EGALE ADVANCES EQUALITY AND JUSTICE FOR , , BISEXUAL AND TRANSGENDERED PEOPLE, AND THEIR FAMILIES, ACROSS

SUMMER 2000

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decision by Minister of Justice Anne McLellan to add an amendment to the Bill on March 23, 2000, explicitly defining mar- POLITICS riage as restricted to opposite-sex couples only. EGALE lobbied vigorously against the addition of this clause, which serves no pur- Omnibus Federal Law pose other than to send the message that the Government continues to view our relation- Recognizes Same-sex Couples ships as inherently inferior. A major milestone was achieved with the introduction earlier this year of fed- During debates at the Committee and eral omnibus legislation to recognize same-sex couples equally. House of Commons, Svend Robinson, MP moved a motion to remove the clause or strike he legislation, Bill C-23, is the prod- married couples. In this regard, the Bill goes out the explicitly heterosexual definition of uct of years of hard work and dedicat- further than the omnibus legislation adopt- . The motion was, however, defeated. T ed lobbying by groups and individuals ed by each of Quebec and , which Reform Party MP Eric Lowther then across Canada. On February 7, the first day treat same-sex couples equally with opposite- proposed his own motion, to expand the that the House of Commons sat this year, sex common law couples but withhold the government amendment so that the restric- EGALE and the Foundation for Equal rights and responsibilities of married cou- tive definition of marriage would apply not Families presented the Hon. Hedy Fry, on ples. To qualify as “common law partners” just to Bill C-23 but throughout “all federal behalf of the Government, with over 6,500 under Bill C-23, a couple must live in a con- laws”. This too was defeated. postcards declaring “It’s time!” for jugal relationship for at least a year. At third reading on April 11, 2000, the equal recognition of our relationships. Hedy One major concern, however, was the Bill was adopted by the House of Commons. Fry responded, “It isn’t a matter of whether, but when.” Sure enough, omnibus legisla- tion was introduced in the House of Commons by the end of that week. Bill C-23, titled the Modernization of Benefits and Obligations Act, will provide equality in over 68 federal laws, including tax law, pension benefits, access to employ- ment insurance, even equal treatment for the same-sex spouse of a future Governor General or Prime Minister. Under the Bill, both same-sex and oppo- site-sex unmarried couples are identified as “common law partners”, and are accorded the rights and responsibilities of opposite-sex A Tribute to ...... 2

