(L-R) Phyllis Waugh (audience) and Notisha Massaquoi (panel)Reception, Queer Peers, a Human Rights Panel Discussion on International Transgender Politics,

An evening of Queer Expressions, Photos © Linda Dawn Hammond / IndyFoto.com and Pride Toronto 2009, Tuesday June 23, 2009,

Gladstone Hotel, Toronto

Moderator: Fred Kuhr

Panelists:

(L-R) Victor Mukasa, Susan Gapka, Erika Ayala, Evana Ortigoza , Notisha Massaquoi, Christine Decelles, N. Nicole Nussbaum

Global Trans Rights Activist Victor Mukasa from Uganda has been chosen as Pride Toronto's 2009 International Grand Marshal. Join us as we pay tribute to the brave queer activists fighting for their rights in Africa and specifically in Uganda. Come and hear Victor speak. As the 2009 International Grand Marshal, he proudly leads Toronto's Pride Parade on Sunday, June 28 at 2:00PM.

Victor Mukasa, Chairperson of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), 2009 Pride Toronto's International Grand Marshal: is the Chairperson of SMUG and a human rights defender for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender liberation in his home country of Uganda and across Africa. As a global trans rights activist, he strives to protect and defend the space to exit freely without harassment, threat, or violence and to change this world' traditional gender categories so that people are no longer punished for simply being who they are.

Victor Juliet Mukasa is a Ugandan transgender activist who has gained international recognition for bringing light to human rights issues globally. He is a TransLesbian working with the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) as Research and Policy Associate for East, Central and Horn of Africa. Victor is a founding member of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), served as SMUG’s Chairperson from March 2004 to October 2007 and is now serving on the organizations Advisory Board. He’s also the Grand Marshall for Pride Toronto 2009.

N. Nicole Nussbaum, Barrister & Solicitor is an Employment and Human Rights Lawyer working with the Fred Victor Trans Employment Support Program. She represents both employees and employers on employment agreements, wrongful dismissal litigation, human rights complaints, employment and human rights trainings, corporate employment policy review and drafting, and other related services. Nicole transitioned from male to female in 2006.

Susan Gapka is committed to the empowerment of the marginalized community of transgender and transexual people through her dedication to social justice and her activism. She has been vocal in her lobbying the government for the rights of transpeople. Susan has won several awards for her work, worked on several committees, and facilitated many workshops and training sessions.

Notisha Massaquoi is originally from Sierra Leone and is the Executive Director of Women's Health in Women's Hands Community Health Centre (WHCHC). Her most recent publication is the edited anthology Theorizing Empowerment: Canadian Perspectives on Black Feminist Thought. She is the winner of the 2008 IRN-Africa Audre Lorde award for outstanding writing and she is currently working on a second collection of writing with Selly Thiam entitled, None on Record: Stories of Queer Africa. Her most recent work has been implementing transgender programming into the WHCHC.

Christine Decelles is a volunteer with PWA Speakers Bureau, and an active participant and advocate in the gay community and HIV/AIDS movement who has been living with HIV for 21 years. She has done volunteer work for 10 years at PASAN, working with people who are positive within the prison system. She is the chair of Ritten House, an agency dealing with transformative justice, and also a member of Voices of Positive Women. Christine is working hard to break down the stigma and discrimination around HIV, AIDS, transsexual and transgendered people.

Erika Ayala was born in Mexico City, and has been living as a female since she was 15 years old. She first immigrated to the United States where she lived for 10 years, before moving to Canada five years ago. Erika recounts her claim for refugee status, applying as a trans-person and experiencing trans-phobia. The Queer Refugee Experience in Canada

Evana Ortigoza is a Trans Sex Outreach Worker with TransPULSE and 519 Community Centre. She was born in Venezuela, immigrated to Canada in 1994, and danced with the National Ballet of Canada for 4 years. She also coordinates the weekly Meal Trans Drop-In for low income trans-people.

.

Pitka studied at Käsmu, Kuressaare and Paldiski marine schools and became Captain. From 1889 to 1907 he commanded different ships. From 1904-11, he lived in Great Britain. After the start of the Russian Revolution in 1917, Pitka became active in society and started organizing returning Estonian soldiers who fought in the Russian Army during World War I. He was forced to go underground after communists sentenced him to death. After the start of the German occupation in 1918, Pitka started organizing the Defence League.

In the Estonian War of Independence, the Defence League was one of the main forces of the Republic of Estonia, and at that time Pitka started organizing armored trains. The first one was ready 10 days after the start of the war, and the second became ready two weeks later. In total, five armored trains were built during the war, and they played a crucial role in the Estonian victory. Many called Pitka the "father of armored trains" for this.

Pitka also was the main organizer of the Estonian Navy. In December 1919 he became Commander-in-Chief of the navy and led it in all major operations including supporting the 1st Division in the capture of Narva from the Russian SFSR and supporting the 3rd Division by attacking Landeswehr naval fortifications at Riga. In September he achieved the rank of Rear Admiral. Pitka retired in November 1919.

From Johan Pitka's role as a former merchant mariner and a representative of the Canadian Pacific Railway Co. he had learned about Canada’s attractions. Canada's immigration policies, availability of homesteading land, natural beauty, and the promise of new roads and a railway caused Pitka to establish a settlement in the Sowchea area of Fort St. James British Columbia. The Sowchea area is located across Stuart Lake from the Hudson Bay Co. fur trading post.

On April 3, 1924, the Estonian settlers arrived in Fort St. James whose population was about 50 caucasian inhabitants and 500 indigenous ones.[1]The initial settlers were Pitka's family consisting of: Lady Mari-Helene Pitka, sons Edward and Stanley, daughters Saima and Linda and son-in law Lt. Aleksander Päären; families Andrekson, Rosin and Saar; Col. Steinman, Mr. Nilk and Mr. Pärtelson with wives; and Messrs. Kuusk, Olem, Puhm, Sulakatk, Vaimel, Unger and Wilmanson. They began homesteading on more than 300 hectares of land. The Estonian settlers were happy living with the Hudson’s Bay officials, the local Dakelh people and other residents. Though they tried growing crops, sheep farming, dairy farming and sawmilling, a sustainable existence proved elusive, largely because it was extremely difficult to get their goods to market given a change in the Provincial Government and a devaluation of the Canadian dollar during the depression. The delayed local development and frustrating access to markets caused all members of the group to move elsewhere or return to Estonia by 1932. Landmarks around Fort St. James still bear their name (e.g. Pitka Mountain, Pitka Bay, Pitka Bay Resort, Lind(a) Lake, Colony Point and Paaren’s Beach Provincial Park) In 2009 a monument honouring Pitka was unveiled in Fort St. James.[2]

Upon return to Estonia some prosperous years followed for the Pitkas. Johan Pitka was one of the leaders of the League of Liberators for a short time but left the organization in 1932. In 1937 he was also a member of the National Constituent Assembly. After the Soviet occupation in June 1940, Pitka escaped from Estonia to Finland. In 1941 tragedy struck the Pitka family, their three sons were arrested by the Soviet occupiers and perished. In 1944 Pitka returned to Estonia to organize military resistance to fight for Estonia's independence. Pitka is thought to have died in a 1944 battle. Lady Pitka and her daughters with their husbands fled to Sweden in 1944, re-immigrated to Canada in 1948, settled in Vancouver, B.C. and are buried there.

In January 1920 to give recognition to his activities during the Great War, the KCMG Knight Commander of St. Michael and St. George was awarded to him by England's King George V. The Estonian government valued his contribution by awarding him the Cross of Liberty I/1. Pitka is also recipient of the Latvian military Order of Lāčplēsis, 2nd class.

Johan Pitka was also a prolific author. He translated a book by Irving Cooper about fitness and health from English to Estonian in 1935 after he had returned from Canada. He also translated a spiritual work with a foreword by H.P. Blavatsky. Pitka wrote about his years commanding the barque Lilly and also wrote his other memoirs in four volumes that were edited by Evald Past.

Pitka returned from Finland to Estonia in spring 1944. In September 1944 the Germans were retreating, and Jüri Uluots organized a new Estonian government headed by Otto Tief. Pitka organized the last defence of Tallinn against the advancing Red Army. The circumstances of his death remain unknown. Several stories relate his death either to a battle against a Soviet tank group or perishing on the stormy Baltic Sea when trying to make his way to Sweden aboard one of the last small boats fleeing the country. (Wikipedia)

Panelists:

(L-R) Victor Mukasa, Susan Gapka, Erika Ayala, Evana Ortigoza, Panel Discussion, Queer Peers, a Human Rights Panel Discussion on International Transgender Politics,

An evening of Queer Expressions, Photos © Linda Dawn Hammond / IndyFoto.com and Pride Toronto 2009, Tuesday June 23, 2009,

Gladstone Hotel, Toronto

Moderator: Fred Kuhr

Panelists:

(L-R) Victor Mukasa, Susan Gapka, Erika Ayala, Evana Ortigoza , Notisha Massaquoi, Christine Decelles, N. Nicole Nussbaum

Global Trans Rights Activist Victor Mukasa from Uganda has been chosen as Pride Toronto's 2009 International Grand Marshal. Join us as we pay tribute to the brave queer activists fighting for their rights in Africa and specifically in Uganda. Come and hear Victor speak. As the 2009 International Grand Marshal, he proudly leads Toronto's Pride Parade on Sunday, June 28 at 2:00PM.

