January 2010

Happy New Decade

 This is the last CLGRO Newsletter.

You will see from the Minutes Summary that the resolution to dissolve CLGRO was passed by the membership on May 2, 2009. The Distribution of Assets shows what the Directors decided to do with the remaining funds. Queer Ontario describes a new organization designed to carry on some of CLGRO’s work and preserve the history and documents of the work CLGRO has done.

 We appreciate the support you have given us over the past 34 years and hope that you will be able to join us at the “CLGRO Farewell – Queer Ontario Launch Party.”

 Brent Southin, Chair

 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

 A brief Annual General Meeting was held on May 2, 2009 in Toronto to approve the minutes of the previous Annual General Meeting and elect the directors and present the financial report (which was included with the April Newsletter).

The directors Brent Southin, Chair; Nick Mulé, Secretary; and Tom Warner, Treasurer were reelected by acclamation.

SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING

 There were 11 paid up voting members and four group members represented, constituting a quorum for this meeting.

 Resolution to Dissolve CLGRO:

 Whereas the CLGRO Steering Committee has consulted with the members of CLGRO on the future of CLGRO and its continued existence;

And Whereas the CLGRO Steering Committee at a meeting held on January 10, 2009 agreed to recommend to the membership that CLGRO be dissolved and, in accordance with the provisions of By-law 702(c)(ii), that a Special General Meeting of the members be held on May 2, 2009 for the purpose of presenting to the members for adoption a motion to dissolve CLGRO;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Coalition for Lesbian and Gay Rights in Ontario be and is hereby dissolved, effective May 2, 2009, and further that the directors be and are hereby directed pursuant to By-law 1702 and By-law 1703, upon payment of all debts and liabilities of CLGRO, to dispose of all of the remaining property of CLGRO to one or more community or charitable organizations having as objects the rights, interests or welfare of the lesbian, gay, or bisexual communities.

The Resolution was carried unanimously.

Proposals: There has been a proposal for “Queer Ontario” network: There has been lots of positive feed-back to the proposal to form a group which would carry on the philosophy of CLGRO and preserve its history. A brief proposal was received from Community One (previously the Lesbian and Gay Community Appeal) for a scholarship sponsored by CLGRO. A proposal was also received from the Rainbow Health Network (RHN) which was formed by CLGRO. Also, CLGRO has been in communication with the Lesbian and Gay Archives.

Discussion of distribution of funds: There was discussion about the distribution of funds. It was suggested that the funds should be distributed to no more than three groups, one suggestion was RHN, Queer Ontario and the Archives; the other was Queer Ontario, RHN and Community One. It was agreed that the final decision would be left to the directors.

Richard Hudler, Administrator

 In accordance with the resolution adopted by the members at the May 2, 2009 Special General Meeting, the CLGRO directors have approved the distribution of CLGRO funds in equal amounts to the following three community organizations:

• Rainbow Health Network
• Queer Ontario
• Canadian Lesbian and Gay Archives.

The organizations were issued cheques in November 2009 in the amount of $6,400 each.

 As at December 31, 2009, CLGRO’s only asset was cash in the amount of $1,238.09. $317.39 is earmarked funds remaining from a grant received to sponsor annual events for International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO).  The directors are negotiating with another community group for the transfer of the earmarked funds to that organization to help fund future IDAHO events.  Following the transfer of those funds and the payment of any outstanding salary, banking charges and the expenses incurred for the printing and mailing of this final newsletter, CLGRO will have no liabilities or obligations. Should there be any cash remaining upon the transfer of the earmarked funds and the payment of last expenses, the remaining cash will be dispersed in equal amounts to each of the three above-named community groups.

Tom Warner, Treasurer

 CLGRO Bids Farewell – Queer Ontario Launches

 The Coalition for Lesbian and Gay Rights in Ontario (CLGRO) resolved to dissolve at a Special General Meeting in May 2009.  CLGRO concluded a rich history of over 34 years of being at the forefront of lesbian, gay and bisexual activism in this province and beyond.  A multi-issued organization that for the most part operated on few resources, it challenged homophobia, heterosexism and discrimination against queer communities winning numerous victories along the way.  Nevertheless, its ability to continue to function as a coalition with a dwindling membership and decreasing resources determined its decision to dissolve.

 As this decision was being made a proposal was put forth to create a new provincial queer entity that would be technologically based to create a modernized outlet for queer liberationist activism in Ontario (read more at http://www.clgro.org/current.html ).  Since June of 2009, a group of committed queer activists have been meeting in Toronto to create the foundations of such an entity called, Queer Ontario.  With the generous donation of part of CLGRO’s remaining assets, Queer Ontario is now ready to launch by hosting a party, part of which will commemorate a farewell to CLGRO.  As past CLGRO members and supporters you are especially invited to attend:

 “CLGRO Farewell –

Queer Ontario Launch Party”

 Saturday, January 30, 2010 

6:00 – 9:00 PM 

Buddies in Bad Times Theatre

12 Alexander Street, Toronto, ON 

 Free event featuring speakers, information, vegan refreshments, entertainment, official Queer Ontario website launch, networking and socializing

 CLGRO has benefited greatly from your support over the years.  We at the new Queer Ontario organization feel it is essential that a queer liberation perspective continues in this province.  Therefore, you are strongly encouraged to join Queer Ontario to ensure a queer liberation voice thrives.  Simply e-mail us at info@queerontario.org and you will be added to Queer Ontario’s membership list, then sent posts such as our new website, information on the latest queer happenings and plenty of opportunities to get involved.

 Once again, thank you for your support of CLGRO and we look forward to having you aboard the new Queer Ontario.

 Nick Mulé

CLGRO Secretary,

Queer Ontario Founder

OUTWORDS – April 2009

 On the reverse side of this Newsletter you will find the financial report for the fiscal year 2008/2009. This should give members an idea of the current financial position CLGRO is in and what will be left to be distributed after our GIC matures in August.

 Suggestions for the distribution of these funds should be sent to the directors for consideration at query at clgro dot org or 416-392-6878 ext. 4049 or Box 822 Stn. A, Toronto ON M5W 1G3.

 March 30, 2009 

 To All Organizational, Individual and Supporting Members of the Coalition for Lesbian and Gay Rights in Ontario 

NOTICE OF SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING

May 2, 2009 

 Pursuant to By-law 1701 of the Coalition for Lesbian and Gay Rights in Ontario (hereinafter “CLGRO”), notice is hereby given of a Special General Meeting of CLGRO on Saturday, May 2, 2009 at the 519 Church Street Community Centre, Room 135, 519 Church Street, Toronto, Ontario, M4Y 2C9 at 1:00 p.m. for the purpose of considering and, if thought appropriate, adoption of the following resolution:

 Whereas the CLGRO Steering Committee has consulted with the members of CLGRO on the future of CLGRO and its continued existence;

 And Whereas the CLGRO Steering Committee at a meeting held on January 10, 2009 agreed to recommend to the membership that CLGRO be dissolved and, in accordance with the provisions of By-law 702(c)(ii), that a Special General Meeting of the members be held on May 2, 2009 for the purpose of presenting to the members for adoption a motion to dissolve CLGRO;

 THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Coalition for Lesbian and Gay Rights in Ontario be and is hereby dissolved, effective May 2, 2009, and further that the directors be and are hereby directed pursuant to By-law 1702 and By-law 1703, upon payment of all debts and liabilities of CLGRO, to dispose of all of the remaining property of CLGRO to one or more community or charitable organizations having as objects the rights, interests or welfare of the lesbian, gay, or bisexual communities.

 Nick J. Mulé, Secretary

On behalf of the CLGRO Steering Committee

 Steering Committee Meeting, Toronto January 10, 2009

 Although the minutes from the September 6, 2008 Steering Committee were approved, the agenda for this meeting was restricted primarily to discussion for recommendations regarding the future of CLGRO.

