[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.”
Read more…

Nick Mulé, founder Queer Ontario, helms the desk at the 519 Open House

On May 19, 2010 Queer Ontario held an “Open House within an Open House” during the 519 Church Street Community Centre’s “Open House” to celebrate the completion of their renovations. Rather than holding our regular monthly meeting, we set up a reception area in one of the meeting rooms proudly displaying our new table skirt (banner to come) and distributing postcards describing our group. Additionally, we sold buttons, had sign-up sheets and offered chocolates to the curious.

A number of buttons were sold, some new people signed up to be members and all praised us for taking on this work and wished us well.

Thanks are extended to all Queer Ontario activists who volunteered their time to set up and staff the table at this “Open House within an Open House.”