The heartwarming story of Wren Kauffman
I have been delighted this week to read about the story of Wren Kauffman, an 11-year-old Edmonton boy who went back to school this week like most kids his age.…
Matt Guerin
INTERVIEW with Chrystia Freeland and why I’m supporting her for the federal Liberal Toronto Centre nomination
There has been a bit of press recently on the local battle for the Toronto Centre federal Liberal nomination to replace Bob Rae, much of it unfairly attacking the candidacy…
Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird blasts ‘hateful’ Russian anti-gay law
I’m very glad to see John Baird taking a very strong stand in opposition to Russia’s odious, hateful, new anti-gay laws. “As concerned as we are about the Olympics, that’s…
Toronto Centre Liberal nomination race heats up…
It’s now confirmed that author and journalist Chrystia Freeland (pictured) will be seeking the federal Liberal nomination in Toronto Centre for the upcoming byelection to replace retiring MP Bob Rae.…
Stephen Harper’s Conservatives take away victims’ rights by passing pro-hate speech bill
While few were looking, Stephen Harper’s Conservatives have succeeded in using the weaselly option of a backbencher’s private member’s bill to quietly gut the Canadian Human Rights Act to remove…
2nd Toronto Pride Week LGBT Short Film Festival launches Monday
After a very successful inaugural run in 2012, I’m very proud to be organizing the Canadian Media Guild’s 2nd Toronto Pride Week LGBT Short Film Festival, which starts tomorrow. I’ve…
Inside Out film festival wraps: My favourite flicks this year.
The 23rd Inside Out Toronto LGBT Film Festival wraps today. I’ve been a patron of the festival since I moved to Toronto in the 1990s. This year was a great…
Lessons learned after the B.C. election: the NDP can’t win in most parts of English Canada…
This article by Chantal Hebert sums up some of my feelings about the NDP in the face of their stunning defeat in British Columbia last night. Here are my lessons…
‘The Golden Pin’: Cuando las tradiciones se interponen en el amor / ‘The Golden Pin’: When traditions stand in the way of love
I recently did an interview with the Latino queer website UniversoGay about my short film, ‘The Golden Pin,’ which has turned into a hit on YouTube. I posted the 16-minute…
Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau fights back with ‘Channel Change’ TV ad
Canadians are fair people. They understand that 40-somethings just elected to new, massively challenging leadership roles need time to continue to grow and do their jobs. In response to Trudeau’s…
I’ll be voting for Joyce Murray even though I hope Justin Trudeau wins Liberal leadership…
I’ve always been a left-leaning Liberal. I’ve always been slightly anti-establishment. Since I was a recently out university student, I’ve always wanted to push the Liberal Party to be more…
Canadian House of Commons approves transgendered rights bill
I’m really glad this bill passed the House of Commons today. But the close vote – 149 in favour, 137 against – is slightly disturbing. But then again, we have…
Canadian Supreme Court upholds anti-hate speech laws in case against Bill Whatcott
I’m quite pleased with this morning’s ruling by the Supreme Court of Canada against Bill Whatcott’s dissemination of hateful, anti-gay flyers in Saskatchewan in 2001 and 2002. Whatcott had been…
Media should re-think term "openly gay", perhaps use the term "out" to describe Kathleen Wynne…
When Kathleen Wynne won the leadership of the Ontario Liberal Party in late January, it was historic. Not only would Ontario have its first female premier, Canada would also have…
Special message to state broadcaster Sun Media & Brian Lilley: Evangelicals and Catholics are not the same…
Canada’s state broadcaster Sun Media has been going to bat for the Conservative Party this week against their political enemies. Conservative Party spokesman Brian Lilley has been obsessively attacking NDP…
Ontario News Watch Op Ed: Backroom Negotiations By Party Elites Chose Wynne As Liberal Leader. But Is That Really The Best Way To Choose A Premier For All Of Ontario?
I was very proud to be asked by ONW Editor Susanna Kelley to write today’s op ed piece on the recent Ontario Liberal leadership election process. Please check it out…
Party elites, not grassroots members, chose Wynne for Ontario Liberal Leader…
The recent Ontario Liberal leadership convention in Toronto was enjoyable to attend. It gave me the opportunity to re-connect with dozens of Liberals I’ve known over the years. It also…
Great day as British House of Commons votes in favour of legalizing same-sex marriage.
Britain’s Parliament voted today 400 to 175 to legalize equal marriage in the United Kingdom. The government-proposed bill would enable same-sex couples to get married in both civil and religious…
My short film ‘The Golden Pin’ plays with ‘A Silk Letter’ at Carlton Cinema this week…
A few years back, I co-produced and co-wrote the award-winning short film The Golden Pin with my friend, director Cuong Ngo. It won Best Canadian Short at the 2009 Inside…
Former New York mayor Ed Koch dies at 88
Closet case! Coward! We’ve heard all these words today and long before to describe Ed Koch, who served as New York City’s mayor during the 1980s. According to the folks…