An open letter to Toronto's major cultural organizations
EDITORIAL
Danny Glenwright / Toronto / Thursday, September 20, 2012
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Attention:

Matthew Teitelbaum, CEO, Art Gallery of Ontario

Grant Troop, CEO, National Ballet School of Canada

Alexander Neef, general director, Canadian Opera Company

Denise Herrera-Jackson, CEO, Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival

Alexandra Montgomery, executive director, Gardiner Museum

Kevin Garland, executive director, National Ballet of Canada

Janice Price, CEO, Luminato

Michèle Maheux, executive director, Toronto International Film Festival

Andrew R Shaw, CEO, Toronto Symphony Orchestra

Dear friends and lovers of the arts:

Together with Kevin Beaulieu, Pride Toronto executive director, you comprise the most senior people at those 10 cultural organizations that receive money from the City of Toronto. In 2012 the city gave you a rather paltry total of $6,030,960. Pride Toronto received the least ($123,807), and the Canadian Opera Company received the most ($1,317,015).

I write today with a word of caution and a request for help. City executives made a disconcerting decision Sept 10 while you were likely busy working. It’s understandable if you missed it — even Mayor Rob Ford skipped the meeting.

Council’s executive committee on Sept 10 asked the city manager to redraft the city’s anti-discrimination policy to include a ban on criticism of Israel. Deputants said the phrase “Israeli apartheid” is hate speech and called for Pride Toronto funding to be cut if the group Queers Against Israeli Apartheid is allowed to participate in future Pride events.

This is despite the fact that last year city manager Joe Pennachetti said QuAIA’s participation in Pride does not violate the city’s anti-discrimination policy, and the group marched in the 2012 Pride parade to little fanfare. Never mind that former American president Jimmy Carter and Desmond Tutu — two Nobel Peace Prize winners — have oft used the word apartheid to describe the situation in the Middle East. Or that Jessica Montell, the executive director of B’Tselem, one of Israel’s most respected human rights organizations, has said, “In some cases, the situation in the West Bank is worse than apartheid in South Africa.”

This is despite the fact — most important, if you ask me — that Toronto City Council has no business making pronouncements about international affairs that it will never have an effect on. (Do councillors have nothing better to worry about? Housing, public transit, gravy!)

Of course, I can hear you yawning. I know most Torontonians are tired of this debate. Unfortunately, the executive committee’s decision matters. It is a restriction of free speech and a chilling warning to you all: at any moment councillors can decide to cut funding because they deem something in one of your festivals, exhibits or shows offensive. Councillor James Pasternak (who won his seat with just 19 percent of the vote) and Councillor David Shiner, a former clothing store owner, have asked the city to go “beyond provincial and federal statutes and legislation.” Council’s executive committee, sadly, voted nine to one in favour of Shiner’s motion.

Deputy city manager Brenda Patterson rightly asked if “Israeli apartheid” is added to the anti-discrimination policy, what next? Meanwhile, Councillor Gord Perks wanted to know why Pride is being targeted. It’s a good question and the reason I’m asking you to speak up. It’s safe to say gay people help keep your institutions afloat — the same gay people who celebrate Pride. We need your help — and you should provide it if for no other reason than you could be next.

For example, Ms Maheux, what if councillors got word that Annemarie Jacir presented her film When I Saw You at this year’s TIFF? Between us, Jacir has openly used the word apartheid to describe the situation in her Palestinian homeland. It’s very possible she used the words “Israeli apartheid” over the last couple weeks while she was in Toronto speaking in an official capacity at TIFF. This could mean your $800,000 in city funds is threatened next year because some Jewish lobbyist is chummy with Councillor Pasternak.

What about the year TIFF screened Atom Egoyan’s Ararat, a film about the Armenian genocide? Imagine if Turkish Torontonians had lobbied council to ban the words “Armenian genocide” and asked it to cut funding to TIFF if you ever show a film in which those two words are uttered? It’s more than possible now. The doors are open. Banned words at city hall can now change with the seasons, depending on which interest group has the ear of politicians.

