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Canadian lawyer receives prestigious 2014 leadership award

Cynthia Petersen is the recipient of the Egale Canada Human Rights Trust 2014 LGBT Leadership Award.

Cynthia Petersen
Cynthia Petersen

The award is presented annually to a Canadian whose leadership has advanced lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) human rights both at home and abroad.

Cynthia was called to the Ontario Bar in 1994, having earned a Bachelor of Laws degree from Queen’s University and a Master’s degree from Harvard Law School. Since then, she has regularly appeared before the Supreme Court of Canada on behalf of interveners and clients in a variety of public interest cases.

Cynthia has litigated most of the seminal Charter cases that have influenced the development of gay and lesbian rights in Canada.

These cases include Egan v. Canada, Vriend v. Alberta, M. v. H., Little Sisters Bookstore v. Canada (No.1 and No.2), Chamberlain v. Surrey District School Board, Reference re: Same-Sex Marriage, Hislop v. Canada and Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission v. Whatcott.

She has fought tirelessly for the rights and dignity of LGBT people. The effects of her significant accomplishments in the courtroom have reverberated across this country, from marriage laws to workplace discrimination to freedom of expression.

For this leadership, and over two decades of service to the community, Egale has chosen to recognise her as the 2014 LGBT Leadership Award recipient.

Egale GalaCynthia Petersen will accept the award on Friday, September 12, 2014 at Egale’s 6th Annual Gala at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Toronto. All proceeds from the event will support Egale’s goal of combating homophobia, biphobia, transphobia and all other forms of discrimination so that every person can achieve their full potential, unencumbered by hatred and bias.

 

Event:  Egale’s 6th Annual Gala

Where: Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Toronto

Date: September 12, 2014

Time: Reception, 6.30 p.m., Dinner, 7.30 p.m.

Tickets: 350 Canadian dollars

To purchase online, CLICK HERE: 

 

 

‘Oldest Gay in The Village’ announces his fundraising totals over Pride

George Montague, the former Pride Ambassador, was out over the Pride weekend raising money for the Rainbow Fund.

Somchai, George and Chris Cooke from the Rainbow Fund
Somchai, George and Chris Cooke from the Rainbow Fund

George, who is affectionately known as the Oldest Gay in the Village, celebrated his 91st birthday a few weeks before Pride. He signed copies of his new book “The Oldest Gay in the Village” at Preston Park on Pride Saturday and outside Gelato de Luca ice cream parlour on St. James’ Street during the Saturday and Sunday Village Street Party.

George, Somchai and Sir Ian McKellen
George, Somchai and Sir Ian McKellen

During the Sunday book signing session in St James Street, actor and founder member of Stonewall, Sir Ian McKellen, visited George and signed copies of his book for him.

George and Maisie Trollette
George and Maisie Trollette

During the Pride weekend, George collected for the Rainbow Fund, which awards grants to LGBT-led organisations providing front line services to the LGBT community in Brighton and Hove; ADCAF, an Indian Charity for destitute children; and The Pattaya Orphanage in Thailand.

Brian Owen and Rainbow Fund treasurer Chris Cooke count the donations
Brian Owen and Rainbow Fund treasurer Chris Cooke count the donations

He raised £316.20 for the Rainbow Fund and £51 each for ADCAF and the Pattaya Orphanage.

George was helped with his fundraising by his civil partner, Somchai, and Brian Owen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Love is in the air for Manchester Pride

Manchester woke up to a sea of red heart balloons yesterday morning, following a stunt by Manchester Pride organisers which saw 500 red balloons mysteriously floating in key city centre locations.

Feel the love at Manchester Pride

The stunt was carried out ahead of Manchester Pride’s Big Weekend, which takes place over the August Bank Holiday weekend.

Passers-by and commuters were encouraged to #FeelTheLove by tweeting and sharing images of the hearts online and with their loved ones.

The month-long citywide Manchester Pride programme features lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender arts, music and cultural events, from secret film screenings and dog shows to guerrilla gardening and karaoke.

Manchester Pride’s Big Weekend 2014 runs from August 22-25, when the theme of LOVE is being rolled out across the festival.

Mark Fletcher
Mark Fletcher

Mark Fletcher, Chief Executive of Manchester Pride, said: “Since 2014 is the year when the LGBT community showed the world that love has no boundaries, we wanted to celebrate the fact we are the ‘Love’ generation. We hope our #FeelTheLove balloons helped to spread a little more love in the city ahead of the Big Weekend.”

A host of big names including All Saints, Anastacia and Conchita Wurst will perform in Manchester during the Big Weekend, presented in partnership with G-A-Y.

Conchita Wurst
Conchita Wurst

Big Weekend tickets are currently priced at £22 for a weekend ticket; day tickets are also on sale and start at £12.50. Child’s Day & Weekend tickets are now on sale too. A Big Weekend ticket provides guests with access to the event site, including the Main Arena, Sackville Gardens, the Gaydio Dance Arena and Expo, plus it helps Manchester Pride raise money for LGBT and HIV charities and organisations in Greater Manchester.

For more information and to book tickets, CLICK HERE:

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