So What?

Did Trudeau not say that the government has no place to be in the bedrooms of the nation? Apparently those great words mean nothing, as this man was refused his chauffeur's permit because he was into BDSM... so what? It's not like he's going to go turn his vehicle into some kinky dungeon, dominating passengers with fuzzy pink handcuffs or whipping them with the leather whips hidden in the glove compartment box - why would it matter what someone is interested in? Who cares whether they're into a little bit of S&M, or even the "standard" missionary-style sex, do you think that anyone is really going to care? They're hiring the guy to chauffeur them from place to place, not me masochistic in the backseat behind tinted windows. I'll stand by what Trudeau said, "the state has no place in the bedrooms of the nation" ... or, any other place for that matter - let people do whatever they want.


Vancouver Asks B.C. Court To Stop Human Rights Hearing Into Sadism Lifestyle

Canadian Press
Published: Tuesday, February 28, 2006

VANCOUVER (CP) - The City of Vancouver is trying one more time to untie itself from a Human Rights Tribunal complaint connected to sadism and masochism.

The city is asking the B.C. Supreme Court to overrule the tribunal decision that it would hear Peter Hayes' complaint on the basis of sexual orientation. Hayes went to the tribunal alleging a Vancouver police officer denied him a chauffeur's permit because of his so-called BDSM lifestyle.
BDSM refers to bondage and discipline, domination and submission, and sadism and masochism.

The city wants the court to declare that sexual orientation is connected to gender and doesn't include behaviours or practices.

Rights tribunal member Lindsay Lyster earlier ruled the case should be tested under the Human Rights Code, saying it was clear Hayes suffered because he was denied the permit.

No court date has been set to hear the city's petition.

© The Canadian Press 2006