Queer Ontario Awards 2011 John Damien Award to Queer Youth in

Catholic School System

Award recipients reiterate importance of naming GSAs

TORONTO:  On Sunday, December 4, 2011 during the Queer Ontario hosted 25th Anniversary celebrations of Sexual Orientation’s Inclusion in the Ontario Human Rights Code, the host group presented the 2011 John Damien Award to St. Joseph’s GSA and Catholic Students for GSAs.  The recognition was cited for the courageous work of these youth advocating for the right to form and participate in GSAs in the Catholic School System.

During the acceptance speech, the youth reiterated the importance of having the agency to name the group as they choose, using the term ‘gay’ without shame, regardless of being in a Catholic school system.

Queer Ontario revived the award which had been established by its predecessor, the Coalition for Gay Rights in Ontario (CGRO) which went on to become the Coalition for Lesbian and Gay Rights in Ontario (CLGRO).  Awarded 13 times between 1979 and 2004, the award recognizes individuals, groups or organizations that promote liberation for gender and sexually diverse people.  The award’s namesake is that of the late John Damien, who had been fired in the mid ‘70s from his job as a racing steward for being a ‘homosexual’.  The high profile case played a major role over a ten plus year campaign to have the Ontario Human Rights Code amended to include ‘sexual orientation’ as a ground for protection from discrimination, which was passed on December 2, 1986.

The celebration at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre included reminiscences, vigilance (ongoing campaign to have trans people recognized in human rights legislation), history and ongoing struggle for social rights beyond legal rights.

Queer Ontario would like to cordially invite all members of our LGBTQ communities to come to RECOGNIZE! The 25th Anniversary celebration of the inclusion of ‘Sexual Orientation’ into the Ontario Human Rights Code. It promises to be an evening full of merriment and remembrance.

Special guests Tom Warner and Susan Gapka will be present to speak about recognition struggles past and present; and we will be presenting the John Damien Award for Outstanding Activism to an individual or group that has caused a major stir this year.

So please, come on by, bring your guests, and celebrate with us.

Visit our Facebook event page for further details: https://www.facebook.com/events/267604516625048

Special Thanks to our sponsors:

Buddies in Bad Times Theatre

Canadian Lesbian & Gay Archives

Xtra!

NOTICE: Queer Ontario’s first Annual General Meeting and Elections
Saturday, November 5, 2011 – Light Meal: 7 p.m. – Meeting 8 p.m.
519 Community Centre, Toronto – Room 100/106 (main floor)

NOTE: Nominations for steering committee at-large positions and senior coordinator positions are extended to Monday, October 24, 2011.

Queer Ontario invites you to join us for our first Annual General Meeting and Elections, being held Saturday, November 5, 2011 – light meal at 7 p.m., meeting at 8 p.m. – at the 519 Community Centre, 519 Church Street, Toronto. All members and friends are welcome to join us.

A free light meal will be provided at 7 p.m. (donations appreciated) before the meeting begins at 8 p.m. We will have an ASL interpreter, and childcare will be provided with advance request at info@queerontario.org. The meeting agenda and meeting documents are available below.

Participation from Outside Toronto

Queer Ontario welcomes and encourages participation in this meeting from members and friends outside of Toronto. QO is in the process of evaluating the best method by which to include those who are unable to attend in person (i.e. Skype, Cover It Live, Ustream, etc.). Notice of the online participation process will be posted once the steering committee and senior coordinator nominees are announced.

Voting and Proxies

Please note that Queer Ontario participating members (those who participated in three or more monthly, general or committee meetings between February 1, 2010 and September 30, 2011) are eligible to vote in the elections, to vote on bylaw revisions, and to participate in consensus decisions on other AGM items as required. For voting purposes only, participating members unable to attend may designate a proxy, who need not be a Queer Ontario member. Each individual may hold and cast a maximum of one proxy vote. Participating members holding proxy votes may cast one vote of their own, and one proxy vote. Please bring one piece of valid identification (photo not required) with you to verify your membership or proxy eligibility. 

Steering Committee and Senior Coordinator Nominations

Nominations are now open for positions on Queer Ontario’s steering committee (two at-large positions) and senior coordinators (chair, two-year term; vice-chair, one-year term; secretary, two-year term; treasurer, one-year term). All participating members (those who participated in three or more monthly, general or committee meetings between between February 1, 2010 and September 30, 2011) are eligible to run for these positions. Participating members may nominate themselves, or may be nominated by another participating member with the nominee’s consent. Nominations close on October 24, 2011. Nominees will be posted on the Queer Ontario website shortly after, and notice of the posting will be sent to the general membership.

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