Beyond the ballot box: Strategizing for the next 4 years!)
Can't be there in person? Watch live at http://rabble.ca/rabbletv or livestream.com/rabbletv
A roundtable discussion with:
Peggy Nash, MP Parkdale-High Park
Rathika Sitsabaiesan, MP Scarborough-Rouge River
Judy Rebick, Writer/Activist
Pamela Palmater, Centre for Indigenous Governance, Ryerson University
Adam Shedletzky, Co-founder of leadnow.ca
Grace Edward Galabuzi, Dept of Political Science & Public Administration
The forum will be moderated by Winnie Ng, CAW-Sam Gindin Chair and Rodney Diverlus, Vice President Equity for the Ryerson Students' Union
co-sponsored by: CAW - Sam Gindin Chair in Social Justice & Democracy, Ryerson Students' Union, rabble.ca
Purposes of the forum:
1.to debrief on the federal election,
2. to make sense of the new political reality;
3. to strategize for transformative change.
Light refreshment will be provided.
Friday
Family Guy Seth MacFarlane named Harvard Humanist of the Year - National Humanist
Family Guy Seth MacFarlane named Harvard Humanist of the Year
Harvard Humanist Chaplaincy announced that Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane will be named Harvard Humanist of the Year 2011.
MacFarlane is known as the creative force behind such popular animated television programs as Family Guy, American Dad and the Cleveland Show. MacFarlane is a successful actor, animator, writer, comedian, singer, producer and voice actor. More than this, MacFarlane is a prominent and outspoken atheist.
MacFarlane will accept the Harvard Humanist of the Year award at Memorial Church in Harvard Yard on June 14. Past recipients include the first openly non-theistic sitting U.S. congressman Pete Stark (2007); renowned scientists Steven Pinker and E.O. Wilson; and human rights hero General Romeo Dallaire.
From the Harvard Humanist Chaplaincy announcement:
While it is rare for someone his age to receive this honor, his extensive body of work, his active, passionate commitment to Humanist values, and his fearless support of equal marriage rights and other social justice issues compel us to recognize his contributions now.
For 20 years, the Humanist Chaplaincy at Harvard has presented the Humanist of the Year award to an individual whose life's work and personal commitment most exemplified the application of Humanist values in the public arena.
Harvard Humanist Chaplaincy announced that Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane will be named Harvard Humanist of the Year 2011.
MacFarlane is known as the creative force behind such popular animated television programs as Family Guy, American Dad and the Cleveland Show. MacFarlane is a successful actor, animator, writer, comedian, singer, producer and voice actor. More than this, MacFarlane is a prominent and outspoken atheist.
MacFarlane will accept the Harvard Humanist of the Year award at Memorial Church in Harvard Yard on June 14. Past recipients include the first openly non-theistic sitting U.S. congressman Pete Stark (2007); renowned scientists Steven Pinker and E.O. Wilson; and human rights hero General Romeo Dallaire.
From the Harvard Humanist Chaplaincy announcement:
While it is rare for someone his age to receive this honor, his extensive body of work, his active, passionate commitment to Humanist values, and his fearless support of equal marriage rights and other social justice issues compel us to recognize his contributions now.
For 20 years, the Humanist Chaplaincy at Harvard has presented the Humanist of the Year award to an individual whose life's work and personal commitment most exemplified the application of Humanist values in the public arena.
Monday
UK Humanists support new parliamentary motion on International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO)
UK Humanists support new parliamentary motion on International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO)
(Note: Lady Gaga guest Editor in Chief for Metro on the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia On May 17th, Lady Gaga will be acting editor in chief for all editions of the worldwide free daily paper METRO ! Ahead of the release of her new album ’Born This Way’ on May 23rd, the global Diva will be commenting on global issues on May 17th, in a renewed expression of her commitment for Human Rights.
The British Humanist Association (BHA) and the Gay and Lesbian Humanist Association (GALHA) have come together to back a new initiative in support of the seventh annual International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO). The organisations worked with Liberal Democrat MP Stephen Gilbert in tabling an ‘Early Day Motion’ (EDM) in support of IDAHO, which has co-sponsoring MPs from across the political parties.
IDAHO, held annually on 17 May, is a day to promote anti-homophobic and anti-transphobic messages on a global level. The aim of IDAHO is to increase awareness of the problem of world-wide homophobia and transphobia, and to provide a platform for activity at all levels in the fight against discrimination and persecution.
