Below is a "text only" version of the much more colourful actual newsletter. Due to the size of the original .pdf format file it could not be uploaded.
If you have any question or wish to contribute to future newsletters please contact rick@rainbowservice.org
RAINBOW News - September 2007
Rainbow Service Organization (RSO) is committed to promoting, advocating, and celebrating the interests of the queer, questioning, lesbian, bisexual, two-spirited, transgender, and gay community since 1993; incorporated as a not-for-profit organization in February 2007.
HAPPY PRIDE!
Come As You Are!
PETERBOROUGH 2007 PRIDE GUIDE
Peterborough PRIDE exists to celebrate the history, courage, diversity and future of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Transsexual, Queer, Intersex and Two -Spirited (LGBTTQI2 -S) communities.
Values Peterborough PRIDE believes in:
• treating each other, volunteers, stakeholders, and participants with respect and dignity;
• recognizing and valuing the contribution of volunteers, staff, and stakeholders;
• the transparency and accountability of our actions;
• celebrating diversity by accepting and respecting differences and working to understand the diverse cultural complexities that influence identity, assumptions, behaviours, expectations, and beliefs;
• honouring our past by remembering our history and educating both the LGBTTQI2 -S communities and the communities in which we live.
Wednesday, September 12
Film Festival of Pride (Night one)
Lecture Hall, Sadlier House,
751 George Street North, Peterborough
Doors Open at 6PM, Films 6:30PM - 8:30PM
ARIE (2005) 16 min.
BLOW (2006) 7 min.
THE AGGRESSIVES (2005) 63 min.
TINA PAULINA LIVING ON HOPE STREET (2006) 10 min.
UNTITLED (2006) 6 min.
Free admission: Donations to Rainbow Service Organization in support of Gay Straight Alliances in local schools and Rainbow Youth Coalition Video project are encouraged.
Queer Youth Dance
All ages, wet/dry event, please bring your ID.
8:30 pm
Sadleir House Dining Hall
751 George St. Peterborough
Thursday, September 13
Film Festival of Pride (Night two)
The Steele Centre, Sutherland Campus, Fleming College
599 Brealey Drive, Peterborough
Doors Open at 6PM, Films 6:30PM - 10:15PM
INVISIBLE SON (2005) 11 min. (There will be a Special Appearance by Ed Lee, Film Maker)
RED WITHOUT BLUE (2007) 74 min.
SOMMERSTRUM (2004) 98 min.
Free admission: Donations to Rainbow Service Organization in support of Gay
Straight Alliances in local schools and Rainbow Youth Coalition Video project are
encouraged.
For changes and updates contact sunshyne@nexicom.net
Banner/T-Shirt Building
Bring your creativity and help build banners to be included in Saturday's Pride
Parade OR bring your own t-shirt and redecorate it for Pride!
3:30 pm South Lawn Sadleir House
751 George St. Peterborough
Friday, September 14
Chris Boyd's Theme Dance Event
Age of Majority (19+) event
The Trasheteria - 123 Water St (Simcoe and Water)
Doors open @ 9:30pm, Show @ 11pm, Dance to follow
Tickets: $6 in advance @ the door before 11PM, $8 after 11PM
PRIDE SUPER Saturday, September 15
PFLAG Youth and Parents Brunch
11am-1pm
All youth and parents are welcome. Come out and meet others in the community!
361 Aberdeen Ave., Peterborough
(take Chemong bus to Wolsely and walk in to Downie then to Aberdeen)
Food will be provided at no cost but donations will be accepted.
If you plan to attend please RSVP to Dianne McKay via email at pflagpeterborough@hotmail.com (preferred) or by phone at (705) 749-9723.
Everyone Loves a Parade!
2pm sharp
Peterborough City Hall
500 George Street North
Bring a friend, the family, yourself and most of all - your pride! Don't miss this awesome opportunity to be out and proud in your own community! Reading of the Proclamation at City Hall will be followed by the 5th annual Peterborough Pride Parade. The theme this year is "Come As You Are!" - it's all about you (and us) so let’s not be afraid to show our spirit! Finish-up this fabulous walk down 'the main drag' at the riverside Millennium Park ‘Festival in the Park’. Hang out and meet friends or participate in some great activities organized and other informative booths! There is no cost involved in the events, but donations will be accepted to help cover costs.
