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Queer Ontario is proud to launch a new initiative: its Queer Ontario Salons — designated evenings where we address key issues via guest speakers, political discussion, performances, network-building, and socializing. All events will be audiostreamed at http://www.ustream.tv/channel/queer-ontario-meetings to enable participation from individuals who are unable to attend in person (for whatever reason).
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On Thursday, November 22, 2012 from 8:00 to 10:00 pm
In Room 201 at The 519 Community Centre, Toronto.

The 519 Community Centre is wheelchair accessible, and light snacks and refreshments will be provided. If you have any questions do not hesitate to contact us at info@queerontario.org.
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We look forward to connecting with many of you there!
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The Queer Ontario Events & Fundraising Committee

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Today marks the 13th anniversary of the Transgender Day of Remembrance, a day that has been set apart to remember the lives of the family, friends, lovers, and strangers we have lost throughout the year as a result of anti-trans* violence. As individuals personally invested in the recognition, protection, accommodation, embrace, and appreciation of transsexual,* transgender,* genderqueer,* two-spirited, and other/non-gendered individuals, it pains us to have to observe this day every year. Therefore, as part of your observance of the Transgender Day of Remembrance, we encourage you to write to your Member of Parliament requesting that they support Bill C-279, the federal ‘gender identity’ bill.
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As you may or may not know, Bill C-279 is the federal bill that seeks to include ‘gender identity’ and ‘gender expression’ as protected grounds both in the discrimination provisions of the Canadian Human Rights Act, and in the hate crimes provisions of the Criminal Code of Canada. The bill will provide the frameworks needed to ensure that violence against trans people is accurately recorded and redressed by violence prevention programs nation-wide (including law enforcement). It will also establish the legal foundation needed to get people thinking about the  violence being done to trans people in Canada and around the world, both personally and systemically.
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You can find the name and contact information of your Member of Parliament here: http://www.parl.gc.ca/MembersOfParliament/MainMPsCompleteList.aspx?TimePeriod=Current&Language=E.
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If you don’t know who your Member of Parliament is, you can find your riding here http://www.elections.ca/scripts/pss/FindED.aspx?L=e and then find your riding in the contact link above.
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Your assistance is deeply appreciated.
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In celebratory, pensive, and sorrowful solidarity,
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The Queer Ontario Steering Committee
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Hi Everyone,
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I would like to thank all that attended and participated in Queer Ontario’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Sunday, November 4, 2012.
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This is to announce our new Steering Committee roster as elected at the AGM (election results in parentheses, positions are staggered):
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Queer Ontario Steering Committee
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Chairperson: Nick Mulé
Vice Chairperson: Davina Hader (Newly Elected)
Secretary: Martin Otarola
Treasurer: Richard Hudler (Re-Elected)
Member At Large: Alana Boltwood (Newly Elected)
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We have a very promising team of individuals to assist Queer Ontario in continuing our important work.  Congratulations to Richard Hudler on his re-election as Treasurer, who has our trust and confidence in overseeing the QO finances and advising us on budgetary matters; Davina Hader who was an important and effective liaison to QO on trans issues and carried out extensive cinematography work on the Queer Liberation Theory Project and was a Member At Large, now moves into the role of Vice Chairperson where she will carry on with these duties and more; and Alana Boltwood whose far reaching work on multiple issues as Chairperson of the Research and Education Committee and her ongoing assistance with the QO Think Tank positions her well as our newly elected Member At Large.
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A special thanks is extended to Casey Oraa who chose not to stand in the role of Vice Chairperson.  In this position Casey contributed immensely to QO doing extensive behind the scenes work at every level.  Of course he is best known for raising the profile of issues such as GSAs, queer youth and the education system, with his skilled handling of these difficult issues in the media and his ongoing coalition work with community activists and organizations.  Although he will be greatly missed on the QO Steering Committee, we look forward to continuing to work with him within QO in general.
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In order to align our governance with our fiscal year, Queer Ontario’s next AGM will be in May 2013 at which time the positions of Chairperson, Secretary and Members At Large (1 position within Toronto and 2 outside) will open up for elections.
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Thanks everyone and we look forward to another exciting year made even more so by the promise and talent of our newly elected Queer Ontario Steering Committee members.
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Cheers,
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Nick Mulé
Chairperson,
Queer Ontario
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