{"id":20273,"date":"2014-08-31T18:47:00","date_gmt":"2014-08-31T22:47:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/?p=20273"},"modified":"2014-10-02T13:24:03","modified_gmt":"2014-10-02T17:24:03","slug":"ottawa-opera-company-fires-american-singer-over-facebook-posts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/2014\/08\/31\/ottawa-opera-company-fires-american-singer-over-facebook-posts\/","title":{"rendered":"THE SCOOP | Ottawa Opera company fires American singer over Facebook posts"},"content":{"rendered":"

We\u2019ve all read them. Social media posts expressing mundane annoyances of everyday public life. But as the American opera Bass Mr. Ruminski has just learned, publicly mocking a\u00a0man with decorated nails on the bus during gay pride month in Ottawa\u00a0doesn’t rate well on the scale of public annoyances. But bullying sure does.\u00a0If fact, according to a poll<\/a>\u00a0on the 100 most annoying things, bullying ranks number 16 on the list.<\/p>\n

It all started when\u00a0Valerian Ruminski<\/a> traveled to Ottawa, to attend rehearsals for Opera Lyra\u2019s<\/a> September 6th\u00a0production of Puccini\u2019s Tosca<\/em>, where he was to play the role of Sacristan. While there, he took a public city bus, and found himself sitting across from a young man named Jade London<\/a>. Ruminski was horrified by the way he looked, describing him as a \u201cmoron\u201d for adorning \u201cdiamond studded nails to make up for his face.\u201d Posting on his Facebook page, he wrote, \u201che is ASKING for criticism by parading his choices in front of everyone. They WANT you to notice it and get angered by it.\u201d He also took a picture of him.<\/p>\n

Many took to twitter and Facebook to defend the man’s\u00a0right to express himself during Ottawa’s Capital Pride event, which celebrates \u201cbringing together the fabulous, the hip and the most happening events to share the universal message of love, diversity and inclusion.\u201d Gay Pride events often bring out\u00a0showy costumes, much like they do anywhere. It comes with the territory, and is about celebration and inclusiveness for gay, straight\u00a0and everyone in between.<\/p>\n

But it\u00a0seems Ruminski didn\u2019t really share the message of love, diversity and inclusion, and felt the need to publicly shame London’s appearance.<\/p>\n

@DaryaDashaC<\/a> @RealLucyLawless<\/a> @OperaLyraOttawa<\/a> Unacceptable, I know the fellow and he’s lovely just like his nails. #ValerianRuminski<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Andrew F Stewart (@AndrewFstewart) August 23, 2014<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n