Pride Follies and Dance
All ages event (identification required)
The Market Hall, George Street
Starting at 7pm. Doors open at 615
$5 per person (all-evening access)
Dress it up. Take it out. Strut your stuff.
Peterborough Pride comes but once a year, and that's a darn good reason to
whoop-it-up at the official Pride Follies Show and Dance.
Pride Follies will feature performances by:
songstress Kay Pettigrew
renowned performance artist David Bateman
dance group "Old Men Dancing"
classic drag performers Kevin and Sean
special appearance by Deb Pearce, daytime host on ProudFM (103.9fm)
Queer and Questioning Quiz time!
9:00pm - Dance with local DJ until 2am!
Sunday, September 16th
Pride Champagne Brunch
Elements Restaurant
11:30am to 4:00pm
Elements Restaurant - 140 King Street, Peterborough
(corner King and Water)
Cost: $ 25.00 (This price includes a $5.00 donation to Peterborough Pride)
Includes a choice of 4 main courses Peterborough PRIDE menu and a glass of
champagne & orange juice
All food prepared fresh to order!
For further information on the menu and to make reservations please call (705 )
876-1116.
Hike the Trent Trails
Starting at 4pm
Meeting at the junction of Armour Road and Naussa Mills Road.
Evalyn Parry House Concert
2pm
Cost at door: $10/$6 students/unwaged
Evalyn Parry, singer-songwriter, poet, theatre artist and ironic social commentator, is performing a house concert in East City. Whether she's costumed as a singing maxipad, rhyming off a incisive spoken word rant about bottled water or chemical lawn care, or singing about sailors, pro-wrestlers, gay rovers or bumblebees, Evalyn's live performances are as thought-provoking as they are hilarious, and as deeply political as they are personal.
Evalyn is the recipient of the Colleen Peterson Songwriting Award (Ontario Arts Council, 2003), and The Beth Ferguson Award for Upcoming Songwriter (Ottawa Folk Festival, 2001), and nominee for the KM Hunter Award for Music (Ontario Arts Council, 2006).
Evalyn has a new double album out. If you've seen her perform before, you're in for a whole new show.
Sunday, September 16 at 2pm, also featuring Ziy.
For details, please contact ziysah@yahoo.ca or call 743-8529.
The Rainbow Service Organization presents . . .
Saturday October 27
MASQUEERADE!
PARTY and DANCE
SSFC—Steele Centre
9pm—2am
Best Costume Contest
Age of Majority Event
(Identification Required By All)
Doors open 8.15pm
Chartered public transit EXPRESS bus available to safely
take patrons to downtown public transit bus
terminal leaving SSFC at 1am
(users must show transit pass or pay transit fare).
AIDS WALK FOR LIFE
WHY WALK?
WHY WALK? Whatever your reason, join the fight against HIV/AIDS in our community and Walk. When you Walk and collect pledges for the AIDS Walk for Life, you are making a difference in the lives of those living with and affected by HIV/AIDS in your community. We encourage you to Walk, form a team, fundraise, donate, volunteer, or all of the above! And remember, all AIDS Walk for Life proceeds support direct services for people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS in your community!
HIV/AIDS affects us all. There is no cure and no vaccine. We Walk for those who are no longer with us. We Walk to support those living with & affected by HIV/AIDS. We Walk to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS in our own communities. We all have our reasons. We hope that one day we won’t need to Walk any longer. Until then, the Walk will do us good.
Canada’s most important HIV/AIDS fundraising and awareness event is
the annual AIDS Walk for Life. During the national event, cities and communities
from across the country will host Walks to raise funds for local services and
programming and to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS. Have questions? Interested in volunteering? Collect pledges… it is never too late. Contact Suzanne at PARN 705 749-9110:1-800-361-2895 [email: suzanne@parn.ca]
Sunday September 23, 2007
Millennium Park
Peterborough
1PM Registration
2PM The Walk Begins
Message from the RSO Chairperson
Submitted by Rick Lambert
Happy 5th Peterborough Pride to everyone! The theme "Come as you are!" really speaks to me about how pride is a celebration of the diversity of our community as groups and individuals. I hope more and more of us feel free to be ourselves in our daily lives and not feel the need to hide and censor ourselves. For some of us the journey continues but Pride celebrations, wherever they take place, provide a safe opportunity to glimpse the freedom we all seek.
