Valentine's day is fast approaching! The day of love, or for some, 24 hours of constant reminders of how excruciatingly single you are. Valentine's Day is my Christmas, I am a hopeless romantic and believe in love above all else.
I have noticed a big problem this year. I have yet to see any Queer directed Valentine cards. Apparently Hallmark doesn't have a card for everything. I saw no cards for Husband to Husband, for Son and Husband, or 'Please U-Haul with me'. I did find plenty of cards depecting straight relationships.
What are we to do?
Looks like our best bet is to order one off the internet. Not that I am suggesting getting a card for your special someone. You can do better then that! Do something really special, cheesy romance does not have to be a thing of the past. I am fighting hard to bring it back.
P.S. I still need a date for the big day ;)
I like long walks by the river, candle light, and I am a true gentleman. I'll open the car door for you and everything.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Friday, January 23, 2009
Thursday, January 22, 2009
My Love Affair with MTL
Most people in my life know that I pretend to live in la belle ville (Montreal). Because of that, I tend to keep track of all the montreal shows that I wish I was at (take a look at my day planner and you would think I am the biggest mtl hipster everrrrr).*
Anyways, the 2008 electro-dance whirlwind Hercules Love Affair is going to be playing in montreal on Friday, February 13th at Cabaret. Go. You might see me there.
*I don't live there, just to clarify
Anyways, the 2008 electro-dance whirlwind Hercules Love Affair is going to be playing in montreal on Friday, February 13th at Cabaret. Go. You might see me there.
*I don't live there, just to clarify
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Stereotyping is bad
Hopefully that is not news to you. As queer people we have all been stereotyped before. As a flamboyant interior decorator, or a man hating construction worker. They cause people to look only as far as the stereotype in their head will allow. Which tends to be very near sighted. The person you really are is over looked. Gay stereotypes are easier for people to see, then to accept that we are ordinary, everyday people.
So if we all know that stereotyping is bad. Why are we doing it to ourselves?
It can be seemingly harmless things such as gay men thinking all lesbians preferred drink is canned beer. Or lesbians assuming gay men have a vigorous moisturising routine. But the stereotypes can get much more complicated then drink orders, or skin care. They set a ‘proper’ way for us to act, within the label stuck on us.
‘Butches’ are expected to speak, move, and express themselves in ways that are different then how ‘femmes’ are supposed to act.
As queers we should know how harmful categorising people is. However ‘untraditional’ our labels are. We are still being asked to fit into our own versions of ‘traditional’ roles.
There is no ‘proper’ way to be queer. I know when a person is young, and discovering who they are in relation to their newly found community it is easy to fall into roles. It gives them a sense of understanding, of themselves and how they fit into the community. But those roles quickly become smothering. Instead of creating a sense of who they are, the roles begin to dictate who they can’t be, and what they can’t do.
There is no reason for us to act a certain way to fit the role expected of us. And it is not acceptable for us to look at a person to act within roles we set for them.
People don’t fit into ‘butch’, ‘femme’, ‘twink’, or the many labels out there.
So lets take ourselves back to a lesson that didn’t quite sink in as a kid. Stereotypes are bad, don’t do it.
On a separate note, today is a day for history. In a country with a blemished history, today is a mark of change and hope.
Rosa sat so Martin could walk; Martin walked so Obama could run; Obama ran so our children can fly!
- 19-year old single mother from McKeesport.
So if we all know that stereotyping is bad. Why are we doing it to ourselves?
It can be seemingly harmless things such as gay men thinking all lesbians preferred drink is canned beer. Or lesbians assuming gay men have a vigorous moisturising routine. But the stereotypes can get much more complicated then drink orders, or skin care. They set a ‘proper’ way for us to act, within the label stuck on us.
‘Butches’ are expected to speak, move, and express themselves in ways that are different then how ‘femmes’ are supposed to act.
As queers we should know how harmful categorising people is. However ‘untraditional’ our labels are. We are still being asked to fit into our own versions of ‘traditional’ roles.
There is no ‘proper’ way to be queer. I know when a person is young, and discovering who they are in relation to their newly found community it is easy to fall into roles. It gives them a sense of understanding, of themselves and how they fit into the community. But those roles quickly become smothering. Instead of creating a sense of who they are, the roles begin to dictate who they can’t be, and what they can’t do.
There is no reason for us to act a certain way to fit the role expected of us. And it is not acceptable for us to look at a person to act within roles we set for them.
