Archive

Posts Tagged ‘sexual orientation’

Queer Ontario’s Response to ServiceOntario’s Questions around Change of Sex Designation Criteria

August 23rd, 2012 Comments off

.
On Wednesday, August 1, 2012, Queer Ontario submitted the following [first] document to Alexandra Schmidt, Senior Policy Advisor for ServiceOntario, in response to ServiceOntario’s consultation document regarding an amended criteria for a change of sex designation on an Ontario Birth Registration. As expected, Queer Ontario was not one of the organizations contacted to provide feedback on the document, but we were thankfully alerted to it, five days before the due date, by a firm supporter. Unfortunately, given the short timeline, we were unable to fully enact our discussion and consensus process, so the document we submitted was not given our full critical attention. Therefore, we are providing a second document that puts forward a critical analysis of the sex designation process, and highlights/elucidates the points made in our original submission.
.
Indeed, we felt that the questions and terms put forward by ServiceOntario would replicate the problems already present with the sex designation process, since it still conflated “sex” with “gender” and ignores the concept of a “sex identity”. We are positive our recommendations would be equally beneficial for transsexual, transgender, intersex, sex-neutral, gender-queer, two-spirited, bi-gendered, and gender-neutral people alike.
.
.

Queer Ontario’s Submission to ServiceOntario:


Downloadable version: QueerOntario-ServiceOntarioSexDesignation-Response
.
.

Queer Ontario’s Addendum:


Downloadable version: QueerOntario-ServiceOntarioSexDesignation-Addendum

.
.

A Message from Nick Mulé, Queer Ontario Chairperson, on Bill 33

June 12th, 2012 Comments off

.
Hi Everyone,
.
I’m sending this message to inform all of the social, legal, cultural and historical importance of Bill 33, Toby’s Act: Right to be Free from Discrimination and Harassment Because of Gender Identity or Gender Expression, 2012.  On Monday, June 11, 2012 Queer Ontario deputed before the Ontario Legislative Standing Committee on Social Policy with regard to this Bill urging them to pass it.  See the Queer Ontario deputation at: http://queerontario.org/2012/06/11/bill33-deputation/
.
This is somewhat lengthy, but I ask that you bear with me as their is some important information here I wanted to share.
.
Significance to Trans Communities:  It goes without saying that this Bill is long overdue to ensure the social recognition and legal protections needed for the trans communities.  Trans people have been calling for this for a very long time, the Bill is currently in its fourth (4th) attempt at being passed and the Ontario Human Rights Commission has been calling for the inclusion of ‘gender identity’ in the Ontario Human Rights Code since 1999.  Queer Ontario, with a mandate that addresses the needs of gender and sexual diverse people inclusive of trans and genderqueer communities strongly supports the passage of Bill 33.  For our comprehensive position on this Bill, see our deputation at http://queerontario.org/2012/06/11/bill33-deputation/
.
Significance to Lesbians, Gays and Bisexuals:
 Following Queer Ontario’s deputation, the Ontario Human Rights Commission as represented by Barbara Hall, Chief Human Rights Commissioner, deputed.  Clearly in support of Bill 33 to ensure social and legal recognition and protections, she outlined a series of amendments to the Bill.  One of the amendments involves enumerating ‘sexual orientation’ under sections 2(2) and 5(2) dealing with harassment.  This is a long-standing recommendation by both the Ontario Human Rights Commission and the LGB communities.  25 years ago when our predecessor, the Coalition for Lesbian and Gay Rights in Ontario (CLGRO) succeeded in getting ‘sexual orientation’ added to the Ontario Human Rights Code following an 11-year campaign, the primary activists involved recognized it wasn’t a complete victory, as harassment was not covered.  The NDP’s Cheri DiNovo, who is shepherding Toby’s Act through Parliament indicated that the NDP would be using the OHRC amendments for the Bill.  There is now an opportunity to redress this gap within Bill 33.
.
Historical Significance:  The anticipated passage of Bill 33 holds great historical significance at this particular time in queer history:
.
– Passage would take place just over 25 years after ‘sexual orientation’ was added to the OHRC

– Inclusion of ‘gender identity’ and ‘gender expression’ in the OHRC could come into place during the same week the Ontario Human Rights Commission has its 50th anniversary

– The vote for Bill 33 is to take place on Wednesday, June 13, 2012 exactly 13 years to the day (June 13, 1999) police raided the Bijou, a gay/bisexual sex bar/theatre (since closed) in downtown Toronto.
.
We have come a long way as a queer community.  This is one of those rare times, close on the heels of the recently successful passage of Bill 13 Accepting Schools Act addressing bullying and GSAs we are on the verge of another successful bill passage.  To witness a highly anticipated historic moment attend the third (3rd) reading and vote on Bill 33 at Queen’s Park on Wednesday morning, June 13, 2012 at 9:00 AM.
.
All the best,
.
Nick Mulé
Chairperson,
Queer Ontario
.
.

RECOGNIZE! The 25th Anniversary celebration of the inclusion of ‘Sexual Orientation’ into the Ontario Human Rights Code

November 26th, 2011 Comments off

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.

When: Sunday, December 4, 2011. 7:00 – 10:00 PM
Where: Buddies in Bad Times Theatre
    12 Alexander Street, Toronto, ON
Note: The Program is set to start at 8:00 PM

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!