What about you, Ms Price? Luminato has a history of showing controversial work — like in 2007, when you staged the Monty Python satire Not the Messiah. Christian groups have labelled the production blasphemous. If city council can decide it’s unlawful to pass judgment on a nation state like Israel, it’s entirely possible in future it will decide Toronto cultural organizations can no longer criticize any religion.

You get my point. The arts are meant to be controversial. City council should remember the immense collective benefit a thriving and critical cultural community brings to any city, never mind the tourist dollars. We become Russia or China once we give our leaders the power to silence us if we use words that might offend them.

First they came for Pride. I urge you to speak up now, because next they may come for all of you.
Danny Glenwright is Xtra's assignment editor. Follow him on Twitter @dglenwright.


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Reader Comments


 
Israel Apartheid
You piece of horse manure there is no apartheid in Israel. Why not go after the Syrians killing each other..oh but they're arabs and the left is in bed with the Muslims, they can't do that, now can they? Go after China and/or Russia where true disgusting human rights are the issue of the day.. oop! Can't do that. ya know Marxism and Communism you ppl are kinda in bed with them too.. ya know unions et al.. So you go after the JOOS cause hey JOOS were always picked on and it is soooo comfortable to call it anti-Zionism iso anti-Jewish... When Muslims are not in th eKnesset (Israeli Parliament) when beaches are separated between Jews and Muslims, when an A-rab can't enter a Jewish restaurant or piss in a toilet in that restaurant, then you can say Israel is an Apartheid state. Until then, have your parades in any Muslim country hahahahahahahahaha! and stfu about any more lies on Israel.
Vardit Feldman, Toronto Ontario
09/20/12 10:01 AM EST
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limits of free speech
First of all, there is no FREE SPEECH in Canada. We have freedom of expression. Two, free speech has limits, hate speech & racism are one of those limits. Three,if I were to call the LGBT community a bunch of Faggots. I'd get pitchforked chasers after me. Hey you are going on about free speech. Free speech means I can call you faggots. Four, There are TWO pride parades in Israel. Five, openly gay citizens can join the army Six, Palenstinian Civilians have equality Seven, Palestinian terrorists (which run Gaza Strip) are the ones being attacked. Why is it that Quaaia is allowed to spew hate speech, yet others aren't allowed to use the word dyke, faggots and more?
Laka Dukus, Toronto Ontario
09/20/12 12:28 PM EST
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Don't confuse Zionist with Jewish
I loved your open letter Danny Glenwright, but you do need to be clearer on one thing: a Zionist is not the same thing as Jew. You demonstrate your confusion on this point in the line "This could mean your $800,000 in city funds is threatened because some Jewish lobbyist is chummy with Councillor Pasternak". I don't ascribe any malintent to your words, but the fact remains you cannot accurately use the two words "Jewish" and "Zionist" interchangeably. Take me for instance, I'm a proud Jewish queer who is not a Zionist. Indeed, I protest the Israeli government and its' Zionist supporters using my Jewishness and my queerness to pinkwash its' atrocities & yes, apartheid against Palestinians. When you fail to distinguish between a Jew and a Zionist, you provide oxygen to the mainstream leaders in my Jewish community who assume they can get away with speaking for all Jews, without hearing a peep from us. Well, "peep" These folks (leaders of B'nai Brith, Simon Wiesenthal Centre, Canadian Jewish Congress - the new name for this org escapes me, or lone wolf, Martin Gladstone - to name a few) are not elected and I was not consulted or asked if they represent me. For the record, they do not and will not represent me, until they use their positions to denounce the Israeli government's actions and then I will consider whether any of their other stances reflect my own views. The debate of the use of the term Israeli Apartheid is obfuscated enough by the apologists for the Israeli state, thus it is the responsibility of journalists like Danny Glenwright and publications like Xtra who publish their articles to educate themselves so that they can be taken seriously and supported by their readership and those in the larger community. You deal in words, so please get the words right! Thanks again, though, for writing and publishing the letter - except for what I outlined above, it's a stellar contribution
Anita Block, Toronto ON
09/20/12 12:59 PM EST
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short continuation of previous comment