UK EDM 1780 states: That this House welcomes the annual International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia on 17 May 2011; supports those local authorities, police, health authorities and voluntary organisations who will mark this day with events, campaigns and statements of support; further supports the raising of the rainbow flag to reaffirm that homophobia and transphobia are unacceptable wherever they occur, whether in the UK or around the world; and calls on the Government to bring full equality to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people in the UK and to actively encourage equality for LGBT people around the world.
Stephen Gilbert MP stated, ‘Around the world gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people continue to experience discrimination and prejudice at home, at school, in the office and in the street and it’s time this changed. Equality for the LGBT community isn’t an optional extra for Governments around the world – it’s time that the community was treated with the same respect and enjoyed the same rights and opportunities as the straight community.’
BHA Head of Public Affairs Naomi Phillips commented, ‘We just need to look at the serious moves to impose prison sentences and even the death penalty for gay people in Uganda, the position of Anglican churches in Africa towards gay people, the Vatican’s refusal to sign a UN resolution calling for the decriminalisation of homosexuality, or the execution of gay teenagers in Iran, to see that religiously-inspired hatred against people because of who they are or who they sleep with remains a deep problem in many parts of the world. It is ever-more important to join together with others to tackle the rise in homophobic and transphobic violence and hate throughout the world.
‘Discrimination and persecution of people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgendered continues to exist, so we urge people to show support for IDAHO, and to ask their MPs to sign this EDM in order to demonstrate recognition of this important day at all levels.’
Derek Lennard from the Gay and Lesbian Humanist Association said, ‘GALHA has been very pleased to coordinate IDAHO activities in the UK since its formation in 2005. We very much appreciate the support of the BHA in doing this and look forward to the day when LGBT people from around the world have full and equal rights.’
(Note: Lady Gaga guest Editor in Chief for Metro on the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia On May 17th, Lady Gaga will be acting editor in chief for all editions of the worldwide free daily paper METRO ! Ahead of the release of her new album ’Born This Way’ on May 23rd, the global Diva will be commenting on global issues on May 17th, in a renewed expression of her commitment for Human Rights.
The British Humanist Association (BHA) and the Gay and Lesbian Humanist Association (GALHA) have come together to back a new initiative in support of the seventh annual International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO). The organisations worked with Liberal Democrat MP Stephen Gilbert in tabling an ‘Early Day Motion’ (EDM) in support of IDAHO, which has co-sponsoring MPs from across the political parties.
IDAHO, held annually on 17 May, is a day to promote anti-homophobic and anti-transphobic messages on a global level. The aim of IDAHO is to increase awareness of the problem of world-wide homophobia and transphobia, and to provide a platform for activity at all levels in the fight against discrimination and persecution.
UK EDM 1780 states: That this House welcomes the annual International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia on 17 May 2011; supports those local authorities, police, health authorities and voluntary organisations who will mark this day with events, campaigns and statements of support; further supports the raising of the rainbow flag to reaffirm that homophobia and transphobia are unacceptable wherever they occur, whether in the UK or around the world; and calls on the Government to bring full equality to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people in the UK and to actively encourage equality for LGBT people around the world.
Stephen Gilbert MP stated, ‘Around the world gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people continue to experience discrimination and prejudice at home, at school, in the office and in the street and it’s time this changed. Equality for the LGBT community isn’t an optional extra for Governments around the world – it’s time that the community was treated with the same respect and enjoyed the same rights and opportunities as the straight community.’
BHA Head of Public Affairs Naomi Phillips commented, ‘We just need to look at the serious moves to impose prison sentences and even the death penalty for gay people in Uganda, the position of Anglican churches in Africa towards gay people, the Vatican’s refusal to sign a UN resolution calling for the decriminalisation of homosexuality, or the execution of gay teenagers in Iran, to see that religiously-inspired hatred against people because of who they are or who they sleep with remains a deep problem in many parts of the world. It is ever-more important to join together with others to tackle the rise in homophobic and transphobic violence and hate throughout the world.
‘Discrimination and persecution of people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgendered continues to exist, so we urge people to show support for IDAHO, and to ask their MPs to sign this EDM in order to demonstrate recognition of this important day at all levels.’
