rabble.ca - LGBTI

When even silence fails: On affirmation -- Part 3

Mercedes Allen — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 21:08:31 -0400

This is part of a 3-part series on LGBT-inclusive anti-bullying education, centring around the Day of Silence, which encourages students to take a vow of silence for the day, to bring attention to anti-LGBT bullying and harassment. It occurs on April 20th.

Part 1: When even silence offends: on the 2012 push from the North American far-right to subvert and antagonize Day of Silence participants. and: When even silence "persecutes:" on the ongoing conflicts in Canada, and a new game of declaring "homophobia" a hate word.

When even silence 'indoctrinates': The 'No Pro Homo' education model -- Part 2

Mercedes Allen — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 22:08:31 -0400

This is part of a 3-part series on LGBT-inclusive anti-bullying education, centering around the Day of Silence, which encourages students to take a vow of silence for the day, to bring attention to anti-LGBT bullying and harassment. It occurs on April 20th.

When even silence offends: Part 1

Mercedes Allen — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 22:41:59 -0400

Constructing Change: Celebrating the Day of Pink

The Activist Toolkit — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 20:17:24 -0400

This Wednesday was the International Day of Pink, a day of action created to fight homophobia, transphobia and bullying. Jer's Vision celebrated with hundreds of youth activists, community leaders, queer allies and celebrities at their seventh annual gala. Jack Layton and Rick Mercer were recognized for their work against queer bullying with youth role model awards.

Jer's Vision does amazing anti-queerphobia workshops with youth in schools all over Canada and are in desperate need of funding! See their website for how to donate and help them continue to create inclusive, safe spaces in schools.

Activist Toolkit Occupy roundup: The tools you'll need to #occupyspring

The Activist Toolkit — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 17:18:21 -0400

Occupy Wall Street is back this spring and with it, occupations of cities and towns across Canada are popping back up. Occupiers may have been busy working underground but now it's time to rise up and organize. The activist toolkit is going on a spring break but not without a bang. Here's a roundup of tools for occupiers to take you through the hiatus. Best of all, every tool and app featured is free.

Social media, apps and blogging have helped keep the movement alive. Now that protesters are organizing physical Occupy camps again, there are tons of new tech tools to help you organize.

Carole Pope: The return of the diva

M.Gregus — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 09:03:36 -0400

Carole Pope has long been the grande dame of the Canadian art rock scene. With Rough Trade, she and writing partner Kevan Staples ushered in a riotous mix of glam, glitter, unspeakably racy (for the time) onstage lesbian sexuality and a certain delicious sense of intellectual irony. Who else would have called their record albums Avoid Freud and For Those Who Jung/Young?

Potty panic in the halls of Parliament

Mercedes Allen — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 00:01:26 -0400

Did he just say that?

Xtra is reporting that during the first hour of discussion for the trans human rights bill C-279, Conservative MP Dean Allison attempted to link trans women with sexual predators.

[Bill C-279 sponsor Randall] Garrison says not all Conservative MPs feel that way. “That’s at the core of the old Reform Party attitude that I think is a significant part of the Conservative caucus, but there are others who don’t share those views.” He says there are 65 sitting members who voted against same-sex marriage. “That gives you an idea.”

Activist Toolkit weekly roundup: Prison Industrial Complex, gender 101, direct actions

The Activist Toolkit — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 22:50:05 -0400

While the budget was released, activists were already speaking out. It was clear before the budget hit Parliament that it was not going to be written with poor folks, seniors and other minorities in mind, that it would be full of cuts to social services, communities and jobs -- in other words, it's #notourbudget. With economic uncertainty looming, there's no better time to organize against Harper's mega-prisons and take direct action.

Like what you see? Want to add a tool? The Activist Toolkit is an interactive wiki! Find out how to add tools and edit.

Eli Clare's Exile and Pride: Disability, Queerness and Liberation

alex — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 15:28:44 -0400

I often feel that describing the pieces that I write in response to books as “reviews” is a bit inaccurate because I only occasionally relate to the books in question in the ways that a review is, traditionally, supposed to. What I write tend to be more reactions or reflections or responses, or just meanderings. Nonetheless, I inevitably end up deciding just to sit with that unease -- to accept that the label “review” doesn’t always quite fit the way it is normatively intended and to trouble and loosen it by taking it on anyway. In the case of this book, I’m afraid that what I write will be more of a moderately reflective fanboy “squee” than a proper review.

