This resource binder was created by Massey's Gay Straight Alliance. It provides information related to understanding what it may be like to be, or to know someone who is, a member of the LGBT community, and what that may entail. Inside you will find definitions, a book and movie list, and other useful resources that may aid you in understanding yourself, or a friend who may identify as someone in the LGBT community.

Table of Contents The Basics  LGBT Acronym and Definitions  Coming Out

Massey’s Gay-Straight Alliance  Mission Statement  Who We Are/What We Do  Blog Link  Waking Up Blue

Media  Top 10 LGBT Book List  Top 10 LGBT Movie List  LGBT Youtubers  Celebrity Profiles  Current Events

Gender  Overview  Definitions/Different Types  The Genderbread Person (Picture)  The Genderbread Person (Explanation)

Bullying  Overview  Statistics

Religion  Gay Rights relating to Religion  LGBT and Religion Book List

Resources  Local  LGBT Online  Other

The Basics

LGBT Acronym and Definitions In this section, the extended acronym of the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) community is broken down and explained in detail to help understand what each term means. These definitions are in no way the only possible explanation for these characteristics as gender and sexuality are a spectrum.

Note: For more information on "identifying" as one or more genders (as is mentioned often in this section) see the "Gender" section of this binder. The acronym is as follows:

L - Lesbian G - Gay B - Bisexual T - Transgender T - Transsexual Q - Queer Q - Questioning 2S - Two-Spirited I - Intersex A - Asexual A - Ally P - Pansexual

Lesbian: A person who is a lesbian is a female, or identifies as a female, and is attracted, both romantically and sexually, to other females or people who identify as females. This is similar to the term gay, but refers exclusively to women or people who identify as women.

Gay: A person who is gay, is someone who is both romantically and sexually attracted to someone else who identifies as the same gender as them; such as a male attracted to another male or a female attracted to another female. Unlike the term lesbian, gay refers to any gender.

Bisexual: Being bisexual means a person is sexually and romantically attracted to both males and females. People who have a distinct, but not exclusive, sexual preference for one sex over the other may also identify themselves as bisexual.

Transgender: Transgender is the state of one's gender identity (self-identification as woman, man, neither or both) not matching one's assigned sex (identification by others as male, female or intersex based on physical sex). Transgender does not imply a specific sexual orientation, and transgender people may identify as heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, pansexual, or asexual. Some may consider conventional sexual orientation labels inadequate or inapplicable for them. Transsexual: Transsexual describes an individual who identifies with a gender inconsistent or

not culturally associated with their assigned sex, i.e. in which a person's assigned sex at birth conflicts with their psychological gender. Typically, one may identify as transsexual if they have undergone gender reassignment surgery. Note: Currently, the term trans* is frequently used as an umbrella term for people whose gender identity does not fit the gender they were assigned at birth.

Queer: Queer simply refers to someone who identifies as representing a gender and/or sexual minority; such as someone who identifies as a part of the acronym, or someone who finds those labels oppressive or offensive.

Questioning: Someone who may identify, or exhibit characteristics of another label in this section, but isn't certain that the specific label refers to them. Often, people who are questioning their sexuality or gender go through a process of exploration to better understand themselves.

Two-Spirited: This refers to people who are native to North America, and identify as one of the mixed gender roles discussed in this section. In most cultures, these people are said to possess both a masculine, and a feminine spirit, hence having two spirits manifested in one body.

Intersex: Individuals who are intersex are often born with sexually ambiguous bodies. Such as the presence of both male and female genitals, chromosomes or gonads. These make it difficult to classify an individual as either male or female. This term has more recently come to replace the term hermaphrodite (which is now used to refer exclusively to animals).

Asexual: Someone who has no sexual or romantic attraction to other people. Asexuality is distinct from abstention from sexual activity and from celibacy, which are behavioral and generally motivated by factors such as an individual's personal or religious beliefs. Some asexual people do engage in sexual activity despite lacking a desire for sex or sexual attraction, due to a variety of reasons, such as a desire to please romantic partners or a desire to have children.

Ally: Often referred to as a "Straight Ally", this describes someone who supports or accepts the LGBT community, its members and their beliefs. Allies support equal rights, gender equality and social movements, and challenge homophobia and transphobia. They aim to use their position as heterosexual individuals in a society focused on heteronormativity to fight homophobia and transphobia.

Pansexual: This term expresses ones potential to be attracted to any gender identity, expression sex or sexuality. This varies from bisexuality, because it rejects the idea that there are only two genders or gender identities and therefore encompasses a larger population the individual may be sexually or romantically attracted to.

Source: http://itspronouncedmetrosexual.com/2013/01/a-comprehensive-list-of-lgbtq-term- definitions/

Coming Out The term “coming out” means the lifelong process and journey of accepting ourselves as queer, and revealing our sexual orientation and/or gender identity to others. It is likely to happen over your lifetime because of heterosexist assumptions made by some people. (i.e. everyone is straight). Coming out is something that many people are constantly thinking about, especially when it comes to dealing with friends, family, teachers, religious leaders, or others who are important. It is a personal choice to either come out, or not, and there is no right or wrong way to do so. It’s also a personal choice as to when to come out, who to come out to, or even who you choose not to come out to. Reasons To Come Out No More Lies Keeping up all the complicated lies you may have to tell in order to keep your sexuality or gender identity a secret takes a lot of energy and wears away at your self confidence. It can feel like a huge relief once the secret is out.

You Find Real Support for Who You Are You will learn who can accept the real you, not some fictitious person you have had to invent. This will deepen your feelings your friendships. The people who can’t accept you will be replaced by those who do. While the process may be painful, in the end you will feel accepted as yourself, not as a façade.

Possibility of Acceptance Even though families have mixed reactions, many come to a place of acceptance. Once this process starts, many LGBT people say they feel a big sense of relief that they have stopped lying to the people they love. It can also begin to foster a deeper sense of trust with others and with yourself. Your family and friends may or may not be accepting at first. Over time, many will come to accept you as you are. Many LGBT people say they felt relief at simply beginning the process, of dropping the pretence. You can begin to trust yourself and others more, because you are being more honest with yourself and others.

You Begin To Feel Like You Fit In Although most LGBT people feel some degree of being an outsider, when you are comfortable being out, it will help you be more genuine in your relationships. You begin to see that everyone is different, that it’s the differences that make life interesting.

Liberating, But Scary Too Coming out to yourself can be liberating; many of us feel a weight lift off our shoulders every time we come out to others. After we come out, we typically search for those who are also queer and will listen to us, hang out with us, or can help answer questions. There are also big challenges and important things to consider. Some of us don’t have, or can’t find, others to connect with because we live in a smaller community, don’t have access to transportation, or don’t have Internet access. We may experience pressure from our cultural and religious institutions. There may be fear that someone will tell others about our sexual

orientation and/or gender identity (also called being ‘outed’) when we are not ready. There can be additional stressors while coming out such as racism, poverty, homelessness and addiction. The decision to come out to another person is entirely up to you. You should consider whether you might have your personal safety threatened, or lose access to your home before you disclose to others. Dealing with Issues The challenges and issues faced by being queer can lead to increased feelings of depression and isolation, and unhealthy ways to cope with stress. It can possibly lead to excessive drinking, drug use, and smoking. You may even have thoughts about suicide or hurting ourselves, such as self harm through cutting. What’s important to know is that even in the most stressful and painful times, things can and do change for the better. You may not see it at the time, but those who have experienced these feeling have looked back and recognized that those periods of stress were temporary. If you experience any of the above, please talk to a trusted person (such as your guidance counselor) as soon as possible, they will help you see it does get better.

Tips on Coming Out  Take it at your own pace. Don’t let anyone else tell you when you should come out and to whom.  Choose your time. In person is generally best, if it is possible and safe. Sometimes a phone call or letter is better; you are the best judge of your circumstances.  Come out first to one or two people you know you can trust. If needed, they may be able to accompany you when you come out to others, or be available for support when you do.  If possible, you should choose a time when there are few other tensions. Big family events such as weddings, holidays, or reunions should be avoided if possible.  Don’t come out as a way of “getting back” at someone. This is not the time to act impulsively or in anger. It is too important.  Remember that you have known this about yourself for a very long time. Your friends and family are hearing it for the first time, even if they have suspected. They will need time to adjust and accept. Don’t assume that their first reaction (positive or negative) will not change.

Source: Rainbow Resource Centre’s book Shout Out

Massey’s Gay Straight Alliance

Massey’s Gay-Straight Alliance We, the Massey GSA, strive to create a safe space through the promotion of equality and acceptance. Our goal is to eliminate homophobia and gender inequality through education and the expansion of a positive, open-minded environment. - Massey’s GSA, 2012-2013

Massey’s Gay Straight Alliance is a club that gives all students a safe place to meet other people and have fun. The GSA educates students, and supports all members of the LGBT spectrum while working to end homophobia/biphobia/transphobia and other types of bullying. The GSA promotes equality for all human beings and is also a platform for gender inclusivity.

