Tag: LGBT

GUELPH POLITICAST #390 – How to Cover a Protest in 2023

Published on by Adam A. DonaldsonLeave a comment

For years, Guelph has been a hotbed of protest, a very politically inclined city on a variety of issues including climate change, poverty, workers rights, equality, Black Lives Matter, and the systemic abuse of Indigenous peoples. Last Wednesday, direct action was on display again as people gathered in Market Square, but this was a protest completely unlike any other in a number of ways, and we need to take a moment to unpack things. Continue reading “GUELPH POLITICAST #390 – How to Cover a Protest in 2023” →

Tensions Fray as ‘Million’ Marchers Met Bigger Counter Protest at City Hall

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Two things were observably true on Wednesday morning in Market Square: a planned demonstration by around 250 people under a banner called “1 Million March 4 Children” where met by a counter-protest three times its size, and there was considerable enmity between those two sides. All told, about a thousand people gathered in the one acre-sized square in front of City Hall but in ideology they were worlds apart. Continue reading “Tensions Fray as ‘Million’ Marchers Met Bigger Counter Protest at City Hall” →

They’re Marching for Children, But Some Are Concerned There’s Another Message

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The site of flags, signs and marchers through downtown is hardly an unfamiliar site for Guelph, and it will be seen again this coming Wednesday as a group of people will gather at City Hall and undertake a long march to College Avenue in the name of “Uniting diverse backgrounds and faiths” to eliminate “Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) curriculum, pronouns, gender ideology and mixed bathrooms in schools.” But what does that mean? Continue reading “They’re Marching for Children, But Some Are Concerned There’s Another Message” →

Guelph Opens New Rainbow Crosswalk Ahead of Pride Month

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It was blue skies and rainbow cookies on Thursday morning as City of Guelph staff and officials took a ceremonial first walk across the street on the City’s first, official rainbow crosswalk. Just days ahead of the annual Pride months festivities, City crews spent the night on Wednesday laying down the (technically) thermoplastic material in the colourful symbol of inclusivity and welcome for all members of the LGBTQ+ community. Continue reading “Guelph Opens New Rainbow Crosswalk Ahead of Pride Month” →

GUELPH POLITICAST #327 – Queer as Faith

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Much of the hate and vitriol aimed at the LGBTQ+ people comes from religious communities still promoting ideas in the 21st century that being anything other than straight and cisgender is a violation of centuries of religious dogma. How can you find a faith space where you can be respected and accepted as openly queer? That’s a good question for the “Rainbow Papa-Bear”! Continue reading “GUELPH POLITICAST #327 – Queer as Faith” →

Supporters March for Guelph Couple Still Locked in SLAPP Suit

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The site of rainbow flags and the sounds of Top 40 music flowed through the downtown on Saturday afternoon as over 30 people marched in support of a Guelph couple sued in a Twitter spat with Guelph Medical Imaging. Organized by a pair of United Church ministers, the message from the participants – young and old, straight and queer, cis gendered or non-binary – was that there’s no place for homophobia in Guelph. Continue reading “Supporters March for Guelph Couple Still Locked in SLAPP Suit” →

GUELPH POLITICAST #309 – Healthcare for Trans People Doesn’t Just Happen

Published on by Adam A. DonaldsonLeave a comment

This month, there are Winter Pride events in Guelph, and Pride events are all about promoting visibility and acceptance for the LGBTQ+ community. But while the Pride movement’s come a long way, there’s still a long way to go for complete equality. Consider healthcare. We like to think our healthcare system in Canada is barrier-free here, but the barriers for trans people can be immense. Continue reading “GUELPH POLITICAST #309 – Healthcare for Trans People Doesn’t Just Happen” →

In Advance of Trans Remembrance Day, Groups Call Nonpartisan Support for Trans Health

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Saturday November 20 marks the annual commemoration of the Trans Day of Remembrance. Started in 1999 by transgender advocate Gwendolyn Ann Smith as way to remember and honour Rita Hester, a transgender woman who was killed in 1998, the day has grown to be a vigil for all trans people killed in violence. For living trans people though, the time is right to push the Ontario government for help on expanding access to healthcare. Continue reading “In Advance of Trans Remembrance Day, Groups Call Nonpartisan Support for Trans Health” →

CITY PAGES: Mental Health, Scams, and New LGBTQ+ Support Line

Published on by Adam A. DonaldsonLeave a comment

The City of Guelph, and it’s various partners and agencies, put out a lot of information on a weekly basis, and while it all ends up on the City’s website somewhere, wouldn’t it be easier to just scroll through it all on one easy-to-read article on Guelph Politico here…? Continue reading “CITY PAGES: Mental Health, Scams, and New LGBTQ+ Support Line” →

Guelph’s LGBTQ+ Community Not Pleased with New Police Diversity Officers

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Police services around North America have been challenged in the last year to do better outreach with marginalized groups, and the Guelph Police Service is no exception. A recently-launched police program meant to promote better relations between the police and minority groups is now coming under criticism though with one group of residents saying that the Guelph Police never consulted their community in the first place. Continue reading “Guelph’s LGBTQ+ Community Not Pleased with New Police Diversity Officers” →