Events
Sign up for our e-newsletter!
Our email newsletter lets people know about what's happening at The Centre, as well as relevant events and information from campus and community groups. If you want to receive our newsletter, email with "subscribe to newsletter" in the subject heading.
We're on Facebook
Check us out and add The Centre on Facebook!
All of our events are held at The Centre (563 Spadina Ave., Room 100) unless otherwise indicated. All of our events are wheelchair accessible.
UPCOMING EVENTS AT THE CENTRE FOR WOMEN AND TRANS PEOPLE:
Trans Film Night: "She’s A Boy I Knew"
Thursday February 11th, 2010
6pm-8pm
FREE
Free Film! Free Snacks! Free Talk!
The Trans Inclusion Group hosts another FREE screening film screening!
"She’s A Boy I Knew":
Using interviews, animation, old family footage, and voice mail, Vancouver filmmaker Gwen Haworth documents her male-to-female gender transition partially through the voices of her anxious but loving family, best friend, and wife.
Calling for a new era of DIY transgender self-representation, Haworth’s feature debut is a comic, heartbreaking, and uplifting autobiography that breaks away from the marginalized depictions of transsexuals that populate mainstream media. The film celebrates creative activism, self-advocacy and empowerment.
She's a Boy I Knew begins in 2000 with Steven Haworth's decision to come out to his family about his life-long female gender identity. The resulting auto-ethnography is not only an exploration into the filmmaker's process of transition from biological male to female, from Steven to Gwen, but also an emotionally charged account of the individual experiences, struggles, and stakes that her two sisters, mother, father, best friend and wife brought to Gwen's transition. As her transition progresses, Gwen is forced to reckon with the end of her marriage and the loss of her status as son and brother. But in doing so, she also discovers that while the nature of personal relationships may change, the love and support present within those relationships can remain just as powerful and sometimes even more so.
dir: Gwen Haworth
rated: n/a 2007
for more info: www.artflick.com
Everyone welcome - allies welcome.
Open (casual) discussion follows.
Words of Resistance: Food, Racism and Disability
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Cooking with The Spice 12-3pm
veggie pot luck 5-7pm
open mic 7-9pm
*please let us know by Dec 30th of any accessibility concerns
womens.centre@utoronto.ca
Want to perform at the open mic? Come out and SPEAK OUT against oppression, with subjects right off our shelves!
THEMES for January 28 WORDS: Food, Racism and Disability
-When you can't "work" and make money, how do you eat healthy food?
-How does your people's food heal you?
-Food regulations: on your body, in your family, on your community
-How do you connect food and love?
-How do you thank the people who brought you your food? What is the
cost to their working bodies?
- Poetry can be focused around either of these topics or their
intersections of oppression and resistance
Show up with your poetry on either of the themes and read! We will kick off the day with cooking at The Spice from 12-3pm, eating at a vegetarian potluck from 5-7pm. Come cook/bring food/or at least join us to nibble on what everyone else brings! At 7:00pm, we will proceed with the open mic.
A little bit about the hosts:
The Spice is a social, participatory community cooking program organized through The Centre for Women and Trans People at U of T. Food has always brought women and their communities together, and The Spice aims to continue this tradition! Every Thursday during the school year (or special monthly sessions in the summer) between 12 pm to 3 pm, The Spice invites women and trans people on campus and in the larger community to contribute their culinary ideas and skills in a fun event that quenches intellectual and social appetites.
The Dr. Chun Resource Library exists as a space for community members and University of Toronto students to access factual, critical and alternative materials that facilitates resistance to oppression among and between diverse communities.The library is committed to supporting marginal voices. In particular, those voices that have been traditionally left out of main stream political mobilizing are
emphasized in our collection. The library is supported by The Centre for Women and Trans People and the Ontario Public Interest Research Group Toronto (OPIRG-Toronto).
Getting the Low-down: Researching tips for Aboriginal/other studies
Presented by: The Dr. Chun Resource Library in partnership with the First Nations House Resource Centre
FREE!
Wednesday January 27, 2010
3-4pm
@ the Centre for Women and Trans People U of T
563 Spadina Ave. Rm 100
Welcome back the school year with a workshop on research tips in Aboriginal and other studies from Jackie Esquimaux-Hamlin Resource Centre Coordinator at First Nations House and her knowledgeable workstudy students, Zoe and Erica.
Jackie has coordinated the First Nations House Resource Centre for seven years plus. With her she brings common sense tips and experience gathered over the years of service at First Nations House, working with students with different backgrounds. Jackie, Zoe and Erica will talk about
- the history of FNH Resource Centre and the special collections it offers
- how to focus in on your subject
- the resources available online, in the community and beyond that
- how to conduct research around traditional information in a respectful way, particularly pertaining to Aboriginal studies.
Useful to everyone, not just Aboriginal Studies students.
Please bring your questions about research!
for more info email: womens.centre@utoronto.ca
The Dr. Chun Resource Library is a joint project of the Centre for Women and Trans People at U of T, and OPIRG-Toronto.
DISSOLVE 2010: A dramatic presentation
Back by popular demand! Join us for this powerful one-woman play about what can go wrong on a night out on the town. Followed by an expert panel. Learn what you can do about drug-facilitated sexual assault.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010 7:00 p.m.
MacLeod Auditorium, MS 2158, Medical Sciences Building, 1 King's College Circle
Refreshments and information tables in the lobby at 6:30.
Reserve a seat www.caps.utoronto.ca
Sponsored by the Assault Counselling & Education Program, Centre for Women and Trans People, Community Safety Office, Office of Health Professionals/Student Affairs in the Faculty of Medicine, Sexual Education and Peer Counselling Centre
'The Namesake' movie screening
Presented by Culture Shifts: Exploring Identity, Migration & Exile
Monday January 18, 4-6pm
Snacks provided!
FREE & everyone welcome
Culture Shifts is presenting a movie screening of 'The Namesake' a film directed by Mira Nair, adapted from the Jhumpa Lahiri novel. The film tells the story of the Ganguli family whose move from Calcutta to New York results in a lifelong balancing act, requiring the characters to live in a new culture without forgetting the old one.
Culture Shifts is a weekly peer-support group for women and trans people of colour who have experienced migration and displacement. The group focuses on how the experience of migration affects our identities and seeks to build a supportive community.
For more information:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/event.php?eid=277430089923
or contact: culture.shifts@gmail.com
Anti-Capitalist Holiday Gift Making
Wednesday December 2,
6-8pm
FREE & all supplies provided!
Forget going to the mall! Join The Centre's Craftivism group to make homemade, from-the-heart gifts to give this holiday season. We'll be making coffee/tea mug cozies, potpourri sachets and greeting cards.
Potluck and Words of Resistance
Presented by Dr. Chun Resource Library and Aboriginal Women & Women of Colour Group
Tuesday December 1
4pm - 6pm: Vegan/Veggie Potluck
7pm: Words of Resistance Open Mic Poetry & Spoken Word
FREE & Everyone is welcome!
Come out and SPEAK OUT against oppression, with subjects right off our
shelves!
THEMES for DEC 1 WORDS OF RESISTANCE: COLONIALISM and VALUING ABORIGINAL WOMEN
Poetry can be focused around either of these topics or their intersections of oppression and resistance.
Show up with your poetry on either of the themes and read! We will kick off the evening with a vegetarian potluck from 4:00pm - 6:00pm. Bring food, or join us to nibble on what everyone else brings! At 7:00pm, we will proceed with the open mic.
This event is free and open to everyone!
*This event is part of our events for 16 Days of Activism Against Gendered Violence
A little bit about the hosts:
The Dr. Chun Resource Library exists as a space for community members and University of Toronto students to access factual, citical and alternative materials that facilitates resistance to oppression among and between diverse communities.
The library is committed to supporting marginal voices. In particular, those voices that have been traditionally left out of main stream political mobilizing are emphasized in our collection.
The library is supported by The Centre for Women and Trans People and the Ontario Public Interest Research Group Toronto (OPIRG-Toronto). The visions and interests of both organizations have been incoporated into the mission and collection policy of Dr. Chun Resource Library. These include a commitment to social, environmental, economic, human rights and anti-oppression issues.
Please visit the website library.opirguoft.org for more information and check out http://womenscentre.sa.utoronto.ca/ for all Library and other event updates during the year: http://womenscentre.sa.utoronto.ca/
Aboriginal Women & Women of Colour Group:
AWWOC hosts events and programs geared specifically for Aboriginal women and women of colour. The group encourages women to come socialize, watch movies, and agitate. The group meets every Tuesday from 4:00 to 6:00pm at the Centre for Women and Trans people and is always welcoming new members!
Trans Day of Remembrance @ U of T: Friday November 20
Friday, November 20, 2008
12 PM - 2 PM Outside Sidney Smith (100 St. George St.) - Come and create a community installation art piece about violence and gender.
1 PM - 1:05 PM Outside Sidney Smith (100 St. George St.) - Gather for a moment of silence.
2 PM - 4 PM at The Centre for Women and Trans People (563 Spadina Ave, Room 100) - Come to the Centre for light refreshments, reflection corner, and continue work on the art installation.
6:30 PM at The Centre for Women and Trans People (563 Spadina Ave., Rm. 100) - Head to the 519 events together. TTC or walking, to be decided. (TTC tokens available if needed.)
7 PM - 9 PM at The 519 Community Centre (519 Church St.) - 519 events include: performances, a reading of names, and a moment of silence.
** EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO ALL EVENTS **
Come out on Friday, November 20, 2009 outside Sidney Smith (St. George side) at noon for a remembrance service for trans people and those who have lost their lives in the face of discrimination from our society that rigidly defines sex and gender.
The Transgender Day of Remembrance was set aside to memorialize those who were killed due to anti-transgender hatred or prejudice. The event is held in November to honor Rita Hester, trans woman of color who was also a sex trade worker, whose murder in Boston on November 28th, 1998, kicked off the Remembering Our Dead web project and a San Francisco candlelight vigil in 1999. Rita Hester’s murder — like most anti-transgender murder cases — has yet to be solved.
The prevalent view states that there are only two genders (man and woman) and only two sexes (male and female) and that these correspond. Any difference is treated as illegitimate, unnatural, and threatening to social order.
This ignorance often results in violence against people who are seen as violating this imposed order. This includes people who are transsexual, transgender, cross-dressers and drag performers, 'butch' women and 'femme' men, some two-spirit people and others of traditional genders, and people with bodies that are not perceived to match the two common classifications of sex. Friends, families, and partners are also targets of hate.
This fear of gender and sex variance (transphobia) is the motivation for many murders around the world. Some of the known crimes are distinguished by 'overkill': the bodies of victims are objects of hatred and are mutilated.
It is impossible to say how many of these deaths occur, since investigators and prosecutors often overlook this motivation, and since these lives are often considered insignificant by authorities and media. Furthermore, transphobia remains prevalent in police forces and the medical field.
The violence is distinct in form, yet intimately related to sexism and homophobia. For example, a biological female living as a male in society threatens the identity of authority and privilege of so-called 'real men'; alternatively, if a person considers themself strictly heterosexual and experiences attraction to a trans person, they may feel they have been coerced into feeling something intensely 'wrong'. There are also strong intersections of transphobia with racism.
Transphobia does not effect all trans people equally: Trans women of colour and Aboriginal women experience a disproportionate amount of the violence this day exists to remember. Transphobia also has a complex relationship with perceptions surrounding mental health and addictions. Class and age inequalities also create uneven experiences. Sex workers are particularly targeted and vulnerable.
The violent results of transphobia include murder, assault, criminal negligence, self-harm, and poverty. Help end this. You can inform others of this reality and speak up against verbal expressions of fear and hate.
Find out more at www.gender.org/remember/day
*This event is part of our events for 16 Days of Activism Against Gendered Violence
PLEASURE101: Intro to Sex Toys
Featuring "Toy Time with Tynan" & Dr. Annette Bickford
UofT Sexual Education and Peer Counselling Centre, UofT Centre for Women and Trans People, & LGBTOUT Present:
Monday, November 23rd
Sidney Smith 2127
7:00pm
How is the use and regulation of sex toys connected to broader attitudes surrounding sexuality? How might we use sex toys to probe deeper into the ways in which pleasure, culture, and politics interact? And once we've thought about these issues? how do I get my hands on the latest and greatest vibrator on the market? PLEASURE101 is your chance to play around with sex toys in a fun, safe, friendly space. This isn't your everyday Sid Smith lecture!
"Toy Time with Tynan" is an independent, student-owned and operated sex toy distribution company with a focus on education and outreach. At PLEASURE101, Tynan will cover crucial sex toy basics including materials, safety, varieties, cleaning, and more. She, alongside folks from the Sexual Education and Peer Counselling Centre, will be ready to answer any and all of your toy-related questions.
Professor Annette Bickford will be opening up the discussion with a social history of the vibrator that is guaranteed to get your head buzzing. Folks from the Centre for Women and Trans People will also be exploring sex toys and sexual pleasure within the framework of "reclaiming sexuality", inspired by the writings of Midori.
Call your friends, take a study break, and see you at PLEASURE101!
On Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=211962114017
Dr. Chun Resource Library Presents: Making and Doing Empowerment: A Zine-Making Workshop
Wednesday November 25
3pm - 5:30pm
Zines can alter our sense of who we are and what is possible. Cheesy, self-help slogans and cliches don't always work for those who are queer, diasporic, racialized, trans, dis/abled, working class, survivors of violence. This hands-on workshop is about re-imagining and creating our own inspirational zine, full of what inspires us and keeps us going when times get rough.
We will create content for the radical inspirational zine and learn the basics of layout and design.
Facilitated by author of zines: "Dykes and their Hair" and "Upskirt: Dirty (un)feminist secrets", Teresa Chun-Wen Cheng
*This event is part of our events for 16 Days of Activism Against Gendered Violence
---
More about the Dr. Chun Resource Libary:
The Dr. Chun Resource Library (at The Centre for Women and Trans People at U of T) exists as a space for community members and University of Toronto students to access factual, critical and alternative materials and a space that facilitates resistance to oppression among and between diverse communities.
The library is committed to supporting marginal voices. In particular, those voices that have been traditionally left out of main stream political mobilizing are emphasized in our collection.
The library is committed to providing an anti-oppressive and harassment free space where community members and students can learn, organize and connect with one another.
The library is committed to being responsive and accountable to the community that supports it. It welcomes recommendations, volunteers and donations.
The library is supported by The Centre for Women and Trans People and the Ontario Public Interest Research Group (OPIRG). The visions and interests of both organizations have been incoporated into the mission and collection policy of Dr. Chun Resource Library. These include a commitment to social, environmental, economic, human rights and anti-oppression issues.
Please visit the library website for more information: library.opirguoft.org
AND check our website for all Library and other event updates during the year: http://womenscentre.sa.utoronto.ca/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=6275617423&ref=mf
Film Screening and Discussion: "Dissolve"
Thursday November 26
5:30pm - 7pm
Join the Centre for Women and Trans People and the U of T's Assault Counsellor/Educator to view this documentary about the issue of drug facilitated sexual assault. The 40 minute film includes the voices of 5 survivors and their stories as well as anti-violence and legal experts. Vegan refreshments will be served.