In the past, the GSA has: - Held teacher workshops to raise awareness of the issues facing LGBT teens in the school - Put together bulletin boards to inform the student body - Organized an event to raise money for the AIDS Committee of Windsor - Put on the dramatic production, Waking Up Blue (see below) - Participated in the Day of Silence - Put on two Coffeehouse Events - Created this resource binder

Massey GSA’s Blog The Gay-Straight Alliance has also created a blog through which students can submit photos, news articles, or ask questions. The blog is also updated frequently by the GSA with our own posts and photos for people to browse through. The blog can be accessed here: www.gaystraightnohate.tumblr.com

Waking Up Blue Waking Up Blue was a play put on by Massey’s Gay-Straight Alliance and members of the student body. The play follows James, an initially homophobic teenage boy who takes a journey with his Fairy Godmother to teach him a lesson about tolerance and respect. He sees gay student Adam bullied for who he is, and is forever changed by the outcome. The play was presented at Sears Drama Festival where Massey won 2 awards of excellence; one for the play, and one for the female actor who played the Fairy Godmother. The next few pages contain some pictures from the play:

James speaking with his mother and father. The Fairy Godmother in James’ room.

Above: Adam, the target of homophobic bullying, and his boyfriend, Steven. Right: Adam being bullied in the locker room. Below: The church choir sings a message of love.

James fighting for the right to have a GSA Parent council discusses GSAs. in the school.

James and his Fairy Godmother speaking. Adam and Steven dancing at the Spring Fling.

The bullies speaking at the dance.

Adam is bullied after the dance. James speaks to his mother about the bullying. James finally assists Adam in starting a GSA at the school.

Some of the cast from Waking Up Blue at Sears Fest.

LGBT in the

Media

Ellen DeGeneres Jenna Talackova

Neil Patrick Harris

Top 10 LGBT-Themed Books The Perks of Being a Wallflower – Stephen Chobsky A story told through a collection of anonymous letters, only signed under the alias of ‘Charlie’. Charlie talks about the many trials and tribulations of growing up different than everyone else, and how hard it can be to fit in. This novel deals with issues surrounding homosexuality, first dates, new friends, and what really happens behind closed doors. The Letter Q – Sarah Moon A collection of letters and illustrations from award winning authors and illustrators. All of these are written and drawn for one purpose; to give advice to their past selves about what life is like now, living openly as a lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender person. Through the stories and pictures, these award winners send words of love, messages of understanding, and reasons to hold on for the brighter future ahead, all with bracing honesty.

The Pretty Little Liars Series – Sara Shepard Meet Aria, Emily, Hanna and Spencer, otherwise known as the ‘Pretty Little Liars’. When the leader of the group Alison mysteriously disappears with all of the girls’ secrets, how far will they go in order to make sure they stay a secret? Emily’s secret in particular is one she isn’t proud of; she kissed Alison back in the summer before she went missing, and now she’s kissing someone else. With the mysterious ‘A’ holding all of the secrets above the girls’ heads by a very thin wire, will they confess to them before someone else does? This series deals with many issues, including homosexuality, family drama, and eating disorders.

Struck By Lightning – Chris Colfer Carson was not an ordinary boy. He was destined for greatness. Unfortunately, greatness was still a year away. This is the story of Carson Phillips; a senior in high school surrounded by people who hate him, and who he hates just as much. When Carson has to create a literary magazine to add to his application for university, there is only one way to get submissions from others; blackmail. This novel talks about homosexuality, depression, and many other issues surrounding teenagers.

Will Grayson, Will Grayson – John Green and David Levithan One cold night in Chicago, two teens- both named Will Grayson, cross paths with each other. As their worlds collide and intertwine, the Will Graysons find their lives going in new and unexpected directions, building toward romantic turns-of-heart and the epic production of history’s most fabulous high school musical. This book covers subjects including the LGBT community.

Annie on My Mind – Nancy Garden A groundbreaking novel that tells the story of two teenage girls whose friendship blossoms into love and who, despite pressures from family and school that threatens their relationship, promise to be true to each other and their feelings.

Keeping You a Secret – Julie Anne Peters With a steady boyfriend, the position of Student Council president and a chance to go to an Ivy League college, high school life is just fine for Holland Jaeger. At least it seems to be. When Cece Goddard comes to town, everything changes. Cece and Holland have undeniable feelings for each other, but how will others react to their developing relationship?

Boy Meets Boy – David Levithan Openly gay sophomore Paul lives in a gay-friendly town where homosexuality, bisexuality and transgenderism are accepted. The story follows the lives of Paul and his friends for a few weeks. As the title suggests, the story follows the plot line usually referred to as ‘boy meets girls, boy loses girl, boy gets girl’, but in this case the main characters are both boys.

Kissing Kate – Lauren Myracle Kate was Lissa’s best friend. They shared everything for the past four years. Then one night at a drunken party, Kate kissed Lissa, and Lissa kissed Kate back. And now Kate is pretending that Lissa doesn’t exist. Confused and alone, Lissa is left questioning everything she thought she knew about herself, and about life.

The Miseducation of Cameron Post – Emily M. Danforth When Cameron Post’s parents suddenly die in a car crash, her first thought is relief; relief that they’ll never know that hours earlier, she had been kissing a girl. That relief doesn't last, and Cam is soon forced to move in with her conservative Aunt Ruth and her well-intentioned but hopelessly old-fashioned grandmother. She knows that from this point on, her life will be different. Survival in Miles City, Montana, means blending in and leaving well enough alone, and Cam becomes an expert at both. Then Coley Taylor moves to town. Beautiful, pickup- driving Coley is a perfect cowgirl with the perfect boyfriend to match. She and Cam forge an unexpected and intense friendship--one that seems to leave room for something more to emerge. But just as that starts to seem like a real possibility, very religious Aunt Ruth takes drastic actions to ‘fix’ her niece, bringing Cameron face to face with the cost of denying her true self.

Source: www.goodreads.com for summaries.

Top 10 LGBT-Themed Movies Rent (2005) The film version of the Tony Award winning Broadway musical about a group of Bohemians living in the East Village of New York City. The friends struggle to come to terms with love, loss, AIDS, the struggle of life, and the impact that these things have on America.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012) The film version of Stephen Chobsky’s award winning novel under the same title. This is a story told through a collection of letters narrated by alias of ‘Charlie’. Charlie talks about the trials and tribulations of growing up different than everyone else, and how hard it can be to fit in. This film covers issues like homosexuality, first dates, new friends, and what really happens behind closed doors.

Tomboy (2011) When ten year old Laure’s family moves into a new neighbourhood just outside of Paris, she introduces herself as Mikhael (a boy). It is heavily implied that Mikhael is a closeted transgender boy. The film follows his experiences with his friends, newfound love interest, and his family. This film focuses on the significance of being young and transgendered and the significance of gender roles and identities at young ages.

Breakfast with Scot (2007) Unknown to everyone but his assistant, ex-Toronto Maple Leaf Eric McNally is dating sports lawyer Sam. Their life is turned upside down when they temporarily get custody of a little boy named Scot. Scot is a very flamboyant little boy that likes to wear makeup, feather boas, and just generally doesn’t fit in with the other kids in his class. The men try to make Scot a bit more manly, but without much success.

Struck By Lightning (2012) The film version of Chris Colfer’s New York Times Bestselling novel. The film tells the story of Carson Phillips, a senior in high school surrounded by people who hate him, and who he hates just as much. When Carson has to create a literary magazine to add to his application for university, there is only one way to get submissions; blackmail. The film covers issues such as homosexuality, depression and other issues that teenagers face.

To Wong Fu Thanks for Everything, Julie Newar (1995) After meeting each other at a drag queen pageant in New York City, three drag queens decide to sell their plane tickets and travel cross country until their car breaks down, leaving the three stranded in a small town.

Girl Inside (2007) A film following the transformation of 26 year old Madison from male to female. The film follows the woman for three years, showing the funny, heart-warming, and sometimes painful transition. This film raises issues about the nature of gender, femininity and sexuality.

Imagine Me & You (2005) Rachel and Heck, long time friends and lovers, finally tie the knot. During the celebration, Rachel starts a friendship with their florist Luce. Originally trying to set Luce up with her husband’s friend, Rachel discovers that Luce is a lesbian. As Luce and Rachel’s friendship progresses, Rachel begins to question her own sexuality. Now she is forced to decide who she really wants to spend her life with; Heck, her husband who is adored by her family, or Luce, who has turned her life and everything she thought she knew about love upside down.

Gray Matters (2006) Gray and Sam are best friends, and they also happen to be sister and brother. One day they decide to head to the local dog park so Sam can possibly meet a woman. He does, a zoologist named Charlie, and immediately falls head over heels for her. But what will happen when Gray realizes that her feelings towards Charlie are more than just sisterly?