 Nick Mulé submitted the proposal “Dissolution of CLGRO, Creation of a New Queer Voice in Ontario” and a summary sheet, both of which are available on the CLGRO website. This would be a new project which CLGRO launches and may be able to help fund. The recommendation that CLGRO dissolve will be taken to a special general meeting on May 2, 2009.

OUTWORDS - December 2008

 As you will see from the enclosed letter, with the considerations to be made at the above meeting, we are not sending letters requesting donations with this Newsletter.

 Those who wish to renew and make sure their membership is up-to-date will see their membership expiry date on the address label and may complete the form at the end of the Newsletter to renew.

Consistent with our move to the 519 Church Street Community Centre, CLGRO now has a new phone number for messages only:

 416-392-6878 ext. 4049

 Rainbow Health Network Expands its Steering Committee

Rainbow Health Ontario Launches

 On October 15, 2008, CLGRO’s reference group, the Rainbow Health Network (RHN) held its Annual General Meeting.  In line with its goals to strengthen its infrastructure, it doubled its Steering Committee to the following:

Nick Mulé – Chairperson

Richard Hudler – Treasurer

Julia Stevenson – Secretary

Phyllis Waugh – Equity

Susan Gapka – Member at Large

David Lewis – Education

Andrea Daley – Advocacy

Masina Wright – Member at Large

 Unfilled – Networking

RHN will go into the new year establishing an equity policy and finalizing its constitution and bylaws.

Also, the CLGRO-RHN-Sherbourne Health Centre proposed Rainbow Health Ontario (RHO) is at press time gearing up for an exciting launch to take place November 28, 2008 from 10:00 – 11:30 AM at the Toronto Marriott Downtown Eaton Centre Hotel.  This event will feature former Minister of Health and Long-Term Care and current Ontario Deputy Premier and Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, George Smitherman, MPP and current Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, David Caplan, MPP and include the launching of the RHO website.

RHO represents the achievement of a major CLGRO goal to establish a resource centre that would provide information, referrals, training, education, research and policy regarding the health and wellbeing of LGBTs across the province of Ontario.

Nick Mulé,

Toronto

 Steering Committee Meeting, Toronto September 6, 2008

 There were no objections to the decisions made at the Annual General Meeting in May so those decisions were ratified. On reviewing our commitment list we felt that we should become more active with some of the things we had on our “wish list” such as the new CLGRO leaflet and the updating of the ‘Young People and Sex” leaflet. In other areas, such as rural outreach and fundraising we hope that new opportunities will present themselves as we develop our knowledge of the use of the internet.

 Although we are aware of some excellent work being done in Toronto and urban areas for LGBT seniors we are concerned about what the situation is like in less densely populated areas and are trying to look at this area. We discussed the upcoming federal election. We continue to monitor such areas as education, police, charitable status, sex issues and census.

 A lot of work continues to be done in the health area, mainly through the Rainbow Health Network which will have a representative on the Local Health Integration Network (LHINs). The Network is also looking at expanding their board and the new Rainbow Health Ontario (RHO) is getting off the ground. We reviewed the International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO) which focused this year on health.

 We made note of a number of changes we would like to make to the website. We have received a number of complaints about discrimination in housing and noted that the Human Rights Commission is looking at this. We will collect the complaints we received and send them to the Commission to try to reinforce their efforts. We were able to send someone to the Egale meeting with their Board.

 Next Meeting January 10, 2009.

Outwords is published three times a year by CLGRO, the Coalition for Lesbian and Gay Rights in Ontario. Except for editorials, the views expressed in Outwords are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official position of CLGRO or its member organizations. Articles may be accepted at the discretion of the editor. The purpose of the newsletter is to keep the membership informed about CLGRO activities and other matters of interest.

 Newsletters are mailed free to CLGRO members. Join CLGRO by completing the membership form below!

 Contributors to this Newsletter are: Richard Hudler, Brent Southin and Nick Mulé.

 CLGRO is an organization composed of groups and individuals committed to working towards feminism and lesbian, gay, and bisexual liberation by engaging in public struggle for full human rights, by promoting diversity and access within our communities, and by strengthening cooperative networks for feminism and lesbian, gay, and bisexual activism.

 CLGRO – the Coalition for Lesbian and Gay Rights in Ontario, Box 822, Station A, Toronto Ont. M5W 1G3, Canada

phone (416) 392-6878 x 4049

e-mail: query at clgro dot org

website: www.clgro.org

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OUTWORDS – August 2008

Age of Consent

Congratulations to Nicholas Dodds, as an outstanding Queer Youth Activist for the 2008 Youth Line Community Awards. Nick’s outstanding work with the Age of Consent Committee was recognized.

New CLGRO Website

The new CLGRO website, www.clgro.org is now up and running.

It is not completely finished, we still want to add Pay Pal so membership renewals and donations can be done on-line, and some of the longer Info Sheets need to be added and others updated.

We decided to include all the historical data on the website rather than offering to mail publications out. This should help with those who contact us for research projects.

Please have a look at the site and let us know what you think. Our new email address is .

Education

CLGRO was represented at a meeting of the Ontario Inclusion Learning Network on June 6, 2008 and participated in a Consultation Meeting of the Safe Schools Action Team on June 9, 2008. At the Learning Network the importance of programs was emphasized to deal with safety in the schools and many were described. The concern expressed is that the focus is too much on violence, creating a culture of fear which is difficult to combat and we are moving toward a militarized system with more regulations and police in the schools.

At the Consultation we spoke specifically on homophobia in the schools and emphasized the importance of increasing the visibility of gays, lesbians and bisexuals in the schools, not just among the students but among the administration and staff as well to help diffuse homophobic attitudes. We also encouraged the inclusion of issues of sexual orientation throughout the curriculum, not only sex education but also history, arts & literature, science, sociology etc. as a means of helping to increase that visibility and awareness among the staff and students.

The consultations by the Safe Schools Action Team continue. When we attended we were the only queer group represented, the other two participants were OPP representatives. The recommendations from the Action Team are expected in October.

Health

Progress and More Progress for Rainbow Health Network

In the last few months there have been a number of very exciting developments that have taken place as a result of the work of the Rainbow Health Network (RHN). Here is a list of highlights:

• RHN hosted a successful public forum on May 13, 2008 to commemorate International Day Against Homophobia highlighting this year’s theme on health care. A presentation featuring the following panelists: Rebecca Hammond (Trans PULSE Project), David Lewis – Peart (Black Coalition for AIDS Prevention – Black CAP), Judy MacDonnell (Rainbow Nursing Interest Group – RNIG), Nick Mulé (Rainbow Health Network – RHN) and moderated by Fran Odette (community activist) took place followed by questions and discussion.
• RHN’s Trans Health Lobby Group has successfully lobbied the provincial government to relist sex reassignment surgery (SRS) under OHIP. The Trans Health Lobby Group on behalf of RHN, hopes to meet with the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care soon to discuss implementation. Meanwhile, the campaign continues for inclusion of trans people in the Ontario Human Rights Code.
• The proposal from RHN and CLGROfor a provincial resource centre has received a commitment from the provincial government to fund the new Rainbow Health Ontario (RHO). Housed in the Sherbourne Health Centre in Toronto, this provincial operation has recently hired staff and is currently getting up and running. More details to follow.
• The City of Toronto recently provided RHN with a $5,000 grant based on a proposal to address cultural intersections in anti-homophobia training and education to health and social care professionals.
• RHN was awarded the 2008 Pride Gala Award in the category of ‘Science, Medicine and Technology’ by the Pride Committee of Toronto. The award was presented June 24th, 2008 by former Minister of Health George Smitherman to RHN representatives Nick Mulé (RHN Chairperson, CLGRO Spokesperson), Richard Hudler (RHN Treasurer, CLGRO Administrator) Phyllis Waugh (RHN Secretary, CLGRO Member) and Susan Gapka (RHN Member at Large, Trans Health Lobby Group Chairperson) at a gala event.

