In defence of segregated spacesGUEST COLUMN
Nancy Irwin / Toronto
Friday, August 17, 2012
http://www.xtra.ca/public/Toronto/In_defence_of_segregated_spaces-12433.aspxBut it raised questions, whether legitimate or legal, about separate spaces that are so integral to the lives of gays and lesbians and those in between.
Queers have been enjoying separate space for decades.... We need our separate space to find each other, like needles in a haystack, often invisible in the straight world. I can speak of women, who are often shorter and more softly spoken than men, who disappear in mixed spaces such as Pride.... Without the presence of dominating men, or worse, sexually harassing men, women are able to relax and connect in their space, with guards down.
We have women and trans play parties that are private (by invitation only) that have been happening here in Toronto since 1999. Our parties have a very clear statement of what constitutes trans – living 24/7 as a woman, if born male. All those born female are welcome, regardless of their chosen gender. These parties are for women who play with women. Some might be predominantly straight, some bi, and some gold-star lesbian. Straight male crossdressers are not invited. There are plenty of other parties in Toronto for heterosexuals. And there are mixed genderqueer parties for queers.
Further Surge Women and Trans Bar Night UpdatePosted on Monday, 6 August, 2012
by tlpadmin
http://torontoleatherpride.ca/2012/08/further-surge-women-and-trans-bar-night-update/PRESS RELEASE
As many of you may know last week Heart of the Flag Federation Inc. (HOTF) received threats of legal action from various members of the community regarding our first ever attempt to provide our leather dykes, queer women and transgendered persons with a safe place to celebrate leather pride in an actual leather bar.
Due to the outcry from so many of you regarding these threats, we have since then received apology and retraction emails from all but one of the persons who threatened legal action against us regarding the segregation issue.
Please see the information that was provided below.
"Section 15(2 of the Charter, as interpreted in R v. Kapp, protects "affirmative action." So does section 14 of the Ontario Human Rights Code as interpreted in OHRC v Roberts. The test is whether you are making a distinction to benefit a historically marginalized group – women and trans folks both count. In that case, it is not discrimination, it is advancing human rights."
