Guelph Opens New Rainbow Crosswalk Ahead of Pride Month

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

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

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

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

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

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

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”

GUELPH POLITICAST #146 – Sky Gilbert, Professor and Playwright

Three days in advance of the Trans Day of Remembrance, and one week in advance of AIDS Awareness Week, the Ontario PC Party decided that the timing was perfect to question whether “gender identity” is a thing. To members of the LGBT community, and their allies, the fight for equal rights was once again front and centre. Continue reading “GUELPH POLITICAST #146 – Sky Gilbert, Professor and Playwright”

City of Guelph Issues Statement About Orlando Tragedy

In response to the tragic events in Orlando, FL early Sunday morning, and the death of 49 people with another 53 injured after a gunman with ISIS sympathies opened fire at a queer nightclub, the City of Guelph has lowered its flag to half-mast and released an official statementContinue reading “City of Guelph Issues Statement About Orlando Tragedy”