People don’t fit into ‘butch’, ‘femme’, ‘twink’, or the many labels out there.
So lets take ourselves back to a lesson that didn’t quite sink in as a kid. Stereotypes are bad, don’t do it.
On a separate note, today is a day for history. In a country with a blemished history, today is a mark of change and hope.
Rosa sat so Martin could walk; Martin walked so Obama could run; Obama ran so our children can fly!
- 19-year old single mother from McKeesport.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Just For Fun
"A New Chance" by The Tough Alliance.
Some reviews out there have touted The Tough Alliance as the greatest thing for cheesy pop since Cindy Lauper. Honestly, while I enjoyed their 2008 album, "New Chance", I found it abrasive at times. TTA is great in small doses, on good speakers, and in a club. Otherwise, they sound a little tinny and whiny. Anyways, pretentious music reviewing aside, the album is fun, and the vids are funner.
I haven't been able to confirm that they identify as queer, but it is refreshing to see some fun synth-pop that doesn't require a hot blonde woman in tights. Bromance, livz on.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Andrea Gibson - I do
Andrea Gibson is an amazing slam poet, my favorite slam poet. Her words raise goosebumps on my arms, and tears in my eyes. Her poems are political, personal, truthful, and beautiful. I am sure in the future I will post more of her stuff, she deals with so many different issues. From the war, to gender identity, rape, and many more important subjects that need to be talked about.
This poem reminds me of how lucky I am to live in Canada with the right to marry whoever I please. But not all of us are that lucky, Americans are still fighting for that right. Here is hoping that one day we will all be able to say 'I do' to the person we love.
From the beginning living in towns
that frowned at our hand-holding
Folding their stares like hate-notes into our pockets
so we could pretend they weren’t there
You said fear is only a verb if you let it be
don’t you dare let go of my hand
That was my favourite line.
This poem reminds me of how lucky I am to live in Canada with the right to marry whoever I please. But not all of us are that lucky, Americans are still fighting for that right. Here is hoping that one day we will all be able to say 'I do' to the person we love.
From the beginning living in towns
that frowned at our hand-holding
Folding their stares like hate-notes into our pockets
so we could pretend they weren’t there
You said fear is only a verb if you let it be
don’t you dare let go of my hand
That was my favourite line.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
What officer, I was just tying my shoe!
This made me laugh incredibly hard. It is a clip and review (via, videogum) about the new "reality show", the "Principal's Office". The clip shows two young men who have been called into the principal's office due to their "dirty dancing" and "grinding", with female students, at the school dance.
Playing out like a freshman's version of "The Office", the two students go to towwwn leading the Steve Carell-like principal through a series of "whatifs" (ie, what if he was bending over, while I was stretching behind him?) that escalate to the point that they are literally grinding in the principal's office. The perfected innocence of these two young men are worthy of at least a couple of golden globe nods. And the principal's naivete is either the handiwork of some clever editors, or a genuine vacancy of common sense. Either makes for entertaining television.
But this is a queer blog, so I have to admit that the underlying homophobia is pretty obvious. The humour is somewhat dependent on the ridiculousness of two men "dirty dancing". And given the current history of gay students at school dances, we know that dancing with your same-sex/queer partner is often not a luxury that is afforded to many queer students.
But this actually raises interesting questions about humour, and making fun. When is it okay--if ever--to make fun of someone's sexual orientation? My queer friends and I do it all the time, but for two hetero guys to jokingly poke fun at their principal, do we allow that same flexibility? Is making fun of sexuality, like "re-claiming" offensive words?
FTM Chest Surgery
This is a really neat video showing the healing process of a top surgery.
FTM chest surgery healing year
FTM chest surgery healing year
Monday, January 12, 2009
Marmaduke, Explained
A friend introduced me to a blog wherein the wisdom of the comic "marmaduke" is explained in 500 words or less. It hasn't been updated in awhile, but it is so delightfully random, I had to share it with you all. From Joe Mathlete Explains Today's Marmaduke.
Marmaduke as a bi-curious lap-dog.
Marmaduke as a bi-curious lap-dog.
Wanted: Single Stall, gender neutral bathrooms
Too often I find myself sprinting up the walkway to my house, through my living room, and into the bathroom to pee. No, I don't have any health issues. I do, however, have issues with public washrooms. Or more accurately, people using public washrooms have issues with me.
Using a public bathroom is an absolute last resort for me. It takes mental preparation to even enter one.