The diversity of our community is a source of strength but also presents challenges. RSO has a mission that includes trying to serve the interests of the broader queer community and that encompasses varied and, on occasion, conflicting interests. Gender, age, orientation and language are but a few ways in which we differ and they help define what we want to see reflected in our community services and events. Luckily we are being joined in our efforts by other organizations including PARN, Trent Queer Collective, Ontario Public Interest Research Group (OPIRG), Rainbow Youth Coalition (RYC), Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) and many helpful volunteers and allies so the job is getting easier for all. Peterborough Pride is a good example of the collaboration that is building. Also the ongoing work of the Police Liaison Committee is breaking new ground both for cooperation in the broader community and ensuring that the queer community is protected in a way that is respectful and sensitive to all our needs. Special thanks goes to Kevin Forrest, past-chair of RSO, for leading this effort.
We are continuing to work ha rd on building a community where everyone feels good and able to be who they are. We welcome individuals and partner organizations to help us in this effort. We are all volunteers and ready to welcome your ideas and helping hands. Join us to share in the new energy and spirit of the coming year!
JOIN THE DEDICATED RSO WINNING TEAM
Join our winning team as a valued Volunteer.
As a Rainbow Service Organization (RSO) Volunteer you will have fun and be supporting the queer, questioning, lesbian, bisexual, two - spirited, transgender, and gay community.
RSO is on the move up and we need a few volunteers to support increasing planned activities by the organization in the community, as well as Board Directors and board committee work.
To join the team, please contact rso@pipcom.com.
Board committees:
Board Development, Communications, Newsletter, Events, Finance, Fundraising, Project-Liaisons (Hospital, Police, Trans Day of Remembrance, International Day Against Homophobia, Peterborough PRIDE), and Social Action.
Current Board Directors: Rick Lambert – Chairperson, C. W. (Bill) Gunson – Vice
Chairperson, Shirley Switzer – Secretary, Barry Boyce – Treasurer, Andrea
Barclay, Lynda Flagler, Bryan Nayler, Jessica Sachse, and Kaitlin Acres—
Special Advisor.
UPDATE
Gay Nicaraguan man goes into hiding after
refugee bid denied
A young Nicaraguan man who says he fears he will be killed in his home country because of his sexual orientation has gone into hiding in Toronto after his latest bid to stay in Canada failed. Alvaro Orozco, 22, has been holed up at a friend's place after his refugee claim was denied, but came out briefly over the weekend to speak with the CBC. "Most of the time, I'm hiding because I'm not s upposed to be anywhere. I feel like a fugitive. It's really bad," said Orozco.
His case made headlines in Canada and Nicaragua in February when the Immigration and Refugee Board denied him asylum saying they didn't believe he was gay. His lawyer filed a motion to reopen the refugee claim. Again, he was denied. He based his refugee claim on the fact that it is against the law to be gay in Nicaragua, where an anti-sodomy law was enacted in 1992. "It wasn't like lots of countries where they still have the laws, but they're like residues of old times and they're not acted upon. [The law] was a clear intention to persecute people and actually this does happen to this day," said Suhail Abulsameed of Support Our Youth, a gay support group in Toronto that has been helping Orozco.
NDP MP Olivia Chow has also taken up the case, and is pressuring Citizenship and Immigration Minister Diane Finley to allow the Nicaraguan man to stay in Canada. At this point, his last chance is to be accepted under humanitarian and compassionate grounds.
The media attention in Nicaragua has also magnified Orozco's fears he'll be thrown in jail or killed if he returns to his home country. "Now they know my name. If I walk in the street in the nighttime or any time in my country, the y can kill me," said Orozco. Orozco first came to Toronto two years ago after a lengthy journey from his home country where he fled at age 12. He hitchhiked across Central America, lived in Mexico, and then illegally entered the United States by swimming across the Rio Grande.
Officials arrested him and sent him to a detention centre, where he spent a year behind bars before he was released on a promise to return to Nicaragua. But again he fled first to a church, then to Canada in 2005. Orozco claims he was forced to flee Nicaragua because of the laws against homosexuality. He also says his father beat him and threatened to kill him because of his sexual orientation.
