Salt Spring Island Pride! Sept 10th - 11th Meet the stars!
Salt Spring Island is exploring a new paradigm at its first-ever gay pride festival September 10-11. The adult group Gays and Lesbians of Salt Spring Island (GLOSSI) is cooperating with youth from the local high school's Gay-Straight Alliance to present a unifying community celebration. We hope that GLBT folks and their straight allies from around the area will join them at Artspring Theatre in Ganges on Saturday evening, September 10th for Visions and Voices, a panel discussion on the future of gays and lesbians in our community and the world.
Panel members include well-known figures Mary-Woo Sims, Svend Robinson, Charley Beresford, and Salt Spring Island based author, Evelyn White, along with two articulate young members of the Gay-Straight Alliance and their sponsor, GISS teacher Bill Turner. The panellists will share personal stories and discuss future goals and challenges.
Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for youth and are available from the Artspring Box Office: Phone: 537-2102; Toll-free: 866-537-2102. There will be a cocktail reception before and after the event, and a dance party following at the Glass Onion in Ganges. There will also be a Gay & Lesbian Film festival shown at ArtSpring on Saturday from 2-5 pm in Ganges.
The annual Salt Spring Island Potluck will be held on Sunday Sept 11 from 12-5 pm at Ruckle Park on beautiful Salt Spring Island. Bring a friend and a dish make a day of it!
If you want more information about the event, you can check out the GLOSSI website at www.saltspring.com/glossi or contact glossi@saltspring.com
tags: Gay, Canada, GLBT, Human Rights, Youth, Education
8.29.2005
8.28.2005
Gays deserve place to live and work
“I don’t think homosexuals should be granted a special minority status,” he told the paper. However, he said that gays, including teachers, should not be denied jobs solely because of their sexuality.
“As long as a person obeys the law and doesn’t recruit a student to a certain lifestyle, they shouldn’t be prevented from teaching. Every American should be allowed to work wherever he or she wishes as long as they obey the law.”
Jerry Falwel, August 25, 2005 365gay.com
8.21.2005
The end justifies the means
A lawyer in the United States is attempting to have the his country de-recognize the Holy See (Catholic Church) over sex-abuse within the church. Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, who was the head of the doctrinal office as well as the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith stand accuesed of involvement in the conspiracy to cover up sexual assaults against three boys by a seminarian in Texas in the mid-1990's.
Read what the Christian right activists have to say ...
For more information on social conservatives, Stephen Harper, gay rights, same-sex or equal marriage, James Dobson, evangelicals, Focus on the Family, Bishop Henry, The Pope, use the Technorati search box in the side bar here and at Politics in BC.
Tags: Gay, GLBT, Queer, Gay Marriage, Christian, James Dobson, Stephen Harper, Conservative Party of Canada, Politics
Read what the Christian right activists have to say ...
The end justifies the means... These people will even defend the Catholic Church's concerted attempts to cover-up sex abuse cases and to find "good" jobs for the abusers. A few years ago this defence of the Catholic Church by the Evangelical set would not have occured. It is another clear example of the unification of social conservative christians and the ever more "evangelical" bent of the catholic leadership."This is not the first time radically dissident "Catholics" have attempted to undermine the international legal status of the Holy See. The last attempt was made by the bogus group, "Catholics" for a Free Choice, when in 1999, they launched a postcard campaign to have the Holy See delegation ousted from the UN. The presence and prestige of the Vatican diplomatic corps at international conferences such as those on population at Cairo and Beijing have long been a thorn in the side of groups working to promote abortion and sterilization." - Lifesite News
For more information on social conservatives, Stephen Harper, gay rights, same-sex or equal marriage, James Dobson, evangelicals, Focus on the Family, Bishop Henry, The Pope, use the Technorati search box in the side bar here and at Politics in BC.
Tags: Gay, GLBT, Queer, Gay Marriage, Christian, James Dobson, Stephen Harper, Conservative Party of Canada, Politics
8.14.2005
I wake up and I'm a boy
The Boston Globe has this interesting article...
Boston Globe: What Makes People Gay?
The article is online at the Boston Globe and here.
Boston Globe: What Makes People Gay?
His mother's heart sank. She could tell that he wanted more than anything to please her. "Basically, he was saying there must be a miracle - that one day I wake up and I'm a boy. That's the only way he could imagine it could happen."
The article is online at the Boston Globe and here.
