Public Service Alliance of Canada BC

Transsomatechnics: Theories and Practices of Transgender Embodiment
A Transdisciplinary International Conference, May 1- 3, 2008, SFU Harbour Centre

Keynote Speakers and Plenary Speakers

Cabral, Mauro - Bio, “My Name is Truth”, Trans Issues within Human Rights Frameworks
Murray, Samantha - Bio, Banded Bodies: The TransSomatechnics of Obesity Surgery
Noble, Bobby - Bio, Transed-Nationalisms: On the Limits of Whiteness
Najmabadi, Afsaneh - Transing and Transpassing Across Sex-Gender Walls in Iran
Namaste, Viviane - BioKnowledge for whom?  Trans Women, HIV and the Field of “Trans Studies
Pugliese, Joseph - Transpositions of Transsomatechnics
Sullivan, Nikki - Bio, The Matter of Transsomatechnics

Mark your calendars! Multi Union Pride will be meeting on the last Thursday of the month at the PSAC offices. The office is located at 5238 Joyce Street - right at the Joyce Skytrain Station. Meetings will start at 7pm and will generally run 75 to 90 minutes. Many GIANT thanks to our friends at PSAC for their generosity in assisting our group.

So our next meeting will be on February 28 at 7pm.

Proposed agenda is as follows

• approval of the agenda
• approval of the minutes
• Elections of officers
  • Chair (overseeing the organization, chairing meetings, signing officer)
  • Vice-Chair (assist the Chair in various duties as required)
  • Recording Secretary (take notes at the meetings, and send to the Chair for distribution)
  • Treasurer (overseeing the finances of the organization, prepare statement for membership, signing officer)
  • Float Committee Chair (overseeing the logistics of the float construction)

None of the tasks should be too onerous, and if everyone helps out, the year will be a breeze. If you would like to put your name forward, and are not able to attend the meeting, please let me or someone attending the meeting know.

There may be some new activists in your union who may be interested in participating in MUP. Please feel free to invite them to this meeting.

New Health Canada regulations that ban gay men from donating their organs slipped through unnoticed in December. Even the head of Canada’s largest organ transplant program at Toronto’s University Health Network, Dr. Gary Levy, didn’t know about the changes.

The new regulations will ban any men who have been sexually engaged with another man in the previous five years. The rejections are based solely on sexual orientation rather than on unsafe sexual practice.

Health Canada is essentially telling Canadians that unprotected sex is safe as long as you aren’t a gay man.

Egale Canada believes that the regulations are discriminatory and should be suspended. Health Canada should be making sure the regulations stop unsafe organ transplants not creating a situation where healthy viable gay organs will be thrown in the garbage.

Let Health Canada know how you feel:

• Call the Minister’s Chief of Staff, William King at 613-957-0200 or email him at: william_king@hc-sc.gc.ca
• Contact the minister’s constituency office too! Toll free: 1-866-375-8669. Email: Clement.T@parl.gc.ca

The minister’s web site says, “Tony will return all calls.”

Cheers to Alistair Crawford, NAT 20088, for these photos of the Multi-Union Pride float taken at the parade last weekend. REVPs Kay Sinclair (BC) and Jeannie Baldwin (Atlantic) marched alongside dozens of other union members. Click the thumbnails for larger versions - there are more photos at the BC Federation of Labour website.

4th Annual Vancouver Dyke March, Saturday, August 4th

Join us at 12 p.m. at McSpadden Park at 5th and Victoria Drive to begin the march down Commercial Drive to Grandview Park where there will be a great line-up of performers. The organizers of the Dyke March hope that people of all ages “will enjoy an afternoon of visibility, pride, music, community art and merry-making the day before the annual Pride Parade.”

Vancouver Pride Parade, Sunday August 5th

All LGBT labour activists and allies are invited to join REVP Kay Sinclair, members of the PSAC BC Human Rights and the Multi Union Pride Committees on Sunday, August 5^th at this year’s Pride Parade in Vancouver.