I Can’t Think Straight (2008) In the upper echelons of traditional Middle Eastern society, Reema and Omar prepare for the marriage of their daughter Tala. But back in London where Tala works, she is beginning to fall in love with her best friend’s girlfriend, Leyla. As Tala’s wedding to a man approaches, what will she do about her feelings for Leyla? YouTube List Here are some LGBT YouTubers for you to enjoy and watch. Their videos cover everything from everyday life to music videos. Enjoy!

Audacity Topic: Transgender (female to male) journey Overview: A channel about transitioning through the changes that take place when going through hormones and surgery. Also has videos dedicated to clearing the air of the stigma in regards to transgender individuals. URL: http://www.youtube.com/user/sillyyetsuccinct

DrunkenLullaby52 (Kaden) Topic: Transgender (female to male) journey Overview: Vlogs by Kaden on transitioning from female to male. In his words: "Yeah I'm trans...but there's WAY more to me than just that." URL: http://www.youtube.com/user/drunkenlullaby52

Gays of the Week Topic: Gay collaboration Overview: A collaboration channel with five guys (Simon, Nick, Krishna, Nikko, and Chrissy) where they take turns answering and asking questions. Usually there are different themed weeks. URL: http://www.youtube.com/user/gaysoftheweek

Girlfriends Topic: Lesbian everyday life Overview: Semi-daily videos from Arielle and Stevie, a young lesbian couple, about everyday life together.

URL: http://www.youtube.com/girlfriends

Lesbian Central Topic: Lesbian collaboration Overview: A collaboration channel with seven girls (Haley, Lauren, Kai, Cassandra, Maddie, Kelly, and Devin) where they take turns asking and answering questions on different topics. URL: http://www.youtube.com/lesbiancentral

Life in Transition (thegreatwhaley) Topic: Transgender (female to male) journey Overview: Vlogs from DJ on his journey through, in his words, "this thing called life." A channel dedicated to the path to transitioning into a new, more comfortable, body. URL: http://www.youtube.com/user/thegreatwhaley

Mikey the Platypus Topic: Gay weekly videos Overview: In Mikey's words, "I make videos to make you smile, every Saturday." He covers topics from sex-ed to relationship advice and everything in between. URL: http://www.youtube.com/user/MikeyThePlatypus

Miles Jai Productions Topic: Improv sketches, beauty tutorials, and vlogs Overview: A fun channel run by Miles Jai (former Gays of the Week member) including funny comedy sketches, beauty tutorials, and vlogs. URL: http://www.youtube.com/user/MilesJaiProductions

Ro Walker Mills Topic: Transgender (female to male) journey Overview: In his words, "One transgender story that covers a multitude of issues while transitioning from FTM. Slam Poet/Spoken Word Artist, Boyscout from the Prairies, searching for life adventures, providing you with just another perspective on life..." URL: http://www.youtube.com/user/RoStud11

russmarine2014 Topic: Being gay in the military Overview: Vlogs from "your favourite gay marine" about life in the military for gay males. URL: http://www.youtube.com/user/russmarine2014

Ryan James Yezak Topic: Vlogs, sketches, documentaries, collabs Overview: Creator of Gays of the Week, Ryan is a LGBT rights activist, producer, director, and editor, interested in making documentaries and entertaining. URL: http://www.youtube.com/user/RyanJamesYezak

Shep689 Topic: Gay everyday life Overview: Daily vlogs about, in their words, "a gay couple interested in demonstrating just how normal gay life can be." URL: http://www.youtube.com/user/shep689

Tyler Oakley Topic: Semi-daily vlogs Overview: Funny semi-daily vlogs by Tyler Oakley about everything random. He is also a big supporter of The Trevor Project which is a leading organization for crisis and suicide prevention. URL: http://www.youtube.com/user/tyleroakley

Celebrity Profiles Wanda Sykes Wanda Sykes is best known for her stand-up comedy routines and appearances in television shows and movies. Sykes was originally married to record producer Dave Hall, but separated from him in 1998. In 2008, Wanda came out publically, announcing that she was indeed a lesbian and was married to her wife Alex Sykes. Sykes is a big advocate for equal rights for the LGBT community, taking part in many campaigns, including the ‘Don’t Say Gay; Think Before You Speak’ campaign and Cyndi Lauper’s ‘We Give A Damn’ campaign. Sykes was also a big supporter of the termination of proposition 8; a bill passed in California that forbids same sex couples to legally marry. In this year’s past election, Wanda appeared in a video in support of Barack Obama. The video featured many LGBT celebrities, urging the public to vote the president back in to office, as he has publically said he supports equal rights. Sykes has stated that she waited so long to come out because she didn’t feel like she had to, she was just living her life.

Anna Paquin Anna Paquin is a film, television and theatre actress. On 1 April 2010, Paquin came out as bisexual in a public service announcement for the Give a Damn campaign as part of the True Colors Fund, an advocacy group dedicated to LGBT equality. In May 2012, in an Us Weekly interview Paquin shot down the popular notion that bisexuality is a choice.

Portia De Rossi Portia De Rossi is best known for her roles in the television dramas Ally McBeal and Arrested Development. Originally married to documentary film-maker Mel Metcalfe in 1996, the couple split up in 1999. Portia has stated that marrying him was “obviously not right for me”. De Rossi grew up in Australia, where she was a model from the age of 12. She stated in an interview in 2010 that when she was younger, she was fearful of being exposed as a lesbian, as she didn’t know what it would do to her career. Portia began dating her wife Ellen DeGeneres in 2004. In 2005, Portia spoke publically of the rumours surrounding her sexuality, confirming that they were true. DeGeneres and De Rossi married in August of 2008, during the time in which same sex marriage was legal in California. Portia is a strong advocate for gay rights and anti-bullying.

Chaz Salvatore Bono Chaz Salvatore Bono is an American transgender advocate, writer, and musician. He is a transgendered man. In 1995, after several years of being outed as lesbian by the tabloid press, Bono publicly self-identified as such in a cover story in a leading American gay monthly magazine, The Advocate, eventually going on to discuss the process of coming out to oneself and to others in two books. Between 2008 and 2010, Bono underwent female-to-male gender transition. In May 2010, he legally changed his gender and name.

Neil Patrick Harris Neil Patrick Harris is an American actor, singer, director, producer and magician. Harris is openly gay, confirming this in November 2006. Harris attended the Emmy awards in September 2007 with his partner David Burtka and later confirmed the relationship, which he said began in 2004, in an interview on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. Following the passage of the Marriage Equality Act in New York on June 24, 2011, Harris and Burtka announced their engagement via Twitter, stating that they had proposed to each other five years earlier but kept the engagement secret until same-sex marriage became legal.

Current Events Transgender rights bill approved in Commons, with help from 18 Tories

OTTAWA -- A bill that would make it illegal to discriminate against transgender Canadians was approved by the House of Commons on Wednesday. The Opposition private member's legislation passed by a vote of 149-137, with the crucial support of 18 Conservatives, including four cabinet ministers. It was one of the first tests of the Conservative caucus' resolve on lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender (LGBT) rights in Canada at a time when Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird has been mounting a strong defence of such rights abroad. Baird, Finance

Minister Jim Flaherty, Labour Minister Lisa Raitt and Heritage Minister James Moore were among the Conservatives who supported the bill. Prime Minister Stephen Harper, most of his front bench and the vast majority of his backbenchers opposed it.

Opposition parties were united in their support for the bill, sponsored by New Democrat Randall Garrison. MPs are generally free to vote as they see fit on private members' bills.

"Today, New Democrats are proud to have contributed to ensuring equal protection under the law from discrimination and hatred based on gender identity," Garrison said in a statement after the vote.

"Transgender and transsexual citizens are among the most marginalized and are too often victims of harassment and acts of violence."

The bill had triggered vigorous, sometimes emotional debate in the Commons. After passing at second reading -- with the support of 15 Tories and another nine abstaining -- the bill's momentum seemed to falter as some Conservatives began to express reservations about its impact and effectiveness. There were complaints that the language in the bill was confusing and vague, including the term "gender expression" and "gender identity."

Garrison tried to strike a compromise by removing the term "gender expression." Conservative MP Michelle Rempel teared up in the Commons earlier this month as she spoke about the discrimination that transgender Canadians face, even as she questioned the bill's effectiveness.

"Both sides of this debate should agree that equality and protection against harm are two fundamental values that all Canadians of any gender, any age, any background are entitled to," Rempel said.

"However, as legislators we are also tasked with deciding if the proposed legislation is sound. Given the lack of clarity that I found in the bill, I do have concern about its viability."

Other Conservative MPs opposed the bill on other grounds, such as the argument that pedophiles would be protected when they lurked in public bathrooms. Shortly before Wednesday's vote, Calgary MP Rob Anders tabled a petition "on behalf of thousands" of Canadians opposed to what he called "the bathroom bill."