8.11.2005
Safe Schools Campaign
Egale Canada
Press Release
For immediate release - August 11, 2005
On International Youth Day,Egale launches safe schools campaign
Targets provincial ministers of education
Ottawa--This Friday, August 12 is the United Nation's International Youth Day. Egale Canada has chosen International Youth Day to officially launch its safe schools petition campaign. Egale has circulated the petitions across the country in recent weeks,
gathering several thousand names.
The U.N. International Youth Day focuses on the World Programme of Action for Youth, which in turn seeks to increase the "opportunities available to young people for full, effective and constructive participation in society." Education and human rights are two of the key focus areas. Section 20 of the Programme calls on governments to promote non-discrimination, tolerance and respect for diversity. Section 8(e) says every state should ensure "young people are informed by accurate data on their situation and needs." See www.un.org/youth for details.
"Schools should be safe for all children, regardless of personal characteristics like race, sex, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity," said Laurie Arron, Egale's Director of Advocacy. "While it is generally agreed all children deserve protection, all too often lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans-identified (LGBT) youth, as well as children of same-sex couples, are left out in the cold. That's why provincial and territorial governments must take action to explicitly provide for their protection."
"Egale's petitions ask provincial and territorial ministers of education to take concrete action to provide a safe, caring and inclusive school environment for all students, staff, and families, including those who are or are perceived to be lesbian, gay, bisexual or trans-identified, as well as children of LGBT people," indicated Egale President Gemma Hickey. "Teaching acceptance and respect is always age-appropriate."
"Schools are one of the best ways to reach youth, as well as adults," stated Joan Beecroft, an Ontario teacher and co-chair of Egale's Education Committee. "This is why Egale is asking provincial ministers of education to be more pro-active in addressing discrimination and bullying at school. While there are encouraging steps being taken by some school boards, much more needs to be done and by a greater number of boards."
"Schools must no longer be breeding grounds for intolerance and hatred," declares James Chamberlain, a B.C. teacher and co-chair of Egale's Education Committee. "Bullying of all types has a detrimental impact on learning and self-worth. Ministries of education must play an active
role in ensuring safe learning environments for all students, free from harassment."
Egale Canada advances equality and justice for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans-identified (LGBT) people, and their families, across Canada. Founded in 1986, Egale has over 4,000 members including people in every province and territory of Canada. Its work includes political action, legal interventions and public education and awareness.
tags: Gay, Canada, GLBT, Human Rights, Youth, Society, Education, Bullying
Press Release
For immediate release - August 11, 2005
On International Youth Day,Egale launches safe schools campaign
Targets provincial ministers of education
Ottawa--This Friday, August 12 is the United Nation's International Youth Day. Egale Canada has chosen International Youth Day to officially launch its safe schools petition campaign. Egale has circulated the petitions across the country in recent weeks,
gathering several thousand names.
The U.N. International Youth Day focuses on the World Programme of Action for Youth, which in turn seeks to increase the "opportunities available to young people for full, effective and constructive participation in society." Education and human rights are two of the key focus areas. Section 20 of the Programme calls on governments to promote non-discrimination, tolerance and respect for diversity. Section 8(e) says every state should ensure "young people are informed by accurate data on their situation and needs." See www.un.org/youth for details.
"Schools should be safe for all children, regardless of personal characteristics like race, sex, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity," said Laurie Arron, Egale's Director of Advocacy. "While it is generally agreed all children deserve protection, all too often lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans-identified (LGBT) youth, as well as children of same-sex couples, are left out in the cold. That's why provincial and territorial governments must take action to explicitly provide for their protection."
"Egale's petitions ask provincial and territorial ministers of education to take concrete action to provide a safe, caring and inclusive school environment for all students, staff, and families, including those who are or are perceived to be lesbian, gay, bisexual or trans-identified, as well as children of LGBT people," indicated Egale President Gemma Hickey. "Teaching acceptance and respect is always age-appropriate."
"Schools are one of the best ways to reach youth, as well as adults," stated Joan Beecroft, an Ontario teacher and co-chair of Egale's Education Committee. "This is why Egale is asking provincial ministers of education to be more pro-active in addressing discrimination and bullying at school. While there are encouraging steps being taken by some school boards, much more needs to be done and by a greater number of boards."
"Schools must no longer be breeding grounds for intolerance and hatred," declares James Chamberlain, a B.C. teacher and co-chair of Egale's Education Committee. "Bullying of all types has a detrimental impact on learning and self-worth. Ministries of education must play an active
role in ensuring safe learning environments for all students, free from harassment."
