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Mabel League - Team Rep and Executive Meetings

Thursday, May 8, 2008
May 12, 2008
7:00 pm
June 9, 2008
7:00 pm
July 7, 2008
7:00 pm

SophiaKellyTechnologyTailoringMabel League 2008 Important Dates:

see www.mabelleague.com for more details

Feb 11     Team Rep and Executive Meeting
(Team Registration Begins)

Feb 25     Executive Meeting

Mar 10     Team Rep and Executive Meeting
(Team Registration Ends)

Mar 24    Executive Meeting

Apr 14       Team Rep and Executive Meeting

Apr xx    Rules-of-Play/By-Laws Meeting

Apr xx     Tentative League Start Date (to be determined)

Apr 28     Executive Meeting

May 1     Early Bird Team Playing Fees due

May 3      Mabel League Meltdown Date

May 12     Team Rep and Executive Meeting (LIL reg and fees due)

May 26     Executive Meeting

Jun 1      Team Playing Fees and Rosters Due

May 30 - Jun 1 OR Jun 6-8 (pending field s availability) LIL Tournament

Jun 9     Team Rep and Executive Meeting (Chocolate Money Due)

Jun 23     Executive Meeting

July 7       Team Rep and Executive Meeting (scorebooks due)

July 21     Executive Meeting

July xx Finals Tournament

July 28     Team Rep and Executive Wrap up Meeting 

Aug 2       Dyke March

Aug 2       WESA/MABEL Challenge

Aug 3       Pride Parade

Aug 9     Mabel League Year Ender and Heather Williams Memorial/All-Star Game

Sept 8    2008 AGM

Sept 29        Old/New Exec Meeting

Filed in Lesbian Community Organisations, Lesbian Agenda | Comments Off


The Original Meaning of Mother’s Day

Thursday, May 8, 2008
May 11, 2008

While I think my own mother likes Mother’s Day as it is, it is interesting that the early mothers’ days were more about mothers as activists rather than individuals.  

While various holidays celebrating mothers have occurred through history, Mother’s Day as it is celebrated in North America has roots in feminist pacifism.  Julia Ward Howe is considered a founding mother of mother’s day and was reported to have proclaimed the first Mother’s Day in 1870 calling on mothers to:

“Arise then…women of this day!
Arise, all women who have hearts!…

Our sons shall not be taken from us to unlearn
All that we have been able to teach them of charity, mercy and patience.
We, the women of one country,
Will be too tender of those of another country
To allow our sons to be trained to injure theirs.

…From the voice of a devastated Earth a voice goes up with
Our own. It says: “Disarm! Disarm!”

you can find the full text at: http://womenshistory.about.com/od/howejwriting/a/mothers_day.htm
And more about the original meaning of Mother’s day at: ttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mother%27s_day

On a more lesbian note, I also found an interesting article on how to manage mother’s day in a family with two moms and a book of photos of lesbian moms and their children.

Filed in LQ17 March 2008, Lesbian Agenda | Comments Off


Rhizome Cafe May Events

Wednesday, April 30, 2008
May 1, 2008toMay 31, 2008

May at Rhizome Café * Community Space * Arts Venue  317 East Broadway, Vancouver

Events

Stand Up, Sing Out: Expressions of Resistance and Liberation

Friday May 2nd, 7:30pm 

Streams of Justice presents an evening of music and poetry on the theme of human solidarity, and against the unjust social structures that break us apart.  (http://www.streamsofjustice.org/).

Free

Art Show Opening:  Illustrated Journey Youth Project

Saturday, May 3rd, 6:30pm

For the past six months, a group of immigrant and refugee youth have worked with established illustrators and comic book artists, learning how to share their personal stories and talk about issues that are important to them as newcomers to Canada.  The comics currently hanging on our walls are the result of this collaboration.  Come see the comics, meet the youth artists, and learn about their journeys, both physical and artistic.

