Queen’s University is starting an “intergroup dialogue program” — with student facilitators who will intervene when they hear other students making homophobic, racist or sexist comments or using homophobic, racist or sexist words.

“The Kingston university has hired student facilitators to step in when they overhear homophobic slurs, remarks bashing women or racially tinged insults, along with an array of other language that could be deemed offensive.

…

A sampling of some behaviour that could warrant attention from university-appointed student facilitators, tasked with policing students’ offensive language at Queen’s:

* If a student uses the phrase “That’s so gay” in conversation.

* If a student calls someone or something “retarded.”

* If a student writes a homophobic, racist or other derogatory remark in a public space, such as on a residence poster or classmate’s door.

* If a student avoids a classmate’s birthday party for faith-based reasons.”

Full article here. Thoughts?

So apparently for the month of August I was living under a rock because I failed to hear that the Coquille Tribe of Oregon passed a law to legalize same-sex marriage!

For real! And they are the first!

In all this hub-bub over Proposition 8 and the extreme racism I’ve seen go back and forth (that I’ve almost been too disgusted by to attempt to comment on for fear of unleashing my own fiery wrath of oppression) I came across the wonderful news that Kitzen Branting from the Coquille Nation is set to marry her long-time partner (since high school!) Jeni Branting next May.

Although Jeni is not Native, she is still entitled to receive tribal benefits that include important things like healthcare. Oregon does have a law that outlaws same-sex unions, but because of our sovereignty as Native nations, we don’t have to follow state stupidity (until challenged, of course, which someone is already doing).

Sovereignty works! This is so awesome!

Two-Spirit Power! My friend and brother in the struggle Art Zoccole, Executive Director of 2Spirit Toronto and all my favourite people who fight so hard to get our traditional ways back that honoured same-sex unions since the beginning!

The Fourth Annual TorontotheBetter film series, in coordination with Students on Seven (SOS), 7th Generation Image Makers and the Indigenous Education Network proudly present the screening of:

Beyond the Seventh Generation
A series of short films created by local indigenous youth filmmakers

To be preceded by a smudge conducted by the Indigenous Education Network and followed by a Q&A with some of the filmmakers - Movies, Discussion, Action

Don’t miss this exciting one time Pay What You Can screening!

When: November 18, 2008 at 8:30 pm
Where: Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE/UT)
252 Bloor Street West (above St. George station)
Room 5-260

The recipients of the 2008 Person’s Case Awards were announced earlier this month. The award honours people who have made “outstanding contributions” to the advancement of Canadian women and is named for the five women who, in 1929, won the right for women to be recognized as persons – The Famous Five.

The list of recipients is impressive but Shari Graydon – a longtime feminist activist and writer – wonders why the youth award was given to a man named Ben Barry for running a modelling agency. Shari has passed on a letter she wrote to the Persons Case Award Committee (see below). In it, she argues that the Person’s Case youth award could have been handed out to one of the hundreds of young women across Canada who struggle to improve women’s lives in meaningful ways.

I agree with Shari. In the face of the continual violence, exploitation, and oppression women in this country face, and considering the tricky tactics the beauty industry uses to sell us things we don’t need, I do not believe that running a for-profit modeling agency should be recognized as making an “outstanding contribution” to women’s lives, and I can think of dozens of young women activists (many of whom frequent this blog) who deserve this award. Maybe Shari’s letter will inspire you to nominate someone next year.

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From the New West Missoula:

“The 2008 Data Book from Montana Kids Count, which just hit the
shelves, is boring and bland, but its informative sections on
juvenile justice and the data snapshots of Native American women and children sound alarm bells.

Here’s an example. On page 9, in the middle of a chart, is this
shocking bit of news: Native women in Montana have an average life expectancy of 64 years, compared to 81 for the general population.”

Sixty-four years!

This reminds me of a great article from the Missoulean last year that detailed the reality of violence against Native women, in particular rape, and how much that affects our life longevity. Living our lives under these horrendous conditions certainly does not bode an equal chance of a long, healthy life.

Unfortunately, this is no surprise to me.

Earlier this week Forbes.com published an article on the World Economic Forum’s Best Countries for Women study:

“Norway, Finland and Sweden are ranked the best countries for gender equality, according to a recent study from the World Economic Forum, the nonprofit organization known for its annual economic summit in Davos, Switzerland, for global leaders. Those Nordic countries and their Western European neighbors account for 16 of the top 30 countries with the greatest gender parity in the world.

Meanwhile, the U.S. ranked surprisingly low at No. 27, behind Lesotho (No. 16), Mozambique (No. 18) and Moldova (No. 20). Not surprisingly, the worst-ranked countries were sprinkled throughout the Middle East and Asia. Garden spots like Chad (129th), Saudi Arabia (128th) and Pakistan (127th) populated the bottom of the list.”

It’s a pretty standard article - though I have to say I didn’t share the writer’s CAN YOU BELIEVE THE US IS NOT FIRST??? sentiment. (Annnd I also didn’t care for the flippant way the Middle East and Asia were called out. Not that I’m doubting the numbers, I just don’t like your tone, young man.)

However, I did have two thoughts:

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An anti-choice archbishop who vocally criticized the appointment of Dr. Henry Morgentaler to the Order of Canada is visiting Ryerson next Thursday.

Several (amazing) pro-choice students are (rightfully) against the visit.

The Ryerson Catholic Students’ Association will have an information booth and Archbishop Thomas Collins will be there to answer people’s questions.

I would also like to personally add that many students at Ryerson have made remarkable efforts to represent themselves as a pro-choice campus that provides equitable education on abortion and reproductive rights issues at large.

I can name only too many events that they host, are present at, or support where any student can ask questions and get good information on all issues having to do with choice. (And that’s not only because cool people like Judy Rebick and Dr. Cyndy Baskin teach there)

Thoughts, anyone?

Some important Canadian political interjection here.

Two particular things of note that the Conservatives are gathering to discuss at their upcoming policy convention in Winnipeg;

1) The Human Rights Commission. The Canadian commission’s authority to investigate complaints related to hate messages should be removed. (Umm, I’m sorry, we don’t need to investigate hate crimes anymore? Wtf?!)

2) The Unborn Victims of Crime Act, or what was formerly known as Bill C484. (That’s right, even though Harper supposedly took it off the table - to win the election - voila, he’s back in power, and SURPRISE, it’s back on their agenda!)

Thanks Lisa for the reminder!

Read Shameless’ take on the Aqsa Parvez murder here.

Join the Urban Alliance on Race Relations in Calling Toronto Life on their Misrepresentation of Aqsa Parvez’s Murder

Tuesday, November 11, 2008 at 10:30 AM
YWCA, Main Lounge
80 Woodlawn Avenue East,
Toronto

The December 2008 edition of Toronto Life features the story of Aqsa Parvez, a young Muslim girl who was killed in her home in Mississauga last winter.

While featuring Aqsa’s story is recognition of a young woman’s life cut tragically short, the Toronto Life article perpetuates common stereotypes about Muslim and immigrant communities, diverting attention from the urgent issue of violence against women across Canada.

On Tuesday November 11th, join the Urban Alliance on Race Relations in a “Don’t’ Believe the Hype” Campaign! The group is asking you to raise your voice on the important issue of violence against women, racism, and Islamophobia.

Get Involved in Three Ways!

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