Egale Canada advances equality and justice for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans-identified (LGBT) people, and their families, across Canada. Founded in 1986, Egale has over 4,000 members including people in every province and territory of Canada. Its work includes political action, legal interventions and public education and awareness.
tags: Gay, Canada, GLBT, Human Rights, Youth, Society, Education, Bullying
8.10.2005
Cheer on Texan Bulldyke blog
I came across a post on the yahoo Rural Gay group (mostly Americans, but some Canadians members too) indicating the writer was starting a blog. It caughty my eye as I have been thinking of late about my blogs and just how much I have changed in this effort since it all started.
Queer Thoughts was the first blogging effort. I started with personal stuff and gay news. Yikes then I couldn't stop talking about other things like the war in Iraq and politics in general.
Focus seems to be the key to success in blogging. I decided I needed another blog that would deal with all the other things spinning in my head as a political activist. I started Politics in BC. Queer Thoughts is now 90% all gay news, activism and personal stuff.
As I started this post I was telling you about the a new blog started by a self described "BullDyke". She says on her blog that she has been referred to as a most cynical person. I plan to follow this sister's effort and hope to read some interesting stuff on being gay in the rural world.
Check out Rural, Gay, & Libertarian. Welcome her to the blogging world with a comment or two!
Queer Thoughts was the first blogging effort. I started with personal stuff and gay news. Yikes then I couldn't stop talking about other things like the war in Iraq and politics in general.
Focus seems to be the key to success in blogging. I decided I needed another blog that would deal with all the other things spinning in my head as a political activist. I started Politics in BC. Queer Thoughts is now 90% all gay news, activism and personal stuff.
As I started this post I was telling you about the a new blog started by a self described "BullDyke". She says on her blog that she has been referred to as a most cynical person. I plan to follow this sister's effort and hope to read some interesting stuff on being gay in the rural world.
Check out Rural, Gay, & Libertarian. Welcome her to the blogging world with a comment or two!
My background is that of an ex-army sgt, leather dyke, over-educated (grad school in biology), semi-hermit, wanna-be farmer on my on little 5 acres in hell, errr, Texas. I have been called the most cynical person you will ever meet that isn't an ex-cop, a white knight in black leather, and a whole lot more. All of which are un-printable on a family web site. ~ Bulldyke
8.09.2005
Homophobic attitudes come from insecurity
Imagine that ...
Real men will or could, (better be sure you feel okay then) read more here
"I found that if you made men more insecure about their masculinity, they displayed more homophobic attitudes, tended to support the Iraq War more and would be more willing to purchase an SUV over another type of vehicle," said Robb Willer, a sociology doctoral candidate at Cornell. Willer is presenting his findings Aug. 15 at the American Sociological Association's 100th annual meeting in Philadelphia.
Real men will or could, (better be sure you feel okay then) read more here
a nod to Doucheblog for the link
Tags:
Homophobia, Gay, Masculinity, Men, Gender, Sociology, Psychology
Gay and Bi Men's Coffee night "Kelowna"
Gay and Bi Men's Coffee night starting August 17, 2005
A couple of us gay men have been looking for a place to hold a gay men's coffee night in Kelowna since the regular drop in at the Bean Scene was closed down. We now have a place to start this. We are not associated with any group or organization, just some guys that wanted to bring gay men together over coffee.
You can join us beginning Wednesday, August 17 from 7 to 9pm. The location is the Kelowna Drop In, 467 Lawrence Avenue, Kelowna. We will do this every Wednesday for six weeks to determine if there is enough interest!
Our coffee night in not affiliated in any way with the Kelowna Drop In other than our thanks to them for making the space available to us. For more information you can email me here.
caribookidca (at) yahoo (dot) ca
Watch Gay Okanagan for regular information on this event and others in the Okanagan!
http://gaykelowna.blogspot.com/
A couple of us gay men have been looking for a place to hold a gay men's coffee night in Kelowna since the regular drop in at the Bean Scene was closed down. We now have a place to start this. We are not associated with any group or organization, just some guys that wanted to bring gay men together over coffee.
You can join us beginning Wednesday, August 17 from 7 to 9pm. The location is the Kelowna Drop In, 467 Lawrence Avenue, Kelowna. We will do this every Wednesday for six weeks to determine if there is enough interest!
Our coffee night in not affiliated in any way with the Kelowna Drop In other than our thanks to them for making the space available to us. For more information you can email me here.
caribookidca (at) yahoo (dot) ca
Watch Gay Okanagan for regular information on this event and others in the Okanagan!
http://gaykelowna.blogspot.com/
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