"Pride’s recent decision to limit the expression of one single statement (and by extension, one specific group) cannot withstand scrutiny, nor should it be tolerated in a free and democratic society such as Canada’s. The reasoning provided by Pride to support this decision is, at best, contradictory and littered with half-truths and misinformation. It relies on the language and principles of non-discrimination, which are important and must be supported, to advance an agenda that, in actual fact, perpetuates discrimination. It demonstrates that Pride has made the decision to limit expression in the name of sponsorship and money, has bowed to threats that cannot be supported in law, and…"

As we reported yesterday, a small group of gay and lesbian activists gathered at city hall to depute a motion designed to pressure Pride Toronto into banning Queers Against Israeli Apartheid. Because it was withdrawn, there was no chance to speak to it. Xtra has obtained copies of the deputations, available as PDFs:

Zahra Dhanani's deputation (quoted above)
Sue Goldstein's deputation
Shawn Syms' deputation
Roy Mitchell's deputation
Rachel Epstein's deputation
Michael Went's deputation
Elle Flanders' deputation
Jane Farrow's deputation 

>> Read the whole background here.

Although it was not unanticipated, the motion to defund Pride Toronto (PT) for violating the City of Toronto’s anti-discrimination policy was declared redundant earlier this morning and withdrawn from before the city’s executive committee.

PT will continue, for now, its ban on the term “Israeli Apartheid,” PT will get its city funding and city staff say it’s satisfied that PT is in compliance with the city antidiscrimination policy. 

A small group of gay and lesbian activists, including myself, gathered at city hall to depute the motion, but because it was withdrawn, there was no chance to speak to it. Not allowing deputants to speak is congruent with normal procedure at these things, but Councillor Paula Fletcher dug her heels in briefly, suggesting to committee chair, Mayor David Miller, that we deputants ought to be allowed to speak. To no avail.

Read how the Pride Censorship story developed from the very beginning.

So, as it stands right now the city seems to be content to leave the mess with PT, PT continues to suggest the city mandated the censorship and neither seems prepared to take responsibility for censoring QuAIA.

But that doesn’t mean the fight is over.

Just some planned upcoming events….

Sun, June 27 - Celebrating Free Speech in Cawthra Square Park
Mon, June 28 - Flag Raising for Free Speech
Tues, June 29 - Cabaret

Visit the Pride Coalition for Free Speech Facebook page and check xtra.ca regularly for more details. 

Toronto city councillor Georgio Mammoliti’s motion to deny city funding to Pride Toronto (PT) if it doesn’t keep the group Queers Against Israeli Apartheid (QuAIA ) out of this year’s Pride parade returns to executive committee at city hall on Monday.

Read all about the PT censorship story from the very beginning.

But, of course, the PT board of directors voted on May 21 to censor the term “Israeli apartheid” from the parade, effectively banning QuAIA from marching.

“Staff are satisfied that the decisions of Pride Toronto meet the City’s requirements,” reads a May 27 memo from city economic development and culture manager Michael Williams to Toronto mayor, David Miller.

That means the motion to defund PT is likely to be withdrawn, PT is likely to get its money (it may have already) and the funding matter – at least – will be closed. 

Read the city documents on Monday's committee meeting here.

But that doesn’t necessarily mean all is said and done as far as the city is concerned. Much of the Pride funding question hinges on the city's interpretation of its own anti-discrimination policy: if QuAIA’s presence in the parade violates the policy, PT is ineligible for city funding; if QuAIA’s presence doesn’t violate the policy, PT is eligible for city funding. But the city’s official position all along has been only that QuAIA’s presence "may" – not "does" or "does not" – violate the policy.

Why the fence sitting? Well for one thing, there’s nothing in Canadian jurisprudence to suggest that criticism of Israeli foreign policy constitutes discrimination, harassment or hate activity. If the city were to take a position one way or the other, it would likely expose itself to all kinds of messy legal and public relations wrangling (just as PT has).

Ward 27 Toronto city councillor Kyle Rae at The 519 renovation open house in May.

There is, nevertheless, mounting evidence that city officials – including Ward 27 city councillor Kyle Rae – pressured PT to censor QuAIA and that PT eagerly capitulated to that pressure. And that's the message that needs to be sent to the city. To that end, many of those who returned their PT honours on June 7 (plus a few other gay and lesbian activists, including me) have signed up to depute the motion before executive committee tomorrow. It's not clear when exactly this will happen, likely after the noon hour sometime, but if you're around city hall tomorrow, stop in to check it out. And check back here regularly for updates.

Check out the Coalition for Free Speech facebook posting on this. 

Also, if you haven't already, check out the Pride Community Contract.

Some of those who gathered at the 519 Church Street Community Centre on June 7 wondered aloud about what’s involved in becoming members and directors of Pride Toronto.

Check out the organization’s  by-laws here. And amendments to them here.

Read all about the Pride Toronto censorship controversy.

Looking for something to do today? Check out Our Pride Includes Free Speech Action Planning Day.

Incidentally, Xtra asked Pride Toronto executive director Tracey Sandilands about how to become a member of Pride Toronto in advance of the AGM last year.

“Even if they join as a member on the day [of the AGM] they won’t be able to vote,” says Sandilands, “because they must have done eight hours of volunteer work in the past year in order to qualify to vote... and there’s absolutely no opportunity between now and next week for anyone to chalk up eight hours of volunteer work. We’re quiet at the moment, there’s nothing really happening.

“Really the point for [the AGM] is for people who have been involved for a fair amount of time, so they need to be the ones who have the say.... But yes, anybody can attend, though there may not be a lot of point to it.”

Read the whole piece here.

The 519 Community Centre added its voice to the chorus of queer leaders and organizations urging Pride Toronto to reverse its decision to censor the term "Israeli apartheid" from the parade. It also chastises the City of Toronto for applying political pressure on Pride Toronto to have Queers Against Israeli Apartheid yanked from this year's Parade.

The 519 "calls on Pride Toronto to reverse its decision to ban the term 'Israeli apartheid' and urges Pride and the City of Toronto to undertake a constructive dialogue with the broader communities on the issue," says a note on the community centre's website.

The 519 is located smack dab in the middle of Pride festivities. The Centre has already lent its space to two groups organizing protests against Pride Toronto.

Meanwhile, at least two more Pride Toronto-related events have been canned. Crave, a women's dance scheduled for June 25, abruptly cancelled its event notice earlier this week with no explanation. And lemonTree, a youth-led theatre troupe, has cancelled its Pride-affiliated run of Still Life at The 519, June 18-20, but plans to reschedule.

Read more:

• Pride Toronto censorship flap: All of Xtra's coverage in one place