If you live in Toronto, June is Pride month, and this weekend coming up is Pride weekend. Rainbows abound. It’s nice to see the outwards signs of support. It wasn’t always like this. And it isn’t like this everywhere. In fact you don’t have to drive far to experience that. And we are also …
[Continue reading] Happy Pride – this is what inclusion looks like
It was announced today that transgender inmates in Federal prisons will be housed according to their gender identity and will be addressed using the correct pronouns (among other rights). This is a “win” for gender identity and expression and human rights – but what about for Trans and non-binary …
You have undoubtedly, by now, read or heard about MP Rob Anders petition against bill C279 and why he is opposed. *sigh* Let's all take a moment to review: - Transgender individuals currently don't have human rights in Canada. This is a disgrace. - Bill C279 is about rectifying this so that Trans …
[Continue reading] The Dangers of Ignorance in Positions of Power
You may have heard/read about/seen the kafuffel about the transfather who breastfeeds his child and who wanted to be a La Leche League Canada Leader - and who was told "no". La Leche League Canada (LLLC) is an organization that advocates breastfeeding. The "no" was because Trevor McDonald does …
What’s it like to not have human rights protection in Canada? Yes, you read correctly. You may be thinking if someone is old enough, and depending on their identities, that they may remember. Think again. If you are transgender* in Canada, you are not protected under the Canadian Human Rights Act …
A little levity on a Friday afternoon....with a message, of course. I walked into the pet store earlier this week and was confronted with a large cardboard marketing campaign for Family Stickers – the new thing in advertising who we are through our vehicles. You may have seen them – they are stick …
Last month Australia made a significant change on their passport application forms; there are now three options for “gender” – M, F and X. When your passport doesn’t reflect what you look like – when your listed gender doesn’t match who you are - it can be, in the words of Senator Louise Pratt, …
We're lucky in Canada to have a Human Rights Code that recognizes the inherent right to fair and equitable treatment, regardless of who we are...well, almost. Gender Identity is still not specified as a prohibited ground for discrimination under the Code. Most of us probably haven't given this …
Last week I saw a short article in the Metro News about a new at-home gender prediction test that pregnant women (and pregnant trans men) can take at 7 weeks. It is called (no surprise) "Pink or Blue". *sigh* But this post is not about colours. It's about gender versus sex. It's a distinction that …