When I am forced to use one, I plan each action as though it were a battle plan. I time my entrance with exact precision. I make sure not to follow anyone, or be followed in. That leads to awkward double takes between the sign on the door, and at me.
Best case scenario I enter when the bathroom is empty. Otherwise I time my entrance so that everyone present in the bathroom is locked inside a stall, so they don't see me walk in.
Getting out is just as tricky. I hide inside the stall until everyone else done washing their hands, and primping. Then with near superhuman speed I wash my hands, and exist the bathroom. But it doesn't end there, once I am out of the bathroom I need to quickly get away from the door. Staying by it tends to leads to double takes at the sign and at me, again.
I can't always be lucky enough to have an empty bathroom. At bars, or restaurants there tends to be a continuous flow in and out of the bathroom. In these situations I retreat to what is more like a 'duck and cover' tactic, then a battle plan.
I keep my eyes down when I enter the room, making sure not to look at anyone. I move quickly and quietly to the nearest stall, and wash my hands without looking up into the mirror.
My hard to categorize gender is noticed, by those in and outside the washrooms. I am stopped at the door by people telling me I am going into the wrong room. Once I get into the bathroom, I am bombarded by peoples reactions. My presence results in giggles between friends pointing me out. To women checking of the door to see if they are in the right bathroom. Sideways glances, trying to decipher why there is a boy in the girl’s bathroom. Or in some instances, confrontation. I have been physically pushed, and told I was in the wrong bathroom.
This happens to many others out there. People who don't easily fit into the ridge boxes society has for gender, and sex. Something as simple as using the bathroom should not be stressful. I shouldn't have to jokingly warn my friends that if I’m not back in five minutes, I have been beaten up in the bathroom. I shouldn’t fear that it is possible for that to happen.
Single Stall, gender neutral bathrooms need to be widely available. They are not only necessary for gender queer persons, but a bonus in general. Without the restriction to a single sex, more people can use the bathroom. Which shortens the lines in the gender specific bathrooms.
Safe2Pee is an amazing website, it is a database of "gender neutral bathrooms, unisex restrooms, accessible toilets. bathrooms for everyone." You can search for the locations of such bathrooms in your city.
Using a public bathroom is an absolute last resort for me. It takes mental preparation to even enter one.
When I am forced to use one, I plan each action as though it were a battle plan. I time my entrance with exact precision. I make sure not to follow anyone, or be followed in. That leads to awkward double takes between the sign on the door, and at me.
Best case scenario I enter when the bathroom is empty. Otherwise I time my entrance so that everyone present in the bathroom is locked inside a stall, so they don't see me walk in.
Getting out is just as tricky. I hide inside the stall until everyone else done washing their hands, and primping. Then with near superhuman speed I wash my hands, and exist the bathroom. But it doesn't end there, once I am out of the bathroom I need to quickly get away from the door. Staying by it tends to leads to double takes at the sign and at me, again.
I can't always be lucky enough to have an empty bathroom. At bars, or restaurants there tends to be a continuous flow in and out of the bathroom. In these situations I retreat to what is more like a 'duck and cover' tactic, then a battle plan.
I keep my eyes down when I enter the room, making sure not to look at anyone. I move quickly and quietly to the nearest stall, and wash my hands without looking up into the mirror.
My hard to categorize gender is noticed, by those in and outside the washrooms. I am stopped at the door by people telling me I am going into the wrong room. Once I get into the bathroom, I am bombarded by peoples reactions. My presence results in giggles between friends pointing me out. To women checking of the door to see if they are in the right bathroom. Sideways glances, trying to decipher why there is a boy in the girl’s bathroom. Or in some instances, confrontation. I have been physically pushed, and told I was in the wrong bathroom.
This happens to many others out there. People who don't easily fit into the ridge boxes society has for gender, and sex. Something as simple as using the bathroom should not be stressful. I shouldn't have to jokingly warn my friends that if I’m not back in five minutes, I have been beaten up in the bathroom. I shouldn’t fear that it is possible for that to happen.
Single Stall, gender neutral bathrooms need to be widely available. They are not only necessary for gender queer persons, but a bonus in general. Without the restriction to a single sex, more people can use the bathroom. Which shortens the lines in the gender specific bathrooms.
