Day of pink

Today is the International Day of Pink. It's a day to wear pink to show you're taking a stand against discrimination and bullying. It started in Nova Scotia in 2007, when a boy was being bullied for wearing a pink shirt. The next day, two of his classmates wore pink to show support, and convinced the rest of the school to do the same. A number of "pink" events are taking place at schools today across the GTA. http://www.dayofpink.org/

Three men missing from Church & Wellesley area.

If you have information on 3 missing men in the Church St / Wellesley St E area of Toronto please contact 51 Division Toronto Police Service 416-808-5110 or submit an anonymous tip to Toronto Crime Stoppers by clicking on the Leave A Tip Tab on Facebook Pages or calling 1-800-222-8477 The Toronto Police Service would like to make the public aware of a missing person investigation.

On September 16, 2010, Skandaraj “Skanda” Navaratnam, 40, was reported missing. He was last seen on September 6, 2010 in the Church Street/Wellesley Street East area, leaving a bar with an unknown man − his dog was left behind, which would be very unusual for him to do − he was active in the community of Church Street and Wellesley Street East area.

It is further reported that: As a result, investigators have determined that there are two other missing men that fit the same profile. − Abdulbasir "Basir" Faizi, 44, was reported missing on December 29, 2010 to the Peel Regional Police Service − subsequent investigation places the last known location of Abdulbasir Faizi in the Church Street/Wellesley Street East area − his motor vehicle was recovered on Moore Avenue.

It is also reported that: − on October 25, 2012, Majeed "Hamid" Kayhan, 59, was reported missing to the Toronto Police Service − the man was reported missing by his son and had last been seen on October 14, 2012 − he was active in the community of Church Street/Wellesley Street East.

torontopolice.on.ca/newsreleases/pdfs/26688.pdf 
toronto.ctvnews.ca/police-probing-cases-of-3-missing-men-from-church-and-wellesley-1.1314030

Night march Toronto 2013

On Monday, June 24 at 9:00 PM, Queer and Trans communities are invited to congregate at Cawthra Square Park for what will be a celebratory and political march. In 2012, Night March was born with the intention of celebrating and demonstrating our rights and diverse voices. As well, given the violence experienced by our communities – often at night - the need for Night March is all the more appropriate.

We are starting at Cawthra Square Park and from there we will take to the streets in a festive and political procession that is sure to liven up downtown Toronto!

We are actively looking for marshals. If interested, please contact us by e-mail atnightmarchTO@gmail.com or come and attend one of our training sessions - extra brownie points if you have first aid skills! Further details forthcoming!

So come one, come all and join us on Monday, June 24 at 9:00 PM at Cawthra Square Park. From there, we will march along a super-secret-to-be-revealed-night-of route. So bring your signs, bring your noisemakers, bring your glow-y stuff, bring your flashiest outfit and most importantly, bring yourself. See you then!

FB Event Link: on.fb.me/10EimIj 

Twitter: #NightMarch13

In solidarity
Your Friendly 2013 Night March Hosts

Salvation Army thinks queer parents should be put to death.

Saw this today over a Xtra.  Please don't support this homophobic organization.

Major Andrew Craibe, a Salvation Army senior official, did a radio interview with gay journalist Serena Ryan in which she questioned him about the homophobia in Salvation Story: Salvationist Handbook of Doctrine, the handbook used to train Salvation Army members, or as they refer to them, "soldiers." The handbook quotes anti-gay biblical passages, including Romans 1:18-32, which talks of "God's wrath on unrighteousness."

Here's the exchange between Ryan and Craibe via the Examiner: 

Ryan: According to the Salvation Army, [gay parents] deserve death. How do you respond to that, as part of your doctrine?

Craibe: Well, that’s a part of our belief system.

Ryan: So they should die.

Craibe: You know, we have an alignment to the Scriptures, but that’s our belief.

Ryan: You’re proposing in your doctrine that because these parents are gay, that they must die.

Craibe: Well, well, because that is part of our Christian doctrine –

Ryan: But how is that Christian? Shouldn’t it be about love?

Craibe: Well, the love that we would show is about that: consideration for all human beings to come to know salvation . . .

Ryan: Or die . . .

Craibe: Well, yes. 

http://www.examiner.com/article/lgbt-parenting-a-death-sentence-with-salvation-army

Toronto Catholic Boards Motion to Ban GSA's

Two Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) trustees are attempting to ban gay-straight alliances with a motion that will come before the board tomorrow, May 23.

The motion challenges the Accepting Schools Act (Bill 13), provincial legislation passed in 2012 that amended the Education Act. Bill 13 mandates GSAs be allowed in all Ontario schools when requested by students. 

Trustees Garry Tanuan and John Del Grande, state that GSAs should be banned because they "promote a positive view of homosexual activity, which undermines Catholic teaching on chastity and marriage.”

“The provincial government is breaking the law by violating s. 93 of the Constitution, which enshrines the denominational rights of the Catholic schools,” Tanuan’s motion states.

Source: Xtra.ca

  Toronto Catholic Boards Motion to Ban GSAs

CITIZENS FED UP WITH FORD'S REFUSAL TO ANSWER QUESTIONS WANT TO CHANGE THE STORY.

Toronto, ON – A group of concerned citizens is staging a peaceful sit-in outside Toronto Mayor Rob Ford’s house this Sunday May 26th starting at noon, with the goal of pressuring Ford to answer direct questions about the video that apparently shows the Mayor smoking crack cocaine and using racist and homophobic language.

Fed up with the pattern of avoidance and denial that seems to follow in the wake of every scandal with Ford at the center, the organizers are looking to break the script and hold Ford accountable.