Free

Family Sunday: Caravan World Rhythms Society Presents Boris Sichon

Sunday, May 4th, doors at 4:30, show at 5:00, supper til 7:00

Bring the kids to experience over 25 instruments, and musical traditions from near and far.  This is a participatory show, part of Rhizome’s Family Sunday series: events, activities and supper for all ages. 

$4 for kids, $6 for adults

Caffeinated Queers:  Youth Week Talent Show

Friday, May 9th, 6:00pm

Come join a fabulous night filled with wonderful young talents, hosted by GAB, Out in Schools, and the Vancouver School Board.  It will be an evening of singing, acting, stand-up, spoken-word, drag, film and fun entertainment for queer youth and their friends.

Free, donations welcome

Althea Cunningham Duo

Saturday, May 10th, 8:00pm

Sultry, original R&B and soul music sung by Althea Cunningham and accompanied by David Priest and Harry Kalensky. Don’t miss this chance to satisfy your appetite for great jazz tunes!
$5 at the door

Family Sunday:  Will Stroet and His Mom’s Mothers’ Day Concert

Sunday, May 11th, doors at 4:30, show at 5:00, supper til 7:00

Celebrate Mothers’ Day with children’s musician Will Stroet and his mom Marion!  Will and Marion will sing interactive songs in French and English from their acclaimed album Will et sa maman: Chantons et dansons.   

$4 for children, $6 for adults

Locution:  The UBC Creative Writing Department’s Reading Series

Thursday, May 15th, 7:00pm

Five writers from UBC’s MFA Creative Writing program read from their latest works, live performances are presented, mystery guests do their thing, and more! 

Free

Claudia Dey Book Launch

Friday, May 16th, 7:30pm

Claudia Dey celebrates the launch of her debut novel, Stunt, which the Toronto Star calls a “surrealist coming-of-age novel, a shot of Catcher in the Rye with a One Hundred Years of Solitude chaser.”  She is joined by local novelist, Teresa McWhirter, who reads from her new novel Dirtbags (Anvil Press), a book FFWD Weekly calls a “search for beauty amid chaos and anarchy [that] resonates long after the last page is turned.”

Free

Caravan World Rhythms Society Presents:  Pe de Cana

Saturday, May 17th, 8:00pm

Pe de Cana, Vancouver’s own choro/chorinho trio band brings us this popular style of Brazilian music and rhythm.

$10 at the door

Family Sunday:  Storyteller Naomi Steinberg

Sunday, May 18th, doors at 4:30, show at 5:00, supper til 7:00

A little bit of curiosity, a whole lotta heart and a generous heap of fun - all wrapped up in tried and true traditional tales from around the world.  Join storyteller Naomi Steinberg for this evening of stories.  Bring your ears, hearts and willingness to wonder the world into wellness!

$3-$5 suggested donation, but no one turned away for lack of funds.

Palestinian Refugee Film Night

Thursday, May 22nd, 7:00pm

As part of Vancouver-Palestine Solidarity Month, the Boycott Israeli Apartheid Campaign presents an evening of films focusing on the Palestinian Nakba (Catastrophe) of 1948.  The two films, Children of Ibdaa and Deir Yassin Remembered, depict not only the events of 1948 but also the continuing struggle of Palestinian refugees.

By donation, suggested $5-$10 but no one turned away

Café Rebelde

Friday, May 23rd, 7:00pm

Join us for this monthly informational and social event in support of Latin American social movements.  May’s topic is to be announced.

Free

Board Games are So Gay

Saturday, May 24th, 7:00pm

Bring your favourite games or use ours!  DJ Ruggedly Handsome will keep the tunes coming during this queer-friendly community games night.

Free, donations welcome

Family Sunday:  Disco, Baby

Sunday, May 25th, 4:30-7:00

We’ll be out on the disco floor again!  Dj little d will be mixing the old school and the new.  Bring the kids out for some disco dancing fun.

