07 10 / 2011
TRIGGER WARNING: 19y/o Transman Attacked
http://www.change.org/petitions/everyone-demand-19-yo-trans-man-james-alexanders-attacker-be-brought-to-justice
Not sure of the full story, busy prepping for Florida trip in a few hours (have pages and pages of Russian homework to type up into study sheets for the plane). Wanted to get this out there.
06 10 / 2011
New Business Card Fund
So, apparently because I’m not affiliated with an individual press organization (because that’s the entire point of being a freelance journalist), the Toronto Police Service won’t take me seriously during OccupyToronto. I’ve been told by other journos, and a TPS detective, that usually all it takes is a business card. That’s cool. I have business cards.
But all my business cards are in the wrong name. That’s a bit of a problem.
Also a problem: It costs just $20 to print up 250 black and white cards (if anyone knows anywhere cheaper in Toronto, that can also do them quickly, please let me know!). However, my employer still hasn’t paid me for the job I started on August 4th of this year. Thus, I’m currently begging (or soliciting, if you’re going to be fancy-shmancy about it) for donations to my New Business Card Fund. Here’s the trick though: Because I fully expect to get paid, eventually, I’ll be refunding any donations I get where the donator has given me their email address. If just 10 people donate $2, I’ll be able to kick ass out on the streets at OccupyTO and give this movement some positive press. I’ll also be able to bring exclusive interviews and updates to the world, while staying out of jail.
If you don’t want to help out, I’m totally cool with that. If you can’t afford to help out, I’m cool with that too. However, if you do want to help out (and honestly, even $1 helps out), just click on the button below, and be sure to give me your email address if you want it back!
Much love.
xox
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=TBVKMTU3KVU48
04 10 / 2011
Trans Occupy Wall Street Protester Arrested, Chained to Wall
Click here for a link to his statement. Justin Adkins writes that, after being forward about identifying himself as a trans individual following his arrest, he was subjected to a genital ‘pat-down’, segregated from the rest of the arrested protesters, denied food and water and was, at one point, chained to the wall of a restroom.
If you are in New York, New York, dial 311 to access the NYPD’s non-emergency line.
If you are OUTSIDE NY, call their switchboard at 1-646-610-5000.
Let them know that this is a violation of federal and state laws, and that the international community expects an apology.
UPDATE: Contact the 90th Precinct in Brooklyn (the actual precinct which committed the acts of discrimination against Justin) at 713-963-5311.
03 10 / 2011
Language Used by Media to Describe Homophobic Flyers and Ads Called Into Question
Throughout the course of discussion regarding the Institute for Canadian Values’ full-page ‘advertisements’ in the National Post (@nationalpost) and Toronto Sun (@TheTorontoSun), there has been a noticeable trend of media institutions using language which serves to react to these acts of trans/homophobia with more homophobia; this time institutionalized.
On October 3, the CBC’s (@CBCNews) online coverage used phrases such as “flyer called anti-gay” and, “flyers issued by his party labelled by critics as anti-gay”. These phrases perpetuate the idea that homophobia is something which can be condoned. The language used establishes a dynamic of ‘for’ and ‘against’. When covering anti-semetic statements or acts, media does not usually refer to Jewish people as “critics”. We have not seen, in recent years at least, full-page ads in newspapers lobbying for our school system to stop teaching children about black people, but if we had, the media most certainly would not imply that only “critics” were calling the ads racist. The language used in the discussion of the recent trans/homophobic ads and flyers establishes a narrative which leaves space for those committing acts (whether through words or actions) of hatred against LGBTQ people to be in the right. At the very least, it is a long way from treating the actions as ones which were inspired by hate versus a longing for discussion.
03 10 / 2011
CAMH’s response to the Toronto Sun’s ad. Email lgbtq_health@camh.net for a better copy.
03 10 / 2011
Ontario Progressive Conservative Party Hands Out Trans/Homophobic Flyers
This flyer was distributed to some ridings within the GTA this weekend, even amidst the controversy surrounding the Institute for Canadian Values’ full-page ads purchased (and published) in the National Post and Toronto Sun.
Contact Tim Hudak here or here and demand an apology.
Volunteer with your preferred political party in the lead-up to the October 6th Elections.
Most importantly, share this, and let people know what Ontario’s PC party is up to.
02 10 / 2011
Have your own Letter to the Editor of the Toronto Sun? Send it to them here and then post it in the comments for this post! I’ll keep checking back and put each one up as its own post!
Let this blog serve as a communal voice against these ads, and as a symbol of unity, solidarity and resistance!
02 10 / 2011
"Zephaniah 3:19” I’ll gather the outcasts & the limping and I’ll give them praise & fame in every land where they have to be put to shame"
02 10 / 2011
A Call To Action Party
In Toronto? Check out this event planned by Chase Joynt, happening at the Gladstone on Tuesday. The Cliks (@thecliks) said at 8:46 on Sunday (via Facebook & Twitter), ‘Join us on Tuesday for this event…”. Lucas Silveira, the band’s lead, has been actively responding since the ad was first published in the National Post (@nationalpost) five days ago on September 28th.
