Keep Fighting We'll Win

Yes, this is the first step in winning the freedom of all queer women and men to serve openly in the USA military. Don’t Ask Don’t Tell has finally been kicked out. Queer military can now stand Out, be Strong and Proud, to be themselves and serve their country. It will now be the bravery of heart not guilt on the minds of all queer military fighting the fight to keeping us safe. The value of a LGBT military can now be praised and celebrated. Now accepted. The queer military is present and part of society. Been queer should not measure the patriotism of how one fights for one’s country. Been part of the military is fighting and believing in keeping your country safe.

Now that President Barack Obama has signed legislation for the Don’t Ask Don’t Tell policy, the real work begins getting this legislation in place and implemented. The reality of the Don’t Ask Don’t Tell policy is that it will take no less then one year to implement Pentagon officials and the service chiefs have made it clear to service members that until certification, DADT remains the law. Anyone who openly declares they are gay or lesbian could be subject to separation from the service — at least as of now.

Serving in Silence with Glenn Close

Serving in Silence is an “Emmy Award-winning film about one woman’s fight against the military’s anti-gay policy. Glenn Close, five-time Academy Award nominee and Emmy Award winner, and Judy Davis two-time Academy Award nominee and winner of two Emmy Awards star in Serving In Silence, an inspirational tale of courage and conviction, and a touching and beautiful love story.”

This got me asking why when this country that stands for freedom, why must queer military fight a basic human right to live as they are intended. It sobers my thoughts to realize that we, the queer communities must keep educating the heterosexual world that we are here and we stand proud – out and dancing.

Recognize Trans People as "Human" - Petition to Support Bill C-389

Right now, “Canadian Trans People are not explicitly recognized as humans. They are NOT in the Human Rights Code… Trans People are NOT protected by Hate Crime legislation. Bill C-389, would ensure basic human rights protections for trans people. By adding “Gender Identity” to the Human Rights Code of Canada, and to Hate Crime Legislation.”

Notstraight urges everyone to Please Sign Bill C-389 Petition Help to make HisTory. Get Bill C-389 Fully Recognized. Click here to find out more

Gender Identity is what defines us. We need to recognize gender identity and support our Transsexual Transgender communities. Notstraight hopes everyone can sign this petition . Whether you are Canadian, Queer, Straight or Not Straight, please assist our Trans Communities.

Bill C-389 will add transsexual and transgender people to both the Canadian Human Rights Act and the Criminal Code of Canada. We need to alert both the Minister of Justice & the Prime Minister to include all Queer Communities in Canada. Does Canada stand for All Inclusive. Why not include Trans Communities?

“Recognize Trans People as “Human” – Petition Bill C-389 can be found @ their website transrights.ca or
go directly to their Petition .

Milk GLBT Film

Not sure what kind of magic occurred here, The Human Rights Campaign has moved into the same store that Harvey Milk ran his business. Harvey Milk was a Gay Rights Activist. Harvey Milk fought for all Queer Communities when anything that was Queer related was totally taboo in the ’70′s for Equal Rights. He lived in San Francisco, in the Castro within the queer community. This is where he ran a camera store and did all his political campaigning from until he was rudely assassinated. Now, The Human Rights Campaign has moved into the same building where they continue to fight for all queer rights. [HRC is an american national lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization].

Recently, Out director, Gus Van Sant did a fabulous job in Milk with Academy Award winner Sean Penn as Harvey Milk. Milk is a biography of the first openly gay man, Harvey Milk (Sean Penn) to be elected into a major public office with his partner, Scott Smith (James Franco) as his campaign manager. Harvey Milk inspired equal rights for all LGBTTIQQ2S communities. Milk won an Oscar for Best Writing, Screenplay written by Dustin Lance Black. Milk, a LGBT film had an all-star Hollywood cast: James Franco, Emile Hirsh, Josh Brolin and Diego Luna.

Harvey Milk is and anyways be a hero for all queer people around the world. He represented what everyone was hoping for. Someone to advocate queer silent voices, queer concerns and desires for equality. The Times of Harvey Milk is an Academy Award winning documentary that Siskel & Ebert gave “Two Thumbs Up!”. This documentary outlines Harvey Milk’s struggle to get elected into government and be the change we all hoped for. Harvey Milk never stopped believing in Hope and Courage that fueled his fight forward. Now, The Human Rights Campaign continue the fight for equality, thanks to pioneer, Harvey Milk.

we are one

I. Me. You. Where does the line get drawn? Is it Sexuality? Religion? Race? Why do we give ourselves the out to allow discrimination just because we have limits of who belongs in our circle. Is it because we are different? When is it alright to discriminate? Is it because tv tells us to react to certain situations in a certain claustrophobic way? How do we get to be discriminate? Who teaches us to be exclusive to certain criteria and inclusive to others? What defines us? How can we redefine our way of being? Can we be accountable for change? Is accountability part of change? How do we adjust our discrimination? Where must it begin? Is it easy enough to change? Can all LGBT be accepted without discrimination? Can we be complete for being compassionate? Loving? Caring? Sharing? Peaceful? Who will decide not to draw the lines of discrimination? Not straight heterosexual queer straight. Where does homophobia start? Where is it taught? Is it taught to us? Do we discriminate through a natural desire or are we taught to discriminate? We do not have to discriminate. Be aware of discrimination. Will it get better? Yes, it can get better. I am the left eye you are the right.

Johnny Depp openly admits Captain Jack Sparrow is Gay. Pirates of the Caribbean has been a firm favorite in the eyes of movie viewers everywhere.  Johnny Depp blew the lid off every heterosexual woman’s dream by disclosing that he developed his character with a Gay man in mind. Not only his role as Captain Sparrow but other characters he has played in the past.