By donation, no one turned away for lack of funds

Kulilu & Nuhkinka Coffee House Night

Friday, May 30th, 7:00pm

First Nations Grassroots Arts and Entertainment (A department of the George Manuel Institute) presents a First Nations evening of culture and traditional sharing. Our elder Kulilu (political activist, poet, writer and performer) has turned 60.  We offer this night of entertainment and connection as a way to bring our people together to embrace our oral traditions of storytelling through spoken word and song. Nuhkinka (performer, youth worker and political activist) will deliver a premier performance as a gift to Kulilu and our guests.

Free

EveryBODY Dance Now!  A Latin Dance Party for Queer Folk and their Allies

Saturday, May 31st, 7:30pm

Whether you’ve only dreamed of dancing Salsa or are already a pro, you are welcome here!  From 7:30 to 8:15 we’ll hang out, listen to some music, eat, drink and maybe try out our dance shoes a bit. At 8:15 we’ll learn some moves from Michael Gabriel Rosen of Más Movement. From 9:30 onward we´ll work it to the sweet rhythms of Salsa, Merengue and Reggaeton. No partner necessary.

$5-$10 sliding scale, but no one turned away for lack of funds

Workshops and Other Small Happenings

 Many groups use our Community Meeting Room and other corners of the café for gatherings, workshops, and more.  This month, the following are open to the public:

Common-ist Conspiracies Discussion Group

Wednesday evenings, May 7th-June 25th, 7:00-9:00pm

Join us for a weekly study/discussion group on “the commons:” physical and social relationships based on shared resources, networks of mutual aid, dignity and non-alienated labour.  We will discuss examples of how people have built emancipatory ways of living as alternatives to the destructive mode of social organization that is capitalism.  Each week we will focus on a specific theme of interest. There will be no formal reading list but readings relating to particular topics will be made available for anyone who is interested. Together we will elaborate on a language and practice of political struggle and social change that connects us with others.

Free

Rhizome Café * Community Space * Arts Venue

Where we are:

317 East Broadway Vancouver, BC, Coast Salish Territory

For more information: 604-872-3166

http://www.rhizomecafe.ca/

rhizome@rhizomecafe.ca 

 When we’re open:
Tuesdays:  4pm to 10pm
Wednesdays and Thursdays: 11am to 10pm
Fridays 11am to midnight
Saturdays 10am to midnight (brunch from 10 to 3; kitchen closed 3-5)
Sundays 10am to 3pm (and often also from 4:30 to 7:00 when we have a Family Sunday event scheduled) 

A note on our name: In the botanical sense, a rhizome is a root system that some plants (like lilies and orchids and ginger and bamboo) use to spread themselves about.  While the roots of most plants point generally downward, the rhizome is a horizontal root system that runs parallel to the surface of the ground.  The plant sends shoots up from nodes in the rhizome, creating what look like many separate plants.  These seemingly unrelated individuals are actually all connected, through a system that’s not immediately visible to the eye.

 

 

Filed in Lesbian Agenda | Comments Off


Tech Corner - Web Marketing Tips: What is RSS Syndication?

Sunday, April 20, 2008

One of the newer technologies in the area of web publishing is the use of RSS or ‘Really Simple Syndication”.  An RSS ‘feed’ is like a mini database stored on your site, that provides a list of what information is on your site in a format that can be easily searched or exported for use by news aggregators.  RSS ‘feeds’ are created by webmasters or blogging or web content software as a way of promoting the information on the site. Here’s an example of what an RSS feed looks like for the Lesbian Quarterly website.

How does this bring more people to my website? Well, news aggregators use the RSS feeds to help you promote the information on your site, and bring people to you to read more.

News aggregators are part of services like iGoogle and ‘My Yahoo’, where people using these customized web pages (known as portals) can select the topics they’d like to read about. The service then goes out and searches the available RSS feeds to find information on those topics and display it on the page. Typically the person can read the title and a short excerpt, and then click on a link to go to the original site for the rest. If you provide useful information on your site and in your RSS feed, it can be a good way to draw additional readers to your site.

The LQ website contains a number of features that get their information from aggregated news. Below is an example. The linked articles below are from several websites including xtra.ca and lesbian events in canada from Yahoo upcoming events (unfortunately, most are in Ontario).