Further to all of these developments, RHN is currently in the process of creating policies and procedures in moving forward with its work.

Minutes Summary

CLGRO Annual General Meeting and Steering Committee Meeting Toronto, May 3, 2008.

At the Annual General Meeting Brent Southin, Chair; Tom Warner, Treasurer and Nick Mulé, Secretary were returned as CLGRO Directors. David Smith was elected as Memberat- Large. There remain vacancies for five members-at-large, only two of whom may be male. The membership, administrator, and group reports were approved along with the 2008/09 budget. Steering Committee Meetings for next year were set at September 6, 2008; January 10, 2009 and May 2, 2009 which will also include the Annual General Meeting. Since there were not enough members present to form a quorum, the decisions from this meeting will need to be ratified at the next Steering Committee Meeting. If there are any objections the Steering Committee should be notified before the September meeting.

A major portion of the meeting was spent discussing the new website with Wil deGast of Wildbytes who is setting it up. Our new website address is www.clgro.org and the new e-mail address is query at clgro dot org. It is expected that the new website will be fully operational when the next newsletter comes out in August.

We discussed the Age of Consent legislation which is now in effect and our on-going development of a project to deal with homophobia in schools and another to change charitable status laws. We continue to monitor the new human rights legislation and promising developments in health care and we worked on celebration of the International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO) of which CGLRO is one of the sponsors.

ILGA

ILGA XXIV World Conference: 3 – 6 November 2008, Vienna, Austria

The 24rth World Conference of the International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA) will be held in Vienna, from November 3 to 6, 2008. It will be co-organised by local member group Hosi-Wien. Its theme will be “Organising locally to bring on global change”.

ILGA conferences are open to all. This year’s conference will unfortunately have a limited number of spaces and therefore all those who are interested in attending will be asked to send an application to the office by August 3 as well as a request for a scholarship, if needed. A selection will be made in order to respect a fair regional; organizational, identity and gender balance both in terms of participation and scholarships. Regional board members elected at ILGA’s regional conferences will have priority. More information on http://www.ilga.org.

Women’s Newsletter: The second issue of the Newsletter of ILGA Women’s Project is available at www.ilga.org/newsletters/02_0708/. They have tried to improve its layout and contents. We are also looking for a more attractive name for the next versions of the Newsletter, which will be published every three months. The name needs to be short, clear and should be easily translated into English and Spanish, the two official languages of ILGA according to its constitution. Send your suggestions to patriciacurzi@ilga.org and feel free to be creative!

Map on LGBTI rights in the world: ILGA is proud to send you the 2008 version of its map on LGBTI rights in the world on occasion of the federation’s 30th anniversary. Founded in 1978, ILGA is now a federation of over 600 groups in over 90 countries campaigning for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex (LGBTI) rights. The map is accessible on www.ilga.org. They encourage you to publish it or have it published by your media contacts or for exhibition purposes. Thanks for mentioning ILGA’s credits, should you use it.

Report on State-sponsored Homophobia: ILGA publishes 2008 report on State-sponsored Homophobia. Being lesbian or gay is risking jail time in 86 countries and death penalty in 7, available at www.ilga.org. For more information on State Sponsored Homophobia and legislations affecting LGBTI people, ILGA’s activities around the world and at the United Nations, please contact: Stephen Barris / ILGA: 00 32 2 502 24 71

Human Rights

Human Rights system changes took effect on June 30, 2008. As a result, the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) will no longer accept complaints of discrimination. All new applications alleging discrimination are to be filed with the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (HRTO). The website for the HRTO is www.hrto.ca, tel (Toronto) 416-326-1312, (Toll Free) 1-866-598-0322.

Following is part of the transition update sent to stakeholders by the Tribunal:

Facilities: The Tribunal’s new hearing and mediation facilities will be located at 655 Bay Street, 14th floor [Toronto ON M7A 2A3]. The Tribunal will continue to hold mediations and hearings in regional hearing centres, and in other locations where the accommodation of particular needs is required.

New Rules of Procedure: We are posting our Rules of Procedure, which will govern all new Applications filed under Part IV of the Code. We are also posting the Application and Response Forms, the Applicant’s and Respondent’s guides and a plain language overview of the procedure for addressing new applications. All material will be available on-line, and in alternate formats.

Individuals will be able to complete and submit the Application and Response Forms on-line. These electronic “smart forms” will guide users through the process of completing the forms, will have “drop down” menus and will link directly to the relevant sections in the applicable guides. The forms will also be available in Word format for use with screen readers, or may be downloaded and printed. Print, large print and Braille versions will be available from the Tribunal.

We have worked hard to make the Application and Response Forms easy to use and accessible. We have had the forms reviewed by plain language consultants, and “tested” them in focus groups. However, it is important to remember that a proceeding before the Tribunal is a legal proceeding. Plain language forms and guides cannot make a complex case simple or remove essential legal elements. Individuals are not required to be represented by a lawyer at the Tribunal, but parties are encouraged to seek legal advice and assistance.

Transition Cases: On May 5, 2008 we issued draft Rules of Procedure that will apply to Applications filed under the Transitional provisions of the Code. These are Applications that may be filed by individuals who have outstanding Complaints at the Commission on June 30, 2008. We invite all those interested to visit the section of the website which explains the Transition caseload procedure, and to provide comments and input on the proposed Rules.

Policies: The Tribunal has developed, and is updating a number of policies. For example, we have posted our draft Accessibility and Accommodation Policy for public comment. This policy was developed incorporating obligations under the Code as well as the service standards issued under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. We have also updated our policy on translation and interpretation, and are finalizing our policy on Public Comment and Complaints, which will provide a formal mechanism to address concerns about services provided by the Tribunal.

Conjugal

Conjugal and Familial Transformations: Its Implications on Individuals and Religious Institutions

Call for Papers June 4 and 5, 2009, Paris

Religious traditions have had a durable influence on matters pertaining to marriage, human relations, and sexuality, such as in the enactment of laws and rights in relation to marriage and family. However, recent transformations of conjugal (i.e. coupled) and familial relations and family structure have significantly challenged religionsanctioned normative models, representations, and practices. These transformations are characterized by the pluralization of conjugal and familial forms: mixed-race couples and intermarriage, and reconstituted, adoptive, single-parent, same-sex families etc.

Those transformations are an outcome of several developments – individualization and democratization inside the family, importance given to the place of the child, women’s access to contraception and abortion, dissociation between legal family rights and reproduction. Nevertheless, these developments cannot hide the persistence of inequalities among families, the work sphere and religious life.

The objective of these study days is to gather researchers in all fields of social sciences researching across the areas of religion, familial relations, gender, and sexual transformations. The purpose is to analyze the ways individuals and institutions act and interact in face of such transformations.

Abstracts for presentation of one page (approximately 2000 characters) should include the author’s title, affiliation, name and address. They should be sent to the organizing committee at religion.genre at yahoo dot fr before October 31, 2008. Acceptance of proposals will be announced in January 2009. It is our intention to publish the accepted papers.

Michael Kerr
Coordinator
Karuna Community Services
#310-15 Maitland Place, Toronto, ON M4Y 2X3 Canada
Phone: 416-966-3882
Fax: 416-971-6780
E-mail: kerr.michaelat gmail dot com or michaelbrucekerr at yahoo dot ca

Outwords Electronic

We are now able to send Outwords, the CLGRO Newsletter, electronically. If you wish an electronic copy of Outwords to forward to friends and potential new members, or if you want to save trees and CLGRO postage and mailing costs by receiving your newsletter through e-mail, just send an e-mail to saying so.