• More about Pride Week in Vancouver: www.vancouverpride.ca
• Email for more info about Multi Union Pride: multiunionpride@gmail.com

The marshalling begins at 11:00 am in front of Capers on Robson Street. (If marchers cannot find the Multi Union Pride group, there is a point person at the West End Community Centre to direct the way.)

The Parade begins at noon and is always a fun event where everyone is welcome. Come join in the celebration!

Source: Vancouver Sun, Monday, May 07, 2007

OTTAWA — Parenting by same-sex families is just as good — if not slightly advantageous — for children when compared to heterosexual families, a Justice Department study has concluded.

Commissioned by the then-Liberal federal government in 2003 at the height of the same-sex marriage debate, the academic study was not released until recently when its main author, Prof. Paul Hastings at Concordia University, obtained it by making a request using the Access to Information Act.

Hastings, with the assistance of research students, reached the study’s conclusion after reviewing existing research relating to the impact on children of being raised in different family types.

The report says the strongest conclusion that can be drawn from empirical literature is that the vast majority of studies show that children living with two mothers and children living with a mother and father have the same levels and qualities of social competence.

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Here are some photos taken at recent PSAC events in Vancouver and Victoria … click the thumbnails for larger versions.

On April 4^th PSAC, affiliated Union, and Victoria Labour Council members attended an event coordinated by the BC Fed to bring attention to Dr. Keith Martin’s (MP for Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca) voting record on Bill C-257. Dr. Martin had originally voted in favor of the Bill only to amend his position at final reading. Jim Sinclair, President of the BC Federation of Labour, Jennifer Burgis, NDP Candidate for Esquimalt-Juan de Fuca and Kay Sinclair all spoke of the need for Anti-Scab Legislation and how disappointing it was that Dr. Martin amended his position at the last minute.

Dr. Martin also addressed the crowd of angry constituents with a excuse that Essential Services designation somehow played an important role in his change of position. This was really frustrating for the unionized workers present as it has been made abundantly clear that essential services designations would not be affected by this anti-scab legislation.

Over 140 delegates, guests and observers attended the PSAC’s 2nd Pride Conference which was held in Vancouver on March 30-April 1, 2007, and chaired by Kay Sinclair and Ed Cashman, REVP for Ontario. Participants attended workshops and regional caucuses, debated resoultions, and elected two LGTB members to the PSAC Equal Opportunities Committee. At left, members of the BC caucus. Visit the national website for a report and some more photos.

Members from the Nanaimo area took a Grievance Handling and Understanding / Interpreting the Collective Agreement course, March 31 - April 1. The GH/UICA course, which was facilitated by PSAC Regional Rep. Dave Jackson, gives members the skills and knowledge to effectively solve problems in the workplace and explores key provisions in our various Collective Agreements.

There are still some spaces for LGBT self-identified PSAC members to attend the Pride Conference as observers.

• PSAC members in good standing and who also identify as being from the GLBT communities may apply to attend the Conference as observers; however, observers will be responsible for all costs associated with their participation, including a conference registration fee of $150.00.
• Also note that observers will have voice only during the discussion period after the panel presentations. Observers may attend workshops. Observers do not have the right to vote during the resolutions debate and the election process.

If you are interested, please fill out the observers portion of the registration application (pdf) and return via mail or fax (details on the application) as soon as possible. Observers are responsible for their own expenses including a registration of $150.00.

GLISA (Gay and Lesbian International Sports Association) North America has had another step in its evolution by announcing the launch of its website.

“The website, www.glisa-na.org is a vital tool in promoting the organization and providing to our member clubs and associations and partners a venue to share news, best practices, and a calendar of event;, it’s their reliable link to us and ours to them” stated Greg Larocque, President of GLISA North America. “Our website will allow us to continue to grow as an organization, in terms of members, depth, and scope and in terms of what features and benefits we can provide our members”.