For more info please contact:
Cheryl Champagne, M.Ed
Assault Counsellor/Educator
University of Toronto, Counselling & Psychological Services
T:416.978.0174 | cheryl.champagne@utoronto.ca
OR
Margaret Lam at The Centre for Women and Trans People @ UofT
staff.womenscentre@utoronto.ca | 416-978-8201
Dr. Chun Resource Library and Aboriginal Women & Women of Colour Group present: Words of Resistance
Tuesday December 1
4pm - 6pm: Vegan/Veggie Potluck
7pm: Words of Resistance Open Mic Poetry & Spoken Word
FREE & Everyone is welcome!
Come out and SPEAK OUT against oppression, with subjects right off our shelves!
THEMES for DEC 1 WORDS OF RESISTANCE: COLONIALISM and VALUING ABORIGINAL WOMEN
Poetry can be focused around either of these topics or their intersections of oppression and resistance.
Show up with your poetry on either of the themes and read! We will kick off the evening with a vegetarian potluck from 4:00pm - 6:00pm. Bring food, or join us to nibble on what everyone else brings! At 7:00pm, we will proceed with the open mic.
This event is free and open to everyone!
*This event is part of our events for 16 Days of Activism Against Gendered Violence
A little bit about the hosts:
The Dr. Chun Resource Library exists as a space for community members and University of Toronto students to access factual, citical and alternative materials that facilitates resistance to oppression among and between diverse communities.
The library is committed to supporting marginal voices. In particular, those voices that have been traditionally left out of main stream political mobilizing are emphasized in our collection.
The library is supported by The Centre for Women and Trans People and the Ontario Public Interest Research Group Toronto (OPIRG-Toronto). The visions and interests of both organizations have been incoporated into the mission and collection policy of Dr. Chun Resource Library. These include a commitment to social, environmental, economic, human rights and anti-oppression issues.
Please visit the website library.opirguoft.org for more information and check out http://womenscentre.sa.utoronto.ca/ for all Library and other event updates during the year: http://womenscentre.sa.utoronto.ca/
Aboriginal Women & Women of Colour Group:
AWWOC hosts events and programs geared specifically for Aboriginal women and women of colour. The group encourages women to come socialize, watch movies, and agitate. The group meets every Tuesday from 4:00 to 6:00pm at the Centre for Women and Trans people and is always welcoming new members!
Crafts of Remembrance
Wednesday December 2
6-8pm
FREE & all supplies provided!
As part of 16 Days Against Gender Violence and the December 6th Montreal massacre join us as we make art and craft about gender-based violence.
Crafts of Remembrance
Wednesday November 18
6-8pm
Join us to create art in preparation for Trans Day of Remembrance and express your thoughts and feelings about gender-based violence through craft: latern-making, memorial ribbons, artwork for a community installation and more.
Trans Film Night: "Yapping Out Loud:
Contagious Thoughts from an Unrepentant Whore"
Tuesday November 17
6pm-8pm
Free Film, Free Snacks, Free Talk!
The Trans-Inclusion Group continues its series of FREE movie screenings!
Tuesday November 17th watch "Yapping Out Loud:
Contagious Thoughts from an Unrepentant Whore"
"On May 1, 2002, transsexual sex worker & performance artist Mirha-Soleil Ross delivered a series of blows in monologue form at anti-prostitution discourses and campaigns, detailing the way they impact, often tragically, on prostitutes' working conditions and lives. This is a video documentation of the event.”
"Mirha-Soleil Ross is well known for her challenging, humourous, incisive, and politically astute work. Over the last 12 years, she has created numerous performances, videos, and installations she considers "whore activism," artistic and political interventions in a social and cultural context where almost every single aspect of prostitutes' work and lives are stigmatized and criminalized." The film presents both performance art and activist pedagogy.
written and performed by: Mirha-Soleil Ross
associate director: Nicole Stamp
live score by: Reena Katz
rated: n/a
Everyone welcome - allies welcome
Open discussion follows
FREE!
POSTPONED!: "The Joy of Gender" event this Friday has been postponed due to sudden illness. We will be showing a film instead ('Gendernauts' - details below), and we'll have light snacks. Sincere apologies for any inconvenience. We will update this page with a rescheduled date for "The Joy of Gender" event as soon as possible!
Trans Film Event: 'Gendernauts'
Friday November 6
6-8pm
Light snacks
FREE!
The Dr. Chun Resource Library presents:
Shyam Selvadurai
Join the Voices Reading Circle!
BREAKING BOUNDARIES & BINDINGS BOOK CLUB LAUNCH
Thursday, October 29
7pm
Dr. Chun Resource Library
@ The Centre for Women and Trans People at UofT
563 Spadina Avenue, Room 100 (North Borden Building)
Refreshments provided
Featuring Reading & Discussion
Shyam Selvadurai (Author of Funny Boy)
This month the reading circle will be featuring the novel Funny Boy. Please bring along your thoughts and ideas to share and engage in this discussion with Shyam about his novel. Themes of the novel include: queer migrant issues, the experience of Diaspora, and struggles of class, ethnicity, and sexuality.
Get a 10% DISCOUNT on the book, as part of your membership to the reading circle at the Toronto Women’s Book Store.
OR
Borrow Funny Boy from the Dr. Chun Resource Library; other U of T libraries, including Robarts, Thomas Fisher Rare Book, Victoria College library, University College library, Trinity College library & the St. Michael’s College library or from the Toronto Public Libraries
For more information and to sign up contact Sumaya at sumaya.a.ahmed@gmail.com or contact womens.centre@utoronto.ca
About Funny Boy
In this remarkable debut novel, a boy's bittersweet passage to maturity and sexual awakening is set against the escalating politcal tensions in Sri Lanka, during the seven years leading up to the 1983 riots. Arjie Chelvaratnam is a Tamil boy growing up in an extended family in Colombo. It is through his eyes that the story unfolds and we meet a delightful, sometimes eccentric cast of characters. Arjie's journey from the luminous simplicity of childhood days into the more intricately shaded world of adults - with its secrets, its injustices, and its capacity for violence - is a memorable one, as time and time again the true longings of the human heart are held against the way things are.
Storytelling with Ivan E. Coyote
Thursday October 22
11:30am-1pm (during The Spice!)
Refreshments provided
Author Ivan E. Coyote joins us for storytelling and reading from her books! There will be plenty of opportunity to talk with Ivan during this event.
We hope you join us for this exciting special edition of The Spice! This event is part of Xpression Against Oppression (XAO) week.
More about Ivan:
Ivan Coyote was born and raised in Whitehorse, Yukon Territory. An award-winning author of four collections of short stories, one novel, two CD’s, four short films and a renowned performer, Ivan’s first love is live storytelling, and over the last thirteen years she has become an audience favourite at music, poetry, spoken word and writer’s festivals from Anchorage to Amsterdam. The Globe and Mail called Ivan “a natural-born storyteller” and Ottawa X Press said “Coyote is to CanLit what k.d. lang is to country music: a beautifully odd fixture.” Toronto Star praises Coyote’s “talent for sketching the bizarre in the everyday”, and Quill’s Magazine says Ivan has a “distinctive and persuasive voice, a flawless sense of pacing, and an impeccable sense of story.”
Ivan is a columnist for Xtra West magazine, writes regularly for The Georgia Straight and CBC Radio, and pops up in periodicals all across the continent. Her first novel, Bow Grip, was released in the fall of 2006, and was awarded the Relit award for best fiction and named by the American Library Association as a Stonewall honor book in literature. Ivan recently completed an eight-month writer in residence at Carleton University in Ottawa, and is hard at work on her second novel. Her fifth collection of stories, The Slow Fix, was released in September, 2008.
http://www.ivanecoyote.com/
Aboriginal Women & Women of Colour Group: Meet & Greet
Tuesday October 20th
4-6pm
Come to meet & mingle with other Aboriginal Women and Women of Colour, make new friends and help decide on the direction of this exciting group for the year!
This exists as a safe space to socialize, organize and agitate together - all Aboriginal women, two-spirit, trans & women of colour are welcome!
Trans Film Night: 'The Aggressives'
Tuesday October 20
6pm-8pm
Free Film, Free Snacks, Free Talk!
The Trans-Inclusion group kicks off another year of FREE movie screenings.
Wow and yay!
Tuesday October 20 watch "The Aggressives":
The Aggressives is a dynamic film shot in vibrant NYC, featuring intimate interviews with six [lesbians] of colour who define themselves as "Aggressives". The Aggressives range in/through masculinities – from pretty tomboys to blatantly butch – to explore the unexplored gaps in society’s gender labels; boldly creating their own identities. Stripped of pretence they lead us to fashion shoots and prison cells to reveal their work lives, love lives, and social lives including the underground "ball" scene. The film presents one entry point to the AG community and AG movement in all its unabashed rough-edged glory and explores its impact on gender identity in the modern world. Labels get loudly rejected while dealing with race and image in trans contexts.
dir. Daniel Peddle
rated: n/a
Film Running Time 75 min
Everyone welcome - allies welcome.
There will be time for discussion afterwards, including any ideas for this year’s program.
This event is part of Xpression Against Oppression (XAO) week.
Fall Open House: Thursday September 24
FOOD, MUSIC, PRIZES, CRAFTING and FRIENDS!
Come check out our space, participate in the first Fall session of The
Spice and indulge in some good food, get crafty by turning old
t-shirts into fabulous new ones, create button pins with pictures,
text and fabric, enter a raffle draw to win some fabulous prizes, meet
new friends and greet old faces, and learn more about the programs and
services that we offer!
12-3pm: The Spice Community Cooking
3pm: Button making and DIY t-shirt reconstruction (bring any old
t-shirts you want to transform or get one here!)
Raffle Prizes include:
Two tickets to Hart House Dinner Series (fancy meal and speaker talk!)
Sexy prize pack from Come As You Are
Food vouchers from Sammy's Student Exchange
Two tickets to 'Jerry Springer: The Opera' from Hart House Theatre
Two Regular Good Food Boxes
Prize pack from Toronto Women's Bookstore
Bottle of pure maple syrup from Hart House (made at HH Farm!)
Prize Pack with sexy goodies from Good For Her
...and more!
Stop by on Thursday, September 24th between noon and 4pm!
The Dr. Chun Resource Library presents:
Words of Resistance
Words of Resistance spits fire from Arbor Room for this special disOrienatation performance night!
Thursday September 17, 6pm
LOCATION: Arbor Room @ Hart House (7 Hart House Circle)
FREE Iftar Meal at sundown, sponsored by Graduate Students' Union
Had lips tied? Rights denied?
Seen silence amplified?
They may draw boundaries on my home, my neighborhood, my people and me
But they will never, ever stop me from speaking out.
They will never take away my
WORDS OF RESISTANCE
Come to listen, to speak and to share.
Open mike, short plays, spoken word and performances.
Featured Artists include:
Nomanzland
Unknown Mizery
Anu Radha Verma
Gitanjali Lena
Kenji Tokawa
Amai Kuda
Jorge Vallejos
Jean-Marc Daga
Rosina Kazi
*This event is part of disOrientation 2009
Take Back the Night - March with The Centre!
Saturday Sept 12, 2009
A Centre representative will be at the Davenport Perth Neighborhood Centre at 6:30 p.m. Look for our banner (neutral canvas) and JOIN US for the 29th Annual Take Back The Night!
Davenport-Perth Neighbourhood Centre, 1900 Davenport Rd. at Symington,
Toronto, Ontario
September 12, 2009 (5-9pm)
Community fair: 5 to 6 PM
Rally: 6-6:30pm
Meet up with the Centre at 6:30 pm - look for our banner!
March: 8pm - 9pm
Wheel Trans will be picking up at the parking lot at 9 and 9:30 PM
More event info from Toronto Rape Crisis Centre/Multicultural Women Against Rape (TRCC/MWAR):
This year's theme is 'No More Hiding'. We want to highlight every woman's experience of survivorship from the personal to political impacts in our every day lives. This year, we especially want to highlight the experience of all Non-Status (First Nations and Immigrant) women in our communities and the impact of violence while living without status.
March is for self identified women and women and kids, anyone who feels "I belong here". Trans Positive. Allies are welcome to participate at the March on the side and there will be an Allies contingent in the back.
Crafternoons and Crafterhours with Coalition Against Violence
Everywhere (CAVE)
Upcoming dates June-Aug:
EVERY Monday from 1-4pm
All Day CRAFT-O-THON Friday July 10 from 11am-5pm (Food will be catered in!)
Wednesdays July 15 & 29 from 6-9pm
All craft sessions are at The Centre
TTC tokens provided upon request
Food provided!
No crafting skills required
All supplies provided
Bring your friends!
FREE
On March 30th The Centre joined with members of CAVE when they organized "In Support of Vancouver's Missing Women", a rally held on the date of Robert Pickton's appeal hearing. Prior to this they coordinated a marathon crafting session at The Centre, where cards were made with each woman's picture and name. These cards were tied to balloons which were released at the rally. This summer, The Centre is again happy to host CAVE in preparation for an event in conjunction with METRAC and Elizabeth Fry Society on August 7th at Alan Gardens called "No Holds Barred" which is focused on criminalized women in Canada. At this event, CAVE will again be conducting a balloon release ceremony for Missing native women in this country. Each woman will have her own beautifully decorated card. Given that about 600 cards will need to be made, CAVE invites you to join them at The Centre this summer for regular card-crafting bees. There will be refreshments and TTC tokens upon request. You don't need to bring any supplies, just yourself!
Find out more about this project and join CAVE's Facebook group:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=164714935356
LAST Sizzlin' Spice for the Summer!
The Spice Community Cooking: Thursday July 23, 12-3pm
The Spice is a participatory cooking social promoting community-building organized through The Centre for Women and Trans People at U of T. Food has always brought women and their communities together, and The Spice aims to continue this tradition! The Spice invites women on campus and in the larger community to contribute their culinary ideas and skills in a fun event that quenches intellectual and social appetites.
Every Thursday during the school year, drop by between noon and 3pm - join us for food, friends and fun!
In the summer we have Sizzlin' Spice Sessions once a month. This next one will be the last for the summer so get it while it's hot!
LAST Sizzlin' Summer Spice 2009:
Thursday July 23
12-3pm
Free (as always!)
Everyone is welcome!
The Centre at PRIDE 2009! Trans Pride March and Dyke March Brunch and March
Join The Centre this for the following Pride festivities:
1. Trans Pride March - March with the Centre!
Friday June 26
Meet at 7pm at corner of Bloor and Church Streets
March begins at 8:00pm
Join The Centre as we march in the first Trans Pride March in Toronto! Meet us at Bloor and Church Sts. at 7pm on June 26 - look for our banner! At 8 pm march begins and continues to Church and Wellesley. Trans people and allies are welcome. There will be an after party for all the marchers catered by Pride Toronto.
2. Pre-Dyke March BRUNCH and March with The Centre!
Saturday, June 27th at The Centre
11am - 1pm is brunch
1pm we'll leave for the march
FREE!
All are welcome!
Join us before the Dyke March for our fun, fabulous and delicious pre-Dyke March brunch! Come eat and socialize at The Centre before we head out together for the Dyke March! Vegan options will be available. If you can’t make it for the brunch, just look for the The Centre for Women and Trans People at UofT’s banner at the March and join us!