Thanks again, though, for writing and publishing the letter - except for what I outlined above, it's a stellar contribution to the struggle in the local Toronto community for just and free speech and for solidarity with the Palestinians.
Anita Block, Toronto ON
09/20/12 1:14 PM EST
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unfortunate wording
I had a very similar reaction to this that Anita did: this is a really sharp, insightful piece of writing, Danny, but the use of the phrase "Jewish lobbyist" was quite unfortunate (and frankly, a bit crude). For one thing, many Jews do not agree with Israel's policies, and we should not buy into the phony idea that B'nai Brith can speak for all Jewish voices.
Savannah, Toronto ON
09/20/12 1:29 PM EST
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poisonous pretenders
The inclusion of the Neimollerian (attributed to) cliche at the end of this pile of drivel was embarrassing! A group of white shame twats has been called out for their infantile posturing and now you're crying to your elders and betters (Mommy and Daddy) to make your boo boo better. QAIA is a joke. And Xtra is less than a joke as is Pride for allowing this Queered idiocy to fester.
El Topo Gigio, Toronto Ontario
09/20/12 2:19 PM EST
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My proposal to solve this problem
I suggest that Pride Toronto start a campaign, proposed name: "fuck Pasternak and the city council". We can donate $5 a month to Pride Toronto. If we can get 2064 donors, we'll match the city funds and then we will stop being their bitches. Pride is not about just party. My Pride is about showing respect to those who had fought for our rights and to let them know that we are here to fight as soon as that turns necessary. Let's "reclaim our pride"!! (in the correct way)
Enzo, Toronto Ontario
09/20/12 2:50 PM EST
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Clarification
Thanks for your comment Anita. I can see why this word choice might not be as clear as you would like. However, it is not inaccurate. I am very aware that not all Jewish people are Zionists and that there are indeed many Jewish people who support Palestinians and are against the expansion of the state of Israel. I lived in the West Bank and Israel for almost two years so am trying to approach this topic from a place of some knowledge. My point was that those lobbyists pressuring councillor Pasternak to ban the words "Israeli apartheid" are Jewish, just as some lobbyists who might want to ban "Armenian genocide" might be Turkish, as I mentioned. Or certain Christian activists want to ban the Monty Python play. This does not mean there are not Turkish people or Jewish people or Christian people who would disagree with these positions - or for that matter that anyone would assume these lobbyists speak for all Jews. Just as I would never deign to speak for all gay people or all atheists. I do not think using the words "Jewish lobbyist" is crude, nor does it in any way imply that those Jewish lobbyists who speak with councillor Pasternak speak for all Jewish people. I'm not too sure why that is not clear.
Danny Glenwright, Toronto Ontario
09/20/12 3:31 PM EST
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Freedom of Expression “NO MATTER HOW HEINOUS”
BRAVO DANNY! You clearly outline the international and Israeli protests against the treatment of Palestinians by the state of Israel. The Israeli Apartheid movement is much larger than the QuAIA, which are merely irritating little mosquitos buzzing around one's head and should be excluded by Pride for its non-LGBTQ focus. Yet one can ask: Is it slander if it is true? For further reading about the Israeli Apartheid analogy go to__ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israel_and_the_apartheid_analogy __HOWEVER, as I understand, Danny's more poignant message is that if Toronto City Council bans the insulting of Israel and not any other entity, then that will be the first step in limiting Freedom of Expression for all. Another poignant issue mentioned is that most powerful groups, with the best lobbyists, should not be able to influence City Council or Parliament in their favour. For example, Muslim countries are pushing the UN to ban the insulting of any religions. Will TO City Council ban the insulting of religions next? What will they ban after that? Many more people than the QuAIA will be silenced as a result. When one person or group is silenced, that is the first step in robbing a society of Freedom of Expression. The Supreme Court of Canada has decreed that our Charter does guarantee every citizen Freedom of Expression “NO MATTER HOW HEINOUS.” This City Council situation is proof that conservatives and religious fundamentalists are constantly trying to take away the freedoms of others --whether they be individual bullies, or mobs, or lobbyists, or Councils enacting restrictive laws. We must be constantly vigilant. (Bravo Charlie Hebdo cartoons of the Prophet in France.) All the small erosion of our freedoms add up to eventually create a Fascist society --while we were sleeping.