ÉGALITÉ POUR LES GAIS ET LES LESBIENNES New Immigration Law ...... 4 Little Sisters case ...... 5 EGALE Marriage developments ...... 6 EQUALITY FOR GAYS AND EVERYWHERE EGALE President Kim Vance and Executive Director John Fisher went on to testify before the Senate Committee considering the legislation on May 18, In their own words … 2000, expressing our general support for the Bill, but our opposition to the anti- Excerpts from public statements by MPs marriage clause. EGALE has also been during debate on omnibus Bill C-23: engaged in media activities around the Bill, has developed action alerts and a Garry Breitkreuz, MP (Reform/Canadian Alliance): written brief, and has met with MPs from all political parties. “If this Bill passes, the institution of marriage will be the next casualty Since the introduction of Bill C-23, of gay and lesbian lobby groups and weak-kneed politicians. In the Nova Scotia has already introduced 1950s, buggery was a criminal offence, now it’s a requirement to amendments to its Family Maintenance receive benefits from the federal government.” Act and announced its intention to revise its pension benefits legislation, John Williams, MP (Reform/Canadian Alliance): and other provincial and territorial gov- “Going back to the dawn of history and even before, society has organ- ernments are expected to follow suit. M ized its way in solid, committed unions between men and women. That is the way in which every society in the world has organized itself. There must be something in it.” A TRIBUTE to JIM EGAN Lee Morrison, MP (Reform/Canadian Alliance): It was with much sadness that EGALE “I frankly do not care how homosexuals choose to organize their lives, learned of the death of long-time gay but to treat their unions as de facto is downright silly. … Not rights activist Jim Egan on March 9, too many years ago, if anyone had suggested that homosexual couples 2000. Described by friend Kel Kelley as living together under the same roof should be awarded the same social a “friend, buddy, hero, mentor”, Jim had benefits as married people, they would have been laughed out of town. the courage to be fighting for lesbian It would have been considered hilarious. Yet here we are. Is this and gay equality in Canada decades progress? I doubt it.” before human rights protection even existed. His work paved the way for Reed Elley, MP (Reform/Canadian Alliance): many of the victories to follow. Jim Egan and Jack Nesbit, his partner “By the mid-1960s we were in the midst of a sexual revolution. The of over 52 years, made history when they feminist movement started a strident campaign to bring women into took their challenge to the opposite-sex the 20th century. They wanted vengeance and retribution. A gradual definition of “spouse” in the Old Age blurring of the sexes occurred that gave young men growing up in many Security Act all the way to the Supreme dominated, single parent homes an identity crisis. This led to a Court of Canada. Although their claim rise in militant … The things that had been considered was denied in a narrow 5-4 decision, the improper went looking for a desperate . Supreme Court ruled unanimously in the 1995 Egan judgment that “sexual orienta- “In my view, no government can make legitimate any behaviour that has tion” is a ground of pro- for centuries by tradition, custom, faith and the social contract been tected by the equality guarantees of the seen as destructive to family life … If this bill passes without the Charter of Rights. amendments we have suggested, it will be a sad day for Canada and I, Jim’s passion, humour, dedication and for one, would never want to be a part of that kind of country.” deep commitment to his partner Jack were captured in David Adkin’s moving The Hon. Anne McLellan, Minister of Justice (Liberal): video: Jim loves Jack, the James Egan Story. Before he died, Jim Egan asked that “Bill C-23 preserves the existing legal definition and societal consen- contributions in his name be made to sus that marriage is the union of one man and one woman to the EGALE. Those contributions will be used exclusion of all others. … This definition of marriage, which dates back to continue the struggle for equality that to 1866, has served us well and will not change.” Jim started. He will be sorely missed. M

➡➡ G2 GE QUALITY FOR GAYS AND LESBIANS EVERYWHERE” Census 2001: StatsCan to Count Us In!

In the 1996 Census, same-sex couples were given no option but to identify their marital status as “single”. Both married and common law status were restricted to opposite-sex couples only.

In 1999, EGALE prepared a brief and • Husband or wife of Person 1; participated in public consultations with • Common-law partner , urging that our rela- (opposite sex) of Person 1; tionships should no longer be rendered • Common-law partner invisible. (same sex) of Person 1; StatsCan has now released the word- • Son or daughter of Person 1. ing for the 2001 Census, and for the first time, our relationships are squarely rec- The Census further provides that ognized. Question 5 of the Census will “children of a common law partner ask whether the resident “is living with a should be considered sons and daugh- common-law partner”, and goes on to ters”. state: Although EGALE anticipates sig- “Common-law refers to two people of nificant under-reporting of same-sex the opposite sex or of the same sex who relationships the first time these ques- live together as a couple but who are not tions are included, the census will be legally married to each other.” sent to every household in Canada, Question 6 asks about the relationship of and will have significant value in rais- other household residents to “Person 1” and ing awareness about the diversity of sets out a variety of options, including: Canadian family life. M

Age of Consent 3 Inability On March 30, 2000, EGALE submitted a brief to the federal government in to date peers response to a call for public submissions on a variety of youth issues, includ- EGALE recognized that youth are ing proposals to raise the age of consent. EGALE’s brief highlighted areas of more likely to have balanced and equal inequality between youth and heterosexual youth, and raised a number of relationships when dating their peers. policy concerns about the government’s proposal: One result of society’s pervasive homo- phobia is that heterosexual youth are 1 2 more likely to date those in their class Inequality Effectiveness in than lgbt youth, who may not be out or of enforcement Preventing Harm open about their sexuality. One concern was whether gay and les- In EGALE’s view, the goal of setting bian sex is disproportionately targeted by an age of consent should be to mini- 4 prosecution authorities. Police have dis- mize harmful sex that could be prevent- Empowering Youth cretion not to lay charges when, for exam- ed while avoiding the criminalization of EGALE expressed concern that rais- ple, the difference in age is small and no healthy sex. EGALE questioned, how- ing the age of consent could discourage harm is evident. EGALE expressed the ever, whether there is evidence that education programs designed to help concern that a perception of harm may be harm will in fact be prevented by raising youth develop communication skills, more likely when the persons involved are the age of consent, whereas increasing negotiate their sexual lives, prevent of the same sex, just because of the stigma the age will outlaw some sexual activity abuses of power and make safer sex attached to homosexuality. that is not harmful. decisions.

INFOEGALGE G3 ✚✚ 5 New Immigration Law Driving Sex Underground For many years, EGALE and LEGIT (the Lesbian and Gay Immigration A further concern was that young peo- Taskforce) have participated in public consultations and lobbied the feder- ple who have questions about their rela- al government to explicitly recognize our same-sex partners as members of tionships are less likely to talk with parents and counsellors if they risk criminal the “family class” for immigration purposes. charges against themselves or their partner. On April 6, 2000, Immigration “common law” relationship are not yet Minister Elinor Caplan introduced Bill known, and will instead be defined in 6 C-31, the first comprehensive reform of regulations later this Fall. EGALE and Unequal Ages of Consent immigration and refugee legislation in LEGIT are opposed to a potential The law currently discriminates in that over twenty years. For the first time, requirement. This would there is a separate provision criminalizing “common law partners” are recognized as be unworkable in the immigration con- anal sex, which sets the age of consent for members of the “family class”. In intro- text, since couples are unable to cohabit anal sex higher than that for other forms of ducing the legislation, Minister Caplan if they live in different countries. sex. In EGALE’s view, there is no basis for made it clear that the “family class will EGALE has applied to testify before differentiating between diverse forms of include spouses, common-law and same- the House of Commons Committee on sexual activity. sex partners”. Citizenship and Immigration. We would Some concerns remain, however. In also encourage you to make your views 7 particular, nothing on the face of Bill C- known by contacting the Immigration Hearing Youth Voices 31 makes clear that the term “common Minister: EGALE’s final concern was that the law partner” is intended to include Government had not made any particular same-sex couples. Without making this The Hon. Elinor Caplan, PC, MP effort in the consultation process to hear explicit, it will be difficult for lesbians, Minister of Citizenship from youth themselves – the people most gays and bisexuals consulting Canada’s and Immigration directly affected by any change in the leg- immigration law from overseas to know House of Commons islation. EGALE encouraged the they have a right to immigrate. Ottawa, ON, K1A 0A6 Government to sponsor broad public con- Moreover, an ambiguous phrase can too sultation, ensuring input from both het- easily be reinterpreted by a discriminato- Ph: (613) 954-1064 erosexual youth and lesbian, gay, bisexual ry government in future. Finally, the Fax: (613) 992-0887 and transgendered youth. M criteria for what constitutes a qualifying [email protected] PRIDE PROCLAMATIONS

As we celebrate Pride season across Canada, a B.C. Human Rights Tribunal has given us additional reason to celebrate – in the case of Hughson v. City of Kelowna, the Tribunal ruled on March 21, 2000 that the Mayor of Kelowna discriminated by striking the word “pride” from a proclamation requested by the Okanagan Rainbow Coalition.

“By removing the word ‘pride’ from the proclamation of Lesbian and Day, Mayor Gray eliminated the one word that has been used by lesbians and throughout North America over the last twenty-five years to displace a history of shame and suffering,” wrote the Tribunal.