Victor Mukasa, Chairperson of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), 2009 Pride Toronto's International Grand Marshal: is the Chairperson of SMUG and a human rights defender for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender liberation in his home country of Uganda and across Africa. As a global trans rights activist, he strives to protect and defend the space to exit freely without harassment, threat, or violence and to change this world' traditional gender categories so that people are no longer punished for simply being who they are.

Victor Juliet Mukasa is a Ugandan transgender activist who has gained international recognition for bringing light to human rights issues globally. He is a TransLesbian working with the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) as Research and Policy Associate for East, Central and Horn of Africa. Victor is a founding member of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), served as SMUG’s Chairperson from March 2004 to October 2007 and is now serving on the organizations Advisory Board. He’s also the Grand Marshall for Pride Toronto 2009.

N. Nicole Nussbaum, Barrister & Solicitor is an Employment and Human Rights Lawyer working with the Fred Victor Trans Employment Support Program. She represents both employees and employers on employment agreements, wrongful dismissal litigation, human rights complaints, employment and human rights trainings, corporate employment policy review and drafting, and other related services. Nicole transitioned from male to female in 2006.

Susan Gapka is committed to the empowerment of the marginalized community of transgender and transexual people through her dedication to social justice and her activism. She has been vocal in her lobbying the government for the rights of transpeople. Susan has won several awards for her work, worked on several committees, and facilitated many workshops and training sessions.

Notisha Massaquoi is originally from Sierra Leone and is the Executive Director of Women's Health in Women's Hands Community Health Centre (WHCHC). Her most recent publication is the edited anthology Theorizing Empowerment: Canadian Perspectives on Black Feminist Thought. She is the winner of the 2008 IRN-Africa Audre Lorde award for outstanding writing and she is currently working on a second collection of writing with Selly Thiam entitled, None on Record: Stories of Queer Africa. Her most recent work has been implementing transgender programming into the WHCHC.

Christine Decelles is a volunteer with PWA Speakers Bureau, and an active participant and advocate in the gay community and HIV/AIDS movement who has been living with HIV for 21 years. She has done volunteer work for 10 years at PASAN, working with people who are positive within the prison system. She is the chair of Ritten House, an agency dealing with transformative justice, and also a member of Voices of Positive Women. Christine is working hard to break down the stigma and discrimination around HIV, AIDS, transsexual and transgendered people.

Erika Ayala was born in Mexico City, and has been living as a female since she was 15 years old. She first immigrated to the United States where she lived for 10 years, before moving to Canada five years ago. Erika recounts her claim for refugee status, applying as a trans-person and experiencing trans-phobia. The Queer Refugee Experience in Canada

Evana Ortigoza is a Trans Sex Outreach Worker with TransPULSE and 519 Community Centre. She was born in Venezuela, immigrated to Canada in 1994, and danced with the National Ballet of Canada for 4 years. She also coordinates the weekly Meal Trans Drop-In for low income trans-people.

Alison Duke (on video camera) . Queer Peers, a Human Rights Panel Discussion on International Transgender Politics,

An evening of Queer Expressions, Photos © Linda Dawn Hammond / IndyFoto.com and Pride Toronto 2009, Tuesday June 23, 2009,

Gladstone Hotel, Toronto

Moderator: Fred Kuhr

Panelists:

(L-R) Victor Mukasa, Susan Gapka, Erika Ayala, Evana Ortigoza , Notisha Massaquoi, Christine Decelles, N. Nicole Nussbaum

Global Trans Rights Activist Victor Mukasa from Uganda has been chosen as Pride Toronto's 2009 International Grand Marshal. Join us as we pay tribute to the brave queer activists fighting for their rights in Africa and specifically in Uganda. Come and hear Victor speak. As the 2009 International Grand Marshal, he proudly leads Toronto's Pride Parade on Sunday, June 28 at 2:00PM.

Victor Mukasa, Chairperson of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), 2009 Pride Toronto's International Grand Marshal: is the Chairperson of SMUG and a human rights defender for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender liberation in his home country of Uganda and across Africa. As a global trans rights activist, he strives to protect and defend the space to exit freely without harassment, threat, or violence and to change this world' traditional gender categories so that people are no longer punished for simply being who they are.

Victor Juliet Mukasa is a Ugandan transgender activist who has gained international recognition for bringing light to human rights issues globally. He is a TransLesbian working with the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) as Research and Policy Associate for East, Central and Horn of Africa. Victor is a founding member of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), served as SMUG’s Chairperson from March 2004 to October 2007 and is now serving on the organizations Advisory Board. He’s also the Grand Marshall for Pride Toronto 2009.

N. Nicole Nussbaum, Barrister & Solicitor is an Employment and Human Rights Lawyer working with the Fred Victor Trans Employment Support Program. She represents both employees and employers on employment agreements, wrongful dismissal litigation, human rights complaints, employment and human rights trainings, corporate employment policy review and drafting, and other related services. Nicole transitioned from male to female in 2006.

Susan Gapka is committed to the empowerment of the marginalized community of transgender and transexual people through her dedication to social justice and her activism. She has been vocal in her lobbying the government for the rights of transpeople. Susan has won several awards for her work, worked on several committees, and facilitated many workshops and training sessions.

Notisha Massaquoi is originally from Sierra Leone and is the Executive Director of Women's Health in Women's Hands Community Health Centre (WHCHC). Her most recent publication is the edited anthology Theorizing Empowerment: Canadian Perspectives on Black Feminist Thought. She is the winner of the 2008 IRN-Africa Audre Lorde award for outstanding writing and she is currently working on a second collection of writing with Selly Thiam entitled, None on Record: Stories of Queer Africa. Her most recent work has been implementing transgender programming into the WHCHC.

Christine Decelles is a volunteer with PWA Speakers Bureau, and an active participant and advocate in the gay community and HIV/AIDS movement who has been living with HIV for 21 years. She has done volunteer work for 10 years at PASAN, working with people who are positive within the prison system. She is the chair of Ritten House, an agency dealing with transformative justice, and also a member of Voices of Positive Women. Christine is working hard to break down the stigma and discrimination around HIV, AIDS, transsexual and transgendered people.

Erika Ayala was born in Mexico City, and has been living as a female since she was 15 years old. She first immigrated to the United States where she lived for 10 years, before moving to Canada five years ago. Erika recounts her claim for refugee status, applying as a trans-person and experiencing trans-phobia. The Queer Refugee Experience in Canada

Evana Ortigoza is a Trans Sex Outreach Worker with TransPULSE and 519 Community Centre. She was born in Venezuela, immigrated to Canada in 1994, and danced with the National Ballet of Canada for 4 years. She also coordinates the weekly Meal Trans Drop-In for low income trans-people.

Kim Crosby, Panel Discussion, Queer Peers, a Human Rights Panel Discussion on International Transgender Politics,

An evening of Queer Expressions, Photos © Linda Dawn Hammond / IndyFoto.com and Pride Toronto 2009, Tuesday June 23, 2009,

Gladstone Hotel, Toronto

Moderator: Fred Kuhr

Panelists:

(L-R) Victor Mukasa, Susan Gapka, Erika Ayala, Evana Ortigoza , Notisha Massaquoi, Christine Decelles, N. Nicole Nussbaum

Global Trans Rights Activist Victor Mukasa from Uganda has been chosen as Pride Toronto's 2009 International Grand Marshal. Join us as we pay tribute to the brave queer activists fighting for their rights in Africa and specifically in Uganda. Come and hear Victor speak. As the 2009 International Grand Marshal, he proudly leads Toronto's Pride Parade on Sunday, June 28 at 2:00PM.

Victor Mukasa, Chairperson of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), 2009 Pride Toronto's International Grand Marshal: is the Chairperson of SMUG and a human rights defender for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender liberation in his home country of Uganda and across Africa. As a global trans rights activist, he strives to protect and defend the space to exit freely without harassment, threat, or violence and to change this world' traditional gender categories so that people are no longer punished for simply being who they are.

Victor Juliet Mukasa is a Ugandan transgender activist who has gained international recognition for bringing light to human rights issues globally. He is a TransLesbian working with the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) as Research and Policy Associate for East, Central and Horn of Africa. Victor is a founding member of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), served as SMUG’s Chairperson from March 2004 to October 2007 and is now serving on the organizations Advisory Board. He’s also the Grand Marshall for Pride Toronto 2009.

N. Nicole Nussbaum, Barrister & Solicitor is an Employment and Human Rights Lawyer working with the Fred Victor Trans Employment Support Program. She represents both employees and employers on employment agreements, wrongful dismissal litigation, human rights complaints, employment and human rights trainings, corporate employment policy review and drafting, and other related services. Nicole transitioned from male to female in 2006.

Susan Gapka is committed to the empowerment of the marginalized community of transgender and transexual people through her dedication to social justice and her activism. She has been vocal in her lobbying the government for the rights of transpeople. Susan has won several awards for her work, worked on several committees, and facilitated many workshops and training sessions.