Derek Lennard from the Gay and Lesbian Humanist Association said, ‘GALHA has been very pleased to coordinate IDAHO activities in the UK since its formation in 2005. We very much appreciate the support of the BHA in doing this and look forward to the day when LGBT people from around the world have full and equal rights.’
Friday
Humanists condemn Ugandan Parliament’s threat to kill Gays | International Humanist and Ethical Union
Humanists condemn Ugandan Parliament’s threat to kill Gays | International Humanist and Ethical Union
The UK Gay and Lesbian Humanist Association (GALHA) has condemned plans by members of the Ugandan Parliament to fast track legislation that would mandate execution for a wide range of consensual gay relationships. GALHA, an IHEU member organization based in the UK, has joined demands by the international community that Uganda's President Museveni veto the "Kill The Gays" bill, should it be passed in Parliament.
GALHA chair Adam Knowles said, "It beggars belief that the government of a country where the people already suffer huge deprivations should be even thinking about legislation that will further victimise and even murder some of its own most persecuted citizens. As the legislation stands, people could be put to death simply for being in a long-term, loving gay relationship.
"The bill not only persecutes and demonises gay people, but will make it even harder to fight the problems of AIDS in East Africa. It will encourage exactly the kind of furtive and clandestine encounters which spread AIDS, while discouraging gay men from getting information about safer sex. It will also encourage potentially disastrous complacency among heterosexuals by furthering the myth that HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases do not affect them, at a time when the great majority of HIV cases in Africa are passed on by heterosexuals.
"GALHA urges people in Uganda, and in the international community to unite in ensuring that this obscene legislation is abandoned, especially given that no logical or rational arguments have been put forward to support it.”
The UK Gay and Lesbian Humanist Association (GALHA) has condemned plans by members of the Ugandan Parliament to fast track legislation that would mandate execution for a wide range of consensual gay relationships. GALHA, an IHEU member organization based in the UK, has joined demands by the international community that Uganda's President Museveni veto the "Kill The Gays" bill, should it be passed in Parliament.
GALHA chair Adam Knowles said, "It beggars belief that the government of a country where the people already suffer huge deprivations should be even thinking about legislation that will further victimise and even murder some of its own most persecuted citizens. As the legislation stands, people could be put to death simply for being in a long-term, loving gay relationship.
"The bill not only persecutes and demonises gay people, but will make it even harder to fight the problems of AIDS in East Africa. It will encourage exactly the kind of furtive and clandestine encounters which spread AIDS, while discouraging gay men from getting information about safer sex. It will also encourage potentially disastrous complacency among heterosexuals by furthering the myth that HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases do not affect them, at a time when the great majority of HIV cases in Africa are passed on by heterosexuals.
"GALHA urges people in Uganda, and in the international community to unite in ensuring that this obscene legislation is abandoned, especially given that no logical or rational arguments have been put forward to support it.”
Tuesday
Shine a Light with His Holiness the Dalai Lama - May 4, Amnesty
Shine a Light with His Holiness the Dalai Lama
Amnesty International USA is honored to present His Holiness The 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso with the first-ever "Shine a Light on Human Rights" award in recognition of his lifelong commitment to social justice and human rights.
Please join us for this special event to commemorate Amnesty International's 50th Anniversary and to celebrate one of the most influential human rights figures today. Due to the popularity of this event, tickets are sold out but you can still join us as we broadcast the event live here on this page! The broadcast will begin on Wednesday, May 4, 2011 at 9:45 PST (12:45 EST). You'll be able to watch and chat with other Amnesty supporters live. For more information please call the Amnesty West Office at: 415.288.1800 or amnestywest8@aiusa.org
Amnesty International USA is honored to present His Holiness The 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso with the first-ever "Shine a Light on Human Rights" award in recognition of his lifelong commitment to social justice and human rights.
Please join us for this special event to commemorate Amnesty International's 50th Anniversary and to celebrate one of the most influential human rights figures today. Due to the popularity of this event, tickets are sold out but you can still join us as we broadcast the event live here on this page! The broadcast will begin on Wednesday, May 4, 2011 at 9:45 PST (12:45 EST). You'll be able to watch and chat with other Amnesty supporters live. For more information please call the Amnesty West Office at: 415.288.1800 or amnestywest8@aiusa.org
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