“Every time there’s a scandal, Rob Ford uses the same strategy,” says organizer Trevor Coleman, “Quicky deny everything and then refuse to answer questions. There’s only so many ‘Rob Ford said nothing’ stories that the media can write, so eventually the press has to cover something else and the public moves on.”

This protest aims to change that by taking the issue to Rob Ford’s house and staying there.

“If he won’t answer the media’s questions, then maybe he’ll answer ours,” says Coleman, “He’s always inviting people to call him at home and we decided it was time to take him up on the offer.’

Rob Ford has a history of inadvertently bolstering community relations among his supporters. An all-night council session in 2012 quickly turned into something of a slumber party where community-minded people from all parts of Toronto came together to express their vision for the city. Instead of being exhausted by the all-night session as Mayor Ford had hoped, the city came away invigorated. The organizers of the sit-in are betting that something similar will happen Sunday afternoon.

“We’re hoping to have fun with it,” says Coleman, “We’re hoping people will come down and make a day of it. We all know how Mayor Ford likes to host barbeques, so we might bring a hibachi or two, maybe some board games. We’re hoping to get some music going and have a good time. We’re encouraging people to bring lawn chairs, as we’ll probably be there a while.”

With the attention of the world’s media trained on the mayor, it seems likely that this protest will gather significant media attention, that’s something that the organizers are counting on.

“I think Torontonians are pretty dismayed to see the name of their city dragged through the mud in the international media. Right now every story is about how we elected a crack-smoking Mayor. I don’t feel that accurately represents the city I live in, and I think there’s a chance here to present a different side of Toronto to the world, one we can all be proud of.”

More details can be found on the event’s website:  http://rob-ford-sit-in.squarespace.com

RELATED:

Rob Ford in 'crack cocaine' video scandal
For Sale: A Video of Toronto Mayor Rob Ford Smoking Crack Cocaine
Rob Ford refuses to answer questions on crack video allegations

CNN: VIDEO

A Major LGBTQ Community Summit: The Countown to World Pride 2014 in Toronto

WHAT's the Summit all about? 
The program will include a Briefing and Presentation on World Pride 2014, to get the word out, and to engage, activate, and harness the richness, creativity, input, and the diversity of our community in planning for World Pride 2014 in Toronto, the world's largest LGBTQ event . 

WHO's coming to the Summit? 
We have invited a wide range of groups, leaders, individuals, members, supporters, friends and participants from a wide range of Greater Toronto's LGBTQ community. We are asking each to send several members and/or representatives to a major Community Summit on Saturday morning, June 8, 2013. 

It's an important event and the invitations represent a very broad range of interests, areas, involvements, backgrounds, and focus. 

WHY are we doing it? 
We want to tap your ideas, energy, and enthusiasm regarding World Pride 2014; 
To show our community's strong, involved, and engaged in making it a great event; 
We want to get the message out regarding the plans, progress, and opportunities to be found with respect to World Pride 2014 in Toronto; 
We want the community to be energized and begin plans to celebrate World Pride 2014; 
We're seeking broad community involvement in World Pride 2014: from the broadest possible range of the LGBTQ community, including associations, groups, organizations, businesses, collectives, assemblies, congregations, gatherings, and leagues.

WHEN and WHERE?

Toronto City Hall, 3rd floor Council Chambers

Registration 9:30 a.m.

Presentation 10:00 a.m.

Networking and Social 11:30 a.m.

Please pass on the details and the invitation to this Summit to the networks, groups, associations, and/or affiliations to which you belong. Please come yourself; please encourage several others to join you; and please reserve a space today (they will go fast) by registering at:www.countdown2wp14to.eventbrite.com 

Jason Kenny email making the news

There has been quite a bit of talk in the media the past few days about the email Immigration Minister Jason Kenny sent out last Friday. One of the most talked about aspects of this email has people wondering if the Harper government is targeting selected groups of individuals.

I received the email so I thought I'd share it with you.

Subject:

LGBT Refugees from Iran

Friends,

Last Friday, my colleague John Baird, Minister of Foreign Affairs, spoke in great detail about Canada’s principled foreign policy, including our efforts to promote basic freedoms around the world, and to take a stand against the persecution of gays and lesbians, and against the marginalization of women in many societies. I made similar remarks in my speech last November to the global conference of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, where I raised the particular plight of gay and lesbian refugees.

As Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, I believe that Canada should always be a place of refuge for those who truly need our protection. That is why we continue to welcome those fleeing persecution, which oftentimes includes certain death, including on the basis of sexual orientation.

We are proud of the emphasis our Conservative Government has placed on gay and lesbian refugee protection, which is without precedent in Canada’s immigration history. We have increased the resettlement of gay refugees living abroad as part of our refugee programs. In particular, we have taken the lead in helping gay refugees who have fled often violent persecution in Iran to begin new, safe lives in Canada. We are also helping community groups like the Rainbow Refugee Committee to sponsor gay refugees for resettlement to Canada.

Please click on the web-links below for more information. I would appreciate hearing your thoughts.

Sincerely,

Hon. Jason Kenney, PC, MP

Calgary Southeast

www.JasonKenney.ca

SHANK Trailer

I'm going to see this movie, Shank tonight at the Inside Out LGBT Film Festival. It is screening at the Isabel Bader theatre at 9:30 pm.

Maybe we need a call for the killing of Reggae (singers)

(Kingston) Jamaican reggae performer Beenie Man is denying he has agreed to stop performing music that calls for the killing of gays.

Stop Murder Music, a group founded by LGBT rights organization Outrage, said that Beenie Man, and two other reggae singers: Sizzla and Capleton, had signed an agreement that they would no longer perform songs that promoted violence against gays.

The full story is here.