Notisha Massaquoi is originally from Sierra Leone and is the Executive Director of Women's Health in Women's Hands Community Health Centre (WHCHC). Her most recent publication is the edited anthology Theorizing Empowerment: Canadian Perspectives on Black Feminist Thought. She is the winner of the 2008 IRN-Africa Audre Lorde award for outstanding writing and she is currently working on a second collection of writing with Selly Thiam entitled, None on Record: Stories of Queer Africa. Her most recent work has been implementing transgender programming into the WHCHC.

Christine Decelles is a volunteer with PWA Speakers Bureau, and an active participant and advocate in the gay community and HIV/AIDS movement who has been living with HIV for 21 years. She has done volunteer work for 10 years at PASAN, working with people who are positive within the prison system. She is the chair of Ritten House, an agency dealing with transformative justice, and also a member of Voices of Positive Women. Christine is working hard to break down the stigma and discrimination around HIV, AIDS, transsexual and transgendered people.

Erika Ayala was born in Mexico City, and has been living as a female since she was 15 years old. She first immigrated to the United States where she lived for 10 years, before moving to Canada five years ago. Erika recounts her claim for refugee status, applying as a trans-person and experiencing trans-phobia. The Queer Refugee Experience in Canada

Evana Ortigoza is a Trans Sex Outreach Worker with TransPULSE and 519 Community Centre. She was born in Venezuela, immigrated to Canada in 1994, and danced with the National Ballet of Canada for 4 years. She also coordinates the weekly Meal Trans Drop-In for low income trans-people.

The Hampshire Barn, by Anderson Creek. It belonged to William Hampshire, who owned a dairy in Fairview. He was born in England and immigrated to Canada with his wife, Mary Ellen (nee Ireland), in 1924. He came to British Colombia shortly afterwards. As well as owning a dairy for some time, he worked as a shoe-maker by trade, and operated a gravel business up until his death. He died in Nelson in 1965, at 75 years old.

(L-R) Omisoore Dryden (audience) reacts to what she perceives as a eurocentric comment from the moderator Fred Kuhr, who apologizes. Audience Q&A, Queer Peers, a Human Rights Panel Discussion on International Transgender Politics,

An evening of Queer Expressions, Photos © Linda Dawn Hammond / IndyFoto.com and Pride Toronto 2009, Tuesday June 23, 2009,

Gladstone Hotel, Toronto

Moderator: Fred Kuhr

Panelists:

(L-R) Victor Mukasa, Susan Gapka, Erika Ayala, Evana Ortigoza , Notisha Massaquoi, Christine Decelles, N. Nicole Nussbaum

Global Trans Rights Activist Victor Mukasa from Uganda has been chosen as Pride Toronto's 2009 International Grand Marshal. Join us as we pay tribute to the brave queer activists fighting for their rights in Africa and specifically in Uganda. Come and hear Victor speak. As the 2009 International Grand Marshal, he proudly leads Toronto's Pride Parade on Sunday, June 28 at 2:00PM.

Victor Mukasa, Chairperson of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), 2009 Pride Toronto's International Grand Marshal: is the Chairperson of SMUG and a human rights defender for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender liberation in his home country of Uganda and across Africa. As a global trans rights activist, he strives to protect and defend the space to exit freely without harassment, threat, or violence and to change this world' traditional gender categories so that people are no longer punished for simply being who they are.

Victor Juliet Mukasa is a Ugandan transgender activist who has gained international recognition for bringing light to human rights issues globally. He is a TransLesbian working with the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) as Research and Policy Associate for East, Central and Horn of Africa. Victor is a founding member of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), served as SMUG’s Chairperson from March 2004 to October 2007 and is now serving on the organizations Advisory Board. He’s also the Grand Marshall for Pride Toronto 2009.

N. Nicole Nussbaum, Barrister & Solicitor is an Employment and Human Rights Lawyer working with the Fred Victor Trans Employment Support Program. She represents both employees and employers on employment agreements, wrongful dismissal litigation, human rights complaints, employment and human rights trainings, corporate employment policy review and drafting, and other related services. Nicole transitioned from male to female in 2006.

Susan Gapka is committed to the empowerment of the marginalized community of transgender and transexual people through her dedication to social justice and her activism. She has been vocal in her lobbying the government for the rights of transpeople. Susan has won several awards for her work, worked on several committees, and facilitated many workshops and training sessions.

Notisha Massaquoi is originally from Sierra Leone and is the Executive Director of Women's Health in Women's Hands Community Health Centre (WHCHC). Her most recent publication is the edited anthology Theorizing Empowerment: Canadian Perspectives on Black Feminist Thought. She is the winner of the 2008 IRN-Africa Audre Lorde award for outstanding writing and she is currently working on a second collection of writing with Selly Thiam entitled, None on Record: Stories of Queer Africa. Her most recent work has been implementing transgender programming into the WHCHC.

Christine Decelles is a volunteer with PWA Speakers Bureau, and an active participant and advocate in the gay community and HIV/AIDS movement who has been living with HIV for 21 years. She has done volunteer work for 10 years at PASAN, working with people who are positive within the prison system. She is the chair of Ritten House, an agency dealing with transformative justice, and also a member of Voices of Positive Women. Christine is working hard to break down the stigma and discrimination around HIV, AIDS, transsexual and transgendered people.

Erika Ayala was born in Mexico City, and has been living as a female since she was 15 years old. She first immigrated to the United States where she lived for 10 years, before moving to Canada five years ago. Erika recounts her claim for refugee status, applying as a trans-person and experiencing trans-phobia. The Queer Refugee Experience in Canada

Evana Ortigoza is a Trans Sex Outreach Worker with TransPULSE and 519 Community Centre. She was born in Venezuela, immigrated to Canada in 1994, and danced with the National Ballet of Canada for 4 years. She also coordinates the weekly Meal Trans Drop-In for low income trans-people.

Panelists:

(L-R) Victor Mukasa, Susan Gapka, Erika Ayala, Panel Discussion, Queer Peers, a Human Rights Panel Discussion on International Transgender Politics,

An evening of Queer Expressions, Photos © Linda Dawn Hammond / IndyFoto.com and Pride Toronto 2009, Tuesday June 23, 2009,

Gladstone Hotel, Toronto

Moderator: Fred Kuhr

Panelists:

(L-R) Victor Mukasa, Susan Gapka, Erika Ayala, Evana Ortigoza , Notisha Massaquoi, Christine Decelles, N. Nicole Nussbaum

Global Trans Rights Activist Victor Mukasa from Uganda has been chosen as Pride Toronto's 2009 International Grand Marshal. Join us as we pay tribute to the brave queer activists fighting for their rights in Africa and specifically in Uganda. Come and hear Victor speak. As the 2009 International Grand Marshal, he proudly leads Toronto's Pride Parade on Sunday, June 28 at 2:00PM.

Victor Mukasa, Chairperson of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), 2009 Pride Toronto's International Grand Marshal: is the Chairperson of SMUG and a human rights defender for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender liberation in his home country of Uganda and across Africa. As a global trans rights activist, he strives to protect and defend the space to exit freely without harassment, threat, or violence and to change this world' traditional gender categories so that people are no longer punished for simply being who they are.

Victor Juliet Mukasa is a Ugandan transgender activist who has gained international recognition for bringing light to human rights issues globally. He is a TransLesbian working with the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) as Research and Policy Associate for East, Central and Horn of Africa. Victor is a founding member of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), served as SMUG’s Chairperson from March 2004 to October 2007 and is now serving on the organizations Advisory Board. He’s also the Grand Marshall for Pride Toronto 2009.

N. Nicole Nussbaum, Barrister & Solicitor is an Employment and Human Rights Lawyer working with the Fred Victor Trans Employment Support Program. She represents both employees and employers on employment agreements, wrongful dismissal litigation, human rights complaints, employment and human rights trainings, corporate employment policy review and drafting, and other related services. Nicole transitioned from male to female in 2006.

Susan Gapka is committed to the empowerment of the marginalized community of transgender and transexual people through her dedication to social justice and her activism. She has been vocal in her lobbying the government for the rights of transpeople. Susan has won several awards for her work, worked on several committees, and facilitated many workshops and training sessions.

Notisha Massaquoi is originally from Sierra Leone and is the Executive Director of Women's Health in Women's Hands Community Health Centre (WHCHC). Her most recent publication is the edited anthology Theorizing Empowerment: Canadian Perspectives on Black Feminist Thought. She is the winner of the 2008 IRN-Africa Audre Lorde award for outstanding writing and she is currently working on a second collection of writing with Selly Thiam entitled, None on Record: Stories of Queer Africa. Her most recent work has been implementing transgender programming into the WHCHC.

Christine Decelles is a volunteer with PWA Speakers Bureau, and an active participant and advocate in the gay community and HIV/AIDS movement who has been living with HIV for 21 years. She has done volunteer work for 10 years at PASAN, working with people who are positive within the prison system. She is the chair of Ritten House, an agency dealing with transformative justice, and also a member of Voices of Positive Women. Christine is working hard to break down the stigma and discrimination around HIV, AIDS, transsexual and transgendered people.