In February, an Immigration and Refugee Board adjudicator denied his refugee claim application, questioning whether Orozco was indeed homosexual since he never chose to pursue same-sex relationships while in the U.S. Orozco's lawyer argued the 22-year-old decided not to reveal his secret because he feared the church helping him might stop if it learned he was gay.
Online petition of support: www.petitiononline.com/alvaro/
Egale Canada’s efforts to advance equality for LGBT
people and their families continue
Egale Canada
We’ve been active in the courts and in politics. We’ve had some spectacular successes and some setbacks, but we remain committed to ensuring that Egale Canada is at the forefront of LGBT advocacy in Canada. Here is an update on some of the things we’ve been working on:
Civil Marriage:
It is hard to believe that it has been just six months since the House of Commons rejected a motion to re -open the debate on civil marriage in Canada. In the four years since the Ontario Court of Appeal recognized that civil marriage should be open to all couples, more than 12,000 LGBT couples have married and the number is growing. With our partners from Canadians for Equal Marriage, Egale Canada worked to ensure defeat of the Conservative motion to re-open the marriage debate, and we are pleased to report that Canada’s support for equal marriage is having a positive impact on LGBT rights around the globe.
The marriage issue should finally be off the Parliamentary agenda, but a few
related issues have arisen.
Recognition of Marriage:
Earlier this year, Egale Canada became aware that Canadian immigration officials were refusing to recognize same-sex marriages performed in countries like Spain and the Netherlands. That policy has now been changed, though Egale Canada will continue to monitor this situation.
Marriage Commissioners:
Egale Canada has undertaken a large research project comparing the status of marriage commissioners across the country, and we are actively monitoring human rights complaints by or against commissioners in Saskatchewan and Alberta.
Parenting Issues:
Egale Canada appeared before the Ontario Court of Appeal (represented by Andrew Pinto) as an intervener in the Susan Doe case to challenge the constitutionality of federal laws regulating sperm donations by gay and bisexual men even in the situation where they are donating to a known recipient who has requested their participation. Unfortunately, the Ontario Court of Appeal upheld the stringent conditions of the Donor Semen Special Access Program, which means that people wishing to conceive children using a gay or bisexual sperm donor may still face significant hurdles and administrative hassle in donating. Egale Canada has also provided extensive media commentary (and, if the cases are appealed, may intervene) on recent cases concerning birth registrations. Many provinces permit only a mother and a father to be registered on a birth certificate. In a recent Ontario case, the court ruled that two women can be registered, and in another case, the Ontario Court of Appeal held that two women and a man could be registered. Egale Canada is working on developing strategies to ensure that the birth registration decisions (a matter of provincial law) are given effect across the country. Finally, Egale Canada participated in a national consultation on assisted human reproduction this spring, which was organized by the National Association of Women and the Law. We will continue to monitor proposals for regulations under the Assisted Human Reproduction Act, which are expected in the near future.
Customs Censorship:
Little Sister’s, the beleaguered LGBT Vancouver bookstore, was back before the Supreme Court of Canada, and Egale Canada was there to support them. Even though the Court found in 2000 that the Canadian government has unfairly targeted the bookstore and subjected it to harassing censorship, the bookstore claims that nothing has changed in Customs administration since that ruling, and that its difficulties continue. Little Sisters sought to have its legal costs for a new trial paid for by the government, but lost. The bookstore is now trying to decide if it can pursue its new challenge without funding.
Canada Pensions:
In 2000, the federal government amended the Canada Pension Plans rules, limiting the ability of the same-sex partner of a person who died before 1999 to make a claim for a survivor’s pension. The government legislation also limited the retroactivity of any payments to one year. In Hislop, surviving partners of those who died between 1985 (when the Charter’s equality provisions came into effect) and 1998 joined together in a Canada-wide class action to argue that barring them from making a claim was arbitrary and discriminatory. The retroactivity limit was also under challenge. Egale Canada intervened in the case. The SCC decision came down in March, with mixed success: survivors of partners who died between 1985 and 1998 are now able to claim benefits, but the claim can only be retroactive to 12 months prior to the date of the claim.
