a beauty queen.

Instead, organizers were told, they could refer to her as "an individual of note contributing to our community."

A city spokesman said bureaucrats were only enforcing the rules, adding that council would have to amend the bylaw in order to change the policy.

Miss Universe Organization president Paula Shugart called the decision "an insult," not only to Glebova but to the Thai government, which named her as an honorary ambassador following her crowning in the nation's capital.

"I have never been in a situation where someone has gone out of their way to un-invite a Miss Universe title-holder," Shugart told the Toronto Sun.

This is not the first time Toronto has been accused of being super-sensitive over matters related to sexual stereotyping.

In 1992, then Toronto mayor June Rowlands banned the Barenaked Ladies from playing in Nathan Phillips Square, saying she felt the name objectified women.

The Scarborough-based pop-rock band has since gone on to international fame.

well,,,I dont really follow the whole pageant thing,,,,may at times catch the swimsuit section but thats about it.......but as for your question....whats wrong with up here,,,,,,,,,that is a helluva question and I wish I knew myself,,,,,,,,,this country is so messed up we are about due for a good enema,,,,,,,so many issues who knows where to begin?,,,,as to keep this on the short and narrow and leave out any political ramblings , I give you one main example....

lets put aside all the important stuff like health care, education, terrorism, and all that crap and lets make sure we make the gay population comes first.....so let this country be the 3rd in the world to allow gay marriage right away ..I sure hope the gay community is happy now......at least they got what they wanted,,,,,,,,,but I tend to look at the bright side,,,,,,we got great scenery at least......

- JG300-Hoppa

this country is so messed up we are about due for a good enema,,,,,,,:P

Well, SOMEBODY on that there city bylaw thingy certainly needs one!

Speaking of some politicians that need shaking up, hey when ya gonna run for mayor, Ascout? Heard your current one has been hangin' out at the strip clubs a bit much eh? Make your move!

ASCOUT FOR MAYOR!

- JG300-Stoopy

Speaking of some politicians that need shaking up, hey when ya gonna run for mayor, Ascout? Heard your current one has been hangin' out at the strip clubs a bit much eh? Make your move!

ASCOUT FOR MAYOR!

I appreciate the vote of confidence, but I have too much self-respect....

Whoa!....fastest back-peddle in history!....I guess that enema thing worked!...(or maybe the mayor reads the Com-central forums )

toronto.cbc.ca/regiona...se20050719

Mayor sorry for Miss Universe city hall ban
Last updated Jul 19 2005 07:12 PM EDT
CBC News

"Toronto mayor David Miller issued an apology Tuesday to Miss Universe after the city barred her from opening a festival over concerns about sexual stereotyping.

Natalie Glebova says she's hurt by the ban.

Natalie Glebova was set to open the Tastes of Thailand festival last weekend at Nathan Phillips Square, but city officials told organizers that the recently-crowned Torontonian couldn't open the festival if she wore her sash, her tiara, or if she even mentioned her title.

RELATED: Toronto gives Miss Universe cold shoulder
They said beauty pageants and beauty queens were banned from the square by a bylaw that prohibits activities deemed to be degrading to men or women through sexual stereotyping.

Miller said that it was all a mistake and an overreaction on someone's part.

"[It's] certainly not the way I read the bylaw," said Miller. "I don't think it's appropriate. She should have been allowed to come to city hall."

"She's from Toronto, we should be proud that somebody from Toronto has won an international competition. I've spoken to the city manager and this kind of interpretation won't happen again."

Miller says he hasn't been able to reach Glebova yet, but he hopes to extend his apologies to her personally.

Prior to the mayor's apology, Glebova said Tuesday she was a little bit hurt by the ban.

"I love Toronto. It's my hometown," said Glebova, the 23-year-old Canadian woman who captured the Miss Universe title in Bangkok in May.

"I definitely don't think that the Miss Universe title is any kind of stereotype or sexual stereotype."

Miss Universe organization president Paula Shugart called the decision "an insult," not only to Glebova but to the Thai government, which named her as an honorary ambassador following her crowning in the nation's capital.

This is not the first time Toronto has been accused of being super-sensitive over matters related to sexual stereotyping.

In 1992, then Toronto mayor June Rowlands banned the Barenaked Ladies from playing in Nathan Phillips Square, saying she felt the name objectified women.

The Scarborough-based pop-rock band has since gone on to international fame. "

Sounds like the folks in Toronto gave Mayor David Miller an EAR-FULL.
Sometimes making a decision can be tough when there's no political wind blowing across a saliva soaked finger.

well go figure that he would do somthing like that i mean he IS the mayor of the CENTER OF THE UNIVERSE . And like what hoppa said, the gay community had better be happy. i say that if they try to push there luck we just take it all away from them and leave them to die some where in northern sask.

- RAF92_BattleHawk

well go figure that he would do somthing like that i mean he IS the mayor of the CENTER OF THE UNIVERSE . And like what hoppa said, the gay community had better be happy. i say that if they try to push there luck we just take it all away from them and leave them to die some where in northern sask.

Funny you should mention that...I saw a website lauding the gay pride thingy there...what with P***ers hanging out and all...and "Miss SheMale"...but all these other displays are degrading?! WTF?!

Fekkin Liberals!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

. And like what hoppa said, the gay community had better be happy. i say that if they try to push there luck we just take it all away from them and leave them to die some where in northern sask

Well I was being a little sarcastic in my comment yes,,,,,I certainly was not implying that they be left to rot with the blackflies of northern saskatchewan, no soul deserves that kinda punishment,,,
the reason for my sarcasm was not to offend the gay population as it is a large majority in this day and age and one has to watch who he may offend, but more or less to quietly voice my opinion on the whole matter.....there are those who wanted this for reasons of marital benefits , publicity and attention,,,but in my eyes its all about the novelty of it for most.....noveltys wear out and when this one does its going to tie up a lot of court time and taxpayers dollars to deal with the influx of divorces. I do commend those who fought so hard to get what they wanted and never gave up but,,,,,I dont think they took into consideration the true problems faced by society today,,,,,and I see that as selfish and inconsiderate......