Erika Ayala was born in Mexico City, and has been living as a female since she was 15 years old. She first immigrated to the United States where she lived for 10 years, before moving to Canada five years ago. Erika recounts her claim for refugee status, applying as a trans-person and experiencing trans-phobia. The Queer Refugee Experience in Canada

Evana Ortigoza is a Trans Sex Outreach Worker with TransPULSE and 519 Community Centre. She was born in Venezuela, immigrated to Canada in 1994, and danced with the National Ballet of Canada for 4 years. She also coordinates the weekly Meal Trans Drop-In for low income trans-people.

PATERSON, JOHN ANDREW, lawyer, social reformer, and author; b. 22 June 1846 in Stornoway, Scotland, son of John Paterson and Jane Balfour Allison; m. first 5 Jan. 1876 Christina Dick Riddell in Toronto, and they had three sons and a daughter; m. secondly Mary Allan; d. 13 May 1930 in Toronto.

John Paterson’s father was a Presbyterian minister and teacher in Scotland and England and he continued in the ministry after immigrating to Canada with his family in 1858. John was then enrolled at Upper Canada College in Toronto, where he became head boy in 1861. The next year he entered the University of Toronto on a double scholarship in classics and mathematics; he consistently stood first or second in his class. He graduated in 1866 and the following year received his ma while teaching mathematics at Upper Canada College, a post he held for three years. He then decided to use his analytical skills in the study of law. Called to the bar on 26 Nov. 1872, he would practise in Toronto for 57 years.

Throughout his life, Paterson was clearly influenced by his Presbyterian upbringing. He served his congregations, Bay Street (Erskine) in 1872-98 and Bloor Street in 1899-1930, as manager, elder, and Sunday school superintendent. Within the Presbyterian Church in Canada, he attended several general assemblies and sat on many committees and as a senator of Knox College between 1892 and 1925. He was the college’s solicitor as early as 1909, when land was being acquired for its new building on St George Street. Active in interdenominational work, he was president of the Ontario Sunday School Association in 1895-96, president of the Ontario Lord’s Day Alliance in 1897 (and chair of its committee on law for several years), and chair of the Canadian council of the Laymen’s Missionary Movement in 1916. A firm temperance advocate, he took part in the campaign leading up to the Prohibition referendum in Ontario of December 1902 [see Francis Stephens Spence*] and in attempts in 1903 to curb liquor sales. At Bloor Street Church he and assistant pastor Clare Melville Wright prepared a statement for their congregation on the Prohibition plebiscite of 1924. These and other organizations and causes benefited from Paterson’s quiet but persuasive legal expertise. Notwithstanding the strength of his Presbyterian roots, he was a leader in the movement to form the United Church of Canada in 1925. He had been vice-president of the General Board of the Presbyterian Church in Canada, and had acted as chair when Daniel Robert Drummond, an opponent of union, resigned shortly before it became a reality.

In politics Paterson identified himself in 1923 as a Liberal in the mould of George Brown*, “as my father was before me, and I have never seen any reason to change my allegiance.” One can find evidence that his political, educational, and religious connections helped him in his career. In 1885 a prominent Liberal, James Kirkpatrick Kerr, became the head of his law firm (Kerr, Macdonald, Davidson, and Paterson). From 1900 Paterson was the University of Toronto’s solicitor. Named a provincial kc on 27 May 1902, he was soon appointed by John Morison Gibson, the Liberal attorney general of Ontario, to appear before the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in England to argue the constitutionality of an 1897 act prohibiting the profanation of the Lord’s Day, which had been challenged by the Hamilton Street Railway Company and others. The JCPC found that, in so far as violations of the act were considered criminal, the statute was unconstitutional since criminal law was a dominion responsibility. Although Paterson was on the losing side, the judgement was an important step in the passage of the federal Lord’s Day Act of 1906, for which he had lobbied on behalf of the Lord’s Day Alliance. Paterson’s abilities were recognized by other administrations as well. In 1912, on behalf of the Conservative government, he successfully had the London and Lake Erie Railway prosecuted under the Ontario Railway Act; the attorney general, however, refused to pay his full bill. In 1921 the United Farmers government called on him to form a commission to inquire into slipshod enforcement of the Ontario Temperance Act by the police magistrate of Dunnville, David Hastings, who resigned as a result. In the private sector his work included many years (1907-25) as lawyer to the North American Life Assurance Company, of which he was also a director. In all his efforts, including his advocacy of life insurance, Paterson saw the goals he sought as steps to alleviate misery brought about by drunkenness, overwork, and poverty.

Paterson’s long-standing interest in mathematics had led him in 1890 to join the Astronomical and Physical Society of Toronto (later the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada). In 1892 he published his first paper in its Transactions, on stellar evolution, and was elected second vice-president. In this office he accepted many presidential duties owing to the illness or age of incumbents Charles Carpmael* and Larratt William Violett Smith; he served as president in his own right in 1896-97. In 1897, at the Toronto meeting of the British Association for the Advancement of Science, he spoke on the “unification of time.” The hope was to get international nautical, civil, and astronomical authorities to agree that the day should start at midnight. The idea appealed to common sense and was promoted by Sir Sandford Fleming*, well known for his efforts to introduce standard-time zones, but traditional practices would prevail until 1925. All told, over a period of 32 years, Paterson wrote 24 reports and popular papers for the astronomical society, most based on lectures he gave. Seven of these were accounts of the lives of well-known astronomers and three concerned astronomy in the work of Tennyson, Shakespeare, and Milton. As Paterson said in 1909, “The muses of Poetry and Urania her sister clasped hands and have in all ages sung to the world the sweet rhymes of mother Nature.” He consistently saw the hand of a divine creator in nature, even when he delved into the theory of life on Mars and elsewhere.

Paterson’s personal life was marked by several tragedies. His first wife, Tina, died in 1908 after being struck by a cyclist. They had shared many of the same ideals; as well, she had been a recording secretary of the Toronto Local Council of Women and a vice-president of the Women’s Art Association of Canada. Two of his sons died young, Harold John in 1904 and Ernest Riddell (the first Rhodes scholar from the University of Toronto) in 1912, and his son-in-law, Saxon Frederick Shenstone, passed away on Christmas Day, 1915, at the age of 37. The last two or three years of his own life were marked by illness.

John A. Paterson was very much a man of his time and circumstances. The causes he championed – missionary work, temperance, and sabbath observance – were all part of the movement to improve morality in Canadian society.

NANTON is a town in southern Alberta, Canada. Nanton was named after Sir Augustus Meredith Nanton of Winnipeg who directed firms that offered financing for farms and ranches throughout the west. It is located south of Calgary.

DUGGAN & STIRLING

NANTON, ALTA - corner card

LINK to Nanton business advertising in 1908 - www.newspapers.com/article/calgary-herald-nanton-listings...

David Milwyn Duggan

(b. 5 May 1879 in Builth, Wales - d. 4 May 1942 at age 62 in Edmonton, Alberta)

David Duggan in 1893 entered the dry goods business, in which he remained until leaving Wales. In 1902 he married Marian Price; they had four children. Duggan immigrated to Canada in 1905 to farm near Nanton, Alberta. He and his brother Joseph J. moved to Edmonton in 1912 and founded Duggan Investments, Ltd., a firm handling bonds and investments. (Joseph served as Edmonton city councillor 1924 to 1925. Duggan ran for mayor in the 1920 Edmonton election when, despite lacking any previous experience, he defeated incumbent Joseph Clarke. His attentions turned to provincial politics, and he was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta in the 1926 election as a Conservative in the riding of Edmonton. Duggan succeeded Alexander McGillivray as leader in 1930, and led the party into that year's election.

His brother - Joseph Jenkyn Duggan

(b. March 1873 in Llansaintfread in Elvel, Radnorshire, Wales - d. 10 April 1940 at age 67 in Alberta) - he married Bessie Evans (daughter of Evan Evans) in 1904. She was a well-known contralto singer who sang before the Queen of England and in the White House (President McKinley). He spent fifteen years in the merchandising business. Arrived in Edmonton in 1912 and opened a real estate office. Head of J.J. Duggan Co., a real estate and insurance firm for 27 years. Recognized as a leading authority on Alberta's assessment and taxation problems.

William "Will" Colwell Stirling

(b. 11 September 1873 in Goderich / Bayfield, Ontario - d. 18 May 1950 at age 76 in Hanna, Special Area No 2, Alberta, Canada) - during his homestead days at Nanton, he acted as Postmaster for Nanton and district and rode horseback six miles to work each day. While in Nanton he was employed by McLaren and Hammill in the Nanton Trading Company working in the Post Office. In 1909 was in partnership with the Duggan Brothers in Real Estate and Insurance etc. - in 1911 he was with D. E. McLean in the same field.

WILLIAM COLWELL STIRLING - A pioneer of Hanna, Alberta. William Coldwell Stirling died Thursday at his residence 326 2nd Ave. N.E. Born in Bayfield, Ontario. Mr. Stirling moved to Nanton, Alberta in 1903 where he homesteaded until 1911. He spent a year in Bassano before going to Hanna where he was Postmaster until retiring in 1948. He was a member of the Hanna Lodge AF end AM and an elder of the Hanna United Church. Surviving are his wife, Anne; one son FLT / Sergeant Donald Stirling with the RCAF at Ottawa. LINK to his complete newspaper obituary - www.newspapers.com/article/the-calgary-albertan-obituary-...

