Toronto: Queer Ontario strongly supports the inclusion of the terms “gender identity” and “gender expression” in human rights legislation as tabled in private members bills brought forth by NDP MP Bill Siksay at the federal level and NDP MPP Cheri DiNovo at the provincial level in Ontario. The extension of human rights protections to Canadians who do not base their gender identity or expression solely on their innate biological gender is long overdue, given they are one of the most disenfranchised and oppressed populations in the country.

Queer Ontario urges that all MPs support Siksay’s Bill-389 that would include “gender identity” and “gender expression” in both the Canadian Human Rights Act and Hate Crimes Provisions. Similarly, Queer Ontario calls upon all MPPs in the Ontario provincial legislature to support DeNovo’s private member’s bill known as Toby’s Act that would include “gender identity” as an enumerated ground in the Ontario Human Rights Code. Queer Ontario also urges organizations and residents across Ontario and Canada to support these legislative amendments to prectect trans people from harassment and discrimination.
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[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_wp7l3sxao&w=600&h=375]

Queer Ontario’s Nick Mulé is interviewed by rabble.ca about the history of attempts to censor LGBT activists at Toronto’s Pride Parades.

Toronto: Members of Pride Toronto’s staff and board held a news conference in front of their office at 14 Dundonald Street in Toronto yesterday to announce formally its board’s decision to ban the term ‘Israeli apartheid’ from being used in the Pride festivities this year. Gathered across the street were members of Queers Against Israeli Apartheid (QuAIA), whom this is very much directed at, Queer Ontario, long time queer activists, artists and community organizers of all generations concerned about free speech.

Based on the rationale provided by Pride Toronto at the news conference, Queer Ontario is deeply concerned about the process that is unfolding. Essentially, Pride Toronto is conceding to threats by discredited City Council member and mayoral candidate Georgio Mammoliti, as well as the maneuverings of City Councillor Kyle Rae and fellow City bureaucrats. Queer Ontario founder and spokesperson Nick Mulé states “It appears Pride Toronto has opted to appease some City officials applying pressure based on misinformation regarding QuAIA and the use of the term ‘Israeli apartheid’, rather than work directly with the community in educating the City to develop a nuanced understanding of the human rights and discrimination issues at play.”
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