Age of Consent and Sexual Behaviour:
Amendments to the Criminal Code have now been passed, raising the general age of consent to all sexual activities other than anal penetration from 14 to 16 years. Inexcusably, and in spite of Ontario and Quebec court of appeal decisions that state explicitly that an unequal age of consent is contrary to the Charter, the legislation does not rectify the discriminatory age of consent to anal penetration (still 18) in section 159 of the Criminal Code. As it has in the past, Egale Canada presented a brief to the Parliamentary Committee reviewing the Bill, recommending against raising the age for consent to sex and advocating that the age of consent to anal penetration be amended to conform to the other Criminal Code provisions. In other matters related to sexual behaviour, Egale Canada presented a brief last year to a Parliamentary Committee studying Canada’s bawdyhouse laws, recommending that criminal laws prohibiting consensual adult sex in semi-private places be repealed. We will review and analyze the implications of two recent Supreme Court of Canada decisions on bawdyhouse laws this summer. We are also actively following the nascent Charter challenge on the rights of sex workers.
Canadian Blood Services and Hema-Quebec:
Egale Canada is a party in the Freemancase, which relates to Canadian Blood Services’discriminatory policy prohibiting men who have had sex with men, even once, since 1977 from donating blood. That case is currently at the trial level at the evidence-gathering stage. We are also following the Lomago case against Hema-Quebec dealing with the same policy. Our Director of Advocacy participated in a CBS consultation in April to discuss possible modifications to the MSM exclusion policy, where she argued that the policy is discriminatory and therefore both over- and under- inclusive. She advocated that, in the interest of effectively screening for HIV and other blood borne infections, the policy should target risk behaviours rather than discriminate based on affiliation with an identity group.
Trans-issues:
Egale Canada had been prepared to intervene before the Supreme Court of Canada in the Nixon case (Ms. Nixon is a trans woman who wanted to volunteer at Vancouver Rape Relief), but leave was not granted. We support MP Bill Siksay’s Private Member’s bill on the inclusion of gender identity in the Canadian Human Rights Code, and Egale Canada is working with Ontario MPP Cheri Di Novo in her efforts to have gender identity incorporated into the Ontario Human Rights Code. Egale Canada has written a letter of support for Cheri Di Novo’s Private Member’s Bill, known as “Toby’s Law,” in memory of Toby Dancer. We are advocating with MPPs for the re -listing of SRS in Ontario. Additionally, we have undertaken a significant research project on the state of trans protection across the country.
Defamation/Fair Comment:
Rafe Mair is a talk-show host in British Columbia who is being sued by anti-gay activist Kari Simpson for some comments he made about her on the air. The case against Mair was initially dismissed at trial and overturned on appeal. Egale Canada is following the Mair case, which is now before the Supreme Court of Canada.
Human Rights:
Egale Canada is continuing to work on and develop positions towards various other human rights issues. These issues include: Can religious groups or people with strong religious beliefs who provide goods and services (like hall rentals or Braille translation) refuse to provide these goods and services to LGBT groups? Should Egale Canada promote the use of laws that limit discriminatory expression by human rights commissions? We have provided research, advice and media commentary on various cases, are actively following others, and continue to monitor other issues that are relevant to LGBT Canadians. Many thanks to our Legal Issues Committee and to all community members who have assisted us in our advocacy work. In the wake of the cancellation of the Court Challenges Program, we have redoubled our efforts to ensure that Egale Canada is there and able to advocate for LGBT rights to the fullest whenever there is a case or an issue affecting our communities. Our participation would not be possible without the generous pro bono support of our lawyers and without your donations. If you want to help Egale Canada continue its important and groundbreaking work in LGBT advocacy, go to http://www.egale.ca today and make a donation. Every dollar helps us make a difference.
Ponderisms
I used to eat a lot of natural foods until I learned that
most people die of natural causes.
Garden Rule: When weeding, the best way to make
sure you are removing a weed and not a valuable
plant is to pull on it. If it comes out of the ground easily, it is a valuable plant.
The easiest way to find something lost around the house is to buy a replacement.
Never take life seriously. Nobody gets out alive anyway.
Have you noticed since everyone has a camcorder these days no one talks about seeing UFOs like they used to?