His first wife - Katherine "Bessie" Elizabeth (nee MacLeod) Stirling

(b. 8 August 1879 in Marquette, Michigan, United States - d. 19 June 1936 at age 56 in Calgary, Alberta / Hanna, Alberta, Canada) - they were married - 11 January 1906 in Marquette, Michigan, United States.

MRS. WILLIAM STIRLING - A resident of Alberta for more than 30 years, Mrs. Katharine Elizabeth Stirling, wife of William Stirling of Hanna, died in a local hospital Sunday morning. She was 56 years of age. Born in Marquette, Mich., the late Mrs. Stirling came to Alberta in 1906 and homesteaded in the Nanton district. In 1912 she moved to Hanna where her husband had been appointed postmaster in that district. She took an active part in church and young people's work. LINK - www.newspapers.com/article/calgary-herald-obituary-for-ka...

His second wife - Annie Matilda (nee Willison) Stirling

(b. 19 March 1889 in Gravenhurst, Muskoka, Ontario, Canada – d. 31 January 1978 at age 88 in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada) - occupation - registered nurse - they were married in July 1938 in Gull Lake, Alberta - LINK to the newspaper report on their wedding - www.newspapers.com/article/calgary-herald-marriage-of-sti... LINK to her death certificate - search-collections.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/Image/Genealogy/73...

- sent from - / NANTON / PM / JUN 14 / 09 / ALTA / - duplex cancel - (DAB-425) - ERD - 23 June 1904 / LRD - 11 April 1912 / size - 22.5 mm

- arrived at - / MASON CITY / JUN 18 / 7 - AM / 1909 / IOWA / - flag machine arrival backstamp

Mason City is a city and the county seat of Cerro Gordo County, Iowa, United States. The population was 27,338 in the 2020 census. It is commonly referred to as the "River City", as the city grew up centered on the Winnebago River.

Addressed to: C. B. Dake Esq, / 133 Oak Street, / Mason City / IOWA. / U.S.A.

Charles Benjamin Dake

(b. 18 January 1857 in Stillman Valley, Ogle County, Illinois, USA - d. 6 September 1941 at age 84 in Alhambra, California) - LINK to his newspaper obituary - www.newspapers.com/article/monrovia-news-post-obituary-fo...

In 1896 he sold pianos', organs and sewing machines

in 1910 he was a real estate dealer

LINK to a 1903 newspaper report of the loss of his barn - www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-nonpareil-cb-dake-ma...

LINK to a 1904 newspaper report of him drilling for oil - www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-cb-dak... and - www.newspapers.com/article/globe-gazette-cb-dake-mason-ci...

When he moved to California he became a farmer.

His first wife - Ella May (nee Meikle) Dake

(b. 7 February 1864 in Pecatonica, Winnebago, Illinois, United States - d. 23 August 1927 in Paris, France) - they were married - 22 June 1887 in Winnebago, Illinois, United States. They were divorced c. 1919.

His second wife - Orpha T. (nee Campbell) Flack / Dake

(b. October 1864 in Ohio, United States - d. 5 December 1942 at age 78 in Los Angeles, California, United States) - they were married - 5 November 1928 in California.

Panelists:

Victor Mukasa (standing with mike)

(L-R) Susan Gapka, Erika Ayala, Evana Ortigoza , Notisha Massaquoi, Christine Decelles, N. Nicole Nussbaum, Audience Q&A, Queer Peers, a Human Rights Panel Discussion on International Transgender Politics,

An evening of Queer Expressions, Photos © Linda Dawn Hammond / IndyFoto.com and Pride Toronto 2009, Tuesday June 23, 2009,

Gladstone Hotel, Toronto

Moderator: Fred Kuhr

Panelists:

(L-R) Victor Mukasa, Susan Gapka, Erika Ayala, Evana Ortigoza , Notisha Massaquoi, Christine Decelles, N. Nicole Nussbaum

Global Trans Rights Activist Victor Mukasa from Uganda has been chosen as Pride Toronto's 2009 International Grand Marshal. Join us as we pay tribute to the brave queer activists fighting for their rights in Africa and specifically in Uganda. Come and hear Victor speak. As the 2009 International Grand Marshal, he proudly leads Toronto's Pride Parade on Sunday, June 28 at 2:00PM.

Victor Mukasa, Chairperson of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), 2009 Pride Toronto's International Grand Marshal: is the Chairperson of SMUG and a human rights defender for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender liberation in his home country of Uganda and across Africa. As a global trans rights activist, he strives to protect and defend the space to exit freely without harassment, threat, or violence and to change this world' traditional gender categories so that people are no longer punished for simply being who they are.

Victor Juliet Mukasa is a Ugandan transgender activist who has gained international recognition for bringing light to human rights issues globally. He is a TransLesbian working with the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) as Research and Policy Associate for East, Central and Horn of Africa. Victor is a founding member of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), served as SMUG’s Chairperson from March 2004 to October 2007 and is now serving on the organizations Advisory Board. He’s also the Grand Marshall for Pride Toronto 2009.

N. Nicole Nussbaum, Barrister & Solicitor is an Employment and Human Rights Lawyer working with the Fred Victor Trans Employment Support Program. She represents both employees and employers on employment agreements, wrongful dismissal litigation, human rights complaints, employment and human rights trainings, corporate employment policy review and drafting, and other related services. Nicole transitioned from male to female in 2006.

Susan Gapka is committed to the empowerment of the marginalized community of transgender and transexual people through her dedication to social justice and her activism. She has been vocal in her lobbying the government for the rights of transpeople. Susan has won several awards for her work, worked on several committees, and facilitated many workshops and training sessions.

Notisha Massaquoi is originally from Sierra Leone and is the Executive Director of Women's Health in Women's Hands Community Health Centre (WHCHC). Her most recent publication is the edited anthology Theorizing Empowerment: Canadian Perspectives on Black Feminist Thought. She is the winner of the 2008 IRN-Africa Audre Lorde award for outstanding writing and she is currently working on a second collection of writing with Selly Thiam entitled, None on Record: Stories of Queer Africa. Her most recent work has been implementing transgender programming into the WHCHC.

Christine Decelles is a volunteer with PWA Speakers Bureau, and an active participant and advocate in the gay community and HIV/AIDS movement who has been living with HIV for 21 years. She has done volunteer work for 10 years at PASAN, working with people who are positive within the prison system. She is the chair of Ritten House, an agency dealing with transformative justice, and also a member of Voices of Positive Women. Christine is working hard to break down the stigma and discrimination around HIV, AIDS, transsexual and transgendered people.

Erika Ayala was born in Mexico City, and has been living as a female since she was 15 years old. She first immigrated to the United States where she lived for 10 years, before moving to Canada five years ago. Erika recounts her claim for refugee status, applying as a trans-person and experiencing trans-phobia. The Queer Refugee Experience in Canada

Evana Ortigoza is a Trans Sex Outreach Worker with TransPULSE and 519 Community Centre. She was born in Venezuela, immigrated to Canada in 1994, and danced with the National Ballet of Canada for 4 years. She also coordinates the weekly Meal Trans Drop-In for low income trans-people.

(L-R) George Ssemukuutu, Susan Gapka, Queer Peers, a Human Rights Panel Discussion on International Transgender Politics,

An evening of Queer Expressions, Photos © Linda Dawn Hammond / IndyFoto.com and Pride Toronto 2009, Tuesday June 23, 2009,

Gladstone Hotel, Toronto

Moderator: Fred Kuhr

Panelists:

(L-R) Victor Mukasa, Susan Gapka, Erika Ayala, Evana Ortigoza , Notisha Massaquoi, Christine Decelles, N. Nicole Nussbaum

Global Trans Rights Activist Victor Mukasa from Uganda has been chosen as Pride Toronto's 2009 International Grand Marshal. Join us as we pay tribute to the brave queer activists fighting for their rights in Africa and specifically in Uganda. Come and hear Victor speak. As the 2009 International Grand Marshal, he proudly leads Toronto's Pride Parade on Sunday, June 28 at 2:00PM.

Victor Mukasa, Chairperson of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), 2009 Pride Toronto's International Grand Marshal: is the Chairperson of SMUG and a human rights defender for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender liberation in his home country of Uganda and across Africa. As a global trans rights activist, he strives to protect and defend the space to exit freely without harassment, threat, or violence and to change this world' traditional gender categories so that people are no longer punished for simply being who they are.

Victor Juliet Mukasa is a Ugandan transgender activist who has gained international recognition for bringing light to human rights issues globally. He is a TransLesbian working with the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) as Research and Policy Associate for East, Central and Horn of Africa. Victor is a founding member of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), served as SMUG’s Chairperson from March 2004 to October 2007 and is now serving on the organizations Advisory Board. He’s also the Grand Marshall for Pride Toronto 2009.

N. Nicole Nussbaum, Barrister & Solicitor is an Employment and Human Rights Lawyer working with the Fred Victor Trans Employment Support Program. She represents both employees and employers on employment agreements, wrongful dismissal litigation, human rights complaints, employment and human rights trainings, corporate employment policy review and drafting, and other related services. Nicole transitioned from male to female in 2006.

