Archives for June 2012

Archive for June, 2012

Working for Trans Equality & Rights

Posted on: June 26th, 2012 by Nellie's No Comments

Trans people struggle against violence and discrimination in Canada and around the world. The Trans Murder Monitoring Project found 816 reports of murders around the world since 2008, though the real numbers are expected to be much higher. Last year, Bill C-389, which would have added gender identity and gender expression to the Canadian Human Rights Act and the Criminal Code failed to pass through the Senate. Fortunately, there is some good news for Trans Rights in Ontario with the passing of Toby’s Act, Bill 33, which has amended the Human Rights Code to include gender identity and gender expression. Despite this recent gain, Trans youth continue to be affected by discrimination and violence. According to this study released by EGALE Canada in 2011, 74% of trans students have been verbally harassed about their gender expression and 37% reported being physically harassed or assaulted.

Transphobia has, unfortunately, affected women’s services as well. In 1995, Vancouver Rape Relief told Kimberly Nixon she could not participate in their volunteer training program because she is a trans woman. Her case went all the way to the B.C. Court of Appeal, which ruled, in 2005 that the organization could discriminate against her. At Nellie’s we are proud to provide our supports and services to all women, including trans women. As one of the first shelters in Toronto to offer accommodation to trans women, our staff and clients regularly participate in workshops and training about Trans Rights and Transphobia.

Pride Toronto will be hosting a Trans March on June 29th. As well, Trans Space, will be open for the entire festival weekend, across from the 519 Church Street Community Centre. This space will be a safe, inclusive, non-judgmental environment offering information, workshops and support to members of the trans community and their allies. We hope to see you there!

Why We March in Pride

Posted on: June 19th, 2012 by Nellie's No Comments

PRIDE is a feeling of honour and self-respect; a sense of personal worth. It is what each person should feel regardless of gender, race, cultural background, sexual orientation or anything else that makes us different from what society considers the “norm.” Yet, we are often made to feel ‘less than’ and discriminated against because we are different.

Homophobia is an unreasoning fear of or antipathy toward homosexuals and homosexuality, sometimes leading to acts of violence and expressions of hostility. Homophobia occurs for many reasons including ignorance and a desire by those in power to keep some people oppressed. The Gay Rights Movement was born as a response to this ignorance and injustice after the Stonewall Riots in New York City, during which patrons refused to submit to police questioning and arrest at the Stonewall Inn, a popular gay bar in Greenwich Village.

One year later, in 1970 Pride was officially celebrated for the first time when activist groups marched in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Chicago, using terms like “Gay Liberation” and “Gay Freedom” in support of their cause on the anniversary The Stonewall Riots. Forty two years later, Pride is celebrated in numerous countries, around the world including Canada!

At Nellie’s we are proud to participate in the Dyke March and Pride Parade every year in solidarity with our LGBTTIQQ2SA brothers and sisters because even though we have made many strides, we still have far to go.

Why do we march?

We march so that we do not have to face shame or fear because of who we love; we march because we should have the right to get married even if our partner is the same sex as us.

We march because we should be able to have a family and not face any indignities when considering adoption.

We march because our youth should not have to commit suicide because they are bullied by their peers and they have no one to turn to.

We march because we should not have to ‘stay in the closet’ to suit our families, friends or coworkers because we are afraid they will disown us or because we make them feel uncomfortable.

We march for our brothers and sisters who do not have the voice or the rights to do so.

We march because we want our children and grandchildren to march not because there is still a fight for them, but because there is a celebration, because we have accomplished equality, and because we should feel pride, regardless of who we love.

HAPPY PRIDE

National Day of Action to Stop Cuts to Refugee Health Care

Posted on: June 18th, 2012 by Nellie's No Comments

Today is the National Day of Action to Stop Cuts to Refugee Health Care. This action is in protest of the recently introduced changes to the Interim Federal Health Benefit which will negatively impact access to health care for refugees. The changes are outlined below (source: Canadian Doctors for Refugee Care):

1. All refugees will lose access to medication coverage, vision and dental care through the Interim Federal Health Benefit

2. Health insurance, where available, will be restricted to “urgent or essential care”; there will be no further coverage for preventative care

3. People from Designated Countries of Origin will lose all health coverage including for urgent or essential care except for #4 below

4. All refugees will be covered for the following conditions (including medications)

i) Issues of public health concern-these are infections that are on the Public Health Agency of Canada notifiable diseases list and involve human to human transmission (note this does not include common infections such as pneumonias, pyelonephritis etc. or even conditions such as malaria)
ii) Issues of public security concerns-this will be defined as psychotic conditions where a person has been identified as being a danger to others (this does not include suicidal intent)

Canadian Doctors for Refugee Care made this video to protest the cuts:

Refugees are among the most vulnerable members of our society and cutting their access to health care puts them at high risk for significant health problems. According to The Wellesley Institute: “Women and children are at particular risk as their access to medical support if they suffer physical or emotional abuse will be eliminated. It is also likely that the prevalence of chronic conditions, such as mental health issues, will increase amongst vulnerable populations as a result of this policy change.” Their recently published paper, “The Real Cost of Cutting Refugee Health Care Benefits ” goes in-depth about how the cuts will affect refugees.

Today’s action will take place in solidarity with other events happening around the country in Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg, Ottawa, Hamilton, and Montreal. Participants are asked to meet outside the Toronto Regional Office of Citizenship and Immigration Canada, at 25 St. Clair Avenue East at 1:00pm.

Nellie’s Celebrates Pride Month

Posted on: June 6th, 2012 by Nellie's No Comments

June is Pride Month in Canada and other countries around the world and everyone at Nellie’s is excited to celebrate! The Pride Movement officially began in 1970 when activist groups marched in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Chicago, using terms like “Gay Liberation” and “Gay Freedom” on the anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall Riots. Forty two years later, we continue to march each year on the last weekend in June, in support of LGBTTIQQ2SA equality, because even though there have been great achievements for equality, there is still much to be done.

As Pride Week 2012 begins, we have some good news to celebrate in Ontario. Yesterday, June 5th, the Ontario Government passed the Accepting Schools Act, an anti-bullying law that says schools cannot ban students from calling their clubs Gay-Straight Alliances (GSAs). Previous to the bill’s passing, some publicly funded Catholic schools told students they could have anti-bullying clubs but they could not use the word, “gay” in the name of the club. According to Xtra, Education Minister Laurel Broten said to the Ontario legislature, “We know the power of words to create fear and pain and to spread hatred, homophobia, sexism and racism, and we know that if we can’t name it, we can’t address it.” The bill passed with a vote of 65 to 36 and all schools in Ontario must comply. We are happy to see this step towards equality for LGBT youth across the province.

The theme of Toronto Pride this year is “Celebrate and Demonstrate.” This month we will be featuring a series of Pride-themed blogs written by members of our Social Justice Committee, which will demonstrate both personal and political viewpoints. The women and children at Nellie’s will be celebrating with Pride-themed activities at our Shelter and Outreach programs and will also have the opportunity to take part in the Dyke March and Pride Parade. Happy Pride Month everyone! We can’t wait to celebrate with you.