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Courtesy of Sarah Manns, Parliamentary Assistant to MP Randall Garrison, the federal NDP’s LGBT critic.
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Anyone in Ottawa wanting to come and watch the debate on C-279, the Gender Identity Bill, is welcome to meet in front of Centre Block just outside the visitors entrance at the base of the peace tower at 1pm. We will go through security as a group and then head up to the gallery. Please do not bring anything that security won’t let you take in; pocket knives, weapons, tools, nail scissors, etc. Also note that ID will be required. If you have any questions don’t hesitate to get in touch.

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Sarah can be reached at 613-996-2625.
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More
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For more information on the Bill, visit the Parliamentary website, here:
http://parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?Language=E&Mode=1&DocId=5127590&File=9
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For our Call to Action, visit our website, here:
http://queerontario.org/2012/05/29/call-to-action
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Bill C-279, the federal bill that seeks to include ‘gender identity’ as a protected ground in the Canadian Charter of Rights & Freedoms, is up for debate this Friday (June 1st) from 1:30-2:30 pm. All are welcome / encouraged to attend; or, if you cannot attend in person, you can watch the debate live on CPAC: http://www.cpac.ca/forms/index.asp?dsp=template&act=view3&template_id=46&hl=e
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A vote on the Bill’s second reading is expected to take place next week.
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Act Now!
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Please call or write to your Member of Parliament and ask them to support the Bill. A current list of MPs, with a link to their contact information, can be found here: http://www.parl.gc.ca/MembersOfParliament/MainMPsCompleteList.aspx
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If you are unsure of who your MP is, you can find your riding here http://www.elections.ca/scripts/pss/FindED.aspx and search for it in the MP list above.
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We wish you all the best in your politicking (ad)ventures!
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The Queer Ontario Steering Committee
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Feel free to email us at info[at]queerontario.org if you have any further questions, insights, or tips.
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Queer Ontario is proud to announce its alliance with SlutWalk Toronto, and its work against the victim-blaming and slut-shaming that often accompanies — and follows — acts of sexual harassment and sexual assault.  We will be marching in the SlutWalk this Friday, May 25 in a show of solidarity, with messages opposing the misogyny, transphobia, and homophobia  that inform acts of sexual and physical violence, and the treatment many victims/survivors receive after-the-fact.
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Marchers are set to meet at 5:oopm at Nathan Phillips Square, making their way up to Queen’s Park, via University Ave., at around 5:30 pm.
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At 6:30 pm, a number of presenters will address the crowd, including: Kim Crosby, Jeff Perera, Tara Atluri, Judy Rebick, Morgan M Page, Michelle Chai, Jules Kirouac, and Jules’ mother, Deborah.
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If you are interested in joining our marching contingent, then meet us at the south-east corner of Nathan Phillip’s square at 5:00 pm (look for the Queer Ontario banner), where we will have some materials to make signs. You can also contact us at info@queerontario.org if you have any questions or would like a run-down of our plan.
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If you are interested in learning more about the SlutWalk, then visit their website at http://www.slutwalktoronto.com
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Their Facebook event page can be found at https://www.facebook.com/events/275379902539008
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