-Sophia Kelly is a website, database and business consultant based in Vancouver www.sophiakelly.ca

Selected Lesbian Content

[Xtra.ca - Canada's source for gay and lesbian news RSS News Feed - Headline Stories] Singer Joanne Mackell releases first record in over a decade
[Upcoming: Event search for "lesbian" near Canada] May 27, 2008: Speed Dating for Toronto Singles, M/W 25-35 at The Vogue Room
[Upcoming: Event search for "lesbian" near Canada] Jun 18, 2008: Queer West - Lesbian & Gay Film Festival Toronto at Good Catch General Store
[Upcoming: Event search for "lesbian" near Canada] May 22, 2008: Tango Lessons for Toronto's Singles! at Tango Sur Studio 145
[Upcoming: Event search for "lesbian" near Canada] May 15, 2008: Tango Lessons for Toronto's Singles! at Tango Sur Studio 145
[Upcoming: Event search for "lesbian" near Canada] Jun 13, 2008: Queer West Fest Toronto June 13-22, 2008 at Beaver Restaurent & Bar

Powered by FirstRSS Plugin

Filed in Tech Corner, LQ | Comments Off


Vancouver - Getting the Love You Want Weekend for LGBT Couples

Thursday, April 17, 2008
June 6, 2008toJune 8, 2008

For those looking for a spring tune-up for their relationship, I guess…. [editor]

Getting The Love You Want
A weekend workshop for LGBT couples Vancouver, BC
June 6-8 2008

The Facilitators
Maureen and Tamara have been friends and colleagues for more than 20 years. Between them they have more than 40 years of experience in relationship! Maureen (and her partner Lawrence) have been married for 18 years with one daughter. They went to their first Getting the Love You Want workshop in 1993.
Tamara (and her partner Sarah) have been together for 22 years and have two sons. They went to their first Getting the Love You Want workshop in 1996.
Tamara and Maureen became Imago therapists in 1996, part of the first Canadian training group. We went on to become Advanced Clinicians in 1999. Each of us has a private practice where we see individuals and couples. We also teach and provide consultations.

The fine printThe fee for the weekend is $750 per couple, including GST. Breakfast, coffee/tea and snacks will be provided. Each person will also receive a Getting the Love You Want manual.

Please complete the attached registration form [LGBT Couples Workshop ] and send it in with a $300 deposit. Balance is due on the Friday night. We will issue a receipt.

We will break for lunch each day about 12:30. You will have one and half hours for lunch but you will also have assignments to complete. Wear comfortable clothing. You will have homework on Saturday night.

Your privacy is important. We encourage you to participate to your comfort level but you are not required to speak in front of the group.

Our cancellation policy is as follows:
If you cancel 10 or more days prior to the workshop, you will be refunded your payment less $150. Cancellation of 9 days or less will result in the loss of the deposit. In situations where you need to cancel due to unforeseen circumstances, we offer a one time opportunity to transfer your deposit to one of our future workshops within one year. The presenters are not responsible for prepaid, nonrefundable travel arrangements. If the presenters cancel the workshop, a full refund will be made.
:
Scholarship program: at least one spot in every workshop is available at a reduced cost to low income couples. Ask us for details.

“…the skills we learned are life changing. It has already made a difference in our relationship…”

 Here’s a brochure with details and registration form: LGBT Couples Workshop 

Filed in Women-Owned Businesses, Lesbian-Owned Businesses, Lesbian Agenda | Comments Off


International Day Against Homophobia

Wednesday, April 9, 2008
May 17, 2008

The International Day Against Homophobia, held on May 17 every year, is a rallying event offering an opportunity for people to get together and reach out to one another. Fondation Émergence promotes, mainly on a pan-Canadian level, the International Day Against Homophobia and encourages organisations and individuals to highlight this event in their environment. More
Post the 2008 banner
on your website
CAMPAIGN 2008
Ordering posters
and pamphlets
2008:
HEALTHCARE AND HOMOSEXUALITY
More about the 2008 campaign
DAY 2008
Get involved and make your initiatives known to others
TOOLS AND
RESOURCES
A wide range of resources and studies has been prepared for healthcare workers
Filed in Lesbian Agenda, LQ | Comments Off