In 2000, Johnny Depp took on a dual role in Before Night Falls. A biography of a gay Cuban poet, Reinaldo Arenas that is based on his memoirs. Before Night Falls has a strong cast with Javier Bardem and Sean Penn. Johnny Depp sticks out in his role as the drag queen prisoner named Bon-Bon who smuggles Arenas’ writings out of prison and as a  prison warden who blackmails Reinaldo sexually.

In 1994, Johnny Depp took on a role as Ed Wood. Ed Wood is a biography of  one of the “worst filmmakers of all time”. Once again Johnny Depp appears with well known actors: Sarah Jessica Parker, Martin Landau, Patricia Arquette and Bill Murray. In Ed Wood, Johnny Depp is Ed Wood, a B-movie director known for his film, Glen Or Glenda? A movie way before it’s time, a story line that will challenge the mind of the average film viewer, director Ed Wood’s intention.

So, the next time watching Pirates of the Caribbean, watch out for Captain Gay Jack Sparrow, thanks to Johnny Depp

You Are Not Alone

LGBT Youth Line is a non judgemental, support group for all lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, transsexual, 2 Spirited, queer and questioning youths. They can be reached by phone, chat or email which is on their website. http://www.youthline.ca/

LGBT Youth Line is holding a meeting to discuss the situation of our Queer Homeless Youth downtown Toronto. They are calling on anyone to participate in this discussion. Below are the details for the meeting which can also be found on their Facebook page.

Time: Thursday, December 9 · 7:00pm – 9:00pm

Location:  Harbord Collegiate Institute
                         286 Harbord Street M6G 1G5
                         Toronto, ON

Created By
Boru Mata, Aniska Ali, Leonardo Zúñiga, Michael Erickson

More Info
HOUSE CALL is a series of community conversations that will travel to different parts of Toronto in an effort to build a diverse movement to create a shelter for homeless LGBT youth in Toronto. Some of these conversation will be hard. Some of these conversations will be full of joy, full of pain, full of memory and full of hope. Some of these conversations will be historic.
All of these conversations are conversations we nee…d to have.

The HOUSE CALL conversations have three purposes: Record, Relate & Renovate.

Record
We come together to build a record of our histories & hopes.

Relate
We come together to build a movement and make new friends and allies. We respect and listen to each other, even if it’s uncomfortable or scary.

Renovate
We come together to build a new shelter that reflects the needs and dreams of lesbian, gay, bi, trans, transsexual, transgender, two-spirit and queer youth.

This event will be the first in a series of conversations that we will have in different parts of Toronto in the coming months.

This HOUSE CALL looks like this:

7:00 Welcome

7:05 Short film & presentation on why we need an LGBT shelter in Toronto by Alex Abramovich, with some brief examples of some American shelter examples

7:25 Record & Relate Round 1 (see details below)

7:55 Record & Relate Round 2 (see details below)

8:20 Whole Group Open Mic

8:40 Wrap-up & What You Can Do To Stay Involved

9:00 End

Record & Relate Options

We really want to give people different ways to Record & Relate their experiences, their passion, their fears and their hopes. You can choose to do any of the below options:

Art & Craft Area (hosted by The People Project)

Video Booth (hosted by Deviant Productions: Lali Mohammed & Vivek Menon with Leo Zuniga)

Audio & Podcasting Corner

Blogging, Endorsing, Writing and/or Online Surveys

Focus Group Discussion: Why we need an LGBT youth shelter (facilitated by Aniska Ali)

Focus Group Discussion: Dreaming & Prioritizing Possibilities (facilitated by CC Sapp)

Focus Group Discussion: Logistics like Location, Size, Partnerships and More (facilitated by Curtis Norman)

For more information: SYNCtoronto@gmail.com
or message one of the admins.

Follow LGBT Youthline on Facebook

Here is their official website http://www.youthline.ca/

The day starts @ Pride Toronto Women’s Golf Day, presented by 103.9 ProudFM at The Angus Glen Golf Course, Markham. Maggie Cassella will be playing the 18-Hole Scramble Tournament with the ladies. Tonight there will be The 6th Annual Gala & Awards Ceremony that is being held @ The Carlu, downtown Toronto. Then Jet Setter your way over to 99 Sudbury for a night of dancing. Remember tomorrow is a holiday, Happy Canada Day. See more info below.

Women’s Golf
Pride Toronto Women’s Golf Day, presented by 103.9 ProudFM
@ Angus Glen Golf Course, Markham
Wednesday, June 30, 2010 at 1:00pm
Enjoy the day as Maggie Cassella plays a round of golf with the ladies.
FORMAT: 18-Hole Scramble Tournament
Win a Mini Cooper in the Women’s Golf Day Hole-in-One Contest
Maggie Cassella. hosts her own talk show called Because I Said on OutTv
Pride Toronto Women’s Golf

The 6th Annual Gala & Awards Ceremony
@ The Carlu
444 Yonge Street (between crossroads College and Carlton Str. )
Wednesday, June 30, 2010 at 6:00 p.m.
6th Annual Gala & Awards Ceremony @ Pride Toronto’s 30th Anniversary

Spotlight Series: Jet Setter
@ 99 Sudbury, Toronto (South of Queen between Dovercourt and Lisgar Str.)
Wednesday, June 30, 2010 at 10:00 p.m
Jet Setter- Meet the Crew
99 Sudbury Bar

Much more information at the official website for Toronto Pride 2010 www.pridetoronto.com
To Know what Event to Attend and find the Party, Keep An Eye On The List from notstraight.com!!