In the 60's, people took acid to make the world weird. Now the world is weird and people take Prozac to make it normal. How it is one careless match can start a forest fire, but it takes a whole box to start a campfire?
Who was the first person to look at a cow and say, "I think I'll squeeze these dangly things here and drink whatever co mes out?"
Who was the first person to say, "See that chicken there? I'm going to eat the next thing that comes out of its butt."
Why does your OB-GYN leave the room when you get undressed if he's going to look up there anyway?
Why doesn't glue stick to the inside of the bottle?
Annual Conference of Affirm United
Submitted by Jim Abel
Affirm United (an organization for the LGBTT community along with their families and friends in the United Church of Canada) held its Annual Conference at St Andrew's United Church in Peterborough on the Civic Holiday weekend. Since this is the 25th anniversary of Affirm, the organizers were delighted that more than 100 people from across Canada came to celebrate. The theme of the Conference was "Never Doubt", based on Margaret Mead's famous assertion: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful concerned citizens can change the world." We even had a theme song entitled "Never Doubt", composed by Gordon Miller. Brian Nichols, psychotherapist, teacher, humanitarian, one of Peterborough's treasures, led the participants in three two -hour theme sessions. In the first, we explored the positive episodes of our life story. The second session afforded us the opportunity to share the dark moments in a safe place with supporti ve people. In the third session, we discovered that by acknowledging and naming both the light and the dark and by seeking and keeping the proper tension between them, we can reach a whole new creative level. Brian invited us to play and exercise our bodies, our minds and our spirits. It's too bad that David Giuliano, moderator of the United Church of Canada, as well as friend of Brian Nichols and co-creator of the theme sessions was unable to attend for health reasons. David was with us in spirit. Everyone also took part in a variety of workshops and (over)indulged in awesome food. That's how you know it was a United Church event! The Sunday service touched a whole range of emotions. The joyous music, led by Gordon and young Jessie Negropontes and Chris Giffin, shook the building from the foundations to the rafters. Then former moderator Anne Squire calmed and moved us with her compassionate recounting of the struggles and successes in the United Church over the last 30 years. Pride really is faith in the idea God had creating us as we are. Even the resident bat enjoyed the weekend! Overheard at the picnic at the zoo "Adam, this is Yves", followed by a pause during which eyes started to dance and chuckles grew into guffaws. Then, "Hey, those guys that claim it was Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve, are right!!! They just don't know how to spell Yves!!!"
CITY GRANT FUNDING
After incorporation as a not-for-profit organization in the Province of Ontario
on February 15, 2007, the Board of Directors submitted an application for a City
of Peterborough Community Investment Grant. The goal for seeking the
grant was to have the financial resources to best serve the needs of our
QQLBTSTG community. These goals are as follows:
• community education on issues pertaining to queer, questioning, lesbian,
• bisexual, two-spirited, transgender, and gay community issues through
• awareness workshops, our newsletter, website and electronic event notices
• strengthening community partnerships through expansion into other sectors
• Advocacy for the health , protection and human rights of the queer, questioning, lesbian, bisexual, two -spirited, transgender, and gay community
• continued Board Development and Strategic Planning for Board of Directors
• maintenance, repair and replacement of resource library as deemed necessary
• increased opportunities for social interaction in a positive, affordable and
• accessible space
• support and promotion of activities and events such as
Peterborough PRIDE, the International Day Against Homophobia,
and Trans Day of Remembrance.
We are happy to report that we have been successful again in our application and received a Community Investment Grant from the City of Peterborough for 2007—2008. We are most fortunate that our city has expressed confidence in their Queer community and regard the members as valued and contributing citizens. We would be remiss if we did not acknowledge our gratitude to our community leader PARN who sponsored our application for previous grants before our incorporation.
RSO salutes Owen from our community partner-leader PARN for his dedication and effort for the 9th Annual Friends for Life Bike Rally this Summer. The Friends for Life Bike Rally is Canada's third largest fundraiser benefiting an HIV/AIDS organization. Basically, there were hundreds cyclists who, on Sunday July 29rd, left Toronto and rode a bicycle six-day, 600km to Montreal. They will raise thousands of dollars for men, women and children living with HIV and AIDS. All proceeds went to the Toronto People With AIDS Foundation.