National Day Against Homophobia Awareness Breakfast

Wednesday, April 9, 2008
May 12, 2008
8:00 amto10:00 am

National Day Against Homophobia Awareness Breakfast

International Day Against HomophobiaThe Centre would like to invite you to our 4th Annual Awareness Breakfast to observe National Day Against Homophobia, May 17th. This observance has grown tremendously since 2003 when first organized by the Fondation Émergence in Quebec. Last year saw hundreds of events organized in communities across Canada to raise awareness about homophobia. Please visit the official website www.homophobiaday.com for more information.

The Centre’s Awareness Breakfast brings together a mix of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, two-spirit individuals with representatives from community groups and organizations, businesses and levels of government. In the first year, 140 people attended the breakfast. Last year the event sold out at 350 people.

The overarching theme for the Day this year is ‘healthcare’. The goal is to combat homophobia, transphobia and heterosexism in all aspects of the healthcare system; to raise awareness about the specific health needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, two-spirit communities and individuals; and to support the development of educational tools and work toward their full integration into healthcare curricula.

The Centre is delighted to partner once again with Vancity to bring the Awareness Breakfast to our communities. We are also pleased this year to have Hospital Employee’s Union as a community supporter. In addition, community sponsors include BC Cancer Agency, BC Cancer Foundation, BC Centre for Disease Control, BC Nurses Union, Fondation Emergence, Gay & Lesbian Educators of BC, Gayway, Gay & Lesbian Business Association, Vancouver Coastal Health, and media sponsor The Georgia Straight.

The 2008 Awareness Breakfast is on Monday, May 12, 8:00 -10:00am at Coast Plaza Hotel, Ballroom, 1763 Comox Street (at Denman). We chose Monday this year so that folks can carry the spirit of the breakfast throughout their week, concluding with the Day itself on Saturday, May 17th. The event will feature a buffet-style breakfast, speakers, door prizes and opportunities to connect with each other.

Ticket Information

Tickets are $20 ($7.50 students/seniors/underemployed) and available at Little Sisters Bookstore, 1238 Davie Street, Vancouver. You may also request tickets by completing the attached ticket order form. Ticket forms must be received with payment by Friday, May 2nd. Tickets went fast last year so please purchase yours early to be part of this important event. Tickets will not be available at the door. Full-price ticket sales are crucial to help make this event self-supporting. Therefore, please note that there are limited tickets available at $7.50

Bring a Colleague Challenge!

This year we are encouraging folks to bring along a colleague to the breakfast who may not have attended previously. This helps ensure that our network of allies continues to grow each year! And of course, remember to share this invitation with your family, friends, and neighbours as well. NDAH Breakfast Ticket Order Form

We hope you are able to join us at the Awareness Breakfast as a public testament of your commitment to ending homophobia, transphobia and heterosexism in healthcare and to building a society in which all Canadians are valued for their unique and rich identities and contributions. If you would like additional information, please do not hesitate to contact me at The Centre at 604 684-6548 or email educationoutreach@lgtbcentrevancouver.com

Filed in Community Notices, Lesbian Agenda | Comments Off


Lesbian Politicians

Saturday, April 5, 2008
Libby Davies Ellen Woodsworth

Canada:

Ellen Woodsworth - Municipal, Vancouver City Council www.ellenwoodsworth.com
Libby Davies - Federal Member of Parliament www.libbydavies.ca 

Kanako Otsuji

Japan:

Kanako Otsuji - Elected Osaka Assembly member, National Diet candidate. http://gayjapannews.com/news_english/news3.htm

Barbara Jordan - Photograph by Tom O'Halloran, 1976 April 7, Courtesy of the Library of Congress

US:

Barbara Jordan: Texas Senator. First African American to preside over a legislative body in the United States, Congresswoman.  Closeted for her entire life, her female partner of 20 years was acknowledged in her obituary as her ‘long time companion’. http://lesbianlife.about.com/cs/woc/p/barbarajordan.htm