Hope to see you there!
HAPPY PRIDE!
Trans Inclusion Policy PARTY:
Wednesday May 20, 7:30pm @ Gladstone Hotel
The Centre is hosting a community party to celebrate The Centre broadly, and to celebrate the adoption of its Trans Inclusion Policy. The party is a celebration of hard work and commitment to inclusion.
This event will be held at the Gladstone Hotel, not in The Centre.
We hope to see you there!
The Centre hosts GRANNY BOOTS!
WEDNESDAY MAY 20th
7:30pm - 10pm
Gladstone Hotel
1214 Queen St. W
Wheelchair accessible
*FREE*
Door Prizes from Good for Her; Queer Youth Digital Video Project @ Inside Out; and Colour Me Dragg!
Come CELEBRATE with us!
Revel in the night with:
* Drag Performance by Luka
* Puppetry/Object Theatre by Grey
* Spoken Word by Kenji Tokawa
* Spoken Word/Poetry by Annu
* Musical Performance by Juni Yeung (playing the Guqin)
* Music by Mittenz
* and dance to the DJ talents of DJ Calamity!
and more . . .
Granny Boots is FREE weekly EARLY entertainment for QUEERS, hosted by your favourite radical feminist lez, Chelsey Licht-a Womyn.
***
To view our Trans Inclusion Policy, you can find it on our website here.
Please contact us if you would like a a copy of the policy in .pdf format.
Please feel free to distribute and use our policy as a resource. We hope that it will aid other organizations in developing their own policies.
Thanks goes out to the amazing volunteers, Collective members, staff, and Work-Study students who spent countless hours/months/years of work on the development of this policy, and for helping us take another step towards creating a more inclusive and socially just space for all.
MORE TO COME:
This policy party is simply one opportunity to celebrate trans inclusion, circulate the policy, solicit feedback and share in larger dialogues and participatory processes.
You can expect to see more linked events, community forums, and a more involved policy launch in the fall. Stay tuned & connected!
To leave feedback/comments on the policy email us:
womens.centre@utoronto.ca
And check out the event on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=69779709197
Trans Film Night: "Beyond the Binary: Local Youth Shorts Screening"
Tuesday April 28 at 6pm
Free Film, Free Snacks, Free Talk!
The trans-inclusion group continues its growing and great free screening series. . .
The Trans Inclusion group is excited to announce that this months screening will be a curated shorts series featuring local youth short film and videos.
Program - Total running time approx 70 minutes + mechanics.
The works confirmed so far:
Untitled - NATASHA PIKE, 2002, 4 min.
What is it like to fall outside of... now that there are C, D, E, F... to fall outside of?
Dent on the Wall - JO-ANNA DAVIDSON, 2002, 7 min.
Examines the confusion and anger a child of a transitioning parent experienced.
First Down - LYNN MOLNAR, 2002, 8 min.
Football, highschool, and bathroom politics intersect in an act of violence.
Examines the current politics of masculinity.
Pretty Li'L Fuck - DAN LAVOIE, 2004, 6:06 min.
My body. My life. I choose to be bought. Sold. I am.
Hey Maybe - CAM MATAMOROS - 2004, 5:22 min.
Four dancing butches. One fainting femme.
End. O - BRIDGET PHOTO- 2004, 7:04 min.
This was where [sternum] we start. An experiment in knowing [achilles] the end
Madonna, Madonna - KIMBER MULDOON - 2005, 7:48 min.
A stripper, a saint, a moment of salvation.
Examines the subversive potential of fantasy.
N(either)/N(or) - EMBRUN. R. - 2005, 3:30 min.
Male. Female. The rest of us.
In the Dark - NIKO BLAXXX - 2005, 5.16 min.
When a woman wants another woman, how far will she go?
The Trials and Tribulations of a Hero - TERRENCE RODRIGUEZ, 2005, 2 min.
Video poem. Coming out as trans to oneself.
Transensual - NATHANIEL WESTLEY - 2006, 4:35 min.
Looking for a chase and a wild zombie attack? Well, he wasn't.
Jet Lag - BIANCA SIDARAVICIUS - 2007, 4:37 min.
Air travel, detachment, immigration... where is home?
genderpunk - CLARO COSCO and JIME LEMOIRE, 2007, 14 min.
fractured narrative. video journal. boyhood and identity.
The Check-Up - GABRIELLE ZILKHA, 2008, 6:07 min.
A patient emerges with an unusual diagnosis after a visit to the gynecologist.
Everyone welcome - allies welcome.
There will be time for open discussion afterwards.
FREE!
** We will also have free candy! **
Have a video?
If you identify as a TG/TS/2S/I/A/GQ/GF**K/W/? youth and have made a video on any topic that you would like to share,
or if you identify otherwise, but are a local youth (under 25 or were at the time you made your video), and the video explores gender, and you would like to share, we'd like to hear from you.
If your video is on this list and you have any concerns or questions regarding the screening, we want to hear from you.
If you have any questions about sharing a video, please contact Grey Muldoon at quivering.visions@gmail.com
If your video is being presented, please feel free to stop by with any self-promotion materials.
Most of the pieces have been selected from the Inside Out Queer Youth Digital Video Projects. You can find out more about this ongoing project here: http://www.insideout.on.ca/18Annual/youth.htm
Copies of the videos for 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008 are available for viewing in the Dr. Chun resource library.
Join us for a night of great film shorts!
Thursday April 28, 6pm - 8pm
Everyone welcome - allies welcome.
There will be time for open discussion afterwards.
FREE!
ATTENTION ALL ARTISTS . . .
*Musicians *Dancers *Poets *Filmmakers *Sculpturers *Puppeteers *Print-makers *Video Artists *Comedians *Visual Artists *Drag Performers *Performance Artists *Sketchers *Installation Artists *Fire Breathers *Jugglers *Painters *Contortionists *Story-tellers *Tragedians *Mimes *Clowns
The Centre for Women and Trans People is hosting "Granny Boots" and is looking for performers!
The Centre is hosting a community party to celebrate The Centre broadly, and to celebrate the adoption of its Trans Inclusion Policy. The party is a celebration of hard work and commitment to inclusion.
And it can be a celebration of your art . . .
For more details or to sign-up contact staff at: womens.centre@utoronto.ca
DEADLINE to sign up is April 22 by 5pm!
***
Trans Inclusion Policy Party Details:
The Centre hosts GRANNY BOOTS!
WEDNESDAY MAY 20th
7:30pm - 10pm
Gladstone Hotel
1214 Queen St. W
Come CELEBRATE with us!
** For more on the "Trans Inclusion Policy" please see:
http://womenscentre.sa.utoronto.ca/2008/11/trans-inclusion-policy.html
Stuff Swap
Thursday April 16th at 3pm - right after The Spice!
Free STUFF, free FOOD, free FUN!
Feel like taking a break from studying? Want to re-invigorate your closet while getting rid of all those old goodies that are cluttering up your life? Come to our STUFF SWAP!! We encourage you to bring your gently used items including clothing, books, CDs, accessories, art, and more! If you can't bring anything, don't worry about it! You're still welcome to come and get free stuff! There will also be lots of edible goodies for you to munch on including delicious desserts(vegan and non-vegan) and nutritious veggies!
Trans Film Night: 'Beautiful Boxer'
Free Film, Free Snacks, Free Talk!
The trans-inclusion group continues its growing and great free screening series. . .
Join us on Tuesday March 31st at 6pm to watch 'Beautiful Boxer':
Based on the real life story of Parinya Charoenphol, affectionately known as Nong Thoom in Thailand, a trans-identified Muaythai boxer. The movie chronicles her life from a young boy who likes to wear lipstick and wear flowers to her sensational career as kickboxer whose specialty is ancient Muay thai boxing. She sets out to master this lethal and traditionally masculine sport to earn a living and to raise the money necessary to transition.
In Japanese, English, and Thai with English subtitles.
Dir. by: Ekachai Uekrongtham
Rated: n/a
Film Running Time: 118 min
Everyone welcome - allies welcome.
There will be time for open discussion afterwards.
FREE!
***Featured Food: Tastes of Thai***
Solidarity rally in support of friends & family of Vancouver's Missing Women
Monday March 30th
11:30am : Leave from The Centre and walk to the rally together.
12:00pm : Rally outside of Ontario Supreme Court, 361 University Avenue
Come with us or meet us there!
Event info:
On March 30, 2009, the Supreme Court of British Columbia will begin hearing the appeal in the case of Robert "Willy" Pickton. A number of activist groups in Vancouver are organizing a rally on this date in support of the family and friends of the city's Missing Women, and have asked that communities across Canada organize events in support of their action. This event, planned for March 30 at 12:00pm at 361 University Avenue (Ontario Supreme Court), is a solidarity rally with our Vancouver's allies. It is organized by a coalition of student activists from the University of Toronto.
CD Launch: PATH OF DESTRUCTION: CANADIAN MINING COMPANIES AROUND THE WORLD
Wednesday, March 25, 7 pm
WHERE: Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE), Room 2214
252 Bloor Street West (St. George subway)
A three-part audio documentary about the global devastation spread by
Canadian mining corporations. Featuring the voices of the communities
affected by Canadian mining in Guatemala, Papua New Guinea, Democratic
Republic of the Congo and Canada. (See full description below).
Written by Asad Ismi and produced by Kristin Schwartz, the series has been played on 12 radio stations in 12 cities from coast to coast in Canada and in the U.S. (see airplay list, reviews and funders below). The documentary has garnered enthusiastic praise from Canadian and international commentators. The series was funded by six progressive Canadian unions and five non-governmental organizations amongst others.
OPIRG-Toronto and Dr. Chun Resource Library presents the CD Launch of this important audio-documentary. We hope you'll join us!
Event Moderator:
Zainab Amadahy, Indigenous Writer and activist. She is a founding
member of the Coalition in Support of Indigenous Sovereignty.
Speakers:
1. Arthur Petahtegoose, Former Chief of the Atikameksheng Anishnawbek
or the Whitefish Lake First Nation located near Sudbury, site of the
biggest mines in Canada.
His interview is prominently featured in the documentary. Under his
leadership, the Nation recently launched a $550 billion lawsuit
against the Canadian federal government and the Ontario government, on
the basis that the area of the Sudbury mines belongs to the Nation, as
does the revenue generated by their operations for the last century.
The Nation is also suing the two governments for health and
environmental damage.
2. Edgar Godoy, Expert on Canadian mining companies in Guatemala and
President of CUPE Local 2191.
He is part indigenous Maya from Guatemala and is also featured in the
documentary.
3. Ramon Grajo
He is from the Philippines and will speak about the impact of Canadian
mining companies on that country. Grajo is the spokesperson for Bayan
Canada, a chapter of Bayan (Bagong Alyansang Makabayan) or New
Patriotic Alliance, a prominent progressive organization in the
Philippines.
4 & 5. Kristin Schwartz and Asad Ismi.
Path of Destruction: Airplay and Reviews
The documentary has been an instant hit. The series was posted on the
internet on November 18, 2008. Twelve community radio stations from
coast to coast in Canada and in the U.S. have aired or committed to
air the documentary so far. Seven of these stations played or agreed
to play the series within one week of its release. The series has been
aired, published and praised by indigenous activists, editors and
producers in Canada and internationally (see reviews below). Stations
that have aired the documentary include Secwepemc Radio 91.1 FM on the
Neskonlith native reserve in British Columbia. The series is featured
on Isuma TV, an indigenous video/multi-media portal started by Isuma,
the Inuit film house. Isuma has been working for 20 years out of
Igloolik, Nunavut, and has a northern Inuit TV network. The series is
also being translated into Hindi for print publication in "Adhikar",
India's indigenous newspaper. India has the largest indigenous
population in the world at 65 million.
Stations in Canada and the U.S. that have aired (h/a) or committed to
air "Path of Destruction" so far:
Secwepemc Radio 91.1 FM--Neskonlith Reserve, BC (h/a)
KRFP 92.5 fm--Radio Free Moscow, Moscow, Idaho, U.S.
CKDU 97.5 fm--Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS (h/a)
CKUT 90.3 fm--McGill University, Montreal, QC (h/a)
CHRY 105.5 fm--York University, Toronto, ON (h/a)
CFRU 93.3 fm--University of Guelph, Guelph, ON (h/a)
CFRC 101.9 fm--Queen's University, Kingston, ON (c/a)
CILU 102.7 fm--Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, ON (h/a)
CJAM 91.5 fm--University of Windsor, Windsor, ON (h/a)
CHCR 102.9 fm--Killaloe, ON;104.5 FM in the Ottawa Valley, ON (c/a)
CKUW 95.9 fm--University of Winnipeg, Winnipeg, MB (c/a)
CJSF 90.1 fm--Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, BC (c/a)
REVIEWS
1. "This audio documentary successfully manages to bridge many
little-heard perspectives on the Canadian mining industry. First, we
hear from indigenous peoples in Canada and beyond as to how mining
companies threaten their very existence as peoples; in other words,
how the industry is complicit in an ongoing global genocide. We hear
from working people around the world on how the industry has
devastated their health, livelihoods and environment. Finally, we look
at how Canadian mining is intricately connected to, complicit in and
profiting off of wars being waged around the world. Ismi and Schwartz
provide us with a horrific but solid introduction on how Canadian and
international laws, trade agreements and the power of wealth protect
mining corporations from answering to any justice system for their
crimes. At the same time, the program provides us with hope as it
questions the very need for mining and takes an introductory look at
alternatives to this devastating resource extraction industry. 'Path
of Destruction' is an outstanding educational tool addressing the
issues of colonialism, resource extraction economies, corporate power,
free trade agreements, the military industrial complex and many other
issues."
---Zainab Amadahy, indigenous writer, community worker and activist
based in Toronto. She is a founding member of the Coalition in Support
of Indigenous Sovereignty, member of the Board of the Association of
Native Development in the Performing and Visual Arts, and the
Executive Director of Community Arts Ontario.
2. "Ismi and Schwartz's radio documentary, "Path of Destruction:
Canadian Mining Companies Around the World" is a thorough and
remarkable exposé of Canadian imperialism and its global economic web
of ecocide and misery. Eloquent testimonies from indigenous community
members from all continents are woven together to give us an intimate
view of the mining industry's devastating impacts. Everyone must hear
it."
---Sarita Ahooja, Isuma TV, an indigenous video/multi-media portal
started by Isuma, the Inuit film house. Isuma has been working for 20
years out of Igloolik, Nunavut, and has a northern Inuit TV network.
3. "Canadian imperialism's best-kept secret is undoubtedly the
inconvenient truth about Canadian mining capital's genocidal path of
destruction. Ismi and Schwartz's audio documentary illustrates how at
home and abroad Canadian mining companies are poisoning the
environment, propping up brutal dictatorships, and violently
repressing any dissent to their exploits. 'Path of Destruction' is a
bold exposé of Canadian imperialism, thoroughly dispelling any
illusions that Canadians may have about the Canadian state as a
positive force in the world."
---Steve da Silva, Co-producer of 'Radio BASICS' on CHRY 105.5
FM--York University, Toronto; Editor, BASICS Community Newsletter.
4. "'Path of Destruction' is the best radio documentary I’ve come
across in a long time. It combines an
oft-neglected analysis of colonialism in Canada with a radical
critique of the mining industry and the other institutions and
processes that support it. A very important series which has a
powerful impact."
----Matt Soltys, Producer of 'Healing the Earth Radio' on CFRU Radio
93.3 FM--University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, www.resistanceisfertile.ca.
5. "Ismi and Schwartz have the fearlessness and integrity to report
the truth and hold Canadian mining companies accountable. Canadians
need to know what's happening in Africa, for example in the Democratic
Republic of Congo where the slaughter of 4 to 5 million people has
occurred for the sake of Canadian (and foreign) profits. We can no
longer claim ignorance after listening to this documentary. Essential
for all Canadians."
---David Parker, Spoken Word Coordinator, CKDU 88.1 FM--Dalhousie
University, Halifax, NS
6. "I have just heard your excellent radio programme 'Path of
Destruction'. Great job and thank you for it. I think it is a daring
programme to take on the Industry with facts of history and it is
damaging to them and their high moral claims."
---Xavier Dias, Spokesperson for Jharkhand Mines Area Coordination
Committee[JMACC], [An indigenous organization resisting mining and
displacement in Jharkand State, India]; Editor of the Hindi monthly
'Khan Kanij aur ADHIKAR'[Mines,Minerals & Rights],"India's only
mining-affected community newspaper". http://www.adhikar.in/
7. "Thank you for 'Path of Destruction'. The concept of a radio
project for a wider information and education campaign is brilliant.
This is very helpful information to us in the Cordillera, Philippines,
where Canadian mining companies are beefing up their applications
(Olympus,Terra Nova, Ivanhoe,Golden Valley)."
---Abigail T. Bengwayan, Public Information Commission, Cordillera
Peoples Alliance, The Philippines.
8. "The new audio documentary, ‘Path of Destruction’ is an important
contribution to the growing chorus of resistance to Canadian mining.
Through careful analysis of Canadian corporate and government polices,
the documentary's producers expose how mining has devastated
communities around the globe and who has benefited from that
devastation. Mining policies are carefully situated within the broader
context of Canadian colonialism. Most compellingly, the documentary
features the voices of those directly affected by those policies.
Their urgent stories are a call to action for change that will restore
and protect the health of their communities and the rights of its
peoples. This documentary can and should be used as a tool to create
that change."
---Alison Brown, Producer of 'Redeye' on Vancouver Cooperative Radio,
CFRO 102.7 FM,
Path of Destruction: Canadian Mining Companies Around the World
A three-part radio documentary series
Written by Asad Ismi
Produced by Kristin Schwartz
Canada is the world's leading mining nation. Sixty percent of all
public mining companies are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange.
About half of all mining capital is raised in Canada. Many Canadian
mining companies have become notorious for damaging communities and
the environment and fueling wars and repression all over the world.
The Canadian government has refused to hold these corporations
accountable leading to international criticism of Canada.
Just as European settlers created Canada by stealing and plundering
native land, its mining companies today continue these practices at
home and abroad. This colonialism and neocolonialism is what Canada is
all about.
Episodes (30 minutes each):
1. “Damaging Communities and the Environment” focuses on the drastic
effect Canadian mining companies have had on indigenous peoples in
Canada and Papua New Guinea. With Chief Arthur Petahtegoose, Kathleen
Naponse, Jethro Tulli and Mark Ekepa.
2. “Fueling Wars and Repression” describes how Canadian mining
companies have been stoking conflict in the Congo, Guatemala, Canada
and on an international scale. With Prince Kumwumba, Fausto Valiente,
Edgar Godoy, Jim Harding, Chief Paula Sherman and Bob Lovelace.
3. “Who Benefits?” details the enormous benefits that Canadian mining
companies get from their operations and from government support. With
Joan Kuyek, Jamie Kneen, Karyn Keenan, William Sacher and Edgar Godoy.
"Path of Destruction" was funded by:
Canadian Union of Postal Workers (National)
CUPW Local 576 North Bay
Canadian Union of Public Employees--Local 3903
CUPE National
CUPE Local 1281
Public Service Alliance of Canada
Ontario Public Service Employees Union
Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation
Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association
Ken Luckhardt
Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives
Canadian Federation of Students
Ontario Public Interest Research Group-Toronto
Continuing Education Students Association of Ryerson
Fair Trade Clothing Co-op
Sounds of Resistance: Drumming Workshop
MONDAY, MARCH 16th
6-8pm
@ The Centre for Women and Trans People
FREE!
Everyone is welcome to "HIT", "BANG", "CRASH", "CLASH" the sound of resistance. Alejandra Higuera and guest musicians will lead an energetic workshop about how to be loud, expressive and revolutionized with the art of drumming. This is NOT your contemporary drumming class...you will learn to create language of sounds through and with ANYTHING that makes a noise. Getting ready for your next rally or demosntration, come and learn how you can be louder!
This workshop is created in collaborations with Identidad Series hosted by the Hispanic Development Council for more information email identidadseries@gmail.com or opirg.toronto@gmail.com
Organised by OPIRG-Toronto, Dr. Chun Resource Library and The Centre for Women and Trans People at U of T
Candle-making workshop and film screening: 'Sisters on the Planet'
Join us at The Centre where you will learn how to make your very own candles! Afterwards, we will screen the film 'Sisters on the Planet'. Discussion will follow. Come have some food, make a candle to take home, and watch a film you can talk about!
Thursday March 12, 6pm
Food will be provided
FREE!
This event is co-presented with OXFAM UofT
International Women's Day (IWD)
Rally and March on Saturday March 7
Breakdown of day's events:
Rally starts at 11am at OISE Auditorium.
March to follow, starts at 1pm
March leads to IWD Fair at Ryerson 1:30-4pm
Meet us here at The Centre for Women and Trans People at 11 am to walk up to OISE together (we will leave at about 11:20am).
Or you can just meet us directly there. OISE is at 252 Bloor West and there is an exit right into the building from the St. George subway (go to Bedford exit - the entrance to OISE is from within the subway).
Right after the Rally (12:45 or 1pm) look out for us holding The Centre's banner or placard either outside the auditorium or outside the building to gather our contingent representing The Centre for Women and Trans People at U of T in the IWD March.
See you there and happy IWD!
Trans Film Night: 'Red Without Blue'
Free Film, Free Snacks, Free Talk!
The trans-inclusion group continues its growing and great free screening series. . .
Join us on Tuesday February 24th at 6pm to watch 'Red Without Blue'
RED WITHOUT BLUE (RWB) offers an examination of gender, identity, and the unswerving bond of twinship despite transformation. An honest portrayal of a family in turmoil, RWB follows a pair of identical twins as one transitions from male to female. Captured over a period of three years, the film documents the twins and their parents, examining the Farleys' struggle to redefine their family. The twins' early lives were quintessentially all-American: picture-perfect holidays, supportive parents who cheered them on every step of the way. By the time they were 14, their parents had divorced, they had come out as gay, and a joint suicide attempt precipitated a forced separation of Mark and Alex for two and half years. Through candid and extensive interviews with the twins and their family, RWB recounts these troubled times, interweaving the twins' difficult past with their efforts to find themselves in the present. Through its portrayal of these articulate and independent twins, each haunted by the painful experiences of their adolescence, the film questions normative standards of gender and identity - as Mark and Clair reassert their indescribable bond as identical twins.
Dir. by: Brooke Sebold, Benita Sills, & Todd Sills
Rated: N/A
Film Running Time 74min
Everyone welcome - allies welcome.
There will be time for discussion afterwards.
* Part of the discussion time will be set aside to talk about how the film series should develop this year. Your feedback and thoughts are much appreciated. Have an idea for a film? Have you attended past events? what keeps you coming back? Is this your first event? what would keep you interested? Be as creative and as critical with your comments as you wish? or contact The Centre anytime. Or . . . just come out and relax and enjoy!
'No More Silence' Solidarity Social
Saturday February 14
Community based 'No More Silence' has organized the 4th Annual Rally For Our Missing Sisters and is calling on everyone to take a stand to "stop the impunity, stop the disappearances, stop the murders" of Indigenous women in Canada. The Centre for Women and Trans People at U of T joins this stand and invites other U of T students to do the same. The Centre is inviting students and community members to meet at the Centre before the rally and travel to and attend the rally and march together. They are also inviting all rally attendees to come back to the Centre afterwards for some delicious warm food made by Centre volunteers, with love.
11am meet at The Centre for Women and Trans People
located at 563 Spadina Ave, Room 100 (north of College, on the east side
of Spadina)
11:30am leave for Rally
12 noon, Rally at Police Headquarters at Bay and College, Outside, Bring
your drums! March to Coroner's Office, 26 Grenville St.
Immediately following, return to Centre to share a meal
(If you wish to stay at The Centre and help cook that is fine too. We will also need help with cleaning up afterwards!)
'No More Silence' call-out and more details:
Dear friends,
The Fourth Annual Rally and March for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (details below) is just days away and we are in need of some extra help.
**help out at the rally ** (marshalling, distributing information, etc.): those able to help at the actual event can meet up at 11:00am at the University of Toronto Centre for Women and Trans People; or identify yourself to organizers at the event.
*help cook for the feast*: gather at the University of Toronto Centre for Women and Trans People anytime after 11am to help cook and set-up for the feast. Feel free to bring something to share at the feast.
*donate* - although we have been able to run this event with few costs, we are seeking donations to help cover transportation costs for those coming to the event (this year speakers are planning to attend from Six Nations; we are also providing some TTC tokens for those attending the event).
*spread the word* - to members of your communities, friends, families, lovers, co-workers, members of the media. The call-out is pasted below, the poster is attached.
For more information, email nomoresilence@riseup.net
*FOURTH ANNUAL RALLY FOR OUR MISSING SISTERS*
Stop impunity around the disappearances and murders of Indigenous women on Turtle Island!
**When*:* Saturday February 14, 2009 at noon
**Where**: TO Police Headquarters at 40 College St. (near Bay St).
Rally and march to the Coroner's office (26 Grenville St), followed by a gathering with food at U of T's Centre or Women and Trans People (563 Spadina Ave)
**Please Note*:* a limited number of TTC tokens are available for those attending the event. The U of T Centre for Women and Trans People is wheelchair accessible and will be open from 11am for those wanting to help cook for the feast, or for event participants who need to warm up.
Over 500 Indigenous women have been murdered or have gone missing in Canada, most in the last 30 years. We come together in defense of our lives and to demonstrate the complicity of the state and its institutions (police, RCMP, coroners' offices and the courts) in the ongoing genocide of Indigenous peoples.
In addition to the Toronto rally and march, similar events will be occurring in Victoria, Winnipeg, Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton, Sudbury, London (ON), Thunder Bay, and Vancouver. The February 14 rally in Toronto is being organized by No More Silence (NMS).
Organized by No More Silence (NMS). NMS aims to develop an inter/national network to support the work being done by activists, academics, researchers, agencies and communities to stop the murders and disappearances of Indigenous women. To get involved or endorse the event email us at nomoresilence@riseup.net.
*Toronto event endorsed by*: CUPE-SCFP; Trans Feminist Action Caucus, CUPE 3903; Ontario Coalition Against Poverty (OCAP); Centre for Women and Trans People, University of Toronto; Centre for Women and Trans People, York University; Canadian Chiapanecas Justice for Women; No One Is Illegal Toronto; For Women's Autonomy, Rights and Dignity (FORWARD); Toronto Haiti Action Committee.
The Dr. Chun Resource Library and Voices Bookclub present:
Reading and Discussion with Farzana Doctor, author of Stealing Nasreen. Farzana will be reading discussing themes of writing, queer issues and immigrant and diaspora issues.
Thursday February 12, 5-7 pm
Refreshments will be provided!
Film Screening: 'Finding Dawn'
Join the Aboriginal Women & Women of Colour Group screening of 'Finding Dawn'. Afterwards, join us as we make posters for the 'No More Silence Rally - 4th Annual Rally and March for Our Missing Sisters'.
Free! Food! Film! Poster-making!
Tuesday February 10, 4-8pm
Aboriginal Women & Women of Colour Group
Come socialize, watch movies, and agitate with the group - all
Aboriginal women, two-spirit, trans & women of colour are welcome!
Tuesdays from 4:00 to 6:00pm
Stitch n' Bitch Sessions
Bring your crafting projects and knit, sew, crochet or craft your stress away.. meet new people and socialize over warm mugs of tea! We have a few balls of yarn and knitting needles that you can use while here if you don't own any yourself.
Stay tuned for new dates!
Queer Women's Group
Stay tuned for news of this new group!
Storytelling for International Students
Are you an International student? Come to our storytelling circle on Thursday, January 29 at the Centre! Share your experiences, or listen to others speak about the challenges facing international students.
THEME: Immigration
Thursday, January 29, 3-6PM
This event is queer and trans positive. FREE food and refreshments will be provided. ALL are welcome!
This event is part of Xpression Against Oppression week
Film Screening: 'Occupation 101'
Join us to watch this important documentary, screened during the Spice.
Come for the food, stay for the film. Discussion to follow.
January 15th, 1pm
Trans Inclusion Policy
We are very excited to announce that The Centre for Women and Trans People at U of T has just adopted a Trans Inclusion Policy. You can find it on our website here.
Please contact us if you would like a a copy of the policy in .pdf format.
Thanks goes out to the amazing volunteers, Collective members, staff, and Work-Study students who spent countless hours/months/years of work on the development of this policy, and for helping us take another step towards creating a more inclusive and socially just space for all.
Please feel free to distribute and use our policy as a resource. We hope that it will aid other organizations in developing their own policies.
Stay tuned for a launch event sometime soon in the new year!
Peer Support Groups
Peer Support Groups have started at The Centre!
Every Body's Health: A Peer Support Group
This is a peer support group for those interested in exploring
relationship between bodies, health and self-image. Participants are
invited to contribute personal experiences, examples from popular
culture, media and scholarly sources to generate discussion on body
image and eating disorders, disability and chronic illness, politics
and advocacy, and healing and coping strategies. This is a
trans-inclusive group.
Stay tuned for upcoming discussions!
R.E.S.E.R.V.E.D. Peer Support Group
R - respectfully
E - equal
S - safe
E - environment
R - reflecting
V - vitality
E - expressing
D - diversity
Looking for something new, fun, exciting, captivating, riveting? Well, look no further, because you have found it! R.E.S.E.R.V.E.D., a new addition to the Centre for Women and Trans People, is a peer support group that wants you and all your friends to come join us!
Stay tuned for upcoming discussions!
Join our facebook group: R.E.S.E.R.V.E.D.
or e-mail us: reserved.group@gmail.com
The Spice, Community Cooking
Every Thursday during the school year, drop by between noon and 3:00pm - join us for food, friends and fun!
Good Food Box
*The next delivery date is July 29th, 2009. For a box on the 29th, orders must be placed by 6:00pm on July 21st.*
Good Food Box deliveries are every other Wednesday. For more information, please see our Good Food Box webpage.
The Dr. Chun Resource Library is now open!
Drop in:
Monday to Thursday - 11:00am to 6:00pm
Friday - by appointment only
Our email newsletter lets people know about what's happening at The Centre, as well as relevant events and information from campus and community groups. If you want to receive our newsletter, email with "subscribe to newsletter" in the subject heading.
We're on Facebook
Check us out and add The Centre on Facebook!
All of our events are held at The Centre (563 Spadina Ave., Room 100) unless otherwise indicated. All of our events are wheelchair accessible.
UPCOMING EVENTS AT THE CENTRE FOR WOMEN AND TRANS PEOPLE:
Trans Film Night: "She’s A Boy I Knew"
Thursday February 11th, 2010
6pm-8pm
FREE
Free Film! Free Snacks! Free Talk!
The Trans Inclusion Group hosts another FREE screening film screening!
"She’s A Boy I Knew":
Using interviews, animation, old family footage, and voice mail, Vancouver filmmaker Gwen Haworth documents her male-to-female gender transition partially through the voices of her anxious but loving family, best friend, and wife.
Calling for a new era of DIY transgender self-representation, Haworth’s feature debut is a comic, heartbreaking, and uplifting autobiography that breaks away from the marginalized depictions of transsexuals that populate mainstream media. The film celebrates creative activism, self-advocacy and empowerment.
She's a Boy I Knew begins in 2000 with Steven Haworth's decision to come out to his family about his life-long female gender identity. The resulting auto-ethnography is not only an exploration into the filmmaker's process of transition from biological male to female, from Steven to Gwen, but also an emotionally charged account of the individual experiences, struggles, and stakes that her two sisters, mother, father, best friend and wife brought to Gwen's transition. As her transition progresses, Gwen is forced to reckon with the end of her marriage and the loss of her status as son and brother. But in doing so, she also discovers that while the nature of personal relationships may change, the love and support present within those relationships can remain just as powerful and sometimes even more so.
dir: Gwen Haworth
rated: n/a 2007
for more info: www.artflick.com
Everyone welcome - allies welcome.
Open (casual) discussion follows.
Words of Resistance: Food, Racism and Disability
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Cooking with The Spice 12-3pm
veggie pot luck 5-7pm
open mic 7-9pm
*please let us know by Dec 30th of any accessibility concerns
womens.centre@utoronto.ca
Want to perform at the open mic? Come out and SPEAK OUT against oppression, with subjects right off our shelves!
THEMES for January 28 WORDS: Food, Racism and Disability
-When you can't "work" and make money, how do you eat healthy food?
-How does your people's food heal you?
-Food regulations: on your body, in your family, on your community
-How do you connect food and love?
-How do you thank the people who brought you your food? What is the
cost to their working bodies?
- Poetry can be focused around either of these topics or their
intersections of oppression and resistance
Show up with your poetry on either of the themes and read! We will kick off the day with cooking at The Spice from 12-3pm, eating at a vegetarian potluck from 5-7pm. Come cook/bring food/or at least join us to nibble on what everyone else brings! At 7:00pm, we will proceed with the open mic.
A little bit about the hosts:
The Spice is a social, participatory community cooking program organized through The Centre for Women and Trans People at U of T. Food has always brought women and their communities together, and The Spice aims to continue this tradition! Every Thursday during the school year (or special monthly sessions in the summer) between 12 pm to 3 pm, The Spice invites women and trans people on campus and in the larger community to contribute their culinary ideas and skills in a fun event that quenches intellectual and social appetites.
The Dr. Chun Resource Library exists as a space for community members and University of Toronto students to access factual, critical and alternative materials that facilitates resistance to oppression among and between diverse communities.The library is committed to supporting marginal voices. In particular, those voices that have been traditionally left out of main stream political mobilizing are
emphasized in our collection. The library is supported by The Centre for Women and Trans People and the Ontario Public Interest Research Group Toronto (OPIRG-Toronto).
Getting the Low-down: Researching tips for Aboriginal/other studies
Presented by: The Dr. Chun Resource Library in partnership with the First Nations House Resource Centre
FREE!
Wednesday January 27, 2010
3-4pm
@ the Centre for Women and Trans People U of T
563 Spadina Ave. Rm 100
Welcome back the school year with a workshop on research tips in Aboriginal and other studies from Jackie Esquimaux-Hamlin Resource Centre Coordinator at First Nations House and her knowledgeable workstudy students, Zoe and Erica.
Jackie has coordinated the First Nations House Resource Centre for seven years plus. With her she brings common sense tips and experience gathered over the years of service at First Nations House, working with students with different backgrounds. Jackie, Zoe and Erica will talk about
- the history of FNH Resource Centre and the special collections it offers
- how to focus in on your subject
- the resources available online, in the community and beyond that
- how to conduct research around traditional information in a respectful way, particularly pertaining to Aboriginal studies.
Useful to everyone, not just Aboriginal Studies students.
Please bring your questions about research!
for more info email: womens.centre@utoronto.ca
The Dr. Chun Resource Library is a joint project of the Centre for Women and Trans People at U of T, and OPIRG-Toronto.
DISSOLVE 2010: A dramatic presentation
Back by popular demand! Join us for this powerful one-woman play about what can go wrong on a night out on the town. Followed by an expert panel. Learn what you can do about drug-facilitated sexual assault.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010 7:00 p.m.
MacLeod Auditorium, MS 2158, Medical Sciences Building, 1 King's College Circle
Refreshments and information tables in the lobby at 6:30.
Reserve a seat www.caps.utoronto.ca
Sponsored by the Assault Counselling & Education Program, Centre for Women and Trans People, Community Safety Office, Office of Health Professionals/Student Affairs in the Faculty of Medicine, Sexual Education and Peer Counselling Centre
'The Namesake' movie screening
Presented by Culture Shifts: Exploring Identity, Migration & Exile
Monday January 18, 4-6pm
Snacks provided!
FREE & everyone welcome
Culture Shifts is presenting a movie screening of 'The Namesake' a film directed by Mira Nair, adapted from the Jhumpa Lahiri novel. The film tells the story of the Ganguli family whose move from Calcutta to New York results in a lifelong balancing act, requiring the characters to live in a new culture without forgetting the old one.
Culture Shifts is a weekly peer-support group for women and trans people of colour who have experienced migration and displacement. The group focuses on how the experience of migration affects our identities and seeks to build a supportive community.
For more information:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/event.php?eid=277430089923
or contact: culture.shifts@gmail.com
Anti-Capitalist Holiday Gift Making
Wednesday December 2,
6-8pm
FREE & all supplies provided!
Forget going to the mall! Join The Centre's Craftivism group to make homemade, from-the-heart gifts to give this holiday season. We'll be making coffee/tea mug cozies, potpourri sachets and greeting cards.
Potluck and Words of Resistance
Presented by Dr. Chun Resource Library and Aboriginal Women & Women of Colour Group
Tuesday December 1
4pm - 6pm: Vegan/Veggie Potluck
7pm: Words of Resistance Open Mic Poetry & Spoken Word
FREE & Everyone is welcome!
Come out and SPEAK OUT against oppression, with subjects right off our
shelves!
THEMES for DEC 1 WORDS OF RESISTANCE: COLONIALISM and VALUING ABORIGINAL WOMEN
Poetry can be focused around either of these topics or their intersections of oppression and resistance.
Show up with your poetry on either of the themes and read! We will kick off the evening with a vegetarian potluck from 4:00pm - 6:00pm. Bring food, or join us to nibble on what everyone else brings! At 7:00pm, we will proceed with the open mic.
This event is free and open to everyone!
*This event is part of our events for 16 Days of Activism Against Gendered Violence
A little bit about the hosts:
The Dr. Chun Resource Library exists as a space for community members and University of Toronto students to access factual, citical and alternative materials that facilitates resistance to oppression among and between diverse communities.
The library is committed to supporting marginal voices. In particular, those voices that have been traditionally left out of main stream political mobilizing are emphasized in our collection.
The library is supported by The Centre for Women and Trans People and the Ontario Public Interest Research Group Toronto (OPIRG-Toronto). The visions and interests of both organizations have been incoporated into the mission and collection policy of Dr. Chun Resource Library. These include a commitment to social, environmental, economic, human rights and anti-oppression issues.
Please visit the website library.opirguoft.org for more information and check out http://womenscentre.sa.utoronto.ca/ for all Library and other event updates during the year: http://womenscentre.sa.utoronto.ca/
Aboriginal Women & Women of Colour Group:
AWWOC hosts events and programs geared specifically for Aboriginal women and women of colour. The group encourages women to come socialize, watch movies, and agitate. The group meets every Tuesday from 4:00 to 6:00pm at the Centre for Women and Trans people and is always welcoming new members!
Trans Day of Remembrance @ U of T: Friday November 20
Friday, November 20, 2008
12 PM - 2 PM Outside Sidney Smith (100 St. George St.) - Come and create a community installation art piece about violence and gender.
1 PM - 1:05 PM Outside Sidney Smith (100 St. George St.) - Gather for a moment of silence.
2 PM - 4 PM at The Centre for Women and Trans People (563 Spadina Ave, Room 100) - Come to the Centre for light refreshments, reflection corner, and continue work on the art installation.
6:30 PM at The Centre for Women and Trans People (563 Spadina Ave., Rm. 100) - Head to the 519 events together. TTC or walking, to be decided. (TTC tokens available if needed.)
7 PM - 9 PM at The 519 Community Centre (519 Church St.) - 519 events include: performances, a reading of names, and a moment of silence.
** EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO ALL EVENTS **
Come out on Friday, November 20, 2009 outside Sidney Smith (St. George side) at noon for a remembrance service for trans people and those who have lost their lives in the face of discrimination from our society that rigidly defines sex and gender.
The Transgender Day of Remembrance was set aside to memorialize those who were killed due to anti-transgender hatred or prejudice. The event is held in November to honor Rita Hester, trans woman of color who was also a sex trade worker, whose murder in Boston on November 28th, 1998, kicked off the Remembering Our Dead web project and a San Francisco candlelight vigil in 1999. Rita Hester’s murder — like most anti-transgender murder cases — has yet to be solved.
The prevalent view states that there are only two genders (man and woman) and only two sexes (male and female) and that these correspond. Any difference is treated as illegitimate, unnatural, and threatening to social order.
This ignorance often results in violence against people who are seen as violating this imposed order. This includes people who are transsexual, transgender, cross-dressers and drag performers, 'butch' women and 'femme' men, some two-spirit people and others of traditional genders, and people with bodies that are not perceived to match the two common classifications of sex. Friends, families, and partners are also targets of hate.
This fear of gender and sex variance (transphobia) is the motivation for many murders around the world. Some of the known crimes are distinguished by 'overkill': the bodies of victims are objects of hatred and are mutilated.
It is impossible to say how many of these deaths occur, since investigators and prosecutors often overlook this motivation, and since these lives are often considered insignificant by authorities and media. Furthermore, transphobia remains prevalent in police forces and the medical field.
The violence is distinct in form, yet intimately related to sexism and homophobia. For example, a biological female living as a male in society threatens the identity of authority and privilege of so-called 'real men'; alternatively, if a person considers themself strictly heterosexual and experiences attraction to a trans person, they may feel they have been coerced into feeling something intensely 'wrong'. There are also strong intersections of transphobia with racism.
Transphobia does not effect all trans people equally: Trans women of colour and Aboriginal women experience a disproportionate amount of the violence this day exists to remember. Transphobia also has a complex relationship with perceptions surrounding mental health and addictions. Class and age inequalities also create uneven experiences. Sex workers are particularly targeted and vulnerable.
The violent results of transphobia include murder, assault, criminal negligence, self-harm, and poverty. Help end this. You can inform others of this reality and speak up against verbal expressions of fear and hate.
Find out more at www.gender.org/remember/day
*This event is part of our events for 16 Days of Activism Against Gendered Violence
PLEASURE101: Intro to Sex Toys
Featuring "Toy Time with Tynan" & Dr. Annette Bickford
UofT Sexual Education and Peer Counselling Centre, UofT Centre for Women and Trans People, & LGBTOUT Present:
Monday, November 23rd
Sidney Smith 2127
7:00pm
How is the use and regulation of sex toys connected to broader attitudes surrounding sexuality? How might we use sex toys to probe deeper into the ways in which pleasure, culture, and politics interact? And once we've thought about these issues? how do I get my hands on the latest and greatest vibrator on the market? PLEASURE101 is your chance to play around with sex toys in a fun, safe, friendly space. This isn't your everyday Sid Smith lecture!
"Toy Time with Tynan" is an independent, student-owned and operated sex toy distribution company with a focus on education and outreach. At PLEASURE101, Tynan will cover crucial sex toy basics including materials, safety, varieties, cleaning, and more. She, alongside folks from the Sexual Education and Peer Counselling Centre, will be ready to answer any and all of your toy-related questions.
Professor Annette Bickford will be opening up the discussion with a social history of the vibrator that is guaranteed to get your head buzzing. Folks from the Centre for Women and Trans People will also be exploring sex toys and sexual pleasure within the framework of "reclaiming sexuality", inspired by the writings of Midori.
Call your friends, take a study break, and see you at PLEASURE101!
On Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=211962114017
Dr. Chun Resource Library Presents: Making and Doing Empowerment: A Zine-Making Workshop
Wednesday November 25
3pm - 5:30pm
Zines can alter our sense of who we are and what is possible. Cheesy, self-help slogans and cliches don't always work for those who are queer, diasporic, racialized, trans, dis/abled, working class, survivors of violence. This hands-on workshop is about re-imagining and creating our own inspirational zine, full of what inspires us and keeps us going when times get rough.
We will create content for the radical inspirational zine and learn the basics of layout and design.
Facilitated by author of zines: "Dykes and their Hair" and "Upskirt: Dirty (un)feminist secrets", Teresa Chun-Wen Cheng
*This event is part of our events for 16 Days of Activism Against Gendered Violence
---
More about the Dr. Chun Resource Libary:
The Dr. Chun Resource Library (at The Centre for Women and Trans People at U of T) exists as a space for community members and University of Toronto students to access factual, critical and alternative materials and a space that facilitates resistance to oppression among and between diverse communities.
The library is committed to supporting marginal voices. In particular, those voices that have been traditionally left out of main stream political mobilizing are emphasized in our collection.
The library is committed to providing an anti-oppressive and harassment free space where community members and students can learn, organize and connect with one another.
The library is committed to being responsive and accountable to the community that supports it. It welcomes recommendations, volunteers and donations.
The library is supported by The Centre for Women and Trans People and the Ontario Public Interest Research Group (OPIRG). The visions and interests of both organizations have been incoporated into the mission and collection policy of Dr. Chun Resource Library. These include a commitment to social, environmental, economic, human rights and anti-oppression issues.
Please visit the library website for more information: library.opirguoft.org
AND check our website for all Library and other event updates during the year: http://womenscentre.sa.utoronto.ca/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=6275617423&ref=mf
Film Screening and Discussion: "Dissolve"
Thursday November 26
5:30pm - 7pm
Join the Centre for Women and Trans People and the U of T's Assault Counsellor/Educator to view this documentary about the issue of drug facilitated sexual assault. The 40 minute film includes the voices of 5 survivors and their stories as well as anti-violence and legal experts. Vegan refreshments will be served.
For more info please contact:
Cheryl Champagne, M.Ed
Assault Counsellor/Educator
University of Toronto, Counselling & Psychological Services
T:416.978.0174 | cheryl.champagne@utoronto.ca
OR
Margaret Lam at The Centre for Women and Trans People @ UofT
staff.womenscentre@utoronto.ca | 416-978-8201
Dr. Chun Resource Library and Aboriginal Women & Women of Colour Group present: Words of Resistance
Tuesday December 1
4pm - 6pm: Vegan/Veggie Potluck
7pm: Words of Resistance Open Mic Poetry & Spoken Word
FREE & Everyone is welcome!
Come out and SPEAK OUT against oppression, with subjects right off our shelves!
THEMES for DEC 1 WORDS OF RESISTANCE: COLONIALISM and VALUING ABORIGINAL WOMEN
Poetry can be focused around either of these topics or their intersections of oppression and resistance.
Show up with your poetry on either of the themes and read! We will kick off the evening with a vegetarian potluck from 4:00pm - 6:00pm. Bring food, or join us to nibble on what everyone else brings! At 7:00pm, we will proceed with the open mic.
This event is free and open to everyone!
*This event is part of our events for 16 Days of Activism Against Gendered Violence
A little bit about the hosts:
The Dr. Chun Resource Library exists as a space for community members and University of Toronto students to access factual, citical and alternative materials that facilitates resistance to oppression among and between diverse communities.
The library is committed to supporting marginal voices. In particular, those voices that have been traditionally left out of main stream political mobilizing are emphasized in our collection.
The library is supported by The Centre for Women and Trans People and the Ontario Public Interest Research Group Toronto (OPIRG-Toronto). The visions and interests of both organizations have been incoporated into the mission and collection policy of Dr. Chun Resource Library. These include a commitment to social, environmental, economic, human rights and anti-oppression issues.
Please visit the website library.opirguoft.org for more information and check out http://womenscentre.sa.utoronto.ca/ for all Library and other event updates during the year: http://womenscentre.sa.utoronto.ca/
Aboriginal Women & Women of Colour Group:
AWWOC hosts events and programs geared specifically for Aboriginal women and women of colour. The group encourages women to come socialize, watch movies, and agitate. The group meets every Tuesday from 4:00 to 6:00pm at the Centre for Women and Trans people and is always welcoming new members!
Crafts of Remembrance
Wednesday December 2
6-8pm
FREE & all supplies provided!
As part of 16 Days Against Gender Violence and the December 6th Montreal massacre join us as we make art and craft about gender-based violence.
Crafts of Remembrance
Wednesday November 18
6-8pm
Join us to create art in preparation for Trans Day of Remembrance and express your thoughts and feelings about gender-based violence through craft: latern-making, memorial ribbons, artwork for a community installation and more.
Trans Film Night: "Yapping Out Loud:
Contagious Thoughts from an Unrepentant Whore"
Tuesday November 17
6pm-8pm
Free Film, Free Snacks, Free Talk!
The Trans-Inclusion Group continues its series of FREE movie screenings!
Tuesday November 17th watch "Yapping Out Loud:
Contagious Thoughts from an Unrepentant Whore"
"On May 1, 2002, transsexual sex worker & performance artist Mirha-Soleil Ross delivered a series of blows in monologue form at anti-prostitution discourses and campaigns, detailing the way they impact, often tragically, on prostitutes' working conditions and lives. This is a video documentation of the event.”
"Mirha-Soleil Ross is well known for her challenging, humourous, incisive, and politically astute work. Over the last 12 years, she has created numerous performances, videos, and installations she considers "whore activism," artistic and political interventions in a social and cultural context where almost every single aspect of prostitutes' work and lives are stigmatized and criminalized." The film presents both performance art and activist pedagogy.
written and performed by: Mirha-Soleil Ross
associate director: Nicole Stamp
live score by: Reena Katz
rated: n/a
Everyone welcome - allies welcome
Open discussion follows
FREE!
POSTPONED!: "The Joy of Gender" event this Friday has been postponed due to sudden illness. We will be showing a film instead ('Gendernauts' - details below), and we'll have light snacks. Sincere apologies for any inconvenience. We will update this page with a rescheduled date for "The Joy of Gender" event as soon as possible!
Trans Film Event: 'Gendernauts'
Friday November 6
6-8pm
Light snacks
FREE!
The Dr. Chun Resource Library presents:
Shyam Selvadurai
Join the Voices Reading Circle!
BREAKING BOUNDARIES & BINDINGS BOOK CLUB LAUNCH
Thursday, October 29
7pm
Dr. Chun Resource Library
@ The Centre for Women and Trans People at UofT
563 Spadina Avenue, Room 100 (North Borden Building)
Refreshments provided
Featuring Reading & Discussion
Shyam Selvadurai (Author of Funny Boy)
This month the reading circle will be featuring the novel Funny Boy. Please bring along your thoughts and ideas to share and engage in this discussion with Shyam about his novel. Themes of the novel include: queer migrant issues, the experience of Diaspora, and struggles of class, ethnicity, and sexuality.
Get a 10% DISCOUNT on the book, as part of your membership to the reading circle at the Toronto Women’s Book Store.
OR
Borrow Funny Boy from the Dr. Chun Resource Library; other U of T libraries, including Robarts, Thomas Fisher Rare Book, Victoria College library, University College library, Trinity College library & the St. Michael’s College library or from the Toronto Public Libraries
For more information and to sign up contact Sumaya at sumaya.a.ahmed@gmail.com or contact womens.centre@utoronto.ca
About Funny Boy
In this remarkable debut novel, a boy's bittersweet passage to maturity and sexual awakening is set against the escalating politcal tensions in Sri Lanka, during the seven years leading up to the 1983 riots. Arjie Chelvaratnam is a Tamil boy growing up in an extended family in Colombo. It is through his eyes that the story unfolds and we meet a delightful, sometimes eccentric cast of characters. Arjie's journey from the luminous simplicity of childhood days into the more intricately shaded world of adults - with its secrets, its injustices, and its capacity for violence - is a memorable one, as time and time again the true longings of the human heart are held against the way things are.
Storytelling with Ivan E. Coyote
Thursday October 22
11:30am-1pm (during The Spice!)
Refreshments provided
Author Ivan E. Coyote joins us for storytelling and reading from her books! There will be plenty of opportunity to talk with Ivan during this event.
We hope you join us for this exciting special edition of The Spice! This event is part of Xpression Against Oppression (XAO) week.
More about Ivan:
Ivan Coyote was born and raised in Whitehorse, Yukon Territory. An award-winning author of four collections of short stories, one novel, two CD’s, four short films and a renowned performer, Ivan’s first love is live storytelling, and over the last thirteen years she has become an audience favourite at music, poetry, spoken word and writer’s festivals from Anchorage to Amsterdam. The Globe and Mail called Ivan “a natural-born storyteller” and Ottawa X Press said “Coyote is to CanLit what k.d. lang is to country music: a beautifully odd fixture.” Toronto Star praises Coyote’s “talent for sketching the bizarre in the everyday”, and Quill’s Magazine says Ivan has a “distinctive and persuasive voice, a flawless sense of pacing, and an impeccable sense of story.”
Ivan is a columnist for Xtra West magazine, writes regularly for The Georgia Straight and CBC Radio, and pops up in periodicals all across the continent. Her first novel, Bow Grip, was released in the fall of 2006, and was awarded the Relit award for best fiction and named by the American Library Association as a Stonewall honor book in literature. Ivan recently completed an eight-month writer in residence at Carleton University in Ottawa, and is hard at work on her second novel. Her fifth collection of stories, The Slow Fix, was released in September, 2008.
http://www.ivanecoyote.com/
Aboriginal Women & Women of Colour Group: Meet & Greet
Tuesday October 20th
4-6pm
Come to meet & mingle with other Aboriginal Women and Women of Colour, make new friends and help decide on the direction of this exciting group for the year!
This exists as a safe space to socialize, organize and agitate together - all Aboriginal women, two-spirit, trans & women of colour are welcome!
Trans Film Night: 'The Aggressives'
Tuesday October 20
6pm-8pm
Free Film, Free Snacks, Free Talk!
The Trans-Inclusion group kicks off another year of FREE movie screenings.
Wow and yay!
Tuesday October 20 watch "The Aggressives":
The Aggressives is a dynamic film shot in vibrant NYC, featuring intimate interviews with six [lesbians] of colour who define themselves as "Aggressives". The Aggressives range in/through masculinities – from pretty tomboys to blatantly butch – to explore the unexplored gaps in society’s gender labels; boldly creating their own identities. Stripped of pretence they lead us to fashion shoots and prison cells to reveal their work lives, love lives, and social lives including the underground "ball" scene. The film presents one entry point to the AG community and AG movement in all its unabashed rough-edged glory and explores its impact on gender identity in the modern world. Labels get loudly rejected while dealing with race and image in trans contexts.
dir. Daniel Peddle
rated: n/a
Film Running Time 75 min
Everyone welcome - allies welcome.
There will be time for discussion afterwards, including any ideas for this year’s program.
This event is part of Xpression Against Oppression (XAO) week.
Fall Open House: Thursday September 24
FOOD, MUSIC, PRIZES, CRAFTING and FRIENDS!
Come check out our space, participate in the first Fall session of The
Spice and indulge in some good food, get crafty by turning old
t-shirts into fabulous new ones, create button pins with pictures,
text and fabric, enter a raffle draw to win some fabulous prizes, meet
new friends and greet old faces, and learn more about the programs and
services that we offer!
12-3pm: The Spice Community Cooking
3pm: Button making and DIY t-shirt reconstruction (bring any old
t-shirts you want to transform or get one here!)
Raffle Prizes include:
Two tickets to Hart House Dinner Series (fancy meal and speaker talk!)
Sexy prize pack from Come As You Are
Food vouchers from Sammy's Student Exchange
Two tickets to 'Jerry Springer: The Opera' from Hart House Theatre
Two Regular Good Food Boxes
Prize pack from Toronto Women's Bookstore
Bottle of pure maple syrup from Hart House (made at HH Farm!)
Prize Pack with sexy goodies from Good For Her
...and more!
Stop by on Thursday, September 24th between noon and 4pm!
The Dr. Chun Resource Library presents:
Words of Resistance
Words of Resistance spits fire from Arbor Room for this special disOrienatation performance night!
Thursday September 17, 6pm
LOCATION: Arbor Room @ Hart House (7 Hart House Circle)
FREE Iftar Meal at sundown, sponsored by Graduate Students' Union
Had lips tied? Rights denied?
Seen silence amplified?
They may draw boundaries on my home, my neighborhood, my people and me
But they will never, ever stop me from speaking out.
They will never take away my
WORDS OF RESISTANCE
Come to listen, to speak and to share.
Open mike, short plays, spoken word and performances.
Featured Artists include:
Nomanzland
Unknown Mizery
Anu Radha Verma
Gitanjali Lena
Kenji Tokawa
Amai Kuda
Jorge Vallejos
Jean-Marc Daga
Rosina Kazi
*This event is part of disOrientation 2009
Take Back the Night - March with The Centre!
Saturday Sept 12, 2009
A Centre representative will be at the Davenport Perth Neighborhood Centre at 6:30 p.m. Look for our banner (neutral canvas) and JOIN US for the 29th Annual Take Back The Night!
Davenport-Perth Neighbourhood Centre, 1900 Davenport Rd. at Symington,
Toronto, Ontario
September 12, 2009 (5-9pm)
Community fair: 5 to 6 PM
Rally: 6-6:30pm
Meet up with the Centre at 6:30 pm - look for our banner!
March: 8pm - 9pm
Wheel Trans will be picking up at the parking lot at 9 and 9:30 PM
More event info from Toronto Rape Crisis Centre/Multicultural Women Against Rape (TRCC/MWAR):
This year's theme is 'No More Hiding'. We want to highlight every woman's experience of survivorship from the personal to political impacts in our every day lives. This year, we especially want to highlight the experience of all Non-Status (First Nations and Immigrant) women in our communities and the impact of violence while living without status.
March is for self identified women and women and kids, anyone who feels "I belong here". Trans Positive. Allies are welcome to participate at the March on the side and there will be an Allies contingent in the back.
Crafternoons and Crafterhours with Coalition Against Violence
Everywhere (CAVE)
Upcoming dates June-Aug:
EVERY Monday from 1-4pm
All Day CRAFT-O-THON Friday July 10 from 11am-5pm (Food will be catered in!)
Wednesdays July 15 & 29 from 6-9pm
All craft sessions are at The Centre
TTC tokens provided upon request
Food provided!
No crafting skills required
All supplies provided
Bring your friends!
FREE
On March 30th The Centre joined with members of CAVE when they organized "In Support of Vancouver's Missing Women", a rally held on the date of Robert Pickton's appeal hearing. Prior to this they coordinated a marathon crafting session at The Centre, where cards were made with each woman's picture and name. These cards were tied to balloons which were released at the rally. This summer, The Centre is again happy to host CAVE in preparation for an event in conjunction with METRAC and Elizabeth Fry Society on August 7th at Alan Gardens called "No Holds Barred" which is focused on criminalized women in Canada. At this event, CAVE will again be conducting a balloon release ceremony for Missing native women in this country. Each woman will have her own beautifully decorated card. Given that about 600 cards will need to be made, CAVE invites you to join them at The Centre this summer for regular card-crafting bees. There will be refreshments and TTC tokens upon request. You don't need to bring any supplies, just yourself!
Find out more about this project and join CAVE's Facebook group:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=164714935356
LAST Sizzlin' Spice for the Summer!
The Spice Community Cooking: Thursday July 23, 12-3pm
The Spice is a participatory cooking social promoting community-building organized through The Centre for Women and Trans People at U of T. Food has always brought women and their communities together, and The Spice aims to continue this tradition! The Spice invites women on campus and in the larger community to contribute their culinary ideas and skills in a fun event that quenches intellectual and social appetites.
Every Thursday during the school year, drop by between noon and 3pm - join us for food, friends and fun!
In the summer we have Sizzlin' Spice Sessions once a month. This next one will be the last for the summer so get it while it's hot!
LAST Sizzlin' Summer Spice 2009:
Thursday July 23
12-3pm
Free (as always!)
Everyone is welcome!
The Centre at PRIDE 2009! Trans Pride March and Dyke March Brunch and March
Join The Centre this for the following Pride festivities:
1. Trans Pride March - March with the Centre!
Friday June 26
Meet at 7pm at corner of Bloor and Church Streets
March begins at 8:00pm
Join The Centre as we march in the first Trans Pride March in Toronto! Meet us at Bloor and Church Sts. at 7pm on June 26 - look for our banner! At 8 pm march begins and continues to Church and Wellesley. Trans people and allies are welcome. There will be an after party for all the marchers catered by Pride Toronto.
2. Pre-Dyke March BRUNCH and March with The Centre!
Saturday, June 27th at The Centre
11am - 1pm is brunch
1pm we'll leave for the march
FREE!
All are welcome!
Join us before the Dyke March for our fun, fabulous and delicious pre-Dyke March brunch! Come eat and socialize at The Centre before we head out together for the Dyke March! Vegan options will be available. If you can’t make it for the brunch, just look for the The Centre for Women and Trans People at UofT’s banner at the March and join us!
