Blog Archives
Alternative Lifestyles, and the Gender Spectrum Day!
On Sunday January 3rd we had our Alternative Lifestyles/Members Orientation workshop, followed by 2 trans related workshops, ALL well attended! Thank you to all! Read the rest of this entry
Gender Isn’t Binary
The Gender Diversity Group met on Sunday, Dec 11, and while sparsely attended (holiday season does that! lol!) the discussion was lively and interesting.
One thing that has become apparent is that those who are gender fluid need to be protected by law. It is hard enough being transsexual in a workplace, but those who are gender fluid can face some even harsher discrimination.
For some gender is binary, for example male or female, but for some it is more than that. And society does tend to ignore this, despite the fact that it is increasing.
– Vanessa, Secretary
Gender Can Be Diverse
Gender Diversity Group (Former Trans Unite Group) Sunday October 9, 2011
The ALCC’s Trans Unite Group has been renamed the Gender Diversity Group, to be more clear that it is and always open to all gender identity variations. As well, it has changed to a new location – the 2110 Center For Gender Diversity on Mackay. This location is a bit more accessible, and for those who may be put off by any security guards at the entrance, there are none. A huge thank you to the 2110 Center for allowing us to kindly use their space! Read the rest of this entry
So you wanted to learn about crossdressing?
Learnin’ About The Alternatives
On June 5 we had our “Alternative Lifestyles Workshop”, where Contessa Alura talked about the many lifestyles considered as alternative. Of course one thing we would like to see at the ALCC is for them to be not so alternative 🙂
She talked about the various ones from BDSM, polyamorous, swinger, cuckold, trans, and more. She is very knowlegable, and it was very apparent.
Questions were put, and experiences shared. All in all, a very good workshop! For those interested in learning about the various different lifestyles, I’d reccomend attending!
– Vanessa Cummings, ALCC Secretary
ALCC On Dr Laurie – Trans Issues (trans? whazzat? my transmission? you talkin’ cars now?!?)
No, not issues related to your cars transmission, but the issues that face those in the trans community, be they crossdresser, transsexual, transgenderist, gender queer, gender fluid, etc.
The show on CJAD on the 11th of May focused on trans issues, and present were Contessa Alura, petal, Vanessa, and Gabrielle from the 211o Gender Advocacy Center. Dr Laurie already has knowledge of these issues, and that was a great help in the show.
Starting off was petal, discussing how it is to be a crossdresser, what “drove” him to crossdress, why he does, who knows, and the issues that he faces being a crossdresser. This was very enlightening to even those of us there. Far too many have misconceptions about those who crossdress, and petal did a great job trying to dispel those myths (ie CD’s are “gay”, they “want to be women full time”, etc etc)
Next was Vanessa (me! lol!), discussing her story, and the issues she faces. Starting off with how she came out, she talked also about when she knew she was “different”, how she approached this as a youth, how she approached the army in coming out, being assaulted physically simply for being transsexual, why we need legal protection for gender identity, and as well the misconceptions about transsexuals. As well as what a TS can face daily.
Gabrielle talked about the 2110 Center, and touched on the two above issues, adding some very very valid points. Her expertise was a great help in this show. She also touched on the fact that the 2110 also has a needle exchange and a program for the FTM (Female To Males) that require binders (to hide the breasts). More for sure will be coming on the 2110!!!
All in all a great show! And… if you missed it… it can be heard here! So give it a listen!
Why We Need a New C-389
As many know, Bill C-389 has died in the Senate with the election call. Thus, we now need to start working on getting it re-introduced.
Why?
Perhaps this image will give an idea.
This is a photo taken of me after I was physically assaulted in Richmond, Quebec, in 2006, for no other reason than being transsexual. You cannot see the damage they did to my hair – twisted literally into a knot that I had no choice but to cut it off. And the nailer? It was ME who got a ticket for “violence in public” for *defending myself*!
Also bring in the latest – a transwoman being attacked by two women in a McDonalds restaurant in Baltimore, while McDonalds employees FILMED it and ENCOURAGED them on.
This MUST change, and as someone who has been assaulted for being transsexual, I urge you to vote for a party that will encourage a law protecting gender identity, and treating such acts as a hate crime. Not one Conservative voted in favour, all the NDP and Bloc did, and even some Liberal members voted against.
There is protection for people based on race, sexual orientation, etc, but none for gender identity, except, oddly enough – the military.
We must change this. ALL must have the same rights. As it stands, trans do not.
Trans Unite!
Unholy Harvest Weekend Ottawa – Oct 8-11
This was a truly wonderful event that I am so happy I had the opportunity to particpate in.
The event is hosted by Breathless, Ottawa’s Alternative Lifestyles Community Centre, and organized by the fabulous Unholy Army of the Night, a Montreal based group that provides BDSM events for women. An Unholy Harvest is an annual weekend-long leather/BDSM event for women and trans people held in Ottawa, Canada over Thanksgiving weekend every October. Co-founded in 2007 by Jacqueline St-Urbain and Andrea Zanin, An Unholy Harvest is open to women (including trans women) and trans men who respect and honour a women’s play space and who feel they have a place among leatherdykes.
I have been to a few UAOTN events in Montreal and these are a really a close and welcoming group of ladies. It was really great to experience a whole weekend with all those wonderful people.
There were three play parties, BDSM/kink workshops, the fun afternoon catering service, and kinky auction, film screenings, and erotica readings all under the 1950’s theme of “Pink Ladies” and “Greasers”, perfect!
I provided a mummification workshop on behalf of the ALCCVA with the help of the lovely Miss Destiny as my demonstration model. I must admit I spent a great deal of time laughing and sharing stories during that workshop and that brought me and everyone else a lot closer. I tend to go on from time to time, but everyone seemed quite entertained.
I was super happy that I had so many people willing to try mummification after wards. Often there are only a few who really get up to take out the plastic wrap or bondage tape and start trying it for the first time, but these women were right in there lol. It was fabulous!
Thank you to everyone for making the weekend so special. Please do contact us anytime and we hope to see more of you!
– CA