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The application deadline for the Pride Conference is January 11^th and the deadline for submission of resolutions is January 19^th.
The 2007 Pride Conference will take place March 30^th to April 1^st. The theme of the conference is “Include and be Included” and the objectives of conference are:

• To educate, politicize and mobilize PSAC GLBT members by making the links between union, workplace and GLBT rights within a safe space;
• To strengthen solidarity and build coalitions;
• To enhance, support and promote inclusive GLBT self-organizing strategies in our Union and our workplaces.

A PSAC member who is a member in good standing and who self-identifies as belonging to the GLBT communities can apply to be a delegate to this Conference. The selection of delegates will take into account union and GLBT rights activism, as well as representation (Region, Component, language, gender and additional equity group representation).

Visit the national website for more information about the 2007 PSAC National Pride Conference, as well as an online registration form.

an update from CEM, via Multi-Union Pride

Prime Minister says the issue is settled

After more than a year of facing the threat that equal marriage would be taken away, we can breathe easy and rejoice: on December 7, 2006 Members of Parliament rejected Stephen Harper’s motion to re-open the divisive equal marriage debate.

The vote wasn’t even close, with the motion being defeated by a vote of 123 to 175. In every single party the percentage of MPs that voted for equality increased. That increase reflects the growing consensus among Canadians that equal marriage is settled. Even in the Conservative caucus, 13 members voted against their own government’s motion, including Foreign Affairs Minister Peter MacKay, Treasury Board President John Baird and four other cabinet ministers.

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via Multi-Union Pride

A motion to reopen the same-sex marriage debate was easily defeated in Parliament on Thursday, as expected. MPs voted 175-123 against the controversial motion tabled by the ruling Conservatives.

The motion had asked the government to introduce legislation to restore the traditional definition of marriage without affecting civil unions and while respecting existing same-sex marriages.

The Liberal and Conservative parties allowed their members to vote freely, and there were some surprises.

Twelve Tories broke from party lines and voted against the motion. They included cabinet ministers Peter MacKay, David Emerson, John Baird, Jim Prentice, Lawrence Cannon and Josée Verner.

Most Liberals also gave the motion the thumbs down. Among them were Joe Comuzzi, who gave up his cabinet post in 2005 so he could vote against a same-sex marriage bill proposed by the Liberal government.

All Bloc Québécois and NDP members present voted against Thursday’s motion, as directed to by their party leaders.

The vote should put an end to parliamentary wrangling about same-sex marriage, as Prime Minister Stephen Harper had said a free vote - promised during January’s general election campaign - would settle the matter.

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via Muti-Union Pride

A gay Israeli couple who married in Canada has won a legal battle to have the union recognized in Israel.

In a precedent-setting ruling Tuesday, Israel’s High Court of Justice decided that the couple, as well as four others wedded abroad, should be allowed to register their marriages, and have the same rights as heterosexual couples marrying out of country in civil ceremonies.

The court has ordered the government to adopt its stand.

“We’re delighted but the struggle is not over,” Yossi Ben-Ari said in the Jerusalem Post.

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The 2007 Pride Conference will take place March 30^th to April 1^st. The theme of the conference is “Include and be Included” and the objectives of conference are:

• To educate, politicize and mobilize PSAC GLBT members by making the links between union, workplace and GLBT rights within a safe space;
• To strengthen solidarity and build coalitions;
• To enhance, support and promote inclusive GLBT self-organizing strategies in our Union and our workplaces.

A PSAC member who is a member in good standing and who self-identifies as belonging to the GLBT communities can apply to be a delegate to this Conference. The selection of delegates will take into account union and GLBT rights activism, as well as representation (Region, Component, language, gender and additional equity group representation). The application deadline is January 11^th, 2007.

Visit the national website for more information about the 2007 PSAC National Pride Conference, as well as an online registration form.

The PSAC will be holding a Pride Conference in Vancouver from March 29 - April 1, 2007 for members who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or who otherwise self identify as a member of the Pride community.