Susan Gapka is committed to the empowerment of the marginalized community of transgender and transexual people through her dedication to social justice and her activism. She has been vocal in her lobbying the government for the rights of transpeople. Susan has won several awards for her work, worked on several committees, and facilitated many workshops and training sessions.

Notisha Massaquoi is originally from Sierra Leone and is the Executive Director of Women's Health in Women's Hands Community Health Centre (WHCHC). Her most recent publication is the edited anthology Theorizing Empowerment: Canadian Perspectives on Black Feminist Thought. She is the winner of the 2008 IRN-Africa Audre Lorde award for outstanding writing and she is currently working on a second collection of writing with Selly Thiam entitled, None on Record: Stories of Queer Africa. Her most recent work has been implementing transgender programming into the WHCHC.

Christine Decelles is a volunteer with PWA Speakers Bureau, and an active participant and advocate in the gay community and HIV/AIDS movement who has been living with HIV for 21 years. She has done volunteer work for 10 years at PASAN, working with people who are positive within the prison system. She is the chair of Ritten House, an agency dealing with transformative justice, and also a member of Voices of Positive Women. Christine is working hard to break down the stigma and discrimination around HIV, AIDS, transsexual and transgendered people.

Erika Ayala was born in Mexico City, and has been living as a female since she was 15 years old. She first immigrated to the United States where she lived for 10 years, before moving to Canada five years ago. Erika recounts her claim for refugee status, applying as a trans-person and experiencing trans-phobia. The Queer Refugee Experience in Canada

Evana Ortigoza is a Trans Sex Outreach Worker with TransPULSE and 519 Community Centre. She was born in Venezuela, immigrated to Canada in 1994, and danced with the National Ballet of Canada for 4 years. She also coordinates the weekly Meal Trans Drop-In for low income trans-people.

PATERSON, JOHN ANDREW, lawyer, social reformer, and author; b. 22 June 1846 in Stornoway, Scotland, son of John Paterson and Jane Balfour Allison; m. first 5 Jan. 1876 Christina Dick Riddell in Toronto, and they had three sons and a daughter; m. secondly Mary Allan; d. 13 May 1930 in Toronto.

John Paterson’s father was a Presbyterian minister and teacher in Scotland and England and he continued in the ministry after immigrating to Canada with his family in 1858. John was then enrolled at Upper Canada College in Toronto, where he became head boy in 1861. The next year he entered the University of Toronto on a double scholarship in classics and mathematics; he consistently stood first or second in his class. He graduated in 1866 and the following year received his ma while teaching mathematics at Upper Canada College, a post he held for three years. He then decided to use his analytical skills in the study of law. Called to the bar on 26 Nov. 1872, he would practise in Toronto for 57 years.

Throughout his life, Paterson was clearly influenced by his Presbyterian upbringing. He served his congregations, Bay Street (Erskine) in 1872-98 and Bloor Street in 1899-1930, as manager, elder, and Sunday school superintendent. Within the Presbyterian Church in Canada, he attended several general assemblies and sat on many committees and as a senator of Knox College between 1892 and 1925. He was the college’s solicitor as early as 1909, when land was being acquired for its new building on St George Street. Active in interdenominational work, he was president of the Ontario Sunday School Association in 1895-96, president of the Ontario Lord’s Day Alliance in 1897 (and chair of its committee on law for several years), and chair of the Canadian council of the Laymen’s Missionary Movement in 1916. A firm temperance advocate, he took part in the campaign leading up to the Prohibition referendum in Ontario of December 1902 [see Francis Stephens Spence*] and in attempts in 1903 to curb liquor sales. At Bloor Street Church he and assistant pastor Clare Melville Wright prepared a statement for their congregation on the Prohibition plebiscite of 1924. These and other organizations and causes benefited from Paterson’s quiet but persuasive legal expertise. Notwithstanding the strength of his Presbyterian roots, he was a leader in the movement to form the United Church of Canada in 1925. He had been vice-president of the General Board of the Presbyterian Church in Canada, and had acted as chair when Daniel Robert Drummond, an opponent of union, resigned shortly before it became a reality.

In politics Paterson identified himself in 1923 as a Liberal in the mould of George Brown*, “as my father was before me, and I have never seen any reason to change my allegiance.” One can find evidence that his political, educational, and religious connections helped him in his career. In 1885 a prominent Liberal, James Kirkpatrick Kerr, became the head of his law firm (Kerr, Macdonald, Davidson, and Paterson). From 1900 Paterson was the University of Toronto’s solicitor. Named a provincial kc on 27 May 1902, he was soon appointed by John Morison Gibson, the Liberal attorney general of Ontario, to appear before the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in England to argue the constitutionality of an 1897 act prohibiting the profanation of the Lord’s Day, which had been challenged by the Hamilton Street Railway Company and others. The JCPC found that, in so far as violations of the act were considered criminal, the statute was unconstitutional since criminal law was a dominion responsibility. Although Paterson was on the losing side, the judgement was an important step in the passage of the federal Lord’s Day Act of 1906, for which he had lobbied on behalf of the Lord’s Day Alliance. Paterson’s abilities were recognized by other administrations as well. In 1912, on behalf of the Conservative government, he successfully had the London and Lake Erie Railway prosecuted under the Ontario Railway Act; the attorney general, however, refused to pay his full bill. In 1921 the United Farmers government called on him to form a commission to inquire into slipshod enforcement of the Ontario Temperance Act by the police magistrate of Dunnville, David Hastings, who resigned as a result. In the private sector his work included many years (1907-25) as lawyer to the North American Life Assurance Company, of which he was also a director. In all his efforts, including his advocacy of life insurance, Paterson saw the goals he sought as steps to alleviate misery brought about by drunkenness, overwork, and poverty.

Paterson’s long-standing interest in mathematics had led him in 1890 to join the Astronomical and Physical Society of Toronto (later the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada). In 1892 he published his first paper in its Transactions, on stellar evolution, and was elected second vice-president. In this office he accepted many presidential duties owing to the illness or age of incumbents Charles Carpmael* and Larratt William Violett Smith; he served as president in his own right in 1896-97. In 1897, at the Toronto meeting of the British Association for the Advancement of Science, he spoke on the “unification of time.” The hope was to get international nautical, civil, and astronomical authorities to agree that the day should start at midnight. The idea appealed to common sense and was promoted by Sir Sandford Fleming*, well known for his efforts to introduce standard-time zones, but traditional practices would prevail until 1925. All told, over a period of 32 years, Paterson wrote 24 reports and popular papers for the astronomical society, most based on lectures he gave. Seven of these were accounts of the lives of well-known astronomers and three concerned astronomy in the work of Tennyson, Shakespeare, and Milton. As Paterson said in 1909, “The muses of Poetry and Urania her sister clasped hands and have in all ages sung to the world the sweet rhymes of mother Nature.” He consistently saw the hand of a divine creator in nature, even when he delved into the theory of life on Mars and elsewhere.

Paterson’s personal life was marked by several tragedies. His first wife, Tina, died in 1908 after being struck by a cyclist. They had shared many of the same ideals; as well, she had been a recording secretary of the Toronto Local Council of Women and a vice-president of the Women’s Art Association of Canada. Two of his sons died young, Harold John in 1904 and Ernest Riddell (the first Rhodes scholar from the University of Toronto) in 1912, and his son-in-law, Saxon Frederick Shenstone, passed away on Christmas Day, 1915, at the age of 37. The last two or three years of his own life were marked by illness.

John A. Paterson was very much a man of his time and circumstances. The causes he championed – missionary work, temperance, and sabbath observance – were all part of the movement to improve morality in Canadian society.

Don Cosens Collection

M5 S1 Sh3 B3 F2 8

This is a photograph of a farm in Frome, ca. 1904. Photograph is part of an album complied by Charles E. Hind

Frome, located between Shedden and Talbotville on Talbot Line, was first settled by members of the Silcox family. Daniel Silcox, a native of Frome, England, settled in Southwold Township in 1816. A year later, his brother Joseph (d. 1873) immigrated to Canada and soon after settled on land where Frome is now located. In 1819, Joseph was ordained and formed a church, which later became the Frome Congregational Church and is today the Frome United Church (built in 1888).

Throughout the 1820s and 1830s, Frome quickly became a thriving settlement. A school was built across from the church in 1820, and in the proceeding decades a general store and post office (owned by Grant Silcox), blacksmith shops, a flour and sawmill, and a gas station (owned by Wilfred Silcox) were built. Other early settlers in Frome included the Horton, Daugharty, Sharon, Egan, and Sutton families.

PATERSON, JOHN ANDREW, lawyer, social reformer, and author; b. 22 June 1846 in Stornoway, Scotland, son of John Paterson and Jane Balfour Allison; m. first 5 Jan. 1876 Christina Dick Riddell in Toronto, and they had three sons and a daughter; m. secondly Mary Allan; d. 13 May 1930 in Toronto.