Safe2Pee is an amazing website, it is a database of "gender neutral bathrooms, unisex restrooms, accessible toilets. bathrooms for everyone." You can search for the locations of such bathrooms in your city.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Homophobes are decidedly homophobic
The Christian Anti-Defamation Commission released its 2008 top ten Christian Defamations. A couple of them are explicitly pointed towards "homosexuals", and a few of them are indirectly taking a swing at the glbt community.
Just a quick note about this article: coming in at No. 10 is "Jack Black Musical Video". For all of you whose internet has been disconnected for the past few weeks, they are referring to the devilishly clever "Prop 8, the Musical". Claiming that the musical "distorts the teachings of the Bible", the Prop 8 musical is considered an "extreme case of Christian bashing".
Of course, claiming that homosexuality is a "lifestyle" and that gay people are "sinners" is also a distortion of the bible, but hey, who is really concerned with a rigorous analysis of Christianity these days anyways?
Oh yeah, what else was wrong with the video? Jack Black played Jesus. I say, if Alanis was busy, then Jack Black is a dandy second choice.
You can take a look at their other claims of defamation... Obama isn't actually a Christian, a sports reporter takes the Lord's name in vain, you know, the usual (interestingly, nothing about using religion as a justification for the war in--and occupation of--foreign countries).
I can't wait for this year's top ten!(I am guessing that the Pope's "gay people are worse than the degradation of the rainforest" will not be topping their list).
Just a quick note about this article: coming in at No. 10 is "Jack Black Musical Video". For all of you whose internet has been disconnected for the past few weeks, they are referring to the devilishly clever "Prop 8, the Musical". Claiming that the musical "distorts the teachings of the Bible", the Prop 8 musical is considered an "extreme case of Christian bashing".
Of course, claiming that homosexuality is a "lifestyle" and that gay people are "sinners" is also a distortion of the bible, but hey, who is really concerned with a rigorous analysis of Christianity these days anyways?
Oh yeah, what else was wrong with the video? Jack Black played Jesus. I say, if Alanis was busy, then Jack Black is a dandy second choice.
You can take a look at their other claims of defamation... Obama isn't actually a Christian, a sports reporter takes the Lord's name in vain, you know, the usual (interestingly, nothing about using religion as a justification for the war in--and occupation of--foreign countries).
I can't wait for this year's top ten!(I am guessing that the Pope's "gay people are worse than the degradation of the rainforest" will not be topping their list).
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Bromance and mmmmmasculinity
Videogum, on the new "reality" tv show, Bromance.
I may need to uncover a streaming link to this show and watch it right after a Double Shot at Love with the Ikki Twins.
That's so gay
Hilary Duff = 1
Girl wearing skirt for a top = 0
That's so gay. This saying has been around for years, I grew up hearing it. Recently a series of commercials dealing with this saying has been released. The video above is one of them. I think the commercials are great. They are funny, and they get the point across. Think before you speak, words have a great power to them. Use them wisely.
I personally never say "that's so gay", there are plenty of other words that can get my point across. Words that don't cut me, and an entire group of people down. But I do know people who use this saying, both queer and straight. I have asked them why they use this saying. The responses I receive fall into two categories. The first is an excuse, they have been hearing/saying it since they were young and it has become a habit. The second is indifference, it doesn't bother them. They don't believe it is a big deal, or hurtful.
With a conscious decision and a commitment to not using that saying, the habit can be broken. As for the indifference stance. "That's so gay" may not seem like a big deal. But it exists because of the accepted inequality of queer people. Using it links gay to bad, and it is vital that connection is broken. I grew up hearing this saying at school, so from a very young age I connected gay with bad. Kids are still being taught that connection when this saying is used. The battle for equality takes place everyday, and the elimination of that saying is a victory.
How do you feel about the commercials? How do you feel about the saying? Do you say it? Do you say something to people who do?
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Mary Read: the Bisexual, Transgendered Pirate?
Last night, while entertaining my nightly battle with insomnia, I picked up my "Women Who Dare" 2009 engagement calendar and casually perused the content. For every week of the year, they highlight a "notable" woman (Mia Hamm, Zaida Ben-Yusuf etc). On the week of October 5th, I was introduced to Mary Read. A person who--born female—was raised as a male by her (sic!) mother, joined the military as a male, married a male Flemish solder, lived life as a female until he died, joined a band of pirates (as a male), and then may—or may not—have had an affair with the "cross-dressing" wife of the captain of the pirates. When they were all caught, she and the wife of the captain, pleaded pregnancy and thus avoided hanging.*
Umm, come again? I get that these sorts of stories are fundamentally exaggerated, sensationalized and mythesized, but even the "basics" of Mary Read's life leaves me completely agog and full of questions (and, to say the least,does nothing for my insomnia).
