EGALE TO CONSULT WITH QUEERS ON THE INTERSECTION OF RACE AND SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND THE IMPLICATIONS OF INTERSECTIONAL OPPRESSION

Following its participation in last year's World Conference Against Racism in Durban, EGALE intends to consult with members of the LGBT and Two-spirit communities on how racism and discrimination related to sexual orientation and/or gender identity intersect.

EGALE Canada advances equality and justice for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people, and their families, across Canada. EGALE is committed to recognizing the links between different forms of oppression and building alliances with and among oppressed communities to affirm the universality of human rights and the principle of equal dignity for all. EGALE is a member of the NGO Steering Committee for the World Conference Against Racism. Two EGALE representatives (Kim Vance and Fiona Meyer Cook) attended WCAR and the NGO forum in South Africa. In preparation for this historic event, EGALE undertook a project that specifically explored the intersections of race and sexual orientation. The first stage of the project resulted in a research paper: The Intersection Of Sexual Orientation & Race: Considering The Experiences Of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered People of Colour and Two-Spirited People ("GLBT People Of Colour & Two-Spirited People") written by Wayne van der Meide. The full text of this paper can be found in English, French and Spanish on the EGALE website at http://www.egale.ca

EGALE will continue its work on the intersectionality of race and sexual orientation by consulting with LGBT people of colour and Two-spirited people, as well as people actively working with those who experience multiple oppressions. The consultation will take place on February 16th and 17th in Toronto. The purposes of the consultation include:

• learning from each other;
  
• defining and discussing issues related to intersectional oppression;
  
• discussing what an appropriate role for EGALE would be;
  
• discussing how EGALE can effectively work as an ally with other equity-seeking organisations; and,
  
• reporting back to LGBT and Two-Spirited people on its participation in the WCAR.

"Adopting a wholistic approach to addressing the oppression of GLBT and Two-spirited people is important because the vast majority of the people within our communities face multiple and complex sources of oppression, not exclusively oppression related to sexual orientation" says Wayne van der Meide, a member of the organising committee.

"Addressing issues of intersectionality is of fundamental importance in our shared struggle for equality. EGALE is very excited at this consultation, which represents one step in a process towards better reflecting the diversity of our communities," said John Fisher, Executive Director of EGALE.

As part of the consultation, a moderated open community forum at Toronto City Hall (Bay and Queen) is planned for February 16th. It will take place in Committee Room 1 of Toronto City Hall (2nd floor) from 7 till 9 p.m. This forum is a chance for EGALE to hear from a wider range of community members on the issues in question.

For further information:

John Fisher, Executive Director, EGALE: 1-888-204-7777
Wayne Van der Meide, WCAR Project Advisory Committee, EGALE :
consultation@egale.caconsultation@egale.ca