On trans beauty contestants

Mercedes Allen — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 11:40:56 -0400

I have to admit, as far as trans issues go, beauty pageants are way down my list of priorities. At a time when it's difficult to access doctors willing to treat trans people for the flu let alone assist in transition, when even something as simple as basic human rights inclusion remains uncertain, and when I still struggle to find answers to questions about which shelters are willing to take in trans men or women, Miss Universe seems an alternate reality, in many ways.

Activist Toolkit weekly roundup: Occupy actions, stopping street harassment, trans-positive workshops

The Activist Toolkit — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 13:56:56 -0400

Activists soberly observed the day to eliminate racial discrimination yesterday, with protests and events nation-wide. My thoughts are with the family and friends of Trayvon Martin, a 17-year-old teen who was shot after buying candy by a so-called member of a community watch group, simply because of the colour of his skin. His murder was entirely senseless, preventable and his killer has yet to be brought to justice. When tragedy strikes activists have to strike back: sign the petition to charge Martin's killer and look to the toolkit this week for fresh tools to take to the streets.

Activist Toolkit weekly roundup: Food security, locavores, good food boxes

The Activist Toolkit — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 11:18:49 -0400

The Ides of March are upon us, and with that comes a whole host of action days. Today is bottled water free day and to celebrate this week's toolkit is chock full of environmental tools. The politics of water relate to every form of activism, especially food justice, sustainability and sovereignty. Special thanks to Paula Miller for contributing great tech tools!

Like what you see? Want to add something to a tool? The activist toolkit is a wiki! Find out how to add to the tools and edit.

Constructing Change: Radicalizing consent

The Activist Toolkit — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 10:21:11 -0400

Consent is often mentioned retroactively, as a response to violence. But when radical consent is exercised from the start along with a sex positive dialogue, it can really make a difference. The Consensuality Collective held a consent cabaret in Ottawa.

I caught up with poet, activist and playwright Luna Allison about her performance, consent and how sexual abuse can be misconstrued in activist communities. Her one-woman show "Falling Open" just finished at the Great Canadian Theatre Company.

Intro song: "The Revolution will not be televised" by Gill Scott-Heron

Activist Toolkit weekly roundup: #IWD, radical workshops, intersex allies, men against violence, pro-choice

The Activist Toolkit — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 11:56:40 -0500

It's International Women's Day! There are a ton of great ways to appreciate the strong cis and trans women and girls in your life. Whether you want to be a better ally, empower young women or just read up on some Canadian feminist history, it's all in this week's toolkit.

Like what you see? Want to add something to a tool? The activist toolkit is a wiki! Find out how to add and edit it.

Weekly roundup

Activist Toolkit weekly roundup: Day of Pink, self-care workshops, cash mobs and event tabling

The Activist Toolkit — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 11:33:18 -0500

So after much ado, the vikileaks fiasco has come to an end (Liberal staffer Adam Carroll set up the account) just in time for the next Conservative scandal: #robocalls. In this brave new world where citizens don't know what to believe, you can always count on the Activist Toolkit to give you the real deal. Fill your schedule with organizing for international days of action, learn more about Canadian activists and try out some new ways to protest. You trust these tools -- they aren't automated.

Like what you see? Want to add something to a tool? The activist toolkit is a wiki! Find out how to add and edit it.

Weekly roundup

Activist Toolkit weekly roundup: Vikileaks, community resistance, mad workshops, Women's Day

The Activist Toolkit — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 11:49:40 -0500

Dear Vic Toews,

Today I'm writing my blog all about Internet activism and community resistance. I'm featuring tools that can be used by community members to organize against mining, factory farms and highlighting tech guides that could keep other activists safer online. I'll even plug my latest podcast, Constructing Change: Decolonizing activism somewhere before my weekly roundup. Then I might have some tea. Just thought you should know. #tellvictoewseverything

Shaping and redefining Canadian writing: A celebration of Black Canadian authors

bound but not gagged — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 17:44:04 -0500

With the month of February drawing to a close, Black History Month comes to an end as well. Many see this celebration as an amends to the past, applauding those courageous leaders who marked political moments and defiant changes in our world; however, it is those who believe that racism has passed that continue to perpetuate it. Ignorance, hate and racism still plague every form of life, both in and outside of Canada, whether at the hands of systematic implementation or in its completely banal and idiotic forms.