How much of the history of femaleness been filtered through neatly squared stories of "cross-dressing"? Did Mary Read gain notoriety throughout history because she crossed those gender thresholds, several times, and in multiple ways? Or was it because she was a kick-ass pirate who sailed the seven seas? And how many male pirate stories are framed by "who they loved", "who they married" and "who they slept with"?
* For the purposes of a concise blog post, I severely summarized the wikipedia version of her tale. My profs would kick me out of grad school if they knew.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Rick & Steve - The happiest Gay couple in all the World
Season 1 is available on DVD, I highly suggest buying it. It is loaded with extras, including 12 digisodes.
You can also catch Rick & Steve on the Teletoon network, or the Logo channel.
The first episode of Season Two airs tonight!
Check out the Happiest Gay Couple website. Online only episodes are available, along with tons of other goodies.
Monday, January 5, 2009
A Softer World
A Softer World is a devastatingly truthful and witty photography comic. The online comic consists of a photograph separated into three frames, with simple type writer style text added over the photo. The comic has no on going characters or storyline. The objects or people in the given photograph become the characters. It has a very simple, yet poignant style.
The creators of A Softer World are two Canadians, both currently residing in Toronto. Emily Horne is the photographer and designer of the comic. While Joey Comeau, queer author, is responsible for the words. Together the pair comes up with something much more than a comic. It is a commentary on our culture.
Having to describe or create some sort of label to fit A Softer World is not easy.
A Softer World is unpredictable, twistedly funny, dark, haunting, controversial, weird, witty, heart touching, heart breaking, and truthful. It deals with politics, sex, boundaries, gender, death, sexuality, longing, fear and beauty.
It is about life, and everything that comes with it. Each strip is a snapshot of our world.
Often the comics have a queer character, or subject matter. Joey is able to correctly portray aspects of queer life. Holding true to the rest of the comics, the queer related ones provoke a reaction inside of us. It can be laughter, sadness, or a fiery opinion. More than likely it will be all three at once.
Are they wishing this for themselves?
Is it a parent of a queer child?
A broken hearted soul? A person who is in love with someone who doesn’t reciprocated their feelings, because of conflicting sexual orientations.
Some things aren’t a simple dichotomy. It is n ot just Boy or Girl. It is not heads or tails.
This is what I wish for on lucky pennies, and shooting stars. Only I am a bit more demanding, bikinis and heels would be a plus.
One, two, three. NOW
.....how about now?
A Softer World is not just a comic. It is art. Emily's photographs are beauty, and Joey's words are poetry.
Check it out. A Softer World
Oh! If you leave your curser over the comic, an extra hidden line pops up.
Don't forget to look at the side projects both creators have, links available on the site. Emily has a photo journal titled I blame the sea. Joey writes cover letters in Overqualified, that ring true with the comics. He also has a book, Lockpick Pornography, that is available online.
The creators of A Softer World are two Canadians, both currently residing in Toronto. Emily Horne is the photographer and designer of the comic. While Joey Comeau, queer author, is responsible for the words. Together the pair comes up with something much more than a comic. It is a commentary on our culture.
Having to describe or create some sort of label to fit A Softer World is not easy.
A Softer World is unpredictable, twistedly funny, dark, haunting, controversial, weird, witty, heart touching, heart breaking, and truthful. It deals with politics, sex, boundaries, gender, death, sexuality, longing, fear and beauty.
It is about life, and everything that comes with it. Each strip is a snapshot of our world.
Often the comics have a queer character, or subject matter. Joey is able to correctly portray aspects of queer life. Holding true to the rest of the comics, the queer related ones provoke a reaction inside of us. It can be laughter, sadness, or a fiery opinion. More than likely it will be all three at once.
Are they wishing this for themselves?
Is it a parent of a queer child?
A broken hearted soul? A person who is in love with someone who doesn’t reciprocated their feelings, because of conflicting sexual orientations.
Some things aren’t a simple dichotomy. It is n ot just Boy or Girl. It is not heads or tails.
This is what I wish for on lucky pennies, and shooting stars. Only I am a bit more demanding, bikinis and heels would be a plus.
One, two, three. NOW
.....how about now?
A Softer World is not just a comic. It is art. Emily's photographs are beauty, and Joey's words are poetry.
Check it out. A Softer World
Oh! If you leave your curser over the comic, an extra hidden line pops up.
Don't forget to look at the side projects both creators have, links available on the site. Emily has a photo journal titled I blame the sea. Joey writes cover letters in Overqualified, that ring true with the comics. He also has a book, Lockpick Pornography, that is available online.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Which One's Gay?
News and current events photography blog, BAG news Notes, has a really thoughtful and honest interpretation of a recent art show by Michael Wiltbank, which asks viewers to look at two faces, and decide which one is gay.
Check it out here.
This art show raises allll sorts of questions and thoughts for me. As a person who regularly passes for straight, I often walk down the street wondering: can people tell? Do my actions reveal my sexuality? Can the people, who I want to know, tell that I am queer?
Hmm.
Check it out here.
This art show raises allll sorts of questions and thoughts for me. As a person who regularly passes for straight, I often walk down the street wondering: can people tell? Do my actions reveal my sexuality? Can the people, who I want to know, tell that I am queer?
Hmm.
From Canada, with love
Canada has long been assumed to be a safe haven for queer folks. When gay marriage was legalized, we saw torrents of "marriage tourists" flood our lightly policed borders in order to take advantage of our hippy-dippy marriage laws. We even developed a niche tourism industry for gay marriages and honeymooners. But, shockingly, not everything is bouquets and garters. Jane Okojie, a bisexual woman and mother from Nigeria, is awaiting her deportation decision by the Immigrant and Refugee Board. According to xtra.ca, she has been living here for the past 5 years, working for the Canadian government while making her refugee claim. Although homosexual behaviour is punishable in Nigeria by up to 14 years in prison, the IRB still feels as though she is not at enough risk to be allowed to stay in Canada on humanitarian grounds.
I could wax and wane on the ethics behind sending a family back to a country that will inevitably leave the children without a mother, but that is pretty obvious. What we also need to talk about is the harsh reality that Canada is selective in its "toleration" of gay people—that is to say, if you are a queer woman of colour from Africa, don't assume that Canada welcomes you. We'll let you get married, have your honeymoons and your parades, but don't you dare try to move here to escape the oppressive and violent state in which you were born. Okojie was working for the Canadian government, most likely paying taxes, and contributing back to the state … but unlike the niche tourist, she didn't go back "home".
Public gay-friendly policies, like legalizing gay marriages, do wonders for our international PR. Canada benefits economically and socially from being presented as an open and tolerant nation—being ranked as one of the top three nations for human development definitely has its pluses. But they also hide the very real material and emotional consequences felt by people like Jane Okojie, who are slammed head-first into a bureaucratic machine that still operates as if it were 1959.
These policies do not mean that Canadian bureaucrats have suddenly realized their heterosexist ways. No, they allow us to wash our hands of the responsibility to deal with the homophobia that is experienced by already marginalized peoples. This is the national equivalent of that guy who demeans his little brother by calling him gay, and justifies it later by saying, "It's okay, I have gay friends". For realz Canada, that's pretty pathetic.
Contact Jason Kenney, the Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism and share your mind.
I could wax and wane on the ethics behind sending a family back to a country that will inevitably leave the children without a mother, but that is pretty obvious. What we also need to talk about is the harsh reality that Canada is selective in its "toleration" of gay people—that is to say, if you are a queer woman of colour from Africa, don't assume that Canada welcomes you. We'll let you get married, have your honeymoons and your parades, but don't you dare try to move here to escape the oppressive and violent state in which you were born. Okojie was working for the Canadian government, most likely paying taxes, and contributing back to the state … but unlike the niche tourist, she didn't go back "home".
Public gay-friendly policies, like legalizing gay marriages, do wonders for our international PR. Canada benefits economically and socially from being presented as an open and tolerant nation—being ranked as one of the top three nations for human development definitely has its pluses. But they also hide the very real material and emotional consequences felt by people like Jane Okojie, who are slammed head-first into a bureaucratic machine that still operates as if it were 1959.
These policies do not mean that Canadian bureaucrats have suddenly realized their heterosexist ways. No, they allow us to wash our hands of the responsibility to deal with the homophobia that is experienced by already marginalized peoples. This is the national equivalent of that guy who demeans his little brother by calling him gay, and justifies it later by saying, "It's okay, I have gay friends". For realz Canada, that's pretty pathetic.
Contact Jason Kenney, the Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism and share your mind.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
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