To start planning for the Conference, we are seeking names of PSAC members who are prepared to serve on either the:

• Steering Committee
• Resolutions Committee

Interested PSAC members should complete the attached one page form and return to it me by e-mail (preferable) or fax by no later than midnight Tuesday, October 24th. The B.C. Region is entitled to one committee member who will sit on either the Steering or Resolutions Committee.

• Conference Committee form (doc)
• Conference Committee form (pdf)

I apologize for the tight deadlines, in Solidarity, Kay Sinclair.

Via Multi Union Pride

Delay requested by equality opponents

(OTTAWA - Sept 27, 2006 ) Before Parliament resumed for the fall session, it was widely reported that a vote on Mr. Harper’s motion to re-open the divisive equal marriage debate would take place in early October. However, as Parliament resumed, Mr. Harper privately told his caucus that the vote would be delayed until just before Christmas.

“We are calling Mr. Harper out on this delay,” said Laurie Arron, National Coordinator of Canadians for Equal Marriage. “We know that opponents of equal marriage have asked for a delay, because they know the motion will be defeated and that after the vote Mr. Harper will have to admit that the issue is settled.”

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via Multi-Union Pride

The fall session of Parliament begins today. That means we’re in the home stretch leading to a vote to re-open the divisive equal marriage debate, which Prime Minister Harper has promised will take place this fall.

We believe we’ll win this vote, and put an end to the threat that now hangs over LGBT people and all Canadians who believe in equality. However, equality opponents know this is their last chance, and they are going all out to pressure MPs. They wrongly say equal marriage is a threat to children and to religious freedom and that Bill C-38 was rushed through Parliament without proper study.

According to a September 4 Hill Times story, an alliance of 13 traditional marriage, family and religious advocacy groups will launch a 15-point lobbying campaign beginning on Sept. 18. The alliance will bring religious leaders, local leaders, and political leaders to Ottawa to meet with their respective MPs, and will have prayer rallies in front of MP offices across the country.

Read more at equal-marriage.ca and tell your MP you oppose re-opening the divisive equal marriage debate.

The Sky Is The Limit - 3rd annual AIDS Walk fund raiser

• Saturday September 16 2006
  (in the case of rain, the jump will be moved to Sept. 23)
• 12:00 to 5:00 pm
• 5112 Gladwin Road, Abbotsford

All Welcome! Join in the jumping fun or just come out to watch.

BBQ fund raiser at the jump site. All funds raised will go to the HEU Lesbian and Gay Standing Committee’s AIDS Walk fund.
Jumpers - please note:

• Jumps will be in tandem (with a certified expert instructor) from 10,000 feet.
• Cost: Jump day - $229^{.00 + tax}
• Prebook rate: $199^{.00 + tax}
• rate with a group of 10 or more: $189^{.00 + tax}
• A video of your jump is available for $95^{.00 + tax}

For more information or to join the team, contact Victor Elkins at 604-240-9880 or velkins@heu.org or visit heu.org

Thanks to Steve Houston & Amy Painter, BC Regional Council, for sending in some photos taken at the Vancouver Pride Parade. The theme for the Vancouver Pride Parade this year was “Love and Joy” Multi-union Pride presented and promoted “Peace and Love” as the theme of their float.

Click for the photos!

Cheers to Steve Houston, GLBT Rep on the BC Regional Council for passing on this timeline documenting the changing rights landscape for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people in Vancouver and around the world.

1940s:

• In 1944, Sweden decriminalizes homosexuality.
• In 1945, the liberation of concentration camps by Allied forces; those interned for homosexuality are required to serve the full term of their sentences.
• In 1946, the COC (the Dutch acronym for Centre for Culture and Recreation), the earliest homophile organization, is founded in the Netherlands.

1950s:

• In 1950, the Mattachine Society, the first American homophile group, is founded in New York.
• In 1955, the lesbian homophile group Daughters of Bilitis is founded in San Francisco.
• In 1958, the Homosexual Law Reform Society is founded in the United Kingdom.

Continue reading more at thetyee.ca!