Activist Toolkit weekly roundup: Starting a co-op, SmartMemes, decolonizing workshop, going viral

The Activist Toolkit — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 09:57:47 -0500

On Valentine's Day, hundreds of children protested on Parliament Hill for equal rights for First Nations children waiting for real schools. They sang, read letters they wrote begging Harper to "have a heart" and waved their homemade signs. Youth activists are some of the most technologically savvy and dedicated campaigners. They still need an activist education and guidance, but there's a lot to be said about their passion and belief in change. This week's tools will help you mobilize and educate youth activists.

Like what you see? Want to add something to a tool? The activist toolkit is a wiki! Find out how to add and edit it here.

Weekly roundup

Activist Toolkit weekly roundup: HIV workshops, fat activism, the Canadian fruit machine, composting, supporting prisoners

The Activist Toolkit — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 13:52:54 -0500

It's getting to be that time of year again: roses appearing in the middle of winter, chocolate flying off the shelves... it must be almost time to Occupy Valentines Day! What's more passionate than fighting for social justice? Love comes in many forms -- a sister to be remembered, the fresh smell of compost in the morning, a community you build online, but no matter how you celebrate this week's Toolkit has got you covered.

Constructing change: Everything you wanted to know about organizing but were afraid to ask

The Activist Toolkit — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:44:56 -0500

This week on Constructing Change: organizing for sex workers, how to build community, know your rights, stop prostitution sweeps and more. Plus an interview from the Ottawa sex workers' union POWER about how police patronize prostitutes with a serial killer on the loose.

Intro theme: "The revolution will not be televised" by Gill Scott-Heron

Superman theme by SoundCloud.

Comments, suggestions, questions: steff@rabble.ca

Groups opposed to the increased criminalization of HIV/AIDS

johnbon — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 17:56:46 -0500

Listen to an interview with HIV/AIDS activist Tim McCaskell.

From the event page:

On February 8, the Supreme Court of Canada will hear two landmark cases about HIV, sex and the criminal law. More details here: http://www.aidslaw.ca/EN/stopcriminalization/index.htm

Stand for justice! Oppose the criminalization of HIV.

Make your voice heard.

Where: Church of the Holy Trinity, 483 Bay Street, Toronto

When: Monday, 6 February at 5:30 p.m.

What: Calls to Action, March to Old City Hall & Street Theatre

It is time to stop persecuting people living with HIV who have safe and consensual sex. The criminal law should only be used where a person puts another person at a real risk of harm.

Activist Toolkit weekly roundup: Black history month, disability and union organizing, workshops on patient rights

The Activist Toolkit — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:52:41 -0500

Happy Black History Month! Start your February off right by checking out the anti-racist tools, history and workshops on the Activist Toolkit. The tools featured this week are tried and true methods of organizing to take your campaign through the month and beyond.

Ten minutes of youth breaking down racism and gender-based violence

The F Word Collective — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:29:54 -0500

For the last year and a half, the Urban Alliance on Race Relations' Making Noise GV CAMP has been working with organizations across Toronto to hold conversations with young racialized women and LGBTQ youth about gender-based violence, community accountability, media literacy and creation. This past October the group hosted a lively youth panel which discussed gender-based violence, bullying, and homophobia, and racism. The panel featured Tavila Haque, Sarah-Lee Umraugh, Hadija Nuru, and Nish Israni.

Produced by Ellie Gordon-Moershel.

Check out Urban Alliance on Race Relations' website.

For more information on The F Word, please visit: www.feminisms.org.

Harper's grand plan: What it is and how to fight it

hussan — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 12:18:17 -0500

"In the months to come, our government will undertake major transformations to position Canada for growth over the next generation" -- with these words, Stephen Harper has thown down the gauntlet. On Friday, in a grand, sweeping, blustering speech (see Aalya Ahmad on the new swagger), Harper has laid out his vision for the future. It is imperative that we understand it, to fight it.

New airport screening regs raise questions for trans Canadians

Mercedes Allen — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 10:09:18 -0500

Marathon runner Jennifer McCreath has pointed out a recent regulatory change that the Harper Conservatives have made to the Aeronautics Act (i.e. passed by ministerial fiat, rather than shepherded through Parliamentary process) that potentially affects many trans (and cis) Canadians and could even ban some from air travel:

Sec 5.2(1) An air carrier shall not transport a passenger if

(a) the passenger presents a piece of photo identification and does not resemble the photograph;

(b) the passenger does not appear to be the age indicated by the date of birth on the identification he or she presents;