In light of John Baird’s recent comments regarding Russia’s recently-passed anti-gay laws which basically outlaw any “gay propaganda” (such as two people of the same sex holding hands), I’d like to spend a bit of time talking about why a boycott of the Sochi games, along with generally isolating Russia
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The Canadian Progressive: Desmond Tutu: I’d not worship a God who is homophobic
Iconic retired archbishop Desmond Tutu denounces religions that discriminate against gays, declares he’d not worship a God who is homophobic. The post Desmond Tutu: I’d not worship a God who is homophobic appeared first on The Canadian Progressive.
Continue readingDented Blue Mercedes: Porn opt-ins, soft censorship and buttbuttinating personal responsibility
On Monday, British Prime Minster David Cameron announced that internet service providers in the U.K. would be required to filter out online porn as part of several new rules to come into effect by the end of the year. Adults will still have the ability to opt in to view porn, but filtering
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Tim Hortons blocks customers’ WiFi access to gay and lesbian website
Last week, Canadian coffee titan Tim Hortons blocked the website of popular gay and lesbian newspaper Xtra from its public WiFi network. The post Tim Hortons blocks customers’ WiFi access to gay and lesbian website appeared first on The Canadian Progressive.
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Marriage equality becomes law in England and Wales
Marriage equality became law in England and Wales after Queen Elizabeth granted Royal Assent to the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill last Wednesday. The post Marriage equality becomes law in England and Wales appeared first on The Canadian Progressive.
Continue readingMontreal Simon: Stephen Harper’s Stealth War on Gay Canadians
In just a few hours I'll be following the rainbow, or waving it, at the Toronto Pride parade.Along with about a million gay people and their straight friends and supporters.It's always an awesome spectacle. A chance to celebrate our community, our survival, and in my case at least, send a giant
Continue readingDented Blue Mercedes: Stay Motivated: A Short Caution.
I was originally going to title this “stay angry.” Sometimes, it seems like that’s what’s needed to keep people motivated and engaged in activism, networking, and a sense of community, after a big win that makes people think that the struggle is over. My position on the fight for same-sex
Continue readingDented Blue Mercedes: C-279 amendments made, in afternoon of impassioned speeches.
Update / Correction: The amendments were given a voice vote, but not actually passed. Because there was visible opposition, it’s subject to recorded division, and the amendments will be voted on, on March 20th. More twists and turns than a mangled slinky. It’s official, the amendments to drop gender expression
Continue readingDented Blue Mercedes: Doing something about anti-gay lobbying in Africa
If you’ve frequented any LGBT media at all, you’ve heard about Uganda’s proposed Anti-Homosexuality Bill (often referred to as the “Kill the Gays Bill”), and possibly other anti-gay legislative bills that have been debated in African nations. Perhaps you’ve signed on to petitions directed to various governments to urge them
Continue readingDented Blue Mercedes: Violence is almost never an acceptable response. Neither is rationalizing it.
In August 2012, Floyd Lee Corkins entered the Family Research Council (FRC) headquarters and opened fire, injuring a security guard as he was tackled — fortunately, before he could cause any more damage. Periodically, I see people who I otherwise respect trying to dismiss the incident as insignificant, or even
Continue readingMontreal Simon: Kathleen Wynne and the Gay Kids
I haven't written about Kathleen Wynne becoming Ontario's first woman and lesbian Premier, for a couple of reasons.One, I hate writing the words "openly gay." You're either gay or you're not. And two because at this point in the 21st Century I didn't think it should be a big deal.But
Continue readingOntario Liberal leadership: on the numbers
As a Kathleen Wynne delegate to the leadership convention, I will probably take some time in trying to articulate the significance of the win and not rush into a blathering post about how freakin’ awesome it all is. (By the way, Adam Goldenberg really nailed the personal aspect in his
Continue readingArt Threat: Femininity, fantasy, and fever dreams – Book review: The Lava in My Bones by Barry Webster
In a delirious, hallucinogenic voice, author Barry Webster turns directly toward the place and experience of femininity in a queer life dominated by masculine desires.
Continue readingDented Blue Mercedes: LGBT human rights in Uganda, and John Baird’s dilemma.
Recent attention from both ends of the political spectrum has focused on the efforts of the Harper government to safeguard the safety and human rights of lesbian and gay people around the world. I’ve commended Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird for taking the lead on this before, and without prompting. But what has been
Continue readingBryan Crockett: Congratulations, President Obama!
Congratulations on your re-election, President Barack Obama! I’m inspired, and extremely thrilled to see that the idea of equality of opportunity won in the United States. Barack Obama, and his team, have done so much to improve the land to the south. Even more, he’s been an inspired and inspirational
Continue readingDented Blue Mercedes: MP’s trans predator fearmongering escalates.
On Friday, Sun News commentator Brian Lilley interviewed Rob Anders, the Member of Parliament who has drawn condemnation for conflating transsexual and transgender people with sexual predators in a petition he has been circulating on his website, and to at least one church in his riding. In “Children’s bathroom bill
Continue readingDented Blue Mercedes: The Mask of Gender
Normally, I’m not one to promote something if I’m in it. That kind of thing is horribly self-aggrandizing. So I’ll apologize right off for doing that here. But given the recent focus on trans issues due to the comments made by Rob Anders, I thought it would be a good
Continue readingMontreal Simon: Rob Anders and the Reform Party Reborn
Oh. My. Zombie. I'm afraid that Rob Anders is entering the final stages of his earthly degradation.Just a few days ago that grotesque Con was accusing Tom Mulcair of killing Jack Layton.Now he's going after the human rights of transgendered Canadians.Read more »
Continue readingDented Blue Mercedes: Rob Anders, the transsexual bogeyman, and the weird phenomenon of MPs petitioning their constituents.
Rob Anders is on a mission. Hot on the heels of having to halfway apologize for alleging that NDP leader Thomas Mulcair drove former NDP leader Jack Layton to his grave, Anders is now sending at least one church (possibly more) a letter asking them to petition MPs to oppose
Continue readingDented Blue Mercedes: Michelle Kosilek, Barney Frank and Prisoner Sex Changes
If Barney Frank seriously wants to be an ally for trans people, the absolute first thing he could do is stop talking about anything at all to do with trans people. To be fair, the media has this bad habit of considering him a superior authority to absolutely anyone who’s
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