The way that trans people are housed in detention and correctional settings has come to attention recently, after British comedian Avery Edison was detained by the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) for having previously overstayed her visa — and then she was initially sent to a mens’ prison while the
Continue readingTag: Social Justice
Dented Blue Mercedes: “Protective” Custody
The way that trans people are housed in detention and correctional settings has come to attention recently, after British comedian Avery Edison was detained by the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) for having previously overstayed her visa — and then she was initially sent to a mens’ prison while the
Continue readingDented Blue Mercedes: On the Detention of Trans People
“… in a way that is not inconsistent with one’s gender identity.” Remember that phrase. It’s going to simplify something that might otherwise seem like a complicated issue. So this British comedian walks into Toronto’s Pearson International Airport. Some of you have heard this one before… The treatment of trans
Continue readingDented Blue Mercedes: On the Detention of Trans People
“… in a way that is not inconsistent with one’s gender identity.” Remember that phrase. It’s going to simplify something that might otherwise seem like a complicated issue. So this British comedian walks into Toronto’s Pearson International Airport. Some of you have heard this one before… The treatment of trans
Continue readingDented Blue Mercedes: Across the left divide over sex work.
I’m putting on my op-ed hat for this. The following draws from my own history, but I think it helps provide some insight into the left-wing divide over sex work. I’m skipping over this very quickly, and I’m sure I’ll probably forget some important distinctions and nuances, so bear with
Continue readingDented Blue Mercedes: Across the left divide over sex work.
I’m putting on my op-ed hat for this. The following draws from my own history, but I think it helps provide some insight into the left-wing divide over sex work. I’m skipping over this very quickly, and I’m sure I’ll probably forget some important distinctions and nuances, so bear with
Continue readingTerahertz: Discriminatory engineers?
One of my undergraduate classmates linked to an article on a recent Alberta Human Rights Commission tribunal finding that Alberta’s professional association for engineers (APEGA, formerly APEGGA – which it’s referred to in the decision) discriminated against an international applicant. APEGA is already planning to appeal the decision. The 67
Continue readingMelissa Fong: “Check your privilege” meme and why it is ineffective
Okay, this has been bothering me ENORMOUSLY. I talk about racism a LOT. I also blog a lot. For the entire duration of my social justice life I have never […]
Continue readingPostArctica: Courage, Neil Young, And The Future
Neil Young doesn’t have to do what he is doing, there are many, many reasons why he shouldn’t, but he is, and he is showing us courage that most of us can only dream of, can barely imagine. He is taking on the whole corporate structure that is oppressing and
Continue readingDented Blue Mercedes: Uganda passes its Anti-Homosexuality Bill
Uganda has passed its Anti-Homosexuality Bill 2009. A Parliamentary spokesperson, Helen Kawesa, has confirmed it. The bill now goes to Ugandan President Yowari Museveni, for a signature. Museveni previously said he was not in favour of the bill, but he can’t stop it constitutionally — only delay it at best.
Continue readingDented Blue Mercedes: Uganda passes its Anti-Homosexuality Bill
Uganda has passed its Anti-Homosexuality Bill 2009. A Parliamentary spokesperson, Helen Kawesa, has confirmed it. The bill now goes to Ugandan President Yowari Museveni, for a signature. Museveni previously said he was not in favour of the bill, but he can’t stop it constitutionally — only delay it at best.
Continue readingIlluminated By Street Lamps: No Federal Childcare Program: An Exercise In Strengthening Hegemony
Canada, a nation among the wealthiest in the world, cannot meet its daycare needs. The problem has grown to crisis proportions in the country’s largest cities. In Toronto there are only enough daycare spaces for about one in five of the city’s children.[1] In downtown
Continue readingDented Blue Mercedes: Janice Raymond, and Healing Old Wounds
This post is a personal reflection on Janice Raymond’s visit to Vancouver during a memorial for the victims of the massacre of women at L’École Polytechnique, which took place in Montreal 24 years ago. For an overview of the controversy, why Janice Raymond’s presence (as well as some other aspects
Continue readingDented Blue Mercedes: Janice Raymond, and Healing Old Wounds
This post is a personal reflection on Janice Raymond’s visit to Vancouver during a memorial for the victims of the massacre of women at L’École Polytechnique, which took place in Montreal 24 years ago. For an overview of the controversy, why Janice Raymond’s presence (as well as some other aspects
Continue readingThe Cracked Crystal Ball II: Societal Dysfunction and Why We Need Food Banks
A friend made the following, very perceptive, comment the other day, and it serves as the inspiration for this post. What is wrong with us/our governments that we either cannot or will not address the systemic issues that force so many people to rely on food banks? They were supposed
Continue readingDented Blue Mercedes: Guest Post: El Feministo’s Open Letter re: Janice Raymond at Vancouver’s Ecole Polytechnique Massacre Memorial
On November 30th, a “Montreal Massacre Memorial 2013” event is being held in Vancouver to remember the victims of the massacre at l’Ecole Polytechnique, and to seek ways to end violence against women. It’d be the kind of thing I’d be happy to promote, if it weren’t poisoned with this:
Continue readingDented Blue Mercedes: Guest Post: El Feministo’s Open Letter re: Janice Raymond at Vancouver’s Ecole Polytechnique Massacre Memorial
On November 30th, a “Montreal Massacre Memorial 2013” event is being held in Vancouver to remember the victims of the massacre at l’Ecole Polytechnique, and to seek ways to end violence against women. It’d be the kind of thing I’d be happy to promote, if it weren’t poisoned with this:
Continue readingMelissa Fong: Why is Captain Picard so awesome?
First, this halloween getup: and now this: Jean-Luc, you are a stone cold fox. Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: Amnesty International, awesome, Patrick Stewart, social justice, […]
Continue readingTerahertz: The first rule of comedy: Aim up
Last night in Vancouver comedian Ian Harris came to town as part of his “Critical & Thinking” Tour. The show has been promoted by the BC Humanist Association and other skeptical groups, so naturally many of my friends in town went to the event. From the reports, it sounds like
Continue readingDented Blue Mercedes: Trans kids, washrooms and the new harassment
On October 13th, a story appeared at the Christian Broadcasting Network about girls being harassed by a trans youth in the washroom of a Colorado-area school. Soon afterward, the story was picked up by the Daily Mail, the Examiner, FOX News, and several webmedia outlets. One even embellished it with
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