Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is making history as the first Canadian prime minister to visit a gay bar. Trudeau stopped into the Fountainhead Pub in Vancouver this week to mark the beginning of the city’s pride celebration. The visit makes him the first sitting Canadian prime minister to visit a gay bar.
The move is not out of the ordinary for Trudeau, who has been outspoken on LGBTQ issues in Canada. In 2016, Trudeau became the first prime minister to participate in a pride parade when he marched in the Toronto celebration. He also has made a public apology to gay Canadians who were fired from their jobs and the military during the Cold War and has proposed that the criminal records of Canadians who were accused and convicted of homosexual activity when it was illegal be expunged.
“Vancouver is gearing up for #Pride weekend right now, but the spirit of pride and inclusivity is strong here all year long!” Trudeau wrote on Twitter of his visit along with a picture of himself shaking hands with bar patrons. “Thanks to the folks at @fountainheadVAN for the warm welcome today.”
Vancouver is gearing up for #Pride weekend right now, but the spirit of pride and inclusivity is strong here all year long! Thanks to the folks at @fountainheadVAN for the warm welcome today. pic.twitter.com/vQWgTUG9xw
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) July 30, 2019
Although the prime minister only stayed for about fifteen minutes, patrons took the opportunity to pose for photos and celebrate the pride season with the prime minister. One visitor took to Instagram with a photo featuring him posing with the prime minister. “When the Canadian Prime Minister comes into a gay bar in Vancouver and asks your name 😱😁😂,” the user wrote.
Trudeau’s visit to The Fountainhead added an extra air of excitement to the city’s pride celebrations. The Vancouver pride festival takes place this weekend, culminating weeks of celebration of the LGBTQ community in the city with a parade and festival on Sunday.
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