Gay Pride Sponsors: No Capital Lovin'

For two years now I've noticed a very disturbing trend when it comes to the almighty pink dollar sponsorship. Attending Pride in Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal there are several companies that go all out with their sponsorships; elaborate displays; and distribution of free crap for the gays to enjoy (thank you for the free handheld fan TD)!

But NONE of these companies show up in Ottawa. You know, the CAPITAL of your country, and arguably the city with a festival that needs the help much more than other, more commercial tributes to sexuality like Toronto Pride. Where are the Air Canada inflatable planes? The TD Boys in Green Speedos? The Trojan Hunks with free Condoms? The Parasuco kids with, well, rock hard abs and free cellphone accessories?

I have no idea what to make of this mess. Should I blame the corporations for being nothing more than sellouts who shoot their wad only in front of an audience size they deem appropriate rather than truly sponsoring gay events that need the help? Should I blame the Pride Committee for failing to attract these businesses and their precious dollars?

I know we have a large number of Ottawa gays who insist on keeping the event corporate free. Good luck with that - there's a reason the festival is over $100,000 in debt. The reality is that with City Hall slashing funding, and cheap gays and lesbians refusing to top up the fund, the festival will have no choice but to make that income up somewhere else.

I say the committee should sell out. Become corporate whores. The money is needed too poorly, and I think most of our gay community is educated enough to realize it's all B.S. for these companies to be at our parade. Besides, I want my free razors and wristbands.