Canada in Pop Culture

[thneed]

The one thing that sticks out for me is Sook-Yin Lee (and the CBC) never faced any real criticism for starring in Shortbus, and having non-simulated sex on film, in a movie that sympathetically showed all sorts of outre sex practices and kinks. And that was in 2006, BEFORE BDSM really entered the mainstream. I just don't think it's likely was so scared of the concept of rough sex that they'd fire someone for engaging in it. Especially not their biggest celebrity.

[bailey]

Very troubling issues. One side says that the women were afraid to come forward with assault charges because of his media contacts. The other side saying that he voluntarily disclosed information to the CBC about his private life as a pre-emptive move because the Star was going to run a story, and now that information is being used against him.

Fact is, the CBC statement is that he was fired because they thought that his image was tarnished due to the public disclosure of his sexual preferences. If they fired him because they investigated the information he provided, and decided that in fact the women were right, the activity was not consensual and was assault, then they have that right.

It's interesting now that people are saying there were rumours about him. I am not in that loop to have heard anything, but that's interesting.

[MrsOldManBalls]

Oct 27, 2014 20:02:47 GMT -4 @bronze said:

The Toronto Star published their article today on the allegations against him. Really disturbing stuff. Some analysis from people in the BDSM community community and Dan Savage. The legal perspective and why its such a big deal in Canada. I may have fallen into a Twitter rabbit hole yesterday looking up stuff.

CBC hasn't really commented and probably won't now because of the lawsuit. But Q was one of their most popular shows. I don't believe that they would fire him unless they felt they had no choice. That is the evidence was overwhelming. I also got the impression that the Star rushed their article out there because Jian released his statement. So I am sure there are more allegations to come.

This is also election day. Fingers crossed for a Ford free Toronto tomorrow.

Thanks for the links bronze. Interesting reading.

[FotoStoreSheila]

My mom called me last night to tell me that you guys are now sort of Rob Ford-free. His brother lost his bid for mayor, but Mayor McCrackie got his old job back on the council. Hopefully, with this less prestigious position, he will stop being an international story.

[Mugsy]

Assuming he survives his cancer battle, Rob Ford says he plans to run for mayor again next time (in four years).

[Sunnyhorse]

Some people have no sense of shame whatsoever. And I can't believe he got reelected to the council.

Regarding Jian Ghomeshi: His interpretation of women's desires, if any of this is true, is terrifying. I've got no problem with consensual kink, but it sounds like he's just projected his wish to behave violently onto women who had no idea what was coming. No sane woman would sleep with him now -- I can only guess how badly someone might get hurt now that he's fueled by anger over his firing. Directing the "hate-fuck" comment at a co-worker (let alone anyone else) just shows that he has no judgment whatsoever.

[bailey]

One interesting point in the multitude of articles springing up, why is Gomeshi blaming the CBC for firing him. If he is telling the truth, it's the jilted ex-girlfriend who lied causing all the trouble.

I am very happy to see that today has brought a lot of discussion of rape culture. And people making extremely cogent arguments about how a person doesn't get to be assumed to be the victim of injustice just because they have a great radio voice.

[thneed]

And there isn't much of people assuming that anyone into BDSM is automatically some kind of creep. BDSM hasn't been a big part of the discussion at all. Which is how it should be since it's about consent.

[canuckcutie]

His statement heaped blame on one vindictive ex gf (arent they always huh?) but The Star spoke to 3 women who's been involved with him plus one co-workers. I've read rumblings of other women, personally and professionally, that he assaulted & harassed so hopefully some more find the courage to come forward.

I think he quickly tried to shape the narrative by playing victim, he's just a loyal soldier (ugh shitty timing to make that reference), that his vindictive ex is all at fault and sure he's kinky but hey it's all good they were totally up for it! Until they weren't of course..

In Canada the law states you cannot consent to being assaulted so even if he claims they were ok with violence and they were ok with the violence (which the allegations make clear they were absolutely not ok with) then it's still not ok.

[Deleted]

Oct 28, 2014 11:32:40 GMT -4 Sunnyhorse said:

Directing the "hate-fuck" comment at a co-worker (let alone anyone else) just shows that he has no judgment whatsoever.

And his producer's response to the woman who complained, asking her what she could do to make this a less toxic workplace for herself. Ugh! CBC didn't do anything and she ended up leaving. If that is true, and I am leaning heavily towards believing the allegations against him, it just shows that CBC was willing to protect him against the "average sexual harassment claim*". Which is terrible in its own right but it also shows how out of line he must have gotten for CBC to fire him.


*granted the hate-fuck part puts it above average. Or would that be below average?