Planned Giving

Have you considered planned giving to CLGRO? Planned giving means leaving a bequest in your will for a donation to be made from the proceeds of your estate once you have passed on. It’s an easy and effective way of ensuring that a group and a cause you have supported during your lifetime can continue to thrive. Including CLGRO in your planned giving would be a tangible way for you to leave a lasting legacy and to ensure that the movement to advance the liberation of gays, lesbians, and bisexuals will continue. The amount you choose to leave as a gift would be up to you – and you should talk to a lawyer or financial advisor about that. As for CLGRO, we would be enormously grateful to receive a bequest of any amount and would be certain to put it to good use!

About the Newsletter

Outwords is published three times a year by CLGRO, the Coalition for Lesbian and Gay Rights in Ontario. Except for editorials, the views expressed in Outwords are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official position of CLGRO or its member organizations. Articles may be accepted at the discretion of the editor. The purpose of the newsletter is to keep the membership informed about CLGRO activities and other matters of interest.

Newsletters are mailed free to CLGRO members. Join CLGRO by completing the membership form below!

Contributors to this Newsletter are: Richard Hudler, Nick Mulé, David Smith, and Tom Warner.

About CLGRO

CLGRO is an organization composed of groups and individuals committed to working towards feminism and lesbian, gay, and bisexual liberation by engaging in public struggle for full human rights, by promoting diversity and access within our communities, and by strengthening cooperative networks for feminism and lesbian, gay, and bisexual activism.

CLGRO – the Coalition for Lesbian and Gay rights in Ontario, Box 822, Station A, Toronto Ont. M5W 1G3, Canada, phone (416) 405-8253, e-mail query at clgro dot org, website: www.clgro.org

OUTWORDS – April 2008

 We  are now able to send Outwords, the CLGRO Newsletter, electronically. If you wish an electronic copy of Outwords to forward to friends and potential new members, or if you want to save trees and CLGRO postage and mailing costs by receiving your newsletter through e-mail, just send an e-mail to clgro at web dot ca saying so.

 Ontario Rainbow Health Resource Centre Now in Formation

On the evening of March 13, 2008 the Sherbourne Health Centre (SHC) hosted a ‘Preview Evening’ regarding the formation of the new Ontario Rainbow Health Resource Centre (ORHRC) for members of CLGRO and the Rainbow Health Network (RHN). Funding for the Centre will come from the Ontario Ministry of Health. The recently appointed director of the Resource Centre and former manager of the LGBT Services Program at SHC, Anna Travers, provided a presentation that featured an overview of the broad health issues and concerns of the LGBT populations, followed by a preliminary look at the early stages of the Resource Centre’s formation. 

Questions and discussion then took place in which it was learned that the roll out of the new Centre would happen slowly to allow for careful consideration on how to proceed and the new staff to become acclimatized and engage in ongoing discussions regarding the Centre’s work.

This event follows recent ads for three (3) positions at the ORHRC of which at press time, the interviewing process has been completed, with the official hiring taking place shortly.  The positions to be filled include Coordinators for Web Site and Communications, Education & Training, and Knowledge Transfer and Policy, with an Administrative Assistant being hired later on.  In the meantime, CLGRO’s Nick Mulé, chair of RHN, is in ongoing dialogue with Travers regarding developing a presence within the 14 Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs), an objective of the ORHRC proposal to ensure LGBT voices at the local decision-making level across Ontario.

We will continue to report on the development of this exciting provincial initiative that will go a long way in coordinating the various health and wellbeing issues, needs and concerns of LGBT Ontarians

 CLGRO has participated in the following consultations over the past few months:

– Statistics Canada 2011 Census Content Consultation:  in which CLGRO once again called for the inclusion of a question on sexual orientation as well as gender identity for the next Canadian census to take place in 2011.

– Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) Gender Identity Policy: in which CLGRO supported the strengthening of policy that better recognizes the needs and protects the rights of transsexual and transgender people within the work of the Ontario Human Rights Commission.

– The Canadian Museum for Human Rights: in which CLGRO called for the inclusion of the history and ongoing struggles of Canada’s LGBT populations in the proposed museum as well as its educational resources.

 At the Steering Committee Meeting held January 5, 2008 in Toronto we discussed the provincial election which was won by the Liberals. There was much support for our position opposing funding of separate schools. Work is progressing more slowly than we had hoped on our project to address homophobia in the schools with the provincial government and with our efforts to establish a new website. We are happy to see that progress is being made toward the establishment of the Ontario Rainbow Health Resource Centre which will be housed at the Sherbourne Health Centre in Toronto. CLGRO and the Rainbow Health Network worked to get the Center started and will have continuing in-put.

We decided to revise our submission regarding Age of Consent legislation which died in the last parliament but has been reintroduced to the current parliament and is now being considered in the Senate. We will request the opportunity to make a presentation to the Senate Committee.

Efforts by the Trans Health Lobby Group to get gender identity included in the Ontario Human Rights Code, which we support, were discussed and we also discussed some recent human rights cases. We continue to monitor progress being made regarding the new Human Rights Code. Plans are in progress to celebrate the International Day Against Homophobia on May 17, 2008. We are wondering about the International Lesbian and Gay Association international conference to take place in Quebec City around the same time and which we would like to attend. In-put was provided to Census Canada in response to their call for content consultations.

CLGRO to Host International Day Against Homophobia Event

At press time CLGRO was in the preliminary stages of making plans to host an event to commemorate the International Day Against Homophobia annually recognized on May 17^th.  This day commemorates the World Health Organization’s (WHO) dropping of homosexuality as a mental illness.  This year’s theme is ‘Healthcare’, thus, CLGRO will be partnering with its reference group the Rainbow Health Network (RHN) to feature a panel of speakers, food and an opportunity to network and socialize.  The tentative date for this event is scheduled for Wednesday, May 14, 2008.

For further details closer to the time, call CLGRO or check out RHN’s website at www.rainbowhealthnetwork.ca.

 Dear friends,
 
ILGA recently agreed to send Stephen Barris, ILGA Communications Officer, to Quebec to report on the situation regarding the organization of the ILGA World Conference 2008.  His report was received and discussed on March 7, 2008. 
 
After due consideration of the findings in the report and the obligations that ILGA has in holding a World Conference, the Executive Board of ILGA decided to postpone the Conference until later this year.  
 
Stephen’s report confirmed the impressions of the current lack of preparedness at this late date and the lack of funding necessary for the Conference to take place. In order to proceed with the organization of the Conference, ILGA would have to assume the substantial financial risks and would have to seek funding to cover most of the costs at extremely short notice.  Even if this was successful, it would be impossible to make all the arrangements to have a quality Conference that responded to our needs and obligations as well as to the needs and aspirations of our worldwide membership.  It is also clear that participation from the Global South through scholarships would be very limited, at best, and this is a fundamental component of an ILGA World Conference.  
 
ILGA wishes to thank all those who volunteered and worked towards organizing the Conference and particularly to the CGLQ (Coalition gaie et lesbienne du Québec) for
their efforts.  We are aware that the new leadership of CGLQ enthusiastically took over this challenging task at a late date and committed to pursuing the task as far as possible.
 
ILGA is now making a formal call for new proposals from ILGA member organizations for hosting the World conference later this year.
 

Rosanna Flamer-Caldera and Philipp Braun Co-Secretaries General
On behalf of the Executive Board of ILGA

Founded in 1978, ILGA is a federation of over 600 groups in over 90 countries campaigning for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex (LGBTI) rights

Please send any response or question to me directly.

Trevor Cook
Executive Director, ILGA trevorcook@ilga.org, www.ilga.org.