John Paterson’s father was a Presbyterian minister and teacher in Scotland and England and he continued in the ministry after immigrating to Canada with his family in 1858. John was then enrolled at Upper Canada College in Toronto, where he became head boy in 1861. The next year he entered the University of Toronto on a double scholarship in classics and mathematics; he consistently stood first or second in his class. He graduated in 1866 and the following year received his ma while teaching mathematics at Upper Canada College, a post he held for three years. He then decided to use his analytical skills in the study of law. Called to the bar on 26 Nov. 1872, he would practise in Toronto for 57 years.

Throughout his life, Paterson was clearly influenced by his Presbyterian upbringing. He served his congregations, Bay Street (Erskine) in 1872-98 and Bloor Street in 1899-1930, as manager, elder, and Sunday school superintendent. Within the Presbyterian Church in Canada, he attended several general assemblies and sat on many committees and as a senator of Knox College between 1892 and 1925. He was the college’s solicitor as early as 1909, when land was being acquired for its new building on St George Street. Active in interdenominational work, he was president of the Ontario Sunday School Association in 1895-96, president of the Ontario Lord’s Day Alliance in 1897 (and chair of its committee on law for several years), and chair of the Canadian council of the Laymen’s Missionary Movement in 1916. A firm temperance advocate, he took part in the campaign leading up to the Prohibition referendum in Ontario of December 1902 [see Francis Stephens Spence*] and in attempts in 1903 to curb liquor sales. At Bloor Street Church he and assistant pastor Clare Melville Wright prepared a statement for their congregation on the Prohibition plebiscite of 1924. These and other organizations and causes benefited from Paterson’s quiet but persuasive legal expertise. Notwithstanding the strength of his Presbyterian roots, he was a leader in the movement to form the United Church of Canada in 1925. He had been vice-president of the General Board of the Presbyterian Church in Canada, and had acted as chair when Daniel Robert Drummond, an opponent of union, resigned shortly before it became a reality.

In politics Paterson identified himself in 1923 as a Liberal in the mould of George Brown*, “as my father was before me, and I have never seen any reason to change my allegiance.” One can find evidence that his political, educational, and religious connections helped him in his career. In 1885 a prominent Liberal, James Kirkpatrick Kerr, became the head of his law firm (Kerr, Macdonald, Davidson, and Paterson). From 1900 Paterson was the University of Toronto’s solicitor. Named a provincial kc on 27 May 1902, he was soon appointed by John Morison Gibson, the Liberal attorney general of Ontario, to appear before the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in England to argue the constitutionality of an 1897 act prohibiting the profanation of the Lord’s Day, which had been challenged by the Hamilton Street Railway Company and others. The JCPC found that, in so far as violations of the act were considered criminal, the statute was unconstitutional since criminal law was a dominion responsibility. Although Paterson was on the losing side, the judgement was an important step in the passage of the federal Lord’s Day Act of 1906, for which he had lobbied on behalf of the Lord’s Day Alliance. Paterson’s abilities were recognized by other administrations as well. In 1912, on behalf of the Conservative government, he successfully had the London and Lake Erie Railway prosecuted under the Ontario Railway Act; the attorney general, however, refused to pay his full bill. In 1921 the United Farmers government called on him to form a commission to inquire into slipshod enforcement of the Ontario Temperance Act by the police magistrate of Dunnville, David Hastings, who resigned as a result. In the private sector his work included many years (1907-25) as lawyer to the North American Life Assurance Company, of which he was also a director. In all his efforts, including his advocacy of life insurance, Paterson saw the goals he sought as steps to alleviate misery brought about by drunkenness, overwork, and poverty.

Paterson’s long-standing interest in mathematics had led him in 1890 to join the Astronomical and Physical Society of Toronto (later the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada). In 1892 he published his first paper in its Transactions, on stellar evolution, and was elected second vice-president. In this office he accepted many presidential duties owing to the illness or age of incumbents Charles Carpmael* and Larratt William Violett Smith; he served as president in his own right in 1896-97. In 1897, at the Toronto meeting of the British Association for the Advancement of Science, he spoke on the “unification of time.” The hope was to get international nautical, civil, and astronomical authorities to agree that the day should start at midnight. The idea appealed to common sense and was promoted by Sir Sandford Fleming*, well known for his efforts to introduce standard-time zones, but traditional practices would prevail until 1925. All told, over a period of 32 years, Paterson wrote 24 reports and popular papers for the astronomical society, most based on lectures he gave. Seven of these were accounts of the lives of well-known astronomers and three concerned astronomy in the work of Tennyson, Shakespeare, and Milton. As Paterson said in 1909, “The muses of Poetry and Urania her sister clasped hands and have in all ages sung to the world the sweet rhymes of mother Nature.” He consistently saw the hand of a divine creator in nature, even when he delved into the theory of life on Mars and elsewhere.

Paterson’s personal life was marked by several tragedies. His first wife, Tina, died in 1908 after being struck by a cyclist. They had shared many of the same ideals; as well, she had been a recording secretary of the Toronto Local Council of Women and a vice-president of the Women’s Art Association of Canada. Two of his sons died young, Harold John in 1904 and Ernest Riddell (the first Rhodes scholar from the University of Toronto) in 1912, and his son-in-law, Saxon Frederick Shenstone, passed away on Christmas Day, 1915, at the age of 37. The last two or three years of his own life were marked by illness.

John A. Paterson was very much a man of his time and circumstances. The causes he championed – missionary work, temperance, and sabbath observance – were all part of the movement to improve morality in Canadian society.

Panelists:

(L-R) Susan Gapka, Erika Ayala, Evana Ortigoza , Notisha Massaquoi. Panel Discussion, Queer Peers, a Human Rights Panel Discussion on International Transgender Politics,

An evening of Queer Expressions, Photos © Linda Dawn Hammond / IndyFoto.com and Pride Toronto 2009, Tuesday June 23, 2009,

Gladstone Hotel, Toronto

Moderator: Fred Kuhr

Panelists:

(L-R) Victor Mukasa, Susan Gapka, Erika Ayala, Evana Ortigoza , Notisha Massaquoi, Christine Decelles, N. Nicole Nussbaum

Global Trans Rights Activist Victor Mukasa from Uganda has been chosen as Pride Toronto's 2009 International Grand Marshal. Join us as we pay tribute to the brave queer activists fighting for their rights in Africa and specifically in Uganda. Come and hear Victor speak. As the 2009 International Grand Marshal, he proudly leads Toronto's Pride Parade on Sunday, June 28 at 2:00PM.

Victor Mukasa, Chairperson of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), 2009 Pride Toronto's International Grand Marshal: is the Chairperson of SMUG and a human rights defender for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender liberation in his home country of Uganda and across Africa. As a global trans rights activist, he strives to protect and defend the space to exit freely without harassment, threat, or violence and to change this world' traditional gender categories so that people are no longer punished for simply being who they are.

Victor Juliet Mukasa is a Ugandan transgender activist who has gained international recognition for bringing light to human rights issues globally. He is a TransLesbian working with the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) as Research and Policy Associate for East, Central and Horn of Africa. Victor is a founding member of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), served as SMUG’s Chairperson from March 2004 to October 2007 and is now serving on the organizations Advisory Board. He’s also the Grand Marshall for Pride Toronto 2009.

N. Nicole Nussbaum, Barrister & Solicitor is an Employment and Human Rights Lawyer working with the Fred Victor Trans Employment Support Program. She represents both employees and employers on employment agreements, wrongful dismissal litigation, human rights complaints, employment and human rights trainings, corporate employment policy review and drafting, and other related services. Nicole transitioned from male to female in 2006.

Susan Gapka is committed to the empowerment of the marginalized community of transgender and transexual people through her dedication to social justice and her activism. She has been vocal in her lobbying the government for the rights of transpeople. Susan has won several awards for her work, worked on several committees, and facilitated many workshops and training sessions.

Notisha Massaquoi is originally from Sierra Leone and is the Executive Director of Women's Health in Women's Hands Community Health Centre (WHCHC). Her most recent publication is the edited anthology Theorizing Empowerment: Canadian Perspectives on Black Feminist Thought. She is the winner of the 2008 IRN-Africa Audre Lorde award for outstanding writing and she is currently working on a second collection of writing with Selly Thiam entitled, None on Record: Stories of Queer Africa. Her most recent work has been implementing transgender programming into the WHCHC.

Christine Decelles is a volunteer with PWA Speakers Bureau, and an active participant and advocate in the gay community and HIV/AIDS movement who has been living with HIV for 21 years. She has done volunteer work for 10 years at PASAN, working with people who are positive within the prison system. She is the chair of Ritten House, an agency dealing with transformative justice, and also a member of Voices of Positive Women. Christine is working hard to break down the stigma and discrimination around HIV, AIDS, transsexual and transgendered people.

Erika Ayala was born in Mexico City, and has been living as a female since she was 15 years old. She first immigrated to the United States where she lived for 10 years, before moving to Canada five years ago. Erika recounts her claim for refugee status, applying as a trans-person and experiencing trans-phobia. The Queer Refugee Experience in Canada

Evana Ortigoza is a Trans Sex Outreach Worker with TransPULSE and 519 Community Centre. She was born in Venezuela, immigrated to Canada in 1994, and danced with the National Ballet of Canada for 4 years. She also coordinates the weekly Meal Trans Drop-In for low income trans-people.

