In early October, it was reported that the Nova Scotia Rainbow Action Project was looking to have Nova Scotia's Human Rights Act amended to include protections for transgender people.

One of the main ways that NSRAP gathered support was through a petition that it circulated. Today, NSRAP presented Minister Leonard Preyra with that same petition. The petition asked that the Nova Scotia Human Rights Act include gender identity and gender expression as prohibited grounds for discrimination. NSRAP gathered more than 1,700 signatures for the petition.

In a press release, NSRAP chair Kevin Kindred is quoted as saying, "Hundreds of Nova Scotians are calling on our government to extend basic human rights to transgender members of our communities. No one should face discrimination or harassment due to their gender identity or how they express it. It’s time to enshrine those basic protections into law. Including gender identity and gender expression in the Act is an important step towards making sure that transgender people are valued, supported, accepted and protected here in Nova Scotia."

NSRAP notes in the same release that it hopes "the timing of this petition will call attention to Transgender Day of Remembrance, an annual event reflecting on violence against transgender individuals, on November 20."

Speaking of the Transgender Day of Remembrance, notice has been circulated to various local queer organizations that on Nov 20, the Nova Scotia Department of Justice will be making a special announcement at Province House at 11am. No details have been released to the media or the public as of yet as to the details of the announcement.

The Nova Scotia Rainbow Action Project announced its list of community heroes this afternoon. 

First up is Karen Finnigan, who received the Reverend Darlene Young Community Hero Award. Finnigan is a social worker for the Cape Breton District Health Authority who has worked to create safer spaces for LGBTQ Cape Bretoners.

The second is Jesiah MacDonald, who received the Raymond Taavel Media Award. MacDonald became an accidental spokesperson for transgender rights when it was reported that he was being charged by MSI for a medically necessary hysterectomy, claiming that it was part of his transition process. MacDonald was quoted as saying, "Someone's got to talk about it because if I don't stand up and say this is what happened to me and this is why it was wrong, then what if it happens to somebody else?"

And last, but certainly not least, is prideHealth, the recipient of this year's Corporate Stewardship Award. A collaboration between Capital Health and the IWK, prideHealth has been doing a lot of work over the past year, from creating an It Gets Better video, to hosting discussions and forums and more. 

Kudos and congrats to all the winners!

 

Pride in Halifax isn't just a bunch of parties, although those are rather fun. It also includes public presentations, lectures and discussions about queer identity, past, present and future. Here are a few you may want to check out.

prideHealth is putting on a series of lectures and presentations during Halifax Pride Week. Cybelle Rieber, from prideHealth, believes that Pride is a perfect time to “provide opportunities for learning and discussion about the state of healthcare for our community and the needs of the community. It is important to both Capital Health and the IWK to engage with the Pride community in a number of ways, and these sessions are really about building capacity.”

The presentations include talks on such subjects as healthcare and queer women; the screening of a documentary called Gen Silent, about the issues that queer seniors face in long-term care; as well as a discussion of transgender issues and accessing healthcare. For more information, check out prideHealth's website.

NSRAP is also putting on its annual lecture series, called timeOUT. Topics range from the grassroots history of Pride in Halifax to the Canadian Charter of Rights And Freedoms' 30th anniversary.

"The lecture series is NSRAP's major contribution to the Pride events in Halifax,” says NSRAP’s Kevin Kindred. “We do it to make sure there's a good forum to learn more about the social and political issues of interest to the community -- we see Pride as a time for discussion and contemplation, as well as celebration. Every year we try to offer a variety, and this year is no exception. Our topics range from aboriginal issues, to healthcare, to the Charter, to the nature of Pride itself. We hope there's something there for everyone."

You can find out more by contacting NSRAP.

On June 23, the Nova Scotia Rainbow Action Project's AGM took place and a new board of directors was put into place.

The list includes:

* Kevin Kindred (chair)
* Rosie Porter (vice-chair)
* Matt Numer (past chair)
* Kate Shewan (treasurer)
* Nathaniel Lewis (secretary)
* John Britton (member-at-large)
* Jim Gouthro
* Andrew Jantzen
* Kate Keough
* Justin Leblanc
* Brenda Merritt
* Alana Murray
* Rebecca Rose
* Nathaniel Smith
* Lucas Thorne-Humphrey

NSRAP also held a community forum during the AGM and published topics of discussion at the meeting, as well as their annual report.

Speaking of NSRAP, they're still accepting applications for the Community Hero Awards, a topic discussed in Down East a few weeks ago.

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It is the weekend, however, so in keeping with the weekly Office Dance Party tradition, here's a little Balearic bumper to get you ready for beach and lake times. 

The Nova Scotia Rainbow Action Project has recently put out a call to the public for nominations for the Community Hero Awards.

The award came to be in 2008, when NSRAP wanted to recognize some of the efforts made by members of the LGBTIQ community in Nova Scotia.

As well as the Community Hero Award, there is also the Raymond Taavel Media Award (for individuals in traditional and social media who have educated the public about LGBTIQ issues), the Allies Award (contributions of an ally to the LGBTIQ cause), and the Corporate Stewardship Award (which recognizes corporations and non-profit organizations that value their LGBTIQ employees).

Nominations should be sent by email to nsrap@nsrap.ca. The deadline for nominations is Wednesday, Aug 8, 2012 by 6pm (Atlantic). The results will be announced before NSRAP's annual gala.

Past winners include Maggie Haywood of Venus Envy, and Northwood in the first ever Corporate Stewardship Award.

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