Vlume 11, nos. 1-2 of The Journal of Lesbian Studies has been published. The journal is also available on line http://www.haworthpress.com/store/SampleText/J155.pdf.

When lesbian issues and interests overlap with queer issues, the unique needs, concerns, and interests of lesbians can get lost in the shuffle. The Journal of Lesbian Studies helps sort through the confusion, fostering new lesbian scholarship without cutting ties to grassroots activism. The journal gives the lesbian experience an international and multicultural voice, presenting book reviews, poetry, letters to the editor, debates, and commentaries.

The Journal of Lesbian Studies examines the cultural, historical, and interpersonal impact of the lesbian experience on society, keeping all readers—professional, academic, or general—informed and up to date on current findings, resources, and community concerns. Independent scholars, professors, students, and lay people will find this interdisciplinary journal essential on the topic of lesbian studies!

Patricia Cruzi

Women’s Project Coordinator

ILGA www.ilga.org

 First National Climate Survey on Homophobia and Transphobia in Canadian Schools

We would like to ask you to consider participating in a survey research project designed to explore the experiences of homophobia and Transphobia of students in Canadian Schools.

 Originally we expected to hear only from students currently in high school but so many adults have responded that we’ve opened it up to people who are no longer in high school. We would be very happy if adults would participate, and ask that they answer as though the questions refer to their last year in high school.

The aim of the project is to document the realities of life at school for both straight and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, Two Spirit, Intersex, queer, and questioning (LGBTTIQ) students in Canada, with the goal of providing policy makers and educators with information that will help them make schools safer and more respectful. We also plan to report on what we find through our survey in education conferences and scholar journals and distribute it widely through the work of Egale Canada. The survey is anonymous and can be completed online or printed at www.climatesurvey.ca.

If you have concerns about how the project is being conducted you may contact me or Ms. Kerr Murkin, Ethics Administration Officer, at k.murkin at uwinnipeg dot ca or (204) 786-9058. If you are willing to tell youth you work with about our survey, or host a survey session, or would just like more information, please contact me directly.

With thanks, and best wishes

Catherine Taylor, Ph.D.,

Principal Investigator

Faculty of Education, University of Winnipeg 204/786-9893 or

taylor at uwinnipeg dot ca

 CLGRO made a presentation to the Senate Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs regarding Bill C-2 on February 22, 2008. Despite our efforts, the legislation has subsequently passed the Senate in a vote of 19 to 16. Two of the Senators who listened to our presentation voted against it. Following is the presentation:

My name is Richard Hudler and I am representing the Coalition for Lesbian and Gay Rights in Ontario (CLGRO). We oppose Part 2 of Bill C-2,”Increasing the Age of Consent.”

CLGRO is a not-for-profit incorporated body made up of about 20 lesbian, gay and bisexual groups and hundreds of individual members across the province, founded in 1975. We have also sent a written submission. Thank you very much for giving us this opportunity to address the Committee.

I recently saw the Minister of Justice on television supporting this Bill and expressing his dismay that anyone could oppose the protection of young people. We could not agree more, if this Bill protected young people but we contend that it does not.

The information attending this Bill clearly indicates that it relates to non-exploitative sexual activity. Existing legislation already protects people under the age of 18 from exploitative sexual activity. Rather than protect, this legislation only takes away the right to choices young people have held for over a hundred years.

The short title of this Act is “Tackling Violent Crime.” Consensual sexual activity is not a violent crime. 

This is an Act that purports to respect and promote the rights and values reflected in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, then proceeds to withdraw rights on the ground of age. Is age not a ground in the Charter for which people are protected from discrimination? 

We do not believe the Criminal Code should be used to regulate consensual sexuality. We believe that this legislation is not intended to protect but instead to control young people and is an effort to re-assert religious and moral values in Canada’s laws and public policy by using the institutions of the State to stringently regulate sexual morality. This is something we are very familiar with in the lesbian and gay communities.

We can appreciate that very young people might not have the decision making abilities to consent to sex, but research indicates that up until the age of 12 it is easy to observe distinct developmental stages in cognition. After that, however, maturity of thinking has only modest correlation with age. So by the time young people are reaching the physical age to engage in reproductive sexual activity, their cognitive development has been consistent with their physical development.

If we are going to claim that they have not reached a state of maturity to be making these decisions for themselves in our society, we are admitting that we have failed them by not providing adequate sex education resources. The Canadian Council of Ministers of Education reported in 2003 ‘that the average age of first sexual intercourse was 14.1 years for boys and 14.5 years for girls’

The close in age zone and the marriage exception show that the government acknowledges that young people have sex and are able to make decisions about sex. Yet it presumes to regulate the choices young people are allowed to make.

For gay people this is particularly concerning. My first lover was 17 years older than me. And this is common. It is dangerous, considering the attitude toward sexual orientation in schools for a young person to attempt make sexual contact with a peer.

Education is needed in the schools to change that situation but is vehemently resisted by the very groups who support this legislation. It concerns us that this legislation evades the need for better and more comprehensive sex education in the schools. Which we contend would go much further toward protecting young people than criminalization of their sexual behaviour. Developing their self-esteem, self confidence and self agency is a much more important way to protect them.

Research overwhelmingly indicates that the social site of danger continues to be the family and the perpetrator is one that is known to the victim. Leaving sex education in the home does not protect young people.

There is already widespread concern within lesbian, gay and bisexual communities about the unequal enforcement of the current provisions of the Criminal Code dealing with sexual relations. Gay and lesbian sex is disproportionately targeted or being seen as a more serious matter warranting more severe punishment than sexual relations involving members of the opposite sex. In our view, this legislation will make this discriminatory situation very much worse.

We worry that young people will not feel free to ask questions about sex, knowing that the activity is illegal, and that counsellors will be afraid to discuss the topic with them for the same reason.

A young person involved with a person beyond the 5 year range will be afraid to even casually discuss this at home, knowing that all their parents have to do is call the police to end the relationship. Support and counselling at home will also be lost.

It disturbs us that no mention is made in this legislation to correct the inequity in the law for anal sex for which the age of consent is set at 18; this despite the fact that the law has been found unconstitutional in several jurisdictions. This factor sends a strong message to the gay community that hostility toward same sex relationships is a motivating factor behind this legislation.

In summary I would say that we believe this law endangers young people more than it protects them. It shows disdain for them by making decisions for them rather than consulting them and providing adequate educational resources. It is an attempt to undermine human rights and the separation of church and state. We believe that the Age of Consent aspect of the legislation should be withdrawn.

 Have you considered planned giving to CLGRO?  Planned giving means leaving a bequest in your will for a donation to be made from the proceeds of your estate once you have passed on.  It’s an easy and effective way of ensuring that a group and a cause you have supported during your lifetime can continue to thrive.  Including CLGRO in your planned giving would be a tangible way for you to leave a lasting legacy and to ensure that the movement to advance the liberation of gays, lesbians, and bisexuals will continue.  The amount you choose to leave as a gift would be up to you – and you should talk to a lawyer or financial advisor about that.  As for CLGRO, we would be enormously grateful to receive a bequest of any amount and would be certain to put it to good use!

 Outwords is published three times a year by CLGRO, the Coalition for Lesbian and Gay Rights in Ontario. Except for editorials, the views expressed in Outwords are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official position of CLGRO or its member organizations. Articles may be accepted at the discretion of the editor. The purpose of the newsletter is to keep the membership informed about CLGRO activities and other matters of interest.

Newsletters are mailed free to CLGRO members. Join CLGRO by completing the membership form below!

Contributors to this Newsletter are: Richard Hudler, Nick Mulé, David Smith, and Tom Warner.