Penny Wong

Australia:

Penelope Ying-yen “Penny” Wong - Member of the Australian Senate - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penny_Wong

More lesbian politicians: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Lesbian_politicians

Filed in LQ17 March 2008, LQ | Comments Off


Letter to the Editor - Help prevent anti-gay religious group from blocking teaching of tolerance in schools

Friday, April 4, 2008

Wonder Woman comic was originally created by a male psychologist to provide a positive role model for girls, click here to read more.Letter to LQ’s Editor from Corea Ladner:

Hello:

Perhaps you are already aware that an education guide that encourages tolerance for gay/lesbian/transgendered diversity in the schools is being compaigned against being available in BC schools.

The article states that ‘This week the Catholic Civil Rights League, a lay group, urged parents to protest against the guide over its inclusion of gay issues including same-sex marriage.’

Please see the following link for the full article. http://www.365gay.com/Newscon08/03/032608school.htm

I would suggest that, since the CCRL is working to kill the guide, It would be helpful for us to send an email to the Education Minister to ensure the guide is used. Perhaps you could distribute this information if you have an elist and/or like minded friends and encourage everyone to send an email.

I’ve included below the email letter that I sent to Shirley if you would simply like to forward it with your own name.
Ms. Bond’s email address and website are as follows. Thank you for yor help.

http://www.leg.bc.ca/mla/38thparl/bond.htm

shirley.bond.mla.@leg.bc.ca

Dear Shirley Bond,

Public schools must be inclusive of all minorities. Gay and lesbian people make up 10 % of the population, including school children. Particularly in high school, gays. lesbians, bisexuals, and trnasgendered teens feel as if the whole system is created by and for people unlike them. Moreover, they are likely to suffer violence simply because they are gay - or are perceived to be gay.

Positive role models and an understanding of how gay culture has influenced and contributed to mainstream culture will help eliminate the discrimination suffered by GLBT youth in school. As Education Minister, I feel that you have a golden opportunity to help eliminate violence and discrimination in school - and in society by releasing the Education Guide, “Making Space, Giving Voice.”

Please help be part of the solution that brings compassion, knowledge and understanding into a culture that has suffered immeasurably by the ignorance of centuries of religious oppression and ignorance.

Please do so immediately and give it your full support. Thank you for your time.

Corea Ladner, Human Service Worker, BA

Filed in Letters to the Editor, LQ17 March 2008 | Comments Off


Vancouver - Women in the Round, On the Road

Thursday, April 3, 2008
April 11, 2008
8:00 pm

Women in the Round, On the Road

Friday, April 11th, 8:00pm

Kate Reid, Sarah MacDougall, and Joanna Chapman-Smith are heading out on a western Canada tour.  Come for an evening of rollicking folk music by three powerhouse musicians, and help send them off on their journey!

$7-$10 sliding scale

@ Rhizome Cafe

Café * Community Space * Arts Venue

Where we are: 317 East Broadway, Vancouver, BC, Coast Salish Territory

For more information: 604-872-3166  http://www.rhizomecafe.ca/  rhizome@rhizomecafe.ca  

When we’re open:
Tuesdays:  4pm to 10pm
Wednesdays and Thursdays: 11am to 10pm 
Fridays 11am to midnight 
Saturdays 10am to midnight (brunch from 10 to 3; kitchen closed 3-5)
Sundays 10am to 3pm (and often also from 4:30 to 7:00 when we have a Family Sunday event scheduled)

A note on our name:

In the botanical sense, a rhizome is a root system that some plants (like lilies and orchids and ginger and bamboo) use to spread themselves about.  While the roots of most plants point generally downward, the rhizome is a horizontal root system that runs parallel to the surface of the ground.  The plant sends shoots up from nodes in the rhizome, creating what look like many separate plants.  These seemingly unrelated individuals are actually all connected, through a system that’s not immediately visible to the eye.

Filed in Lesbian Agenda | Comments Off


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