Hope to see you there!
HAPPY PRIDE!
Trans Inclusion Policy PARTY:
Wednesday May 20, 7:30pm @ Gladstone Hotel
The Centre is hosting a community party to celebrate The Centre broadly, and to celebrate the adoption of its Trans Inclusion Policy. The party is a celebration of hard work and commitment to inclusion.
This event will be held at the Gladstone Hotel, not in The Centre.
We hope to see you there!
The Centre hosts GRANNY BOOTS!
WEDNESDAY MAY 20th
7:30pm - 10pm
Gladstone Hotel
1214 Queen St. W
Wheelchair accessible
*FREE*
Door Prizes from Good for Her; Queer Youth Digital Video Project @ Inside Out; and Colour Me Dragg!
Come CELEBRATE with us!
Revel in the night with:
* Drag Performance by Luka
* Puppetry/Object Theatre by Grey
* Spoken Word by Kenji Tokawa
* Spoken Word/Poetry by Annu
* Musical Performance by Juni Yeung (playing the Guqin)
* Music by Mittenz
* and dance to the DJ talents of DJ Calamity!
and more . . .
Granny Boots is FREE weekly EARLY entertainment for QUEERS, hosted by your favourite radical feminist lez, Chelsey Licht-a Womyn.
***
To view our Trans Inclusion Policy, you can find it on our website here.
Please contact us if you would like a a copy of the policy in .pdf format.
Please feel free to distribute and use our policy as a resource. We hope that it will aid other organizations in developing their own policies.
Thanks goes out to the amazing volunteers, Collective members, staff, and Work-Study students who spent countless hours/months/years of work on the development of this policy, and for helping us take another step towards creating a more inclusive and socially just space for all.
MORE TO COME:
This policy party is simply one opportunity to celebrate trans inclusion, circulate the policy, solicit feedback and share in larger dialogues and participatory processes.
You can expect to see more linked events, community forums, and a more involved policy launch in the fall. Stay tuned & connected!
To leave feedback/comments on the policy email us:
womens.centre@utoronto.ca
And check out the event on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=69779709197
Trans Film Night: "Beyond the Binary: Local Youth Shorts Screening"
Tuesday April 28 at 6pm
Free Film, Free Snacks, Free Talk!
The trans-inclusion group continues its growing and great free screening series. . .
The Trans Inclusion group is excited to announce that this months screening will be a curated shorts series featuring local youth short film and videos.
Program - Total running time approx 70 minutes + mechanics.
The works confirmed so far:
Untitled - NATASHA PIKE, 2002, 4 min.
What is it like to fall outside of... now that there are C, D, E, F... to fall outside of?
Dent on the Wall - JO-ANNA DAVIDSON, 2002, 7 min.
Examines the confusion and anger a child of a transitioning parent experienced.
First Down - LYNN MOLNAR, 2002, 8 min.
Football, highschool, and bathroom politics intersect in an act of violence.
Examines the current politics of masculinity.
Pretty Li'L Fuck - DAN LAVOIE, 2004, 6:06 min.
My body. My life. I choose to be bought. Sold. I am.
Hey Maybe - CAM MATAMOROS - 2004, 5:22 min.
Four dancing butches. One fainting femme.
End. O - BRIDGET PHOTO- 2004, 7:04 min.
This was where [sternum] we start. An experiment in knowing [achilles] the end
Madonna, Madonna - KIMBER MULDOON - 2005, 7:48 min.
A stripper, a saint, a moment of salvation.
Examines the subversive potential of fantasy.
N(either)/N(or) - EMBRUN. R. - 2005, 3:30 min.
Male. Female. The rest of us.
In the Dark - NIKO BLAXXX - 2005, 5.16 min.
When a woman wants another woman, how far will she go?
The Trials and Tribulations of a Hero - TERRENCE RODRIGUEZ, 2005, 2 min.
Video poem. Coming out as trans to oneself.
Transensual - NATHANIEL WESTLEY - 2006, 4:35 min.
Looking for a chase and a wild zombie attack? Well, he wasn't.
Jet Lag - BIANCA SIDARAVICIUS - 2007, 4:37 min.
Air travel, detachment, immigration... where is home?
genderpunk - CLARO COSCO and JIME LEMOIRE, 2007, 14 min.
fractured narrative. video journal. boyhood and identity.
The Check-Up - GABRIELLE ZILKHA, 2008, 6:07 min.
A patient emerges with an unusual diagnosis after a visit to the gynecologist.
Everyone welcome - allies welcome.
There will be time for open discussion afterwards.
FREE!
** We will also have free candy! **
Have a video?
If you identify as a TG/TS/2S/I/A/GQ/GF**K/W/? youth and have made a video on any topic that you would like to share,
or if you identify otherwise, but are a local youth (under 25 or were at the time you made your video), and the video explores gender, and you would like to share, we'd like to hear from you.
If your video is on this list and you have any concerns or questions regarding the screening, we want to hear from you.
If you have any questions about sharing a video, please contact Grey Muldoon at quivering.visions@gmail.com
If your video is being presented, please feel free to stop by with any self-promotion materials.
Most of the pieces have been selected from the Inside Out Queer Youth Digital Video Projects. You can find out more about this ongoing project here: http://www.insideout.on.ca/18Annual/youth.htm
Copies of the videos for 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008 are available for viewing in the Dr. Chun resource library.
Join us for a night of great film shorts!
Thursday April 28, 6pm - 8pm
Everyone welcome - allies welcome.
There will be time for open discussion afterwards.
FREE!
ATTENTION ALL ARTISTS . . .
*Musicians *Dancers *Poets *Filmmakers *Sculpturers *Puppeteers *Print-makers *Video Artists *Comedians *Visual Artists *Drag Performers *Performance Artists *Sketchers *Installation Artists *Fire Breathers *Jugglers *Painters *Contortionists *Story-tellers *Tragedians *Mimes *Clowns
The Centre for Women and Trans People is hosting "Granny Boots" and is looking for performers!
The Centre is hosting a community party to celebrate The Centre broadly, and to celebrate the adoption of its Trans Inclusion Policy. The party is a celebration of hard work and commitment to inclusion.
And it can be a celebration of your art . . .
For more details or to sign-up contact staff at: womens.centre@utoronto.ca
DEADLINE to sign up is April 22 by 5pm!
***
Trans Inclusion Policy Party Details:
The Centre hosts GRANNY BOOTS!
WEDNESDAY MAY 20th
7:30pm - 10pm
Gladstone Hotel
1214 Queen St. W
Come CELEBRATE with us!
** For more on the "Trans Inclusion Policy" please see:
http://womenscentre.sa.utoronto.ca/2008/11/trans-inclusion-policy.html
Stuff Swap
Thursday April 16th at 3pm - right after The Spice!
Free STUFF, free FOOD, free FUN!
Feel like taking a break from studying? Want to re-invigorate your closet while getting rid of all those old goodies that are cluttering up your life? Come to our STUFF SWAP!! We encourage you to bring your gently used items including clothing, books, CDs, accessories, art, and more! If you can't bring anything, don't worry about it! You're still welcome to come and get free stuff! There will also be lots of edible goodies for you to munch on including delicious desserts(vegan and non-vegan) and nutritious veggies!
Trans Film Night: 'Beautiful Boxer'
Free Film, Free Snacks, Free Talk!
The trans-inclusion group continues its growing and great free screening series. . .
Join us on Tuesday March 31st at 6pm to watch 'Beautiful Boxer':
Based on the real life story of Parinya Charoenphol, affectionately known as Nong Thoom in Thailand, a trans-identified Muaythai boxer. The movie chronicles her life from a young boy who likes to wear lipstick and wear flowers to her sensational career as kickboxer whose specialty is ancient Muay thai boxing. She sets out to master this lethal and traditionally masculine sport to earn a living and to raise the money necessary to transition.
In Japanese, English, and Thai with English subtitles.
Dir. by: Ekachai Uekrongtham
Rated: n/a
Film Running Time: 118 min
Everyone welcome - allies welcome.
There will be time for open discussion afterwards.
FREE!
***Featured Food: Tastes of Thai***
Solidarity rally in support of friends & family of Vancouver's Missing Women
Monday March 30th
11:30am : Leave from The Centre and walk to the rally together.
12:00pm : Rally outside of Ontario Supreme Court, 361 University Avenue
Come with us or meet us there!
Event info:
On March 30, 2009, the Supreme Court of British Columbia will begin hearing the appeal in the case of Robert "Willy" Pickton. A number of activist groups in Vancouver are organizing a rally on this date in support of the family and friends of the city's Missing Women, and have asked that communities across Canada organize events in support of their action. This event, planned for March 30 at 12:00pm at 361 University Avenue (Ontario Supreme Court), is a solidarity rally with our Vancouver's allies. It is organized by a coalition of student activists from the University of Toronto.
CD Launch: PATH OF DESTRUCTION: CANADIAN MINING COMPANIES AROUND THE WORLD
Wednesday, March 25, 7 pm
WHERE: Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE), Room 2214
252 Bloor Street West (St. George subway)
A three-part audio documentary about the global devastation spread by
Canadian mining corporations. Featuring the voices of the communities
affected by Canadian mining in Guatemala, Papua New Guinea, Democratic
Republic of the Congo and Canada. (See full description below).
Written by Asad Ismi and produced by Kristin Schwartz, the series has been played on 12 radio stations in 12 cities from coast to coast in Canada and in the U.S. (see airplay list, reviews and funders below). The documentary has garnered enthusiastic praise from Canadian and international commentators. The series was funded by six progressive Canadian unions and five non-governmental organizations amongst others.
OPIRG-Toronto and Dr. Chun Resource Library presents the CD Launch of this important audio-documentary. We hope you'll join us!
Event Moderator:
Zainab Amadahy, Indigenous Writer and activist. She is a founding
member of the Coalition in Support of Indigenous Sovereignty.
Speakers:
1. Arthur Petahtegoose, Former Chief of the Atikameksheng Anishnawbek
or the Whitefish Lake First Nation located near Sudbury, site of the
biggest mines in Canada.
His interview is prominently featured in the documentary. Under his
leadership, the Nation recently launched a $550 billion lawsuit
against the Canadian federal government and the Ontario government, on
the basis that the area of the Sudbury mines belongs to the Nation, as
does the revenue generated by their operations for the last century.
The Nation is also suing the two governments for health and
environmental damage.
2. Edgar Godoy, Expert on Canadian mining companies in Guatemala and
President of CUPE Local 2191.
He is part indigenous Maya from Guatemala and is also featured in the
documentary.
3. Ramon Grajo
He is from the Philippines and will speak about the impact of Canadian
mining companies on that country. Grajo is the spokesperson for Bayan
Canada, a chapter of Bayan (Bagong Alyansang Makabayan) or New
Patriotic Alliance, a prominent progressive organization in the
Philippines.
4 & 5. Kristin Schwartz and Asad Ismi.
Path of Destruction: Airplay and Reviews
The documentary has been an instant hit. The series was posted on the
internet on November 18, 2008. Twelve community radio stations from
coast to coast in Canada and in the U.S. have aired or committed to
air the documentary so far. Seven of these stations played or agreed
to play the series within one week of its release. The series has been
aired, published and praised by indigenous activists, editors and
producers in Canada and internationally (see reviews below). Stations
that have aired the documentary include Secwepemc Radio 91.1 FM on the
Neskonlith native reserve in British Columbia. The series is featured
on Isuma TV, an indigenous video/multi-media portal started by Isuma,
the Inuit film house. Isuma has been working for 20 years out of
Igloolik, Nunavut, and has a northern Inuit TV network. The series is
also being translated into Hindi for print publication in "Adhikar",
India's indigenous newspaper. India has the largest indigenous
population in the world at 65 million.
Stations in Canada and the U.S. that have aired (h/a) or committed to
air "Path of Destruction" so far:
Secwepemc Radio 91.1 FM--Neskonlith Reserve, BC (h/a)
KRFP 92.5 fm--Radio Free Moscow, Moscow, Idaho, U.S.
CKDU 97.5 fm--Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS (h/a)
CKUT 90.3 fm--McGill University, Montreal, QC (h/a)
CHRY 105.5 fm--York University, Toronto, ON (h/a)
CFRU 93.3 fm--University of Guelph, Guelph, ON (h/a)
CFRC 101.9 fm--Queen's University, Kingston, ON (c/a)
CILU 102.7 fm--Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, ON (h/a)
CJAM 91.5 fm--University of Windsor, Windsor, ON (h/a)
CHCR 102.9 fm--Killaloe, ON;104.5 FM in the Ottawa Valley, ON (c/a)
CKUW 95.9 fm--University of Winnipeg, Winnipeg, MB (c/a)
CJSF 90.1 fm--Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, BC (c/a)
REVIEWS
1. "This audio documentary successfully manages to bridge many
little-heard perspectives on the Canadian mining industry. First, we
hear from indigenous peoples in Canada and beyond as to how mining
companies threaten their very existence as peoples; in other words,
how the industry is complicit in an ongoing global genocide. We hear
from working people around the world on how the industry has
devastated their health, livelihoods and environment. Finally, we look
at how Canadian mining is intricately connected to, complicit in and
profiting off of wars being waged around the world. Ismi and Schwartz
provide us with a horrific but solid introduction on how Canadian and
international laws, trade agreements and the power of wealth protect
mining corporations from answering to any justice system for their
crimes. At the same time, the program provides us with hope as it
questions the very need for mining and takes an introductory look at
alternatives to this devastating resource extraction industry. 'Path
of Destruction' is an outstanding educational tool addressing the
issues of colonialism, resource extraction economies, corporate power,
free trade agreements, the military industrial complex and many other
issues."
---Zainab Amadahy, indigenous writer, community worker and activist
based in Toronto. She is a founding member of the Coalition in Support
of Indigenous Sovereignty, member of the Board of the Association of
Native Development in the Performing and Visual Arts, and the
Executive Director of Community Arts Ontario.
2. "Ismi and Schwartz's radio documentary, "Path of Destruction:
Canadian Mining Companies Around the World" is a thorough and
remarkable exposé of Canadian imperialism and its global economic web
of ecocide and misery. Eloquent testimonies from indigenous community
members from all continents are woven together to give us an intimate
view of the mining industry's devastating impacts. Everyone must hear
it."
---Sarita Ahooja, Isuma TV, an indigenous video/multi-media portal
started by Isuma, the Inuit film house. Isuma has been working for 20
years out of Igloolik, Nunavut, and has a northern Inuit TV network.
3. "Canadian imperialism's best-kept secret is undoubtedly the
inconvenient truth about Canadian mining capital's genocidal path of
destruction. Ismi and Schwartz's audio documentary illustrates how at
home and abroad Canadian mining companies are poisoning the
environment, propping up brutal dictatorships, and violently
repressing any dissent to their exploits. 'Path of Destruction' is a
bold exposé of Canadian imperialism, thoroughly dispelling any
illusions that Canadians may have about the Canadian state as a
positive force in the world."
---Steve da Silva, Co-producer of 'Radio BASICS' on CHRY 105.5
FM--York University, Toronto; Editor, BASICS Community Newsletter.
4. "'Path of Destruction' is the best radio documentary I’ve come
across in a long time. It combines an
oft-neglected analysis of colonialism in Canada with a radical
critique of the mining industry and the other institutions and
processes that support it. A very important series which has a
powerful impact."
----Matt Soltys, Producer of 'Healing the Earth Radio' on CFRU Radio
93.3 FM--University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, www.resistanceisfertile.ca.
5. "Ismi and Schwartz have the fearlessness and integrity to report
the truth and hold Canadian mining companies accountable. Canadians
need to know what's happening in Africa, for example in the Democratic
Republic of Congo where the slaughter of 4 to 5 million people has
occurred for the sake of Canadian (and foreign) profits. We can no
longer claim ignorance after listening to this documentary. Essential
for all Canadians."
---David Parker, Spoken Word Coordinator, CKDU 88.1 FM--Dalhousie
University, Halifax, NS
6. "I have just heard your excellent radio programme 'Path of
Destruction'. Great job and thank you for it. I think it is a daring
programme to take on the Industry with facts of history and it is
damaging to them and their high moral claims."
---Xavier Dias, Spokesperson for Jharkhand Mines Area Coordination
Committee[JMACC], [An indigenous organization resisting mining and
displacement in Jharkand State, India]; Editor of the Hindi monthly
'Khan Kanij aur ADHIKAR'[Mines,Minerals & Rights],"India's only
mining-affected community newspaper". http://www.adhikar.in/
7. "Thank you for 'Path of Destruction'. The concept of a radio
project for a wider information and education campaign is brilliant.
This is very helpful information to us in the Cordillera, Philippines,
where Canadian mining companies are beefing up their applications
(Olympus,Terra Nova, Ivanhoe,Golden Valley)."
---Abigail T. Bengwayan, Public Information Commission, Cordillera
Peoples Alliance, The Philippines.
8. "The new audio documentary, ‘Path of Destruction’ is an important
contribution to the growing chorus of resistance to Canadian mining.
Through careful analysis of Canadian corporate and government polices,
the documentary's producers expose how mining has devastated
communities around the globe and who has benefited from that
devastation. Mining policies are carefully situated within the broader
context of Canadian colonialism. Most compellingly, the documentary
features the voices of those directly affected by those policies.
Their urgent stories are a call to action for change that will restore
and protect the health of their communities and the rights of its
peoples. This documentary can and should be used as a tool to create
that change."
---Alison Brown, Producer of 'Redeye' on Vancouver Cooperative Radio,
CFRO 102.7 FM,
Path of Destruction: Canadian Mining Companies Around the World
A three-part radio documentary series
Written by Asad Ismi
Produced by Kristin Schwartz
Canada is the world's leading mining nation. Sixty percent of all
public mining companies are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange.
About half of all mining capital is raised in Canada. Many Canadian
mining companies have become notorious for damaging communities and
the environment and fueling wars and repression all over the world.
The Canadian government has refused to hold these corporations
accountable leading to international criticism of Canada.
Just as European settlers created Canada by stealing and plundering
native land, its mining companies today continue these practices at
home and abroad. This colonialism and neocolonialism is what Canada is
all about.
Episodes (30 minutes each):
1. “Damaging Communities and the Environment” focuses on the drastic
effect Canadian mining companies have had on indigenous peoples in
Canada and Papua New Guinea. With Chief Arthur Petahtegoose, Kathleen
Naponse, Jethro Tulli and Mark Ekepa.
2. “Fueling Wars and Repression” describes how Canadian mining
companies have been stoking conflict in the Congo, Guatemala, Canada
and on an international scale. With Prince Kumwumba, Fausto Valiente,
Edgar Godoy, Jim Harding, Chief Paula Sherman and Bob Lovelace.
3. “Who Benefits?” details the enormous benefits that Canadian mining
companies get from their operations and from government support. With
Joan Kuyek, Jamie Kneen, Karyn Keenan, William Sacher and Edgar Godoy.
"Path of Destruction" was funded by:
Canadian Union of Postal Workers (National)
CUPW Local 576 North Bay
Canadian Union of Public Employees--Local 3903
CUPE National
CUPE Local 1281
Public Service Alliance of Canada
Ontario Public Service Employees Union
Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation
Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association
Ken Luckhardt
Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives
Canadian Federation of Students
Ontario Public Interest Research Group-Toronto
Continuing Education Students Association of Ryerson
Fair Trade Clothing Co-op
Sounds of Resistance: Drumming Workshop
MONDAY, MARCH 16th
6-8pm
@ The Centre for Women and Trans People
FREE!
Everyone is welcome to "HIT", "BANG", "CRASH", "CLASH" the sound of resistance. Alejandra Higuera and guest musicians will lead an energetic workshop about how to be loud, expressive and revolutionized with the art of drumming. This is NOT your contemporary drumming class...you will learn to create language of sounds through and with ANYTHING that makes a noise. Getting ready for your next rally or demosntration, come and learn how you can be louder!
This workshop is created in collaborations with Identidad Series hosted by the Hispanic Development Council for more information email identidadseries@gmail.com or opirg.toronto@gmail.com
Organised by OPIRG-Toronto, Dr. Chun Resource Library and The Centre for Women and Trans People at U of T
Candle-making workshop and film screening: 'Sisters on the Planet'
Join us at The Centre where you will learn how to make your very own candles! Afterwards, we will screen the film 'Sisters on the Planet'. Discussion will follow. Come have some food, make a candle to take home, and watch a film you can talk about!
Thursday March 12, 6pm
Food will be provided
FREE!
This event is co-presented with OXFAM UofT
International Women's Day (IWD)
Rally and March on Saturday March 7
Breakdown of day's events:
Rally starts at 11am at OISE Auditorium.
March to follow, starts at 1pm
March leads to IWD Fair at Ryerson 1:30-4pm
Meet us here at The Centre for Women and Trans People at 11 am to walk up to OISE together (we will leave at about 11:20am).
Or you can just meet us directly there. OISE is at 252 Bloor West and there is an exit right into the building from the St. George subway (go to Bedford exit - the entrance to OISE is from within the subway).
Right after the Rally (12:45 or 1pm) look out for us holding The Centre's banner or placard either outside the auditorium or outside the building to gather our contingent representing The Centre for Women and Trans People at U of T in the IWD March.
See you there and happy IWD!
Trans Film Night: 'Red Without Blue'
Free Film, Free Snacks, Free Talk!
The trans-inclusion group continues its growing and great free screening series. . .
Join us on Tuesday February 24th at 6pm to watch 'Red Without Blue'
RED WITHOUT BLUE (RWB) offers an examination of gender, identity, and the unswerving bond of twinship despite transformation. An honest portrayal of a family in turmoil, RWB follows a pair of identical twins as one transitions from male to female. Captured over a period of three years, the film documents the twins and their parents, examining the Farleys' struggle to redefine their family. The twins' early lives were quintessentially all-American: picture-perfect holidays, supportive parents who cheered them on every step of the way. By the time they were 14, their parents had divorced, they had come out as gay, and a joint suicide attempt precipitated a forced separation of Mark and Alex for two and half years. Through candid and extensive interviews with the twins and their family, RWB recounts these troubled times, interweaving the twins' difficult past with their efforts to find themselves in the present. Through its portrayal of these articulate and independent twins, each haunted by the painful experiences of their adolescence, the film questions normative standards of gender and identity - as Mark and Clair reassert their indescribable bond as identical twins.
Dir. by: Brooke Sebold, Benita Sills, & Todd Sills
Rated: N/A
Film Running Time 74min
Everyone welcome - allies welcome.
There will be time for discussion afterwards.
* Part of the discussion time will be set aside to talk about how the film series should develop this year. Your feedback and thoughts are much appreciated. Have an idea for a film? Have you attended past events? what keeps you coming back? Is this your first event? what would keep you interested? Be as creative and as critical with your comments as you wish? or contact The Centre anytime. Or . . . just come out and relax and enjoy!
'No More Silence' Solidarity Social
Saturday February 14
Community based 'No More Silence' has organized the 4th Annual Rally For Our Missing Sisters and is calling on everyone to take a stand to "stop the impunity, stop the disappearances, stop the murders" of Indigenous women in Canada. The Centre for Women and Trans People at U of T joins this stand and invites other U of T students to do the same. The Centre is inviting students and community members to meet at the Centre before the rally and travel to and attend the rally and march together. They are also inviting all rally attendees to come back to the Centre afterwards for some delicious warm food made by Centre volunteers, with love.
11am meet at The Centre for Women and Trans People
located at 563 Spadina Ave, Room 100 (north of College, on the east side
of Spadina)
11:30am leave for Rally
12 noon, Rally at Police Headquarters at Bay and College, Outside, Bring
your drums! March to Coroner's Office, 26 Grenville St.
Immediately following, return to Centre to share a meal
(If you wish to stay at The Centre and help cook that is fine too. We will also need help with cleaning up afterwards!)
'No More Silence' call-out and more details:
Dear friends,
The Fourth Annual Rally and March for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (details below) is just days away and we are in need of some extra help.
**help out at the rally ** (marshalling, distributing information, etc.): those able to help at the actual event can meet up at 11:00am at the University of Toronto Centre for Women and Trans People; or identify yourself to organizers at the event.
*help cook for the feast*: gather at the University of Toronto Centre for Women and Trans People anytime after 11am to help cook and set-up for the feast. Feel free to bring something to share at the feast.
*donate* - although we have been able to run this event with few costs, we are seeking donations to help cover transportation costs for those coming to the event (this year speakers are planning to attend from Six Nations; we are also providing some TTC tokens for those attending the event).
*spread the word* - to members of your communities, friends, families, lovers, co-workers, members of the media. The call-out is pasted below, the poster is attached.
For more information, email nomoresilence@riseup.net
*FOURTH ANNUAL RALLY FOR OUR MISSING SISTERS*
Stop impunity around the disappearances and murders of Indigenous women on Turtle Island!
**When*:* Saturday February 14, 2009 at noon
**Where**: TO Police Headquarters at 40 College St. (near Bay St).
Rally and march to the Coroner's office (26 Grenville St), followed by a gathering with food at U of T's Centre or Women and Trans People (563 Spadina Ave)
**Please Note*:* a limited number of TTC tokens are available for those attending the event. The U of T Centre for Women and Trans People is wheelchair accessible and will be open from 11am for those wanting to help cook for the feast, or for event participants who need to warm up.
Over 500 Indigenous women have been murdered or have gone missing in Canada, most in the last 30 years. We come together in defense of our lives and to demonstrate the complicity of the state and its institutions (police, RCMP, coroners' offices and the courts) in the ongoing genocide of Indigenous peoples.
In addition to the Toronto rally and march, similar events will be occurring in Victoria, Winnipeg, Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton, Sudbury, London (ON), Thunder Bay, and Vancouver. The February 14 rally in Toronto is being organized by No More Silence (NMS).
Organized by No More Silence (NMS). NMS aims to develop an inter/national network to support the work being done by activists, academics, researchers, agencies and communities to stop the murders and disappearances of Indigenous women. To get involved or endorse the event email us at nomoresilence@riseup.net.
*Toronto event endorsed by*: CUPE-SCFP; Trans Feminist Action Caucus, CUPE 3903; Ontario Coalition Against Poverty (OCAP); Centre for Women and Trans People, University of Toronto; Centre for Women and Trans People, York University; Canadian Chiapanecas Justice for Women; No One Is Illegal Toronto; For Women's Autonomy, Rights and Dignity (FORWARD); Toronto Haiti Action Committee.
The Dr. Chun Resource Library and Voices Bookclub present:
Reading and Discussion with Farzana Doctor, author of Stealing Nasreen. Farzana will be reading discussing themes of writing, queer issues and immigrant and diaspora issues.
Thursday February 12, 5-7 pm
Refreshments will be provided!
Film Screening: 'Finding Dawn'
Join the Aboriginal Women & Women of Colour Group screening of 'Finding Dawn'. Afterwards, join us as we make posters for the 'No More Silence Rally - 4th Annual Rally and March for Our Missing Sisters'.
Free! Food! Film! Poster-making!
Tuesday February 10, 4-8pm
Aboriginal Women & Women of Colour Group
Come socialize, watch movies, and agitate with the group - all
Aboriginal women, two-spirit, trans & women of colour are welcome!
Tuesdays from 4:00 to 6:00pm
Stitch n' Bitch Sessions
Bring your crafting projects and knit, sew, crochet or craft your stress away.. meet new people and socialize over warm mugs of tea! We have a few balls of yarn and knitting needles that you can use while here if you don't own any yourself.
Stay tuned for new dates!
Queer Women's Group
Stay tuned for news of this new group!
Storytelling for International Students
Are you an International student? Come to our storytelling circle on Thursday, January 29 at the Centre! Share your experiences, or listen to others speak about the challenges facing international students.
THEME: Immigration
Thursday, January 29, 3-6PM
This event is queer and trans positive. FREE food and refreshments will be provided. ALL are welcome!
This event is part of Xpression Against Oppression week
Film Screening: 'Occupation 101'
Join us to watch this important documentary, screened during the Spice.
Come for the food, stay for the film. Discussion to follow.
January 15th, 1pm
Trans Inclusion Policy
We are very excited to announce that The Centre for Women and Trans People at U of T has just adopted a Trans Inclusion Policy. You can find it on our website here.
Please contact us if you would like a a copy of the policy in .pdf format.
Thanks goes out to the amazing volunteers, Collective members, staff, and Work-Study students who spent countless hours/months/years of work on the development of this policy, and for helping us take another step towards creating a more inclusive and socially just space for all.
Please feel free to distribute and use our policy as a resource. We hope that it will aid other organizations in developing their own policies.
Stay tuned for a launch event sometime soon in the new year!
Peer Support Groups
Peer Support Groups have started at The Centre!
Every Body's Health: A Peer Support Group
This is a peer support group for those interested in exploring
relationship between bodies, health and self-image. Participants are
invited to contribute personal experiences, examples from popular
culture, media and scholarly sources to generate discussion on body
image and eating disorders, disability and chronic illness, politics
and advocacy, and healing and coping strategies. This is a
trans-inclusive group.
Stay tuned for upcoming discussions!
R.E.S.E.R.V.E.D. Peer Support Group
R - respectfully
E - equal
S - safe
E - environment
R - reflecting
V - vitality
E - expressing
D - diversity
Looking for something new, fun, exciting, captivating, riveting? Well, look no further, because you have found it! R.E.S.E.R.V.E.D., a new addition to the Centre for Women and Trans People, is a peer support group that wants you and all your friends to come join us!
Stay tuned for upcoming discussions!
Join our facebook group: R.E.S.E.R.V.E.D.
or e-mail us: reserved.group@gmail.com
The Spice, Community Cooking
Every Thursday during the school year, drop by between noon and 3:00pm - join us for food, friends and fun!
Good Food Box
*The next delivery date is July 29th, 2009. For a box on the 29th, orders must be placed by 6:00pm on July 21st.*
Good Food Box deliveries are every other Wednesday. For more information, please see our Good Food Box webpage.
The Dr. Chun Resource Library is now open!
Drop in:
Monday to Thursday - 11:00am to 6:00pm
Friday - by appointment only