Joe, TO ON
09/20/12 7:25 PM EST
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excellent article
Arts organizations ignore this politicization of cultural funding at their peril. Four years ago the same groups demanded then Mayor David Miller ban Theatre Passe Muraille's reading of British playwright Caryl Churchill's Seven Jewish Children. Miller refused. Arts organizations may fear backlash from donors if they take a stance against censorship. They may see queers as dispensable. They may think themselves immune because of their size. But if they allow this precedent to go ahead, they will help facilitate a culture freeze that will no doubt touch them down the line.
Richard Fung, Toronto ON
09/20/12 8:39 PM EST
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somewhat histrionic rhetoric
"Seeing queers as dispensable" is quite a leap of logic -- or is it propaganda? What is a "culture freeze". And why does the last part of your letter read like a threat?
Curious Jorge, Toronto Ontario
09/20/12 9:28 PM EST
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Government funding of cultural events like Pride
The Executive Committee of Toronto City Council doesn’t propose to ban or censor the term Israeli apartheid, they just don’t want to give government funding to cultural events such as Pride that are hijacked by leftist groups like QuAIA to demonize Jewish people who live in Israel. The broader issue is whether governments should even be using taxpayer monies to fund artistic and cultural events and projects. Consider the following points that were made in a recent Economist debate on this topic (see http://www.economist.com/debate/days/view/875): (1) If an artistic or cultural event or project is really good, people will flock to attend it. They will either pay admission fees or corporate sponsors will fund the event as a way of promoting their corporate brand among the attendees. A really good event or project doesn’t need government funding. (2) It’s impossible for governments to FAIRLY choose which events or projects to fund. Panels of experts must attempt to determine the preferences of the public and anticipate future trends. To objectively compare the subjective is counter-intuitive. These experts cannot know whether we prefer a new dance act or a gallery. Private markets, however, can give us this information. People vote with their wallets. (3) Projects that receive government funding must necessarily appeal to the government in power. This diminishes artistic and cultural freedom as it causes artists to self-censor. Instead of making the arts more independent, government funding creates dependency around a single donor whose tastes are dictated by the political whims of the day. Artists and events that rely on an income from the government must create content that pleases the government, just as, without it, they must please consumers to generate an income. (4) Rather than helping to encourage creativity and diversity, government funding of arts and culture can cause them to stagnate. (5) At the end of the day, he who pays the piper, picks the tune.
Adam, Toronto ON
09/20/12 11:18 PM EST
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BAD LEADERSHIP ???
On a related note: “Thousands of dollars in government grants have been given to a Toronto production company that offers a course on porn ography, which has raised some eyebrows at Queen’s Park. Trinity Square Video, a not-for-profit centre that offers video production support at accessible rates, includes the course “Grow Yer Own Porn…” http://toronto.ctvnews.ca/government-funds-given-to-group-that-offers-porn-workshop-1.965177 LOL :)) Roy Mitchell obviously doesn't believe in self-censorship. Most narcissists do not know how to self-censor, and just love attention... Let's see how this will play out... Groups that receive government funding should be wise enough to not jeopardize their whole organization and people depending on them, by flaunting sensational issues that they know conservative Heteros will object to. Porn could be a privately given workshop, not associated with Trinity Video. Will this be another huge fight for freedom of expression? Do LGBT communities need huge needless fights? These issues could be catalysts for “screw-tinizing” every arts group which gets government funding. When money is tight, most people believe that there are worthier causes for charity than porn lessons... Who would stand to loose out over such irresponsible foolishness? Mitchell is also on the Board of DIrectors of Pride... He is pro QuAIA. Is such leadership leading Pride astray? Is a small fringe group giving the whole LGBT community a bad name? If Trinity Square Video and Pride get their funding cut off, will Mitchell and his ilk provide the money to keep these groups afloat?