 CLGRO is an organization composed of groups and individuals committed to working towards feminism and lesbian, gay, and bisexual liberation by engaging in public struggle for full human rights, by promoting diversity and access within our communities, and by strengthening cooperative networks for feminism and lesbian, gay, and bisexual activism.

 CLGRO – the Coalition for Lesbian and Gay rights in Ontario, Box 822, Station A, Toronto Ont. M5W 1G3, Canada, phone (416) 405-8253, e-mail clgro at web dot ca, website: www.web.ca/clgro

OUTWORDS – December 2007

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

24 October 2007

 YOUTH AND YOUTH ADVOCATES SPEAK OUT AGAINST

CONSERVATIVE AGE OF CONSENT BILL

 Youth advocates and young people are voicing their opposition to the Harper Conservative government’s latest attack on youth rights. The new Bill C-2, which purports to be “Tackling Violent Crime”, is a rehashed version of old legislation that Parliament has already failed to pass.

 Despite fierce opposition from all the youth consulted at the Justice Committee, Harper has brought back the old Age of Consent Bill which attempted to criminalize consensual youth sexuality.

 As groups ranging from the Canadian Federation for Sexual Health and Egale Canada to Justice for Children and Youth and the B.C. Civil Liberties Association have pointed out over the past year, the Harper Conservatives’ Age of Consent legislation was flawed and threatened the access of young people to sexual health information and education.

 Youth groups were completely shut out of initial invitations to Justice Committee hearings on the original Age of Consent bill. After intense pressure from a variety of organizations, the Age of Consent Committee was the only youth-led committee admitted to the hearings.

 ”This bill is an attack on the ability of youth to get the information they need,” said Nick Dodds, youth activist. “Even the federal Department of Justice said in 2006 that an increase to the age of consent is a poor way of addressing sexual abuse and exploitation.” Now, with the re-introduction of this bill with other law and order agenda items, there are even more flaws. The new bill now contains a permanent exception for couples who are married. “The Conservatives are sending contradictory messages by treating sexual activity differently if it takes place within marriage,” said Andrew Brett, youth activist. “Essentially, they are only criminalizing sex out of wedlock.”

 The Age of Consent Committee opposes these measures and will be seeking allies and coalitional support in order to fight the Tory Agenda to increase the age of consent in Canada along with their paternalistic approach to crime that disproportionately affects youth from marginalized communities.

 The Age of Consent Committee was founded in the spring of 2006 in response to the Conservative government’s threats against youth sexuality and education. Our members consist of students, youth workers, sexual health educators, and most importantly, young people themselves.

-30-

 For more information, please contact:

Nick Dodds, 416.991.8626 (cell)

Andrew Brett, 416.357.4600 (cell)

Email: contact at ageofconsent dot ca

 Human Rights Transformation Forum

CLGRO was represented at the Human Rights Transformation Forum in London, Ontario on November 8^th, 2007. This was the first of four sessions to be held across the province. The presenters were Barbara Hall of the Human Rights Commission, Michael Gottheil of the Human Rights Tribunal and Helena Birt of the Human Rights Legal Support Centre.

The Forum provided an update on progress made by Ontario’s Ministry of the Attorney General towards implementation of the Human Rights Code Amendment Act, 2006. The launch date for implementation of the changes is set for June 30^th, 2008.

Currently the Human Rights process is handled by the Ontario Human Rights Commission, which processes Human Rights complaints. These are referred as appropriate to the Human Rights Tribunal for a hearing. In practice, this means that complaints are often investigated twice, once by the Commission and once by the Tribunal, when they cannot be resolved at the Commission level.

The significant backlog of cases is a concern, as are the duplication of effort and inability of the Commission to concentrate on policy matters, and on the need to be proactive.

It is the intention of the Act to remove the initial investigation of complaints from the Commission. The Commission will retain the ability to involve itself in individual cases, and make representations to the Tribunal.

Complaints will be directed to the Human Rights Tribunal in the first instance, thus avoiding the need for complainants to prepare presentations for the Commission, and later for the Tribunal if they reach that stage. It will be a one-stop process. There will be a significant increase in the number of cases going before the Tribunal, from a current level of about 150 to an anticipated 3,000. The Tribunal emphasised the need to minimise legal wrangling and delay – the parties will not be allowed to delay the process. The core values of the Tribunal were stated as:
            Accessibility, both physically and functionally
            Fairness
            Transparency
            Timeliness
            Opportunity to be heard

The Tribunal will encourage mediation, and anticipates 70% to 80% of issues will be settled voluntarily. Mediation will be used when and if the Tribunal senses a likelihood of success. The approach was described as Integrated Mediation, an opportunity to be heard in a meaningful way by someone with competency and expertise. The intention is to avoid imposing emotional and financial pressures to mediate. The mediation process is expected to use the “activist adjudicator model”, narrowing the issues if possible, and maintaining flexibility.

The Human Rights Legal Support Centre is new, and will advise complainants on legal issues prior to, and during, the complaint process. It is in this area that the Ministry’s thinking is in the most flexible state. The Centre anticipates 2,400 of the 3,000 cases going to the Tribunal will involve their resources.

During the Forum, it was stated that 75% of cases currently handled by the system originate in the Greater Toronto Area. This is recognised as a sign of weakness – an indication that human rights in Ontario are not equally protected throughout the province.

The drive for change is generated in large part by the lack of proactivity in the process. It will be the Commission’s responsibility to develop a more proactive approach, and to add a policy development process to the mix. Currently the sheer volume of individual complaints is forcing the Commission to take a reactive stance. It is finding there are systematic barriers to moving the Human Rights process into more positive areas. It was emphasised the Commission will intervene as appropriate in individual cases going before the Tribunal (with the complainant’s permission), but will not always do so – the need to intervene will be generated by policy development concerns and the like.

The introduction of the Human Rights Legal Support Centre is a significant move forward, in that individual complainants will have access to legal advice without cost throughout the process. Both lawyers and paralegals will staff the Centre. Complainants will receive advice on the chances of success if the process is taken to the Tribunal. They will be directed elsewhere if it is felt the Tribunal is not the appropriate resource in an individual case – there will be no guarantee of free legal advice if the case goes outside the Human Rights process.

The Support Centre recognises the geographical challenge, the need for greater support outside the GTA. It is anticipated there will eventually be Centres and Tribunal hearings in 10 locations province-wide. The attendees at the Forum were particularly anxious to see this handled better than currently.  

The budget for the process is covered by an additional $8 million, of which $3 million is allocated for the 2007 year. This is 22% above the previous levels.

(One wonders how many lawyers, paralegals and Support Centres can be effectively funded by these comparatively limited funds. Maybe one of the root causes of the current backlog is lack of adequate funds, maybe as significant as inappropriate process.)

 RHN Explores Gender Variant Services

 The Rainbow Health Network (RHN), an advisory group of CLGRO, is currently exploring what health and social services currently exist for gender variant people (including children and youth).  Through a series of focused meetings with members of the trans communities and service providers, it has been determined that there are few services that exist, with most located in Toronto.  Furthermore, not all of these services are necessarily affirmative in their approach to assisting gender variant people to live their lives as they fundamentally feel they should.

 The direction of these discussions and current strategy is to work with both queer-oriented and mainstream services to encourage them to take an affirmative approach that encourages self determination on the part of gender variant service recipients in a non-judgmental and non-conformist way.  Because of RHN’s meager resources, it is extending itself as a partner to assist any organizations that are willing to provide such services.

  London Area Rainbow Coalition (LARC) is continuing its fundraising activities. It continues to hold movie nights, and held a social (dance) at Aeolian Hall for the first time on November 10^th, raising almost $1,800 towards a future community centre.  Ongoing activities can be found at the LARC website (http://www.londonarc.com/).