"These constituents feel that it is the duty of the House of Commons to protect and safeguard our children from any exposure and harm that would come from giving a man access to women's public washroom facilities," Anders said.

The Canadian Human Rights Tribunal had supported adding transgender identity to federal anti- discrimination and anti-hate legislation, saying it would promote acceptance and send a message about tolerance. While some MPs argued that the transgendered were already protected on the basis of sex and disability, the tribunal said it would be better to have explicit protection so that the question is not perpetually challenged.

Canada kick starts funding for gay rights initiatives in Uganda

OTTAWA, Ontario, Canada — A Canadian foreign affairs official acknowledged Friday that there are ongoing efforts to fund grassroots Ugandan LGBTQ advocacy organizations who are battling efforts by the Ugandan Parliament to pass that country’s proposed anti-homosexuality bill.

Speaking on the condition of anonymity, an official with the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade told LGBTQ Nation that the ministry has spent approximately $200,000 since November to counter the legislation — commonly referred to as the “Kill the Gays Bill.”

Earlier this week, a report in Canada’s National Post indicated that financing agreements between local organizations and the Department of Foreign Affairs were signed in January, and carried out in late February, with most ongoing until the end of March. The money was divided between Uganda, neighboring Kenya — where Canada’s high commissioner for Uganda is based — and on region-wide projects. Rick Roth, a spokesperson for Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird, said that Canadian officials have expressed concerns with the bill to Uganda’s Foreign Ministry, and confirmed that Canada is “working closely with Ugandan civil society.”

One project based in Kenya was created to prepare for emergency scenarios – such as the passage of the bill – where LGBTQ people would need protection or assistance fleeing the country. Another project focuses on training activists to raise public awareness of LGBT rights.

The anti-homosexuality bill, first introduced in 2009 by MP David Bahati, includes a clause which calls for the death penalty against people found guilty of “aggravated homosexuality” — defined as when one of the participants is a minor, HIV-positive, disabled or a “serial offender.” It also imposes harsher jail terms for homosexual acts, including a life sentence in certain circumstances.

The bill has languished in Uganda’s Parliament, moving up and down the list of legislative order but has yet to come before the legislature for a vote.

Gay-themed TV ads come out of closet

NEW YORK -- A new TV commercial features a good-looking young woman on a beach vacation lounging next to a good-looking young man. He bemoans the glare on his iPad and she fills him in on the Kindle Paperwhite's sun-friendly screen.

He clicks to buy one himself and suggests they celebrate with a drink.

"My husband's bringing me a drink right now," chirps she.

"So is mine," smiles he as they turn and wave at their male loved ones sitting together at a tiki bar.

Welcome to the latest in gay imagery in mainstream advertising, where LGBT people have been waiting for a larger helping of fairness, or at least something other than punchlines and cliches.

While there are still plenty of those, something has happened in advertising over the last two or three years, nearly two decades after Ikea broke ground in the U.S. with a TV spot featuring a gay couple shopping for a dining room table -- a spot that ran only once in New York and Washington, D.C., and was pulled after bomb threats to Ikea stores.

Today, gay and lesbian parents and their kids are featured -- along with pitchwoman Ellen DeGeneres -- in J.C. Penney ads. Same-sex couples have their own, advertised wedding registries at Macy's and elsewhere and President Barack Obama offered his seal of approval by evolving into a supporter of gay marriage.

Two happy young men sit together eating at a dining table, with wine and romantic candlelight, in a section of a Crate & Barrel catalog marked "Us & Always." And we made it through a Super Bowl without any gay jokes at commercial breaks -- like the Snickers ad of several years ago featuring two men freaking out after kissing by accident while eating one of the candy bars.

Traditionally lagging behind TV and film content in terms of LGBT inclusion, advertisers in this country are facing considerably less trouble than they used to when taking on gay themes, observers said. Penney's rebuffed critics and launched a lesbian-focused catalog ad for Mother's Day that the company followed with a two-dads family -- a real family -- for Father's Day.

DeGeneres, who married Portia de Rossi in 2008, continues as a CoverGirl in magazines.

Though Crate & Barrel declined comment for this story and Amazon didn't respond to email requests for the same about the Kindle ad, LGBT-focused marketers and monitors think the Mad Men and Women of today's Madison Avenue and the companies that employ them might finally be getting it. Now, they hope, a greater degree of diversity in skin tone and ethnicity will follow.

"They're no longer just targeting gay and lesbian people. They're targeting people like my mom, who want to know that a company embraces and accepts their gay and lesbian family members, friends and neighbors," said Rich Ferraro, a spokesman for the media watchdog group the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD).

Others, too, are celebrating the newfound bump in ad visibility, a mirror of cultural gains overall. It's a boost that comes as the U.S. Supreme Court takes up oral arguments later this month in key challenges that could lead to further recognition of same-sex marriage and spousal benefits.

Bob Witeck, who consults for Fortune 100 companies on LGBT marketing and communications strategies, put the buying power of U.S. lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender adults at $790 billion last year. He estimated, roughly, the U.S. LGBT adult population at 16 million, though others say their ranks could be as many as 25 million.

There's no demographic evidence or social science that points to the LGBT segment as notably higher earning or wealthier than anybody else, though they're often louder in protesting offensive ad messaging and loyal to brands and companies that support them.

"Things have changed significantly in terms of risk and reward," Witeck said. "Businesses don't view this as a risk model any longer."

Particularly, he said, when it comes to portraying marriage.

"Marriage, at one time, was the third rail," Witeck said. "That terrified companies. Most of this happened when the president said he supported marriage equality."

A consumer lust for "truth-telling" isn't lost on major advertisers, including those that once restricted themselves to trotting out gay-friendly fodder as one-offs when Pride Month and its multicolored flag flies freely each June. One recent pride standout in advertising, restricted to digital markets, is an Oreo cookie with a mountain of multicolored filling. The company fielded queries from consumers who thought it was available for purchase in stores. It wasn't.

American Airlines, in 2010, ran outdoor advertising at bus stops and subway stations in New York showing two men on a beach with the slogan: "Here's to his and his beach towels.Proud to support the community that supports us."

Generally, Witeck said, putting a human face on gay couples and families in advertising is where much of the effort lands today.

"For the gay consumer and their families and friends, and lots and lots and lots of Americans, they expect to see those couples appear everywhere, but they don't want them trotted out with a pride flag," Witeck said. "Amazon didn't ballyhoo the message. They just landed it."

Mark Elderkin, CEO of the Gay Ad Network, which focuses on the LGBT niche market, said mainstream gay messaging has "passed the tipping point, where there's more to gain than there is to lose" for advertisers.

While there are groups of "vocal antagonists," he said more advertisers bolstered by broader media exposure for gay characters and storylines in non-ad content -- "The New Normal," "Modern Family," "The Ellen DeGeneres Show," CNN's out-of-the-closet anchor Anderson Cooper -- have explored non-traditional families and included LGBT imagery in "normal" settings.

"It seems to be moving quickly forward. It's companies that want to be more on the leading edge, more for the next generation of this country," Elderkin said. "It's not your parents' brand anymore. It's your brand and your kids' brand.

Recap: Find Out How Things Turn Out for David and Bryan on The New Normal's Boys Scouts' Ban Episode

Last night's episode of NBC's GLAAD Media Award-nominated comedy The New Normal saw former Eagle Scout David (Justin Bartha) and his fiancée Bryan (Andrew Rannells) taking on the Boy Scouts of America's ban on gay scouts and scout leaders.

In the episode "About a Boy Scout," David volunteered to help out his friend by chaperoning a Scouts overnight camping trip, despite Bryan's concerns over the BSA's anti-gay ban. Shortly after introducing Bryan to the troop and the three adult Scout Masters, who all seemed to love David and respect his skills, David received a letter from the national board stating that his membership had been revoked for "homosexual conduct." When he announces that he must leave the troop he tells the upset children, "When the Scouts can live up to the values they taught me, I'm happy to be of service. […] I do [love the Scouts], but they don't respect the way that I love."

He goes on to say that "change is coming" to the Boy Scouts and there is no doubt "the world is changing."

Later in the episode, Scout Master Patrick, who was part of the overnight trip, comes to tell David his son has quit the Boy Scouts because he does not want to be part of an organization that discriminates. Patrick then confesses to being the person who reported David and Bryan to the National Board and goes on to tell David he's the perfect role model and his son looks up to him.

The episode ends with a note of hope from David to the Boy Scouts of America. "No one can deny the world is changing and in some ways the Scouts have changed with it," he says. "So, I'm going to honor the oath I took and use all the values I learned: honesty, perseverance, bravery and courage to fight for change, so maybe one day I can help my son earn his own badges. Like the Scouts taught me, be prepared. Because change is coming."