Michael, Toronto Ont
09/21/12 2:22 AM EST
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Government funding of pornography
I agree that Roy Mitchell, the pro-QuAIA member of Pride Toronto's board, should not be using government grants to help people make porn. See http://toronto.ctvnews.ca/government-funds-given-to-group-that-offers-porn-workshop-1.965177 There is no shortage of gay or straight pornography on this planet. It is a highly profitable business for professional pornographers who sell their products through traditional distribution channels or online. It is also a profitable business for amateur pornographers who post "pay per view" films on sites like www.xtube.com. There is no need for porn producers or would-be porn producers to receive direct or indirect government funding.
Adam, Toronto ON
09/21/12 8:16 AM EST
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Hypocrisy
It should also be noted that the City of Toronto is also sponsoring the International Economic Forum of the Americas at which Janice Brewer, the Governor of Arizona, is a keynote speaker. It would seem that Pride is being singled out considering Janice Brewer is constantly being accused of hate speech against minorities and the gay community. Why is their funding not in danger? http://forum-americas.org/profile/janice-brewer
Jeff, Toronto ON
09/21/12 10:58 AM EST
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but it is queered porn so needs tax mollycoddling
Adam, I am sure that you will be told that Mitchell and company are using taxpayers money not to make commercial porn (like gay male or hetero), but rather Queer and Trans porn which is educational and transgressive (and makes no money because the audience is so tiny). There will be some queered puffery to explain their reasons for needed more slops from the public pig trough.
Sick of Sycamore, Toronto Ontario
09/21/12 11:22 AM EST
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They have already come for trans women
"First they came for Pride. I urge you to speak up now, because next they may come for all of you." What ARROGANCE! What an asshole! What self-centred misogyny! Trans women have already been taken! We are dying of HIV/AIDS and no one, certainly not Xtra, certainly not the transphobic Danny Glenwright, give a crap. There would be--has already been--a national campaign for gay men whose incidence of HIV/AIDS is a fraction of that of trans women. Pride is political, is it? This disdain for trans women is political! Your silence, Our Death!
Jessica, Ottawa Ontario
09/21/12 11:27 AM EST
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insane attack of the trans
Jessica -- while there are many things to criticize in this article, starting a whose holocaust is worse war between gay men and trans women as to who has the most HIV AIDS is INSANE! Evil, obnoxious, shallow and obscene! The number of gay men who have died of AIDS over the last 40 years dwarfs the number of trans anyone! How dare you claim otherwise. By the way, your use of outdated slogans/quotes is as pathetic as the author's use of his embarrassing quote.
david, Toronto Ontario
09/21/12 12:04 PM EST
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QuAIA is IRRELEVANT to Pride
Danny Glenwright misses the point 1. The City funds Pride to celebrate gay rights and pride and QuAIA's message waters down the message of Pride 2. No one is "silencing" QuAIA, which is free to speak but not with city funding. Why piggyback on Pride 3. QuAIA should celebrate Israel for its gay rights and condemn Palestine for persecution. Go figure
Gee, Toronto Ontario
09/21/12 1:30 PM EST
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REBUTTAL to Danny Glenwright
1 There is no "ban" on criticism of Israel - QuAIA should do it on its own dime and time 2. "that Toronto City Council has no business making pronouncements about international affairs" HELLO, Council has business NOT funding political messages that have nothing to do with gay pride--- 3. Desmond Tutu may know South Africa but he does not know Israel or Palestine--- 4. "restriction of free speech" - NO, QUAIA is free to speak, just somewhere else. Maybe their own parade, which no one will attend? --- 5. Turks may protest "Armenian genocide" but not at Pride Parade, which will distract from message of gay pride and rights ---
Gee, Toronto Ontario
09/21/12 1:47 PM EST
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REBUTTAL - re-post - messed up - sorry
