Activism

Former Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien to Receive International Role Model Award at Equality Forum 2005

Contact: Michael Pomante, 215-732-3378, or Malcolm Lazin, 215-732-7375, both of Equality Forum

See Also: Urgent - Anti Equality Bill in Parliament

PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 22 /U.S. Newswire/ -- "As Canada's Prime Minister, Jean Chretien championed same-sex marriage," stated Malcolm Lazin, executive director, Equality Forum. "In 2003, then Prime Minister Chretien called on Canadian citizens to support marriage equality. This impressive support by Mr. Chretien demonstrates the importance to Canadians of minority rights and separation of church and state."

"We are honored to bestow our 10th annual International Role Model Award to Jean Chretien," according to Joe Farrell, chair, Board of Directors, Equality Forum. "Mr. Chretien will attend to accept the award and speak about international GLBT civil rights." The award will be presented on Friday, April 29 at the National Constitution Center, Independence National Historical Park at Equality Forum 2005.

AIDS foot-dragging

San Francisco Chronicle - November 19, 2004

http://www.aegis.org/news/sc/2004/SC041106.html
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IN THE war against AIDS, this should be good news: A consortium
of wealthy countries meets in hard-hit Africa to launch programs
to fight the epidemic.

But it's not working as smoothly as that. Foot-dragging by
Washington, by far the biggest check-writer to the Global Fund to
Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, nearly shut down a long
list of projects.

What's going on is typical of a political sideshow that undercuts
the war on AIDS. The infighting imperils the fragile existence of
dozens of countries depleted by the uphill fight against the
disease. The jockeying also delivers a blow to the image of the
United States, the one country with the money and medicine to
make a difference.

For the record, the White House hasn't ignored AIDS.

President Bush is on track to spend $15 billion on care and
prevention in 15 countries where results can be studied

Below this opinion piece is an article that demonstrates the successes of AIDS activists in keeping drug prices in line.

Many have felt this was a lost effort. We are still up against the large multi national drug companies and US Government policy in lowering the cost of drugs for poorer parts of the world.

We have had our successes over the years. The threat of AIDS activists organizing large demonstrations and negative publicity has kept prices lower than many drug companies wanted them to be.

These prices are still high and preventing many even in rich counties from accessing them.

Need proff see the article below.

‘Housing is a Right’ Fundraiser

a Cuban Dance Party

Friday Nov12
Doors open at 8:00pm
The Polish White Eagle Hall,
90 Dock St.

featuring…

The Adonis Puentes Trio

Silent Auction and Not-so-silent Auction

Tickets $15 (includes 2 drinks)
Advance tickets available at:

Lyles Place, 770 Yates St.

Wildfire Bakery, 1517 Quadra

For more info: Tel: 382-2124 or email:
roofsandrootscoop@yahoo.com

Hosted by the Roofs and Roots housing co-operative.

Proceeds go to developing healthy, affordable community-owned housing.

Some of you may be interested in signing this petition to uphold the Canada Health Act and ensure that trans people across Canada have access to funded surgeries.

Please take time to support trans people!
http://www.PetitionOnline.com/srs4all/petition.html

Bill passed to protect B.C. residents from Patriot Act
WebPosted Oct 19 2004 05:52 PM PDT

CBC

VICTORIA - The provincial government passed a bill Tuesday aimed at protecting B.C. residents from the the USA Patriot Act.

But NDP MLA Joy MacPhail said the Liberal government rammed through a bill that fails to stop American officials from accessing private data on B.C. residents that might be held or managed by subsidiaries of U.S.-based firms.

The government also passed the bill without waiting for a report on the implications of the Patriot Act by B.C.'s Information and Privacy Commissioner.

Critics have warned the Patriot Act, enacted in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centre and the Pentagon, would allow the FBI to look at such data.

Attorney General Geoff Plant disagreed with suggestions that the government should have waited for the privacy commissioner's report, which has been delayed twice because of the number of submissions received. The report is now due at the end of this month.

`Hold your tongue!' said the Queen, turning purple.
`I won't!' said Alice.
`Off with her head!' the Queen shouted at the top of her voice. Nobody moved.

Alice In Wonderland
Lewis Carroll

Gag Laws by Michael Yoder

Back in the old days when there were no AIDS groups, the government had a problem. They recognized that there was a need to provide information about safer sex and condoms but were uncomfortable in using the language that was needed to get the message across.

So they funded AIDS groups to do it for them. And AIDS groups used common “swear” words to talk openly about sex and sexual behaviour. The government was a little squeamish, but they allowed it all because it had to happen. At the same time, charitable organizations had always seen a part of their role to be addressing the injustices that – gasp – even governments perpetrate.

After a while, the governments had a problem with these groups buzzing around them like flies and complaining about decisions that were being made that affected the lives of clients. Funding was still offered but governments decided to swat the flies a little.

The Tyee

Links: Campaign Against Time Limited Welfare

Links: Vancouver Island Public Interest Research Group (VIPIRG)

Links: PovNet News

Part One: Welfare's New Era: Survival of the Fittest posted September 4, 2004

The Tyee, a British Columbia based, online media site presented a four part series by Andrew MacLeod on the BC Government's 'New Era' welfare policies. Part One: Welfare's New Era: Survival of the Fittest , Part Two: Where Did All the Welfare Cases Go?
, Part Three: Welfare Reform's Public-Private Partnerships, and Part Four: Shut Out at the Entrance .

UBCM backs Mayencourt's Safe Streets Act

CKNW/AM980

September, 22 - 10:41 AM
KELOWNA CKNW/AM980 -- A Liberal MLA who wants to crack down on aggressive panhandlers and squatters has received the backing of BC's municipal politicians.

Lorne Mayencourt is beaming after delegates at the Union of BC Municipalities Convention voted in favour of his so-called Safe Streets Legislation.

Mayencourt says well over two thirds of the delegates supported this motion, which is really consistent with polling data that we had last month which indicated that 70 per-cent of British Columbians supported this.

He says it's great to have that ratified and endorsed by the UBCM, they're an important body.

It's still not clear if the government will take any action on Mayencourt's private members' bills which were introduced in the spring.

CKNW/AM980

Buju Banton concert axed in Manchester

Police express community safety concerns

London, 22 September 2004

Manchester police have intervened to secure the cancellation of reggae
superstar Buju Banton's Manchester concert, which was scheduled for
this Thursday 23 September.

Expressing concern about possible public disorder and threats to local
lesbians and gays by Mr Banton's fans, the police have ensured that
the Bierkeller in central Manchester pulled the plug on Mr Banton's
concert.

Mr Banton's promoters then tried to secure a replacement venue, The
Big Western, in Moss Side, but the police had that venue cancelled
too.

Banton, whose lyrics advocate shooting queers in the head, and who
faces arrest on charges of participating in a queer-bashing attack, is
now confronted with the collapse of his UK tour.

"We thank Manchester councillors and police for taking a stand against
Mr Banton and his murder-music," said Peter Tatchell, of the gay human
rights group OutRage!, which campaigned to have the concert axed.