Recently, recording artists Carly Rae Jepsen and Train were announced as headliners at the Boy Scouts of America's 2013 National Scout Jamboree. Hours after GLAAD joined former Eagle Scout Derek Nance's Change.org petition, which amassed over 70,000 signatures calling on the singers to denounce the ban, Train issued a statement saying they would perform at the show only if the BSA end their gay ban. Jepsen followed with the announcement that she was dropping out of the performance altogether and noted that she "will continue to support the LGBT community on a global level."

On March 4, as part of GLAAD's campaign for the BSA to adopt a national non-discrimination policy, GLAAD and Eagle Scout Will Oliver delivered over 120,000 Change.org petition signatures to National Geographic Channel headquarters, calling on the network to add a disclaimer to its new series, Are You Tougher than a Boy Scout, denouncing the Boy Scouts' ban on gay scouts and scout leaders. The new series, produced in partnership with the Boy Scouts of America, debuted later that night.

Following the petition delivery, GLAAD met with National Geographic Channel representatives, who agreed to publish a blog post by Eagle Scout Will Oliver, which spoke about the harms of the Scouts' discriminatory policy. GLAAD first started calling on the Boy Scouts of America to end its ban on gay scouts and scout leaders in April 2012 after Jennifer Tyrrell, a mom and den leader from Ohio was removed from her 7-year-old’s Cub Scout Pack for being gay. Tyrrell’s Change.org petition has attracted more than 342,000 signatures in support of ending the Boy Scouts’ ban on gay Scouts and leaders. GLAAD and Scouts for Equality have also called attention to other Americans who are continuing to be harmed by the anti-gay policy, including 18 year-old gay Scout Ryan Andresen, who was denied his Eagle award in October 2012 because he’s gay. Ryan’s mom later launched a Change.org petition calling on the BSA to give Ryan the award he has earned. That petition now boasts over 474,000 signatures.

Gay web dramas flourish as TV networks cling to the status quo The success of a small batch of shows is proving yet again that mainstream networks no longer hold all the power over viewers.

A screenshot from an upcoming episode of the gay web TV series The Outs. Photograph: The Outs

Netflix's high-cost, highly watched House of Cards blazed a new trail for mass-market, internet- based television, but Kevin Spacey's political blockbuster could have come from any of the traditional US networks. Not so far away on the web, a clutch of series aimed at the gay community – filmed for a sliver of the $100m House of Cards budget yet still attracting a respectable audience – are showing up the reluctance of mainstream broadcasters in the US to stray far from the middle of the road.

Where the Bears Are focuses on a group of husky, hairy sleuths living in Palm Springs; Husbands revolves around a newly out sports jock and a fey tabloid star who marry on a whim; Hunting Season is a sexually frank show about a 20-something gay man exploring the sexscape of New York; and The Outs is about two ex-boyfriends coming to terms with post-breakup life in Brooklyn.

On first glance, these gay-themed internet shows don't look so different from their network television counterparts. And of these are experiences not so far removed from those depicted in a more heterosexual context on network TV. Where the Bears Are even compares itself to two iconic television programs – Murder, She Wrote and Golden Girls – and the creators of Husbands liken their project to I Love Lucy. But in all of them, the differences are clear: the dialogue is more honest, the woes more authentic.

The first season of Husbands consisted of 11 mini-episodes running at about two minutes each. Writer Brad Bell, a former producer for VH1's Pop-Up Video, who also plays the more feminine of the titular spouses, finished the first script in April 2011. Eepsenson, Bell and the rest of the

cast, including second husband Sean Hemeon, were shooting by August, the season debuted in September and the entire series had aired by 18 October of that year. It was a hit from the start and even inspired the New Yorker's first review of an online television show.

"On a nothing budget, Espenson and her teensy cast score laughs," wrote Emily Nussbaum. "The sad truth is that, so far, most web series are worth watching only in theory. Husbands is one notch better." It was a start.

With fans clamoring for another season and still cash-strapped from the first, self-funded go- round, Espenson and Bell turned to the crowd-funding site Kickstarter, and on 19 March 2012, they put out a request for $50,000 worth of individual donations. By 18 April, they had $60,000 from 956 people and have so far used that to produce three eight-minute episodes featuring guest stars such as Joss Whedon, Mekhi Phifer and Jon Cryer, the Emmy-winning star of one of network television's most popular shows, Two and a Half Men. And they have a surprisingly diverse audience.

"We thought our audience would be mostly women, but it's actually almost 50/50 men and women and spread almost evenly across the age demographics," says Husbands producer Jane Espenson. "It's an extremely broadcast-network type demographic." That's an important modifier – broadcast-network type – because for years web-based shows were treated like the entertainment industry's unwanted stepchild. And LGBT series were perhaps the most wretched, either openly mocked or ignored, even by the communities they hoped to represent. Husbands, whose first episode has been viewed on YouTube, just one of the many platforms where it aired, more than 120,000 times.

Husbands took off not only because Espenson's connections and contacts from her work on Ellen DeGeneres' sitcom, the gay-friendly Buffy, The Vampire Slayer or the equally inclusive Torchwood. Nor was it just Husbands' primetime-ready production value, though that definitely helped. Mostly it was the crisp, honest discussion of gay lives, loves and pressures, all set against a familiar sitcom background.

"Husbands really sort of represents I think what the internet can be for creators that are hungry to see stories told that just aren't being given to them by major network television or even film in some cases," says Matt Kane, associate director of entertainment media at GLAAD, the gay media watchdog group. "This is what LGBT and other minority communities have done for decades – not seeing itself thoughtfully served in media and wanting to take matters into their own hands. Back in the 90s, that meant raising a couple thousand dollars, putting together a camera crew and producing an independent film." Today, all you need is a phone, an internet connection and the support of a few strangers.

"Creators can directly reach an audience who in many cases is hungry to see their stories told in a much more immediate way," Kane says. "And that also invites them to feel participatory in the process by giving a $15 donation on Kickstarter."

Adam Goldman used Husbands as a model when producing The Outs. Like that of his predecessors, his gamble paid off. After posting one self-produced episode online, Goldman

turned The Outs over to Kickstarter, and between 18 June and 2 July 2012, made more than $22,000 from 503 people, giving him and collaborator Sasha Winters enough money to finish the planned six-episode season, as well as bankroll an additional seventh, set to premiere next month. The show has been written up in a slew of publications, including New York magazine and Time Out New York. The Brooklyn Museum recently hosted a special screening celebrating The Outs and its real-life fans.

Though Goldman never set out to change the media narrative or make a gay political statement, he's aware that he's tapped into something meaningful. "The internet provides a really incredible opportunity for representational content about minorities," he says. "Production has become a process where you say, 'If this represents you, you can make it happen.' The viewer owns part of it psychologically." Studio executives no longer decide how gay people should be represented – it's the creators and the fans making the decisions.

Ultimately, trying to get the US networks to cast a wider net may not only be an uphill battle, but a pointless one. House of Cards showed that web series can get massive amounts of press, and Husbands and The Outs show that web series can be cheaply made and reach beyond target audiences. Both developments that prove again that networks no longer hold all the power when it comes to attracting viewers. And with Netflix, Hulu and "super syndication" deals that allowed Husbands to air on YouTube and the streaming services Blip and Roku, traditional network divides and distribution models will continue to melt away.

Espenson, the television veteran, thinks that moment has already come. "We consider Husbands television. It's just television that arrives in a different box." Maybe that's why none of the creators seem too concerned about striking deals with television networks. Espenson and Bell are focused on the Husbands comic book being published by Dark Horse press; Jon Marcus and Adam Baran from Hunting Season are debating what to do for a potential second season (the Viacom-backed gay network Logo ran season one on its website); Adam Goldman's finishing The Outs' seventh episode and says he's looking for a new direction – and the second season of Where the Bears Are, paid for, novelly, with DVD sales of the first season, will premiere around this summer's gay pride season.

As for well-rounded gays on traditional television, Goldman predicts it will happen. I have a strong impression that over the next few years it's going to become a thing, like Girls, and Two Broke Girls; people are just going to catch on."

Sources: http://www.guardian.co.uk/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2013/mar/05/gay-web-dramas- television-networks http://www.glaad.org/blog/recap-find-out-how-things-turn-out-david-and-bryan-new-normals- boys-scouts-ban-episode http://m.heraldnet.com/heraldnet/pm_111231/contentdetail.hmt?contentguid=BwCAvvDd http://sdgln.com/news/2013/03/09/canada-kick-starts-funding-gay-rights-initiatives-uganda http://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/transgender-rights-bill-approved-in-commons-with-help-from- 18-tories-1.1204423

Gender

Gender In a world full of labels sometimes there is the feeling that we should rush to label ourselves. But that can be difficult when it comes to gender. It might be a bit of a relief to know that gender is, for the most part, culturally constructed, and is relevant to the times. As a society, we tend to force people into gender stereotypes based off of what sex they were born as. For example, it is considered normal to see a male mechanic, but a female one is still rare. These gender roles are just one of the problems when it comes to gender and gender identity. Gender is determined by many different factors. It is not solely determined by what reproductive organs a person was born with, but a mixture of behaviour, beliefs, and characteristics. Each person has a sex, a gender, and a gender identity. Their sex is based off of what reproductive organs they were born with. Their gender is the culturally constructed stereotype given to them by society, composed of their expectations on how a person should act based on their sex. Lastly, each person has their own gender identity. This is how they view themselves and express their gender. It may or may not match the expectations and stereotypes that society has associated with their gender. When a person identifies themselves as the same gender as the sex they were born as they are called cisgender. A person who does not identify with either the male or the female sex is considered agender. A person with ambiguous biological sex characteristics, who may chose to change their sexual identity throughout life, is called intersex. When a person identifies themself as a different gender than the sex they were born as, they are usually considered transgender. Transgender is an umbrella term that covers a broad spectrum of people whose gender identity differs from their sex. People who are transgender sometimes express themselves through different things such as wearing clothes of their desired/actual sex, changing mannerisms, behaviour, etc. Gender identity, expression, and sexual orientation are unique to every transgender person. Many trans* people change their physical gender by taking hormones or undergoing gender reassignment surgery. There is nothing wrong in finding out that your gender does not match the sex you were born as. It also does not matter what your sexual orientation is. Remember, there is no stereotype that you have to fit under, every person's gender identity and sexual orientation is unique. Someone who identifies as genderqueer feels that they are not exclusively male, nor exclusively female. It is a term that may be used to describe those with a non-normative gender, either as an umbrella term or a stand-alone identity. As shown, there is a lot more to gender than cut and dry male and female. Many different elements go into a person's gender and their gender identity. It might seem confusing at times, but there is one thing that should be clear. Deciding your gender identity should be your own choice. The gender you associate yourself with should be the one that makes you feel the most comfortable.

Sources : http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/917990-overview http://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-topics/sexual-orientation-gender/gender-gender-identity- 26530.htm http://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-topics/sexual-orientation-gender/trans-identities-39847.htm

Gender Definitions Below are the explanations/definitions that correspond to common terms you will hear in regards to gender.

Androgyny: (1) A gender expression that has elements of both masculinity and femininity; (2) Occasionally used in place of “intersex” to describe a person with both female and male anatomy.

Bigender: A person who fluctuates between traditionally “woman” and “man” gender-based behavior and identities, identifying with both genders (and sometimes a third gender).

Binary Gender: A traditional and outdated view of gender, limiting possibilities to “man” and “woman”.

Binary Sex: A traditional and outdated view of sex, limiting possibilities to “female” or “male”.

Biological sex: The physical anatomy and gendered hormones one is born with, generally described as male, female, or intersex, and often confused with gender.

Cisgender: A description for a person whose gender identity, gender expression, and biological sex all align (e.g., man, masculine, and male).

Cis-man: A person who identifies as a man, presents himself masculinely, and has male biological sex, often referred to as simply “man”.

Cis-woman: A person who identifies as a woman, presents herself femininely, and has female biological sex, often referred to as simply “woman”.

Cross-dressing: Wearing clothing that conflicts with the traditional gender expression of your sex and gender identity (e.g., a man wearing a dress) for any one of many reasons; often confused with transsexuality.

Female: A person with a specific set of sexual anatomy (e.g. XX phenotype, vagina, ovaries, uterus, breasts, higher levels of estrogen, fine body hair) pursuant to this label.

FTM/MTF: A person who has undergone medical treatments to change their biological sex (Female To Male, or Male To Female), often times to align it with their gender identity; often confused with “trans-man”/”trans-woman”.

Gender Expression: The external display of gender, through a combination of dress, demeanor, social behavior, and other factors, generally measured on a scale of masculinity and femininity.

Gender Identity: An individual’s internal perception of their gender, and how they label themselves.

Genderless: A person who does not identify with any gender.

Genderqueer: (1) A blanket term used to describe people whose gender falls outside of the gender binary; (2) A person who identifies as both a man and a woman, or as neither a man nor a woman; often used in exchange with “transgender”.

Hermaphrodite: An outdated medical term used to describe someone who is intersex; not used today as it is considered to be medically stigmatizing, and also misleading as it means a person who is 100% male and female, a biological impossibility for humans

Intersex: A person with a set of sexual anatomy that doesn’t fit within the labels of female or male (e.g. XXY phenotype, uterus, and penis).

Male: A person with a specific set of sexual anatomy (e.g. XY phenotype, penis, testis, higher levels of testosterone, coarse body hair, facial hair) pursuant to this label.

Third Gender: (1) A person who does not identify with the traditional genders of “man” or “woman,” but identifies with another gender; (2) The gender category available in societies that recognize three or more genders.

Transgender: A blanket term used to describe all people who are not cisgender.

Transitioning: A term used to describe the process of moving from one sex/gender to another, sometimes this is done by hormone or surgical treatments.

Transsexual: A person whose gender identity is the binary opposite of their biological sex, who may undergo medical treatments to change their biological sex, often times to align it with their gender identity, or they may live their lives as the opposite sex.

Transvestite: A person who dresses as the binary opposite gender expression (“cross- dresses”) for any one of many reasons.

Trans-man: A person who was assigned a female sex at birth, but identifies as a man.

Trans-woman: A person who was assigned a male sex at birth, but identifies as a woman.

Source: http://itspronouncedmetrosexual.com/2013/01/a-comprehensive-list-of-lgbtq-term- definitions/

The Genderbread Person Most people are not on either the left half or the right half of the continuums in the genderbread person illustration (see adjacent page). In fact, many people zig zag through the list, demonstrating the spectrum that is gender. Gender identity, gender expression, biological sex, and sexual orientation are independent of one another. Gender Identity: Who You Think You Are

On the left we have “woman” and on the right we have “man,” two terms you are likely already familiar with. In the middle, we have the term “genderqueer,” which, you guessed it, is used for an identity that is somewhere between woman and man. It’s important to note that many people consider their identity to fall outside of the traditional (and limited) woman to man spectrum. These identities can be called genderqueer, agender, third-gender, bigender, and more.

Gender identity is all about how you, in your head, think about yourself. It’s about how you internally interpret the chemistry that composes you (e.g., hormone levels). As you know it, do you think you fit better into the societal role of “woman,” or “man,” or do neither ring particularly true for you? That is, are you somewhere in-between the two? Or do you consider your gender to fall outside of the spectrum completely? The answer is your gender identity. It has been accepted that we form our gender identities around the age of three, and after that age it is incredibly difficult to change them. Formation of identity is affected by hormones and environment just as much as it is by biological sex. Oftentimes, problems arise when someone is assigned a gender based on their sex at birth that doesn’t align with how they come to identify.

Gender Expression: How You Demonstrate Who You Are

On the left we have “feminine” and on the right we have “masculine,” the two expressive terms related to “woman” and “man.” In the middle, we have the term “androgynous,” which describes an ambiguous or mixed form of expressing gender.

Gender expression is all about how you demonstrate your gender through the ways you act, dress, behave, and interact–whether that is intentional or unintended. Gender expression is interpreted by others perceiving your gender based on traditional gender roles (e.g., men wear

pants, women wear dresses). Gender expression is something that often changes from day to day, outfit to outfit, event or setting to event or setting. It’s about how the way you express yourself aligns or doesn’t with traditional ways of gendered expression. And like gender identity, there is a lot of room for flexibility here.

Biological Sex: What’s Between Your Legs

On the left we have “female” and on the right we have “male,” the two biological sexes we all grew up knowing about. In the middle, we have “intersex,” which describes someone whose sexual organs are not strictly male or female.

Biological sex refers to the objectively measurable organs, hormones, and chromosomes you possess. Being female means having a vagina, ovaries, two X chromosomes, predominant estrogen, and the ability to have a child. Being male means having testes, a penis, an XY chromosome configuration, predominant testosterone, and the ability to fertilize a female. Being intersex can be any combination of what was just described.

Sexual Orientation: Who You Are Attracted To

On the left we have “heterosexual,” meaning attracted to people of the opposite sex, or being straight. On the right we have “homosexual,” meaning attracted to people of the same sex, or being gay or lesbian. And in the middle we have bisexual, meaning attracted to people of both sexes. Note: there is no place on the scale for “asexual”, which is the lack of sexual attraction to others, as it doesn’t fit into this continuum.

Sexual orientation is all about who you are physically, spiritually, and emotionally attracted to. If you are male and you’re attracted to females, you’re straight. If you’re a male who is attracted to males and females, you’re bisexual. And if you’re a male who is attracted to males, you’re gay.

Interrelation versus Interconnection Though the four things presented above are certainly interrelated, they are not interconnected. Gender identity, gender expression, biological sex, and sexual orientation are independent of one another. People’s sexual orientation doesn’t determine their gender expression. And their gender expression isn’t determined by their gender identity. And their gender identity isn’t determined by their biological sex. Those things certainly affect one another (i.e., they are related to one another) but they do not determine one another.

Source: http://itspronouncedmetrosexual.com/2011/11/breaking-through-the-binary-gender- explained-using-continuums/

Bullying

Bullying Bullying. Whether it’s playful teasing or constant physical abuse, whether it’s about the colour of someone’s hair or which gender they’re attracted to, it can cause lasting effects that take a toll on someone’s life. Homophobia, transphobia, and other forms of discrimination based on someone’s sexual orientation/identity are a lot more prevalent in our society than most people realize, and if you find yourself face to face with a situation involving any of these, this section will answer any questions you may have. What is homophobia? What about transphobia? What other common types of bullying and discrimination are there involving someone’s sexual orientation or identity? Homophobia includes a range of negative attitudes toward those who identify as being homosexual or lesbian. It can span from simply feeling uncomfortable around them, to expressing feelings of anger or fear. Transphobia is similar, though having to do with transgender/transsexual men and women. The term ‘homophobia’ is often used to describe negative feelings toward any member of the LGBT community, though terms such as ‘lesbophobia’ and ‘biphobia’ have also been coined. What is ‘overt’ and ‘covert’discrimination? Discrimination and oppression manifest in two main ways: overtly and covertly. Overt forms tend to be public, obvious, and often individual acts. These include name calling (or the use of derogatory terms), obvious threats, and violence. On the other hand, covert forms are subtler, can be subconscious, and are sometimes hidden. These are often more than a ‘one-time’ occurrence, and can become a daily experience. These include a lack of response to discriminatory language (i.e. not standing up for someone who is being bullied). Though some may view this as ‘not actually bullying’, covert discrimination can do just as much damage as its counterpart.

How can I tell if someone is being bullied based on their sexual orientation or identity? What do I do if someone I know is being bullied? If you suspect that someone you know is being bullied for any reason, there are some warning signs to look out for. They include: depression (generally low mood, a sense of hopelessness); poor health (headaches, stomachaches); school absenteeism and academic problems; leaving home; contemplating or attempting suicide; social anxiety, loneliness or isolation; low self- esteem; aggressive behaviours; or drug and alcohol abuse. If you suspect that they are being bullied, approach them; let them know that you’re there to help. The first thing to do is to let them know that they are not alone. There will always be someone out there to support them and get them the help they need. If you become that person they depend on, be sure to listen to them, but honour their comfort level; don’t ask more questions than necessary. Many people feel that homophobic bullying is just ‘kids being kids’, and is completely harmless, but this is far from the truth. It is important to stop the harassment as soon as possible, so speaking to a trusted adult with authority is a good step to take. If it is persistent, legal action may be needed.

Am I legally protected against these types of discrimination? The Ontario Human Rights Code is a law that provides equal rights and opportunities, and recognizes the worth and dignity of every person in Ontario. It protects individuals from discrimination based on anything from race to religion to sexual identity and orientation. People who are discriminated against or harassed because of gender identity or expression are legally protected under the Code. It also states that a person cannot be treated unequally or harassed

because of their sexual orientation. It is also illegal to discriminate against someone because they are in a same-sex relationship. Homophobic conduct and comments are prohibited as part of the Code’s protection against discrimination based on sexual orientation. In other words, who you are and who you love DO NOT affect your rights as a Canadian citizen! Statistics

- 70% of students report hearing expressions like ‘that’s so gay’ in school every day, and 48% report hearing remarks such as ‘faggot’ and ‘dyke’ every day. - 74% of transgender students, 55% of queer students, and 26% of students who do not identify as queer or trans report having been verbally harassed about their gender expression. Trans* youth report high levels of harassment on the basis of perceived sexual orientation; often they are perceived as being lesbian, gay, or bisexual when they are not. - More than one in five (21%) queer and trans* students report being physically harassed or assaulted due to their sexual orientation. - Hate crimes motivated by sexual orientation doubled in 2008, and increased by another 18% in 2009. In 2009, 74% of hate crimes motivated by sexual orientation were violent crimes, and 63% resulted in physical injury to the victim. - 49% of trans* students, 43% of female bisexual students, 42% of male bisexual students, 40% of gay male students, and 33% of lesbian students report having experienced sexual harassment in school in the last year. - Almost two-thirds (64%) of queer and trans* students report feeling unsafe at school. - 31% of queer and trans* students reported personal harassment on the internet or via text messaging. - 57% of trans* people face a lack of acceptance from co-workers - 77% of trans* people in Ontario have considered suicide in their lifetime These statistics are frightening; don’t become part of the statistics, get help right away! For a complete list of resources including counseling, LGBT support groups, and bullying prevention/information, please see the resource section of this binder.

Sources: Challenge Homophobia and Transphobia: A Campus Guide, CFSO RHVP: Hate Crime Awareness and Prevention Guide

Religion

Gay-Straight Alliances, LGBT and Religion Many LGBT people face painful conflicts as they fear that their religion will not allow them to accept their children or themselves. There are many reasons why gay rights are related to religion. It is important to take a close, critical look at the justification your religions tradition uses to discriminate against LGBT persons. Often times the biblical justifications are used to deny LGBT people their civil rights and legal protections, but other teachings in the Bible, such as loving one another, are ignored. There are many LGBT friendly religious congregations, organizations, or clergy members. It is important to talk to an understanding person of your religion who encourages you to accept yourself, and encourages your family to do the same. It is also important to read books that deal with LGBT people and certain faiths or religions to educate yourself on these matters. A simple Google search yields many results, and a list of some can be found below. Religious people should not be for gay rights despite their religions' teachings; they should be for gay rights because of them. While there are indeed some religious arguments against equality for LGBT people, there are more of them in favor of it. Love, togetherness, mutual support are the essential qualities of the partnership God creates between Adam and Eve; it is these qualities that one must remember many people need, and for some, it comes in the form of a same-sex relationship. Justice is holy; equality is holy; fairness is holy. Discrimination is wrong. Fairness is right. God is on the "side" of justice and fairness. It follows that denying same-sex couples the same benefits as opposite-sex couples is an offense to God. Gay rights are a religious issue because equality matters to God. Gay rights—being compassionate rather than cruel to GLBT people—is a further widening of the sphere of ethical consideration that has extended concern to people from other religious/ethnic groups, people from other "racial" backgrounds, women, people with disabilities, and others. Once, the feelings and experiences of these "others" were deemed irrelevant to religious concern. Today, just as we have reexamined our religious ideas in the light of the experiences of these groups, so too is a reexamination of traditional religious approaches to homosexuality warranted by the experiences of gay and lesbian people. Accepting sexual diversity leads to an appreciation of the gorgeous mosaic of God's creation. Emerging as we still are from centuries of oppression, gay people have only begun to inquire into the unique gifts they bring to humanity. Yet the basic notion that sexual diversity is part of God's manifestation in the world, not a deviation from it, informs how we appreciate those who express their gender and sexuality in ways different from our own. Informs—and inspires. Full equality for sexual minorities should be seen not as some accommodation of religion to a secular norm, but as a religious value itself. Furthermore, anti-homophobia & anti-transphobia education works toward ensuring the physical safety of every student and that each student has a safe environment in which to learn. It is a legal and moral responsibility. Homophobia and transphobia foster, condone, and turn a blind eye to violence and hate. Every faith contains a tradition of peace, love, tolerance, and compassion. Many religions have incredible histories of involvement with social justice and protest movements, activism, and a sense of duty to marginalized peoples. Homophobia and transphobia hurt us all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. Often, anyone who is perceived to be LGBTQ is subjected to harassment and victimization. Homophobia and transphobia enforce rigid gender roles and norms, denies individual expression, and perpetuates stereotypes, myths, and misinformation. Homophobic and transphobic harassment can take the

forms of verbal, physical, and sexual harassment. LGBT people (like all human beings) are protected by the human rights code, and sexual orientation is a prohibited ground of discrimination under Canadian law. Gender identity is covered under sex. Anti-homophobia & anti-transphobia education does not teach that someone’s religious values are wrong. There are many students and staff who are not heterosexual or cisgender and who deserve the love, support, and spiritual comfort of their community and faith.

Sources: http://mygsa.ca/setting-gsa/nine-reasons-religious-communities-need-involve http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/gay-and-lesbian-well-being/201111/religion-and- acceptance-gays http://www.jaymichaelson.net/gayrightsreligiousissuetikkun/

LGBT and Religion Book List 1. Homosexuality in Islam: Critical Reflection on Gay, Lesbian, and Transgender Muslims by Scott Siraj al-Haqq Kugle 2. Islamic Homosexualities: Culture, History, and Literature edited by Will Roscoe and Stephen O. Murray 3. Mentsh: On Being Jewish and Queer edited by Angela Brown 4. Sweet Like Sugar by Wayne Hoffman 5. God vs. Gay?: The Religious Case for Equality by Jay Michaelson 6. The Lord is my Shepherd and He Knows I'm Gay by Reverend Troy Perry 7. What the Bible Really Says About Homosexuality by Daniel Helminiak 8. Fortunate Families: Catholic Families with Lesbian Daughters and Gay Sons by Mary Ellen Lopata

Resources

Resources Local AIDS Committee of Windsor (519) 973-0222 An organization that provides support, and encourages advocacy and education about AIDS. Also has the support group Young and Proud; a group for LGBTQ youth that helps them out with issues in their lives.

Alive Canada (519) 973-4411 http://www.alivecanada.com/ An organization that provides education and information concerning suicide awareness, prevention and community crisis resources to the residents of Windsor and Essex County.

Brentwood Recovery Home - Youth Program (519) 253-2441 http://brentwoodrecovery.com/ecom.asp? A residential home that provides compassionate care and treatment for people who have alcohol and drug abuse problems. Brentwood also provides support programs for families.

Canadian Mental Health Association: Bereavement (519) 255-7440 http://www.cmha.ca/ The CMHA provides services and support to people who are experiencing mental illness and their families. The CMHA also provides bereavement counseling.

Chatham-Kent Pride http://www.pride-ck.com/ Your connection to the LGBT community in Chatham-Kent. They have many yeary events and are a reat resource.

Community Crisis Centre (519) 973-4435 (24 Hour Crisis Line) http://www.hdgh.org/en/communitycrisiscentre A program which provides crisis response services to individuals ages 16 and older who are experiencing an acute mental illness and/or psychological crisis.

HIV Care Program- Windsor Regional Hospital (519) 254-6115 Provides care and treatment for those with HIV.

Mike Cardinal Counselling Services 519-258-1069 This counselling service provides counselling for LGBT people along with other counselling such as anxiety and depression, couples, and addiction recovery.

Windsor Essex Community Help Centre- Teen Health Center (519) 253-8481 A center which provides access to education and resources for teens with mental health issues, counseling needs, and other support service needs. Appointments preferred.

We R Kids Mental Health http://werkidsmentalhealth.ca/home/ A project designed to provide resources about children and youth mental health and addiction issues for educators, service providers, community partners, parents and students in Windsor- Essex.

Windsor Pride http://www.windsorpride.com/ An organization that aims to stop homophobia and transphobia and create a safe space for LGBTQ people. They often have events going on throughout the year aiming to reach these goals. They also provide counseling and support for LGBT people.

Youth & Family Resource Network of Essex County 519-773-8983 (Kingsville) 519-326-7052 (Leamington) This network helps build better families and individuals. They create a safe space for anyone to work out their issues and provide help to do so.

Hotlines Kids Help Phone 1-800-668-6868 http://www.kidshelpphone.ca/teens/home/splash.aspx A free, anonymous, and confidential phone/web counseling service for people ages 20 & under.

Lesbian Gay Bi Trans Youthline 1-800-268-9688 http://www.youthline.ca/index.php Youthline is a hot line you can call to talk to, get information, or advice for your specific situation. It is involved in communities and fights to stop homophobia and transphobia. Online LGBT Resources/Information ABGender.com http://www.abgender.com/ AB Gender helps improve the lives of transgender, transsexuals, transvestites, and cross dressers. They provide many resources for TTTC people.

AlterHeros http://www.alterheros.com/en A bilingual social network designed to bring together youth LGBT and allies. It is a community made to promote equality and fight prejudice. They have online forums you can contribute to, or

you can learn how to contribute to your offline community.

Asexual Visibility and Education Network (AVEN) http://www.asexuality.org/home/. A network educates people about asexuality. This network can answer any of your questions about asexuality through forums or articles on the website. Bi Magazine http://bimagazine.org/ Bi Magazine provides interesting information about the bisexual world. It provides many articles and resources to go through.

Canadian Lesbian and Gay Archives http://clga.ca/ This website is a harbour for Canadian gay and lesbian information. It contains research, news and collections of artefacts. It is the second largest lesbian and gay archive in the world.

Egale Canada 1-888-204-7777 http://archive.egale.ca/ Canada's LGBT rights organization focused on accepting differences, education, and justice. They are a great way to help educate your school and community. Everyone Is Gay http://everyoneisgay.com/ Everyone Is Gay is a project created to help teens have their lives "get better now." The creators of the project (Dannielle and Kristin) answer questions on their blog and also go to schools and have conferences about how to be an ally.

The Human Rights Campaign http://www.hrc.org/ The HRC is a campaign fighting for equal rights for everyone, whether they are gay or straight.

Intersex Society Of North America (ISNA) http://isna.org/ Created in 1993 to encourage intersex people to love themselves and be who they are. ISNA provides resources on the history of intersex people, tips for parents and a teaching kit. It’s Pronounced Metrosexual http://itspronouncedmetrosexual.com/ A website with information and educational resources relating to issues in the LGBT community. Lesbian.com http://www.lesbian.com/ Lesbian.com is a magazine for lesbians. They have interviews, articles about love, and news about the lesbian community.

Lesbian Sexual Assault – Rape Crisis Information

http://www.ibiblio.org/rcip/lgbtq.html Lesbian Sexual Assault provides help for lesbians who have been sexually assaulted. They have many online resources that can provide you with a support group and any help you need.

National Center for Transgender Equality http://transequality.org/ This is a community built to educate people in the hope of promoting transgender equality. It provides you with transgender news and gives you resources to educate in your community. NativeOUT http://nativeout.com/ NativeOUT shares information about the two-spirited community. It educates North America locally in communities as well as online.

Native Youth Sexual Health Network http://nativeyouthsexualhealth.com/ Sexual health, safety, ad rights are promoted within this LGBT friendly site. Primarily for native people, this site caters to everyone in the Canada and United States. Ontario Rainbow Alliance of the Deaf http://new2.orad.ca/ This organization serves to help LGBTTIQQ2S people who are deaf or hard of hearing in Ontario. They create events and help LGBTTIQQ2S in the coming out process. Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) Canada http://www.pflagcanada.ca/en/index-e.php PFLAG Canada is a community designed to educate parents, families and friends of lesbian and gay people. They community educates locally and through information on their website. Queer Thinking Forum http://www.queerattitude.com/forums/ This forum provides a safe space for queers ages 14-25 for them to learn and socialize.

Queers United http://queersunited.blogspot.ca/ A blog about being queer. It provides information and news.

Rainbow Health Ontario http://www.rainbowhealthontario.ca/home.cfm This is a program designed to help the LGBT community get safe health care in Ontario.

Sexuality and You http://www.sexualityandu.ca/ This site educates you on birth control, STDs, STIs, and sexual health. It provides videos as well as articles for you to explore and further educate yourself on safer sex. Transgender Canada http://transgendercanada.com/forum/index.php

Transgender Canada provides a forum of transgender topic for you to read and contribute to. It is a great place to educate oneself and explore what it means to be transgender.

The Trevor Project http://www.thetrevorproject.org/ The Trevor Project strives to prevent LGBTQ suicide.

Other Advocates for Youth http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/index.php Advocates for Youth is an excellent resource for youth with information about AIDS and sexual health.

Al-Anon/Alateen http://al-anon.alateen.on.ca/ (519) 252- 8474 A support group for those facing alcoholism issues. Friends and family members of problem drinkers share experiences, and learn they are not alone in the problems they face.

BANA (Bulimia Anorexia Nervosa Association) http://www.bana.ca BANA is an organization aimed at helping people with bulimia, anorexia, and other body image problems.

Bullying Canada http://bullyingcanada.ca/ A bilingual community designed to help children and teens with bullying whether you are being bullied, a bystander, or the bully. The website allows you to talk to someone individually or within a group chat. It is a program that also works offline in communities.

Fight Homophobia Fight Homophobia - Tumblr http://fighthomophobia.tumblr.com/ A photo blog about fighting homophobia.

What’s Happening with Massey’s Gay-Straight Alliance?

~ April 2013 ~ Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 3 4 5 6 Massey’s GSA Meeting Rm. 119 Afterschool

7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Massey’s Day of Pink- GSA Meeting International Rm. 119 Day Against Afterschool Bullying

14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Day of Silence Run for Rocky- Day of Silence Sticker Sales Day of Silence Day of Silence 1pm, Dieppe Sticker Sales ------Sticker Sales Gardens Massey’s GSA Meeting Rm. 119 Afterschool P.A. Day 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 Massey’s GSA Meeting Rm. 119 Afterschool

28 29 30 Massey’s GSA Meeting Rm. 119 Afterschool

Feel free to join the Massey GSA for meetings/events at any time!