1 There is no ban on criticism of Israel - QuAIA should do it on its own dime and time 2. that Toronto City Council has no business making pronouncements about international affairs --- HELLO, Council has business NOT funding political messages that have nothing to do with gay pride--- 3. Desmond Tutu may know South Africa but he does not know Israel or Palestine--- 4. restriction of free speech - NO, QUAIA is free to speak, just somewhere else. Maybe their own parade, which no one will attend? --- 5. Turks may protest Armenian genocide but not at Pride Parade, which will distract from message of gay pride and rights ---
Gee, Toronto ontario
09/21/12 1:54 PM EST
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No transparency at the trough
Xtra’s open letter (above) was addressed to 9 organizations that are the top recipients of cultural grants from the City of Toronto. Those 9 organizations also receive taxpayer monies from the Government of Canada and/or the Government of Ontario and solicit donations from the public. However, it appears that only the Art Gallery of Ontario provides full financial transparency by publishing full audited financial statements, prepared in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles, on its website. Similarly, CTV news reported yesterday that Roy Mitchell’s Trinity Square Video has, over recent years, received $250,000 federally from Canadian Heritage and Canada Council for the Arts, $150,000 from the Ontario Arts Council and $150,000 from the Toronto Arts Council (see http://toronto.ctvnews.ca/government-funds-given-to-group-that-offers-porn-workshop-1.965177). However, Trinity Square Video does not appear to publish audited financial statements on its website. If a non-profit or charitable organization receives government funding, it should be required to publish full audited financial statements on its website so that any member of the public can see how their tax dollars are being spent.
Anthony, Toronto Ontario
09/21/12 9:23 PM EST
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Danny Glenwright
It's official! You ARE the worst Gay in the village.
Richard, Toronto ON
09/23/12 11:50 AM EST
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Reply from Toronto's major cultural organizations
We have read the open letter you sent to Toronto’s major cultural organizations. As public institutions dedicated to artistic expression, we consider freedom of expression to be an essential element of our mandate. We will be reading the recommendations of the City Manager through this lens when he makes his report to the Executive Committee early next year. Kevin Garland, National Ballet of Canada Denise Herrera-Jackson, Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival Michele Maheux, Toronto International Film Festival Alexandra Montgomery, Gardiner Museum Alexander Neef, Canadian Opera Company Janice Price, Luminato Janice Price, Luminato Matthew Teitelbaum, Art Gallery of Ontario Grant Troop, National Ballet School of Canada Andrew Shaw, Toronto Symphony Orchestra
Toronto's Major Cultural Organizations, Toronto Ontario
09/28/12 5:52 PM EST
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Request to Toronto's major cultural organizations
To: Toronto's major cultural organizations - While you are waiting for the City's Manager's report, perhaps each of you can follow the example of the Art Gallery of Ontario and post copies of your FULL audited annual financial statements on your respective websites. That way, you will provide a lens for transparency so any member of the public can see how you spend (1) the taxpayer funds provided to you by governments and (2) other funds provided to you by corporate and individual donors.
Anthony, Toronto Ontario
09/28/12 8:21 PM EST
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QuAIA, QuAIA, QuAIA
Hello, I invite all you big QuAIA fans to listen to ROYNATION tonight. You can even phone in and ask our guest, Elle Flanders a question or two. She's tonight's guest. Of course if you're too busy, there's always the podcast. Thank you for the audited statement advice there Anthony; I'll see what I can do. We're getting a new website so that might be a possibility. And the porn workshop was not about making porn per se, but focused on the ethics of making porn/erotica/sexualized imagery in video work in a world that is saturated with porn and where it is so easily accessible. That internet changes everything. In a world with different bodies, genders and sexualities, it's important that we create a space where there can be critical discourse around the topics that arise. I'm proud of the work we do at Trinity Square Video. Hope you all can tune in! http://www.blogtalkradio.com/roynation/2012/10/03/roynation-episode-40-all-about-elle And we won't just be talking about QuAIA - Barbra Striesand, Elle's art practice and Pride of course will be part of what promises to be an interesting evening. Love out! R.
roy, toronto ON
10/02/12 2:11 PM EST
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