The Kelowna ruling is part of a national trend in which human rights tribunals in London, Hamilton and Fredericton have ruled that mayors cannot refuse to proclaim Pride events.

➡➡ G4 GE QUALITY FOR GAYS AND LESBIANS EVERYWHERE evangelical University which requires all students to sign a statement that homo- sexuality is a sin. Although it is a private university, it trains students to teach in LEGAL the public education system. The B.C. College of Teachers refused to approve Trinity Western’s teacher training pro- Little Sisters case before gram, on the basis that it is discriminato- ry. Trinity Western successfully chal- the Supreme Court lenged the refusal of the B.C. College of Teachers to approve their program, and On March 16, 2000, the heard the appeal in Little the College has now appealed the case to Sisters v. Customs Canada. This is a challenge by a Vancouver-based lesbian and the Supreme Court of Canada. gay bookstore to the customs legislation, which gives customs officers broad- EGALE is the only intervenor before ranging powers to seize, detain and destroy materials they deem “obscene”. the Court with a lesbian, gay and bisex- These powers are often used in an arbitrary and discriminatory fashion against ual perspective. EGALE will submit that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered materials and bookstores. Trinity Western’s self-described “mission” to develop “godly Christian leaders” who The Supreme Court hearing went well sion to ban a number of books depict- see homosexuality as sinful, explicitly and was understandably lively. EGALE ing same-sex families. The hearing is seeks to instill in students anti-gay and submitted that lesbian, gay and bisexual scheduled for June 21 – 23, 2000. lesbian attitudes which are antithetical to erotic materials help to counteract the The question of access to affirming the values of diversity and pluralism in invisibility and marginalization of our sex- materials in schools by lesbian, gay, the public education system. EGALE ualities and that the broad discretionary bisexual and transgendered youth is will also argue that the approach of powers accorded to customs officers will one of national importance. The cost Trinity Western is inconsistent with the inevitably be exercised in a discriminatory of intolerance is unacceptably high, a principles of freedom of expression by manner against our communities. fact made tragically apparent by the requiring all students to subscribe to a Supporting the Little Sisters book- recent suicide of a 14 year old Surrey statement of beliefs that they may not store were EGALE, Pen Canada, the boy victimized by homophobic taunts. agree with. Canadian Conference of the Arts, the EGALE is proud to be supporting Ken Smith and Doug Elliott are repre- Canadian Civil Liberties Association, the efforts of GALE B.C. (Gay and senting EGALE. A date has not yet been LEAF, and the Canadian AIDS Society. Lesbian Educators of B.C.) and those set for the hearing. Opposing the challenge to the Customs involved in the Surrey book-banning legislation were the federal government, challenge towards developing a more M v. H re-hearing denied the governments of B.C. and Ontario, inclusive education system. EGALE is In October 1999, the Government of and an American anti-pornography pleased to be represented by Gwen Ontario responded to the Supreme group called Equality Now. Brodsky and Ken Smith. Court decision in M v. H by enacting EGALE expresses its appreciation to our Bill 5, “an Act to amend certain statutes counsel Cynthia Petersen for her excellent EGALE granted because of the Supreme Court of Canada representation, as always. The Supreme intervenor status in decision in M v. H.” This Bill extends Court has not yet released its decision. Trinity Western case some 67 provincial statutes to provide same-sex couples with many of the rights On April 28, 2000, the Supreme and responsibilities of unmarried oppo- Surrey Court of Canada granted EGALE site-sex couples. book-banning hearing leave to intervene in the case of B.C. Bill 5 has attracted widespread criti- The battle of the Surrey School Board to College of Teachers v. Trinity Western cism for restricting the definition of exclude lesbian and gay books, materials University. This case raises complex “spouse” to opposite-sex couples only, and organizations from schools contin- issues regarding the rights to equality, while setting up a separate definition for ues. EGALE has been granted intervenor freedom of religion and freedom of same-sex “partners”. In addition, the status before the B.C. Court of Appeal in expression. word “family” is replaced in many a challenge to the School Board’s deci- Trinity Western University is an statutes by the word “household”. The

INFOEGALGE G5 ✚✚ prohibited ground of discrimination would be for the federal government to “in its purity”, and explicitly restricts “marital status” in Ontario’s Human enact law permitting same-sex couples marriage to opposite-sex couples only. Rights Code is modified by adding the to marry, stating: Bill 202 also invokes the constitutional new ground “same-sex partnership sta- “notwithstanding” clause, in an effort “In a modern society there is no justifica- tus” for those in same-sex relationships. to block the courts from reviewing its tion for denying same sex couples the same This terminology reinforces the Ontario constitutional validity. The “notwith- option to form marital bonds as are standing” clause has never previously government’s view that same-sex cou- afforded to opposite sex couples.” been used to restrict the rights of les- ples are not spouses, do not form fami- bians, gays and bisexuals. It is doubtful, lies and do not have a marital status. This is the first time a Canadian gov- however, that Alberta has authority to A motion for a rehearing was filed ernment has ever expressed the view that enact Bill 202, since questions of who before the Supreme Court of Canada, same-sex couples should have an equal can marry are commonly considered to on the basis that the differential termi- right to marry. Cynthia and Judy’s appli- be matters of federal jurisdiction only. nology adopted by Ontario fails to cation is part of a growing national EGALE has long supported same-sex demand by same-sex couples across the comply with the Supreme Court’s rul- couples having the same range of rela- country for an end to second-class status. ing in M v. H, but the Court denied the tionship options as heterosexuals, A challenge to the denial of a marriage motion on May 25, 2000. including the right to marry for those licence is working its way through the who choose it. Our Equal Marriage courts in Quebec. The City of Taskforce has been examining strategies Marriage developments has recently agreed to seek the guidance to ensure that any marriage challenge The last year has seen major progress in of the Ontario courts concerning has the best chance of success, and we the movement towards equal marriage whether to issue a marriage licence to a have recently retained Cynthia Petersen rights for those in same-sex relation- same-sex couple. A Halifax couple were as our legal counsel. ships. turned down for a marriage licence as We are keen to hear from cou- long ago as 1997, but are still keen to see In December 1999, a Court in ples interested in seeking the their right to marry recognized in law. Vermont declared the prohibition on right to marry – if this means you, We do not expect the struggle to be marriage for same-sex couples unconsti- please feel free to us at tutional, but sent the matter back to the easy, however. On March 23, 2000, 1-888-204-7777, or State Legislature to consider the appro- Alberta enacted a Bill which declares [email protected]. M priate remedy. Earlier this year, the that it is designed to maintain marriage Legislature decided to enact a regime of “civil unions”, which may be certified by a justice of the peace or willing EGALE DESIGN-A-LOGO CONTEST! member of the clergy, and which con- fers on parties to the union the rights and responsibilities of marriage. Not Yes, we need your design skills! At its retreat earlier this having the same status as marriage, year, EGALE’s Board decided to recommend developing however, same-sex couples in a civil our mission statement to provide: union would not be able to access the “EGALE advances equality and justice for lesbian, gay, benefits available to married couples in bisexual and transgendered people, and their fami- States other than Vermont, nor to access federal benefits available to mar- lies, across Canada.” ried couples. Now we’re seeking the help of our members and Here in Canada, significant develop- friends in developing a new look to carry us forward as ments are also taking place. On May we move into the new Millennium. Designs should seek 26, 2000, Cynthia Callahan, an to capture EGALE’s identity as a bilingual national organi- EGALE Board-member for British zation, committed to equality and justice for lesbians, gays, Columbia/Yukon, and her partner Judy Lightwater, applied for a marriage bisexuals and transgendered people. licence in Victoria. The B.C. Attorney Please send your submission of a logo design to EGALE at General has agreed to prepare a legal 306–177 Nepean St, Ottawa, ON, K2P 0B4, opinion on whether the marriage [email protected] by August 15, 2000. licence can be issued. The Attorney The winning entry will receive full credit in our next newsletter, General also said that the ideal solution together with a special mystery prize – not to mention your chance at immortality by helping design the new look of your national organization! ➡➡ G6 GE QUALITY FOR GAYS AND LESBIANS EVERYWHERE ing focus, and an issue that EGALE would support in order to provide same-sex couples with equal rela- tionship choices. As a result, EGALE MEMBERS formed an Equal Marriage Taskforce. EGALE Board Retreat • The Board agreed that as federal By Cynthia Callahan laws and policies change to provide more equal treatment for our com- As one of the Board-members for the BC/Yukon region, I was excited to munities, we can expect to see travel to Ottawa for EGALE’s Board retreat from February 4 – 7, 2000. EGALE putting more work into Considering that our 12 Board members come from all across the country public education, research projects, and usually meet by conference call, the retreat was a great opportunity international issues and also lending to meet face-to-face and hash out issues for the upcoming year. Plus it was increased support to provinces that timed perfectly to coincide with Ottawa’s famous winter carnival, with its are still resisting legal equality. opening-night fireworks and exquisite world-class ice sculptures! The The Board of EGALE depends on the retreat weekend also coincided with the opening of the House of support of volunteers and members Commons on February 7. EGALE took this opportunity to schedule a press across Canada. If you would like to help conference involving Board members from across Canada. out at the local level, you can contact your EGALE Board member through The retreat felt like a marathon to me as the basis of . the national office at 1-888-204-7777. I struggled to overcome jet lag from a 3- • The Board recognized that over the You can also join our two e-mail lists, the hour time difference. From breakfast to past year or so, we have become “EGALE” list and “Queerlaw-can,” from bedtime, we discussed issues ranging increasingly active in working on our Website at www.egale.ca. from EGALE’s identity and mission freedom of expression issues, in statement, to our involvement in specific addition to our traditional focus on United Nations legal cases. But it was definitely worth equality issues. Examples include Conference on Women the effort - in just three days we did a the Surrey Book-banning case, the From June 4 – 11, 2000, EGALE huge amount of work. Little Sisters case, CRTC hearings President Kim Vance is attending a Here are the highlights of what we on hate on the Internet and most United Nations Convention on Women accomplished at the 2000 retreat: recently, the Trinity Western case. in New York. This is a 5-year follow-up All of these cases seek to balance the to the United Nations World Conference • The Board agreed to recommend to rights to equality, freedom of on Women held in Beijing in 1995. the membership that our mission expression, and, in some cases, free- EGALE was represented at that confer- statement be changed to explicitly dom of religion. EGALE therefore ence by Shelagh Day and Allison Brewer include advancing equality and jus- began work at the retreat on devel- (who were briefly detained by Beijing tice for transgendered people. oping a policy on expression issues, security guards for hanging a banner pro- • EGALE agreed to intervene in the to help ensure consistency in our claiming “Lesbian rights are human Trinity Western case, to support the continued work in this area. rights” in the main plenary assembly!). B.C. College of Teachers’ right to • The Board agreed that equal access These events are extremely important ensure that universities seeking to marriage for same-sex couples is in giving EGALE international exposure accreditation do not discriminate on likely to become an area of increas- and opportunities to build connections with women’s organizations from round the world. It is also important to ensure that lesbian equality is part of any plat- form to advance women’s equality on a global level. Periodically, EGALE makes special requests for donations that are tar- geted toward a particular event or cam- paign. Please contact us if you are able to

EGALE Board — Back: Brent Bauer, Dale Akerstrom, Kim Vance, Kathy Lahey, Blye Frank, contribute towards the costs of EGALE’s Laurie Arron; Front: Roz Ostendorf, Margo Ross, Cynthia Callahan, Murray Billett participation in this conference.

INFOEGALGE G7 ✚✚ EGALE Gala 2000 Hawke, Claire Sarda and Diane Harras of Ultimately the Board wanted to see Investors Group, as well as to PFLAG, the project completed, and felt its deci- On May 11, 2000, EGALE hosted its Bill Hingston, Mitch Lafontaine, Marion sion would allow that goal to be accom- Year 2000 Gala in the ballroom on Steele and all our many volunteers who plished without the credibility of the Parliament Hill. With over 300 people in sold tickets, worked at the door and project being further undermined attendance, the event was one of our helped out at the event. through adversarial public proceedings. most successful yet. We hope everyone who attended The decision will also allow EGALE to The evening began with a mix-and- enjoyed it as much as we did, and we focus its finances, time, energy and other mingle social event, complete with hors look forward to seeing you next year! resources exclusively on our many other d’oeuvres and the music of pianist worthwhile projects. Michael Hodgson. The MCs, Prof. Nicole LaViolette and Regional RESEARCH REPORTS Councillor Alex Munter, then introduced Law Commission report Access to Health Care EGALE has recently completed a com- EGALE President Kim Vance and repre- Researchers Bill Ryan and Shari prehensive 80-page research report for sentatives from all five political parties, Brotman of the University of McGill the Law Commission of Canada on juris- including Carolyn Bennett, MP have been working in collaboration with dictional issues related to marriage. This (Liberal), Rahim Jaffer, MP (Canadian EGALE on a national federally-funded report examines the scope of federal and Alliance), Maurice Dumas, MP (Bloc research project which examines the provincial authority over marriage, and Québécois), Svend Robinson, MP access of lesbians, gays, bisexuals and considers the validity of legal prohibi- (NDP), and Scott Brison, MP two-spirited people to adequate health tions on marriage for those in same-sex (Progressive Conservative). This year, the care. With EGALE’s support, focus relationships. The research forms part of MPs engaged in a spirited debate about groups were conducted in different a broader review by the Law Commission the future of lgbt equality rights. Further Canadian towns and cities, and the of options for the treatment in law of per- entertainment was provided by guest researchers have recently completed a sonal relationships. comedian Cathy Jones from “This Hour detailed literature review and a report on has 22 Minutes”. the main findings. Additional features this year included Safe Spaces door prizes, a silent auction organized by Project Trigate Productions, and a historical dis- National Survey Since 1998, EGALE has been on the play detailing highlights in the history of Settlement Advisory Committee for the Safe Spaces EGALE and the struggle for equality, As members may be aware, the nation- project – a federally-funded national ini- which had been assembled by PFLAG al survey project has unfortunately been tiative to support and empower lgbt volunteers Eileen Christensen and Gail on hold for some time due to a dispute youth. The project, which is designed and Bill Hawke. that arose between EGALE and the and managed by researcher Bill Ryan, has Board-members Kim Vance and researchers in late 1998. After a number been very successful in creating safe Margo Ross made a presentation to of unsuccessful attempts to resolve the spaces in which youth can share their EGALE’s Executive Director John Fisher dispute, the EGALE Board decided earli- experiences, socialize with their peers, and to Gala Coordinator Gail Hawke. er this year to withdraw from further obtain health information and affirm Additional thanks are due to sponsors involvement in the project and allow the their identities. We are delighted to Capital Xtra!, Être, Market Station, After researchers to continue the project by advise that the project has recently been Stonewall, the Rideau View Inn and Bill themselves. extended for another year. M

EGALE 306-177 Nepean Ottawa, ON K2P 0B4 Ph: 1-888-204-7777 Fax: (613) 230-9395 Website: www.egale.ca E-mail: [email protected]

➡➡ G8 GE QUALITY FOR GAYS AND LESBIANS EVERYWHERE