Commercial gay operations in London continue to be limited. Club 181 still dominates. While Buck Wilds bar attached to the Central Spa on York Street had to close its doors, Seven Night Club at 347 Clarence is reopening the building most recently known as the Annex, which has been a gay bar under various names over the years. This was a Halloween treat for the gay community in the city.

 CLGRO Steering Committee Meeting, Toronto September 8, 2007

 No objections were received to the decisions of the Annual General Meeting on May 5, 2007 so those decisions were ratified. We are attempting to proceed on efforts to challenge the government’s restrictions on charitable status and have requested a student from Pro Bono Canada to help with research. A person has been hired to update our website. Financially we are holding our own now that we are no longer paying for an office. Flyers were prepared and distributed regarding CLGRO’s position on issues in the provincial election.

 We continue to monitor police issues, including wire tapping, police checks and the investigation of the Special Investigations Unit. We also continue to monitor the Age of Consent issue in case it is raised again after the Throne Speech. We will be attending the Transformation Forum of the Ontario Human Rights Commission to monitor how that develops.

 We discussed the Rainbow Health Network Annual General Meeting, the development of the Ontario Rainbow Health Resource Centre and the development of services for gender variant people. We participated in the International Day Against Homophobia and the Pride Parade.

 After the provincial election we plan to research and develop a brief to become more proactive in educational issues and homophobia in the schools.

 International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA)

 Some notes from the minutes of the XXIII ILGA World Conference 27^th March – 3^rd April 2006

 -  It was confirmed that Quebec will host the 2008 ILGA World Conference, organized by Yvan Lapointe Coalition Gaie et Lesbienne du Quebec, Canada (CLGQ, Canada).

-  The Conference voted to establish a Trans Secretariat. The organization RUNA (Peru) will hold the interim Trans Secretariat until the next World Conference.

-  Philipp Braun (LSVD, Germany) is elected new male Secretary General of ILGA. Replacing Kursad Kahramanoglu who has stepped down from the post after seven years.

 ILGA welcomes new Executive Director

Trevor Cook joins the International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA) as new Executive Director made possible through the financial contribution of development agency HIVOS. ILGA is also supported by Oxfam Novib, SIDA, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency and IBM, whose support has enabled the organization to grow.

Read more at

http://www.ilga.org/news_results.asp?LanguageID=1&FileID=1117&FileCategory=6&ZoneID=7

 Have you considered planned giving to CLGRO?  Planned giving means leaving a bequest in your will for a donation to be made from the proceeds of your estate once you have passed on.  It’s an easy and effective way of ensuring that a group and a cause you have supported during your lifetime can continue to thrive.  Including CLGRO in your planned giving would be a tangible way for you to leave a lasting legacy and to ensure that the movement to advance the liberation of gays, lesbians, and bisexuals will continue.  The amount you choose to leave as a gift would be up to you – and you should talk to a lawyer or financial advisor about that.  As for CLGRO, we would be enormously grateful to receive a bequest of any amount and would be certain to put it to good use!

OUTWORDS August 2007

 With the Provincial election coming in October, CLGRO is getting ready to make sure concerns of our communities are heard and addressed. We expect that the Progressive Conservative Party’s proposed tax funding for faith based schools will be an election issue. We will express our opposition to this and to any public funding for faith-based schools of any kind.  We will also emphasize the need for more proactive initiatives to reduce homophobia in the schools. We also wish to support efforts to get gender reassignment surgery included under the Ontario Health Insurance Plan again. And we will be joining with the Trans Health Lobby Group to call for an amendment to the Ontario Human Rights Code to include gender identity as a prohibited ground of discrimination.

 We will be working on a pamphlet or post cards focussing on these issues, put out a news release, and attempt to raise these issues at all candidates meetings. We are looking at joining a coalition of groups being formed by Egale Canada to host a leader’s debate in September.

  Police Surveillance

 CLGRO participated in a media conference held at the Chinese Canadian National Council Toronto Chapter (CCNTO) on May 23, 2007.

 The media conference was called in light of the leaked report of unwarranted police surveillance on the former Chair of the Toronto Police Services Board, Susan Eng in the early 1990’s. It has also come to light that gay activists Peter Maloney and George Hislop had been under surveillance for an even longer period of time.

 We were invited to participate to emphasize the long history of tension between the police and the lesbian, gay and bisexual communities and that this issue has not gone away. CLGRO has been actively involved in policing issues in collaboration with other groups since the 1980s calling for civilian oversight of the police and improvement of police minority relations.

 Also speaking were Avvy Go, Metro Toronto Chinese & Southeast Asian Legal Clinic (MTCSALC), Karen Sun of CCNTO, Alan Borovoy, General Counsel of the Canadian Civil Liberties Association and Victoria Chin.

 The call from the media conference is for a broader 3^rd party investigation of abuse of power and invasion of privacy that should be done by the government of Ontario not the police which are in a conflict of interest situation. Also that preventative measures should be set up along with an independent audit system which is on-going for auditing police practices.

 Susan Eng sent a letter to the Toronto Police Services Board (TPSB) on May 16, 2007 asking for an investigation. Avvy Go was at the TPSB meeting where the letter was discussed and they were more concerned about the leak than the intelligence report.

 CLGRO supported a call for an independent public inquiry to investigate the extent of these investigations, who did them, why, and what other individuals and communities were investigated.

 Xtra! was there (see June 7, 2007 issue, page 21) and a number of Chinese and West Asian media but it did not look like many mainstream local media were present. We are to be kept informed on what is happening and next steps.

 Police Checks

 Although CLGRO had pulled out of negotiations to form a LGBT Community Consultative Committee in Toronto  several years ago because it was indicated Police Checks of elected members would be required, that policy was never implemented. Now the Police are once again saying that checks are mandatory for all elected members of the Community Consultative Committees. A panel on Police Checks attended by CLGRO was held on Monday June 11, 2007 at the Toronto 519 Community Centre

 At the panel meeting there was strong opposition to these checks (not including police department representatives who attended and answered questions and one other audience member). The reference checks include not only people who have been convicted of a crime, but also people who have been accused, detained under the mental health act, people of interest (such as suspects) and others. Considering the kinds of contacts the LGBT communities have with the police, this could eliminate some of the most important people to have represented on such a consultative committee. A concern expressed is that once the police dictate who sits on a consultative committee, it becomes seen as an arm of the police. It remains to be seen what will come of this discussion.

 Special Investigations Unit (SIU)

 CLGRO was represented in a meeting between the Toronto Police Accountability Coalition (TPAC) and staff of the Ontario Ombudsman, Andre Marin whose office is investigating the SIU, the provincial body which looks into police actions involving serious injury or death. As indicated in the TPAC Bulletin: “TPAC’s experience is that SIU seems to be part of the policing hierarchy rather than representing an outside citizen-based voice on policing matters. The SIU provides the appearance of accountability without the substance, and functions as another line of defence for the police. TPAC fears that the focus of the investigation is narrow when what is needed is something which begins to tackle the question of police accountability to the community at large. Without the presence of a general sense of police accountability, it is difficult for any police complaints mechanism to function well.”

 The letter included in the last newsletter which CLGRO sent supporting private member’s Bill C-280 which would bring into force the appeal provisions in the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act has received a reply. A letter was received from the office of the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Canada. It indicated, among other things, that the refugee determination system meets Canada’s international legal obligations to protect refugees and provides protection to those who need it. The Refugee Appeal Division would add at least another five months to an already long and complicated refugee determination process. The Federal Court provides effective oversight, and is well placed to correct errors of law or unreasonable finding of fact.

 It is clear the government has no intention of supporting this Bill which we continue to believe is very important. It appears that this will be a good question to bring up at all candidates meetings when an election is called. We can ask a question like: “Will you and your party bring into force the appeal provisions in the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act?”

 We have met with Rachna Contractor who is the Coordinator of Among Friends (an initiative which is “designed to support community-based agencies in creating more positive spaces and services for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Queer refugees and immigrants”) and provided her with the list of more than 50 interested individuals and agencies which was developed at and since our November 7, 2006 meeting on immigration and refugee issues. One of the suggestions from that meeting was that a list serve be started for this group.

 Rachna feels that this effort falls within the mandate of Among Friends and has agreed to set up a list serve including the names on this list. If you are interested in being on this list serve, please contact Rachna Contractor at rcontractor  at accessalliance dot ca.

 A Pride Celebration titled Mission Accomplished? Is it the End of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Legal Activism? was put on by the Law Society of Upper Canada and the Sexual Orientation and Gender Section of the Ontario Bar Association. It was well attended and impressive. Speakers were Omo Akintan, Lawyer Legal Services Division City of Toronto; Brent Hawks, MCC; Helen Kennedy, Egale; Martha McCarthy, lawyer; Nicole Nussabum, Lawyer; and chaired by Milé Komlen, Bar Association Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Section Chair.

 Just about everything we mentioned in CLGRO’s Liberation in the 2000s leaflet was mentioned at this meeting. Greatest emphasis was on marginalized groups, immigrants and trans people, stating there should be “no queer left behind” locally and internationally. It was mentioned that though there may be equality in law it is not necessarily there in practice, particularly with the fundamentalists taking over and immigrants who come with prejudice. We need to make sure there is support for the queers in those communities. Education about access to rights was emphasized. Concern was expressed about outside urban centres and beyond Canada. “We must be willing to fight as hard for their rights as we did for ours.”

CLGRO Steering Committee Meeting and Annual General Meeting, Toronto, May 5, 2007 

At the Annual General Meeting the minutes for the May 13, 2006 Annual General Meeting were approved. There was not a quorum at this meeting so the minutes will need to be ratified at the next Steering Committee Meeting. Anyone with concerns or comments about the decisions made at this Annual General Meeting is asked to contact the CLGRO office before the September 8, 2007 Steering Committee Meeting. The Directors remain the same with Brent Southin as Chair, Tom Warner as Treasurer and Nick Mulé as Secretary. Matthew Beeson was elected as a Member-at-large. We have vacancies for five members-at-large, only two of whom may be male. The proposed budget was approved with minor changes. Meeting dates for the next year’s Steering Committee Meetings were established as: September 8, 2007; January 26, 2008 and May 3, 2008 which will also include the Annual General Meeting.

 We continue to work on trying to get a new website established. More work has been done about our concerns regarding immigration and refugee issues. Efforts continued to oppose the Age of Consent legislation. A report was received from the MCC London representative who was in attendance. We worked on the Day Against Homophobia, with recognition focusing on educational issues. We continue to monitor changes in the provincial human rights legislation. Things are looking hopeful for a new Ontario Rainbow Health Resource Centre which was proposed by the CLGRO reference group, Rainbow Health Network. We began plans for Pride and the provincial election.

 A lot of work went into closing down our office at 310 Danforth Ave. and moving to our new office location, 519 Church Street, Toronto ON M4Y 2C9 where we will have a shared work space. Please continue to send all mail to our Post Box #822, Station A, Toronto ON M5W 1G3. Our telephone number and e-mail remain the same.

Despite an excellent presentation made by the youth lead Age of Consent Committee, Bill C-22, which raises the age of consent from 14 to 16 was sent back to Parliament with no amendments, where it passed third reading and is now in the Senate. Pressure to at least amend the legislation to change the age of consent for anal sex to 16 from 18 was overruled by the Conservative Chair of the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights, Art Hanger, who indicated that it was not an accident that this adjustment was not made in the legislation. This leaves an inconsistency in law which has been found unconstitutional in at least three jurisdictions and should be subject to a constitutional challenge any time that section of the law is used.

 Have you considered planned giving to CLGRO?  Planned giving means leaving a bequest in your will for a donation to be made from the proceeds of your estate once you have passed on.  It’s an easy and effective way of ensuring that a group and a cause you have supported during your lifetime can continue to thrive.  Including CLGRO in your planned giving would be a tangible way for you to leave a lasting legacy and to ensure that the movement to advance the liberation of gays, lesbians, and bisexuals will continue.  The amount you choose to leave as a gift would be up to you – and you should talk to a lawyer or financial advisor about that.  As for CLGRO, we would be enormously grateful to receive a bequest of any amount and would be certain to put it to good use!

CLGRO Commemorates International Day Against Homophobia

with 519

 On May 17th, 2007 CLGRO along with the 519 Church Street Community Centre commemorated this year’s International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO) with an event at the 519.  A community forum was organized to discuss this year’s theme being homophobia in early childhood and the education field.  A panel of speakers presented to a good turnout to discuss this important issue.  The panelists included Nadia Bello (school trustee, TEACH), George Bielmeier (social work professor, Ryerson University), Tim McCaskell (former TDSB equity officer, long-time activist and author) and Steve Solomon (Triangle Program).  Each provided the audience with an insightful presentation about the continuing existence of homophobia in our education system and the audience in turn with thought provoking questions and good discussion.

 CLGRO is currently looking into calling for province-wide equity policies that specifically names the gender and sexually diverse communities in Ontario.

 The London Community Building process has moved ahead. The London Area Rainbow Coalition has been officially named (LARC for short.) A new web site has been set up at http://www.londonarc.com/. Visit it for information on the London community if you are heading in that direction. It will highlight London activities, particularly movie nights, which are fundraisers for further growth, held at the Aeolian Hall.

At time of writing London is preparing for Pride London Festival 2007. Pride events start July 19th and climax on Sunday July 29th with the annual parade. We hope many of our readers were able to join in the celebrations. Look up the Pride Guide for a lot of information on activities in the Forest City. It can be downloaded at http://www.pridelondon.ca/guide.html. This is London’s 25th Pride.

 London has a new bar, Buck Wilds (open Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 8 pm to 2 am) in the Central Spa building, 722 York Street. This joins the existing Club 181 on King Street downtown.

 Breaking News

 I wanted to share with you the landmark decision which was reached by our London City Council last night at their public meeting which I attended along with Eugene Dustin (Pride President) and his partner, Christopher D’Aguilar (Pride Literary Night Chair).  These two men had taken steps over the last while to reach out to Council members to demonstrate the need for raising the rainbow flag during our Pride Week celebrations…much like smaller and similar sized cities have done in recent years.  For those who were present during the 1995 court battle between HALO and our former Mayor Dianne Haskett, it was around this time when Council decided to no longer make proclamations or raise flags commemorating special “interest” groups or the like.

 Thanks to people like Eugene and Christopher, we are fortunate this year, to reap the benefit of celebrating an all-encompassing “endorsement” of our Pride Festival…from the City of London – well done Eugene and Christopher for finishing the job started in the 1990’s by those involved in the HALO Club at that time.

 Kathleen Holland

 Kathleen Holland has been chosen to be the Grand Marshall of this year’s London Pride Parade – Editor.

 The Ontario Human Rights commission recently updated its internal guide for processing human rights complaints. To read more please go to www.ohrc.on.ca/en/resources/news/ig

 On an international level, the group Gays-right.org is asking people to sign a petition to the United Nations asking them to take serious and expedient actions in defence of the LGBT communities and human rights around the planet. For information go to www.gays-right.org.

 Bill 7 Award The Bill 7 Award gives out bursaries to gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, transsexual, queer and 2-spirit students in financial need in any post-secondary institution in Ontario. The award is named after the 1986 Ontario legislation that extended the protection of the Human Rights Code to lesbians and gays.

 For more information go to www.bill7award.ca or phone 416-324-5077. The deadline for applications is August 17, 2007.