Moldy Peaches

It must be all those smug warnings clouding sanity in Toronto. If not, there really is no other way to describe the city of Toronto's recent decision to not allow Miss Universe to appear at City Hall because of concerns about sexual stereotyping.

Natalie Glebova, the 23-year-old Canadian woman who captured the title in Bangkok in May was set 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.

Toronto is one of the most sexually progressive cities and still this overly politically correct nonsense sneaks in. Nathan Phillips Square flies the gay pride flag during Pride week and allows people to wear sashs and tiaras without earning them (in any official international competition), but they will not allow the winner of Miss Universe pageant to be called what she is. This is a classic case of the pendulum swinging way too far.

Glebova, however, can 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."

This is even more of an insult. Karla Homolka is an individual of note and she is contributing (fear) to her community. Should Montreal bestow that lame honour on her?

This is not the first time Toronto has been on the wrong side of an issue. In 1992, then Toronto mayor June Rowlands banned the Barenaked Ladies from playing in Nathan Phillips Square, saying she felt the name objectified women. It isn't hard to see why Toronto residents voted her out and brought in Mel "The Cannibal" Lastman.

Update:

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.