Beautiful tulip fields at the Tulips of the Valley Festival in Chilliwack near Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Larger version: c1.staticflickr.com/1/872/39961535370_cfebf14ac5_o.jpg

View Larger On Black

About this photo: After having a quite cool and wet April so far, we had a wonderful warm summer like week filled with sunshine and temperatures around 23C (73F). Our spring has sprung a little later than usual, so most of the flowers are now just starting to fully bloom. With that in mind, my friend and I visited 2 tulips festivals in the valley near Vancouver yesterday.

We visited the Abbotsford Tulips Festival as well as the Tulips of the Valley Festival in Chilliwack, both were really nice and a little different in their own way. I just love to see tulips fields surrounded by mountain views, not something you would see in the tulip fields in The Netherlands where these beautiful flowers originate from.

I spotted the mountains rising above the tulips as I was down at the tulip level to find some close up shots...I just had to capture these pretty colours with the mountains in the background.

~Camera Settings:

*Camera Model: Sony ILCA-77M2

*Focal Length: 110mm

*F-Number: F/8

*Exposure Time: 1/250 sec

*ISO Speed: ISO-100

*Exposure Program: Manual (M)

Thank you for stopping by and I hope you like this photo!

Ann :-)

Some information on the Abbotsford Tulip Festival: Onos Greenhouses has grown tulips since 1990, when the family immigrated to Canada. It started out as a cut flower operation, but then we thought, the beauty of the fields should be shared with more than just our family. So, began "The Tulips of the Valley Festival", an agritourism highlight of the Fraser Valley and Chilliwack. Celebrating Tulips, Hyacinths and Double Daffodils. They were also part of the Agassiz Circle Farm Tour for those first 10 years. And boy, did we love it! Now, they’ve moved to Chilliwack where they have 20 acres of amazing tulips for you to see, in a mix of astounding colours for everyone to go and enjoy! (Above information is © from their website: tulipsofthevalley.com/our-story/)

Vancouver is also popular in the winter for winter activities. There are 3 local mountains where you can do any type of winter sport. There is Grouse Mountain, most famous for it's stunning views over the city and fresh powder snow. Grouse Mountain is accessible by skyride...this is a big airtram that will take you up to the top of the mountain. Mount Seymour and Cypress Mountain are famous too and you also get wonderful views from the top of these mountains. As you can see...Vancouver has lots to offer. The Winter Olympics were held here in 2010 as well.

Panelists:

(L-R) Erika Ayala, Evana Ortigoza , Notisha Massaquoi, Christine Decelles, Panel Discussion, Queer Peers, a Human Rights Panel Discussion on International Transgender Politics,

An evening of Queer Expressions, Photos © Linda Dawn Hammond / IndyFoto.com and Pride Toronto 2009, Tuesday June 23, 2009,

Gladstone Hotel, Toronto

Moderator: Fred Kuhr

Panelists:

(L-R) Victor Mukasa, Susan Gapka, Erika Ayala, Evana Ortigoza , Notisha Massaquoi, Christine Decelles, N. Nicole Nussbaum

Global Trans Rights Activist Victor Mukasa from Uganda has been chosen as Pride Toronto's 2009 International Grand Marshal. Join us as we pay tribute to the brave queer activists fighting for their rights in Africa and specifically in Uganda. Come and hear Victor speak. As the 2009 International Grand Marshal, he proudly leads Toronto's Pride Parade on Sunday, June 28 at 2:00PM.

Victor Mukasa, Chairperson of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), 2009 Pride Toronto's International Grand Marshal: is the Chairperson of SMUG and a human rights defender for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender liberation in his home country of Uganda and across Africa. As a global trans rights activist, he strives to protect and defend the space to exit freely without harassment, threat, or violence and to change this world' traditional gender categories so that people are no longer punished for simply being who they are.

Victor Juliet Mukasa is a Ugandan transgender activist who has gained international recognition for bringing light to human rights issues globally. He is a TransLesbian working with the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) as Research and Policy Associate for East, Central and Horn of Africa. Victor is a founding member of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), served as SMUG’s Chairperson from March 2004 to October 2007 and is now serving on the organizations Advisory Board. He’s also the Grand Marshall for Pride Toronto 2009.

N. Nicole Nussbaum, Barrister & Solicitor is an Employment and Human Rights Lawyer working with the Fred Victor Trans Employment Support Program. She represents both employees and employers on employment agreements, wrongful dismissal litigation, human rights complaints, employment and human rights trainings, corporate employment policy review and drafting, and other related services. Nicole transitioned from male to female in 2006.

Susan Gapka is committed to the empowerment of the marginalized community of transgender and transexual people through her dedication to social justice and her activism. She has been vocal in her lobbying the government for the rights of transpeople. Susan has won several awards for her work, worked on several committees, and facilitated many workshops and training sessions.

Notisha Massaquoi is originally from Sierra Leone and is the Executive Director of Women's Health in Women's Hands Community Health Centre (WHCHC). Her most recent publication is the edited anthology Theorizing Empowerment: Canadian Perspectives on Black Feminist Thought. She is the winner of the 2008 IRN-Africa Audre Lorde award for outstanding writing and she is currently working on a second collection of writing with Selly Thiam entitled, None on Record: Stories of Queer Africa. Her most recent work has been implementing transgender programming into the WHCHC.

Christine Decelles is a volunteer with PWA Speakers Bureau, and an active participant and advocate in the gay community and HIV/AIDS movement who has been living with HIV for 21 years. She has done volunteer work for 10 years at PASAN, working with people who are positive within the prison system. She is the chair of Ritten House, an agency dealing with transformative justice, and also a member of Voices of Positive Women. Christine is working hard to break down the stigma and discrimination around HIV, AIDS, transsexual and transgendered people.

Erika Ayala was born in Mexico City, and has been living as a female since she was 15 years old. She first immigrated to the United States where she lived for 10 years, before moving to Canada five years ago. Erika recounts her claim for refugee status, applying as a trans-person and experiencing trans-phobia. The Queer Refugee Experience in Canada

Evana Ortigoza is a Trans Sex Outreach Worker with TransPULSE and 519 Community Centre. She was born in Venezuela, immigrated to Canada in 1994, and danced with the National Ballet of Canada for 4 years. She also coordinates the weekly Meal Trans Drop-In for low income trans-people.

Unveiling of the "Trans Rights are Human Rights" sign

(L-R) Victor Mukasa, Susan Gapka, Erika Ayala, Evana Ortigoza, Queer Peers, a Human Rights Panel Discussion on International Transgender Politics,

An evening of Queer Expressions, Photos © Linda Dawn Hammond / IndyFoto.com and Pride Toronto 2009, Tuesday June 23, 2009,

Gladstone Hotel, Toronto

Moderator: Fred Kuhr

Panelists:

(L-R) Victor Mukasa, Susan Gapka, Erika Ayala, Evana Ortigoza , Notisha Massaquoi, Christine Decelles, N. Nicole Nussbaum

Global Trans Rights Activist Victor Mukasa from Uganda has been chosen as Pride Toronto's 2009 International Grand Marshal. Join us as we pay tribute to the brave queer activists fighting for their rights in Africa and specifically in Uganda. Come and hear Victor speak. As the 2009 International Grand Marshal, he proudly leads Toronto's Pride Parade on Sunday, June 28 at 2:00PM.

Victor Mukasa, Chairperson of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), 2009 Pride Toronto's International Grand Marshal: is the Chairperson of SMUG and a human rights defender for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender liberation in his home country of Uganda and across Africa. As a global trans rights activist, he strives to protect and defend the space to exit freely without harassment, threat, or violence and to change this world' traditional gender categories so that people are no longer punished for simply being who they are.

Victor Juliet Mukasa is a Ugandan transgender activist who has gained international recognition for bringing light to human rights issues globally. He is a TransLesbian working with the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) as Research and Policy Associate for East, Central and Horn of Africa. Victor is a founding member of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), served as SMUG’s Chairperson from March 2004 to October 2007 and is now serving on the organizations Advisory Board. He’s also the Grand Marshall for Pride Toronto 2009.

N. Nicole Nussbaum, Barrister & Solicitor is an Employment and Human Rights Lawyer working with the Fred Victor Trans Employment Support Program. She represents both employees and employers on employment agreements, wrongful dismissal litigation, human rights complaints, employment and human rights trainings, corporate employment policy review and drafting, and other related services. Nicole transitioned from male to female in 2006.

Susan Gapka is committed to the empowerment of the marginalized community of transgender and transexual people through her dedication to social justice and her activism. She has been vocal in her lobbying the government for the rights of transpeople. Susan has won several awards for her work, worked on several committees, and facilitated many workshops and training sessions.

Notisha Massaquoi is originally from Sierra Leone and is the Executive Director of Women's Health in Women's Hands Community Health Centre (WHCHC). Her most recent publication is the edited anthology Theorizing Empowerment: Canadian Perspectives on Black Feminist Thought. She is the winner of the 2008 IRN-Africa Audre Lorde award for outstanding writing and she is currently working on a second collection of writing with Selly Thiam entitled, None on Record: Stories of Queer Africa. Her most recent work has been implementing transgender programming into the WHCHC.

Christine Decelles is a volunteer with PWA Speakers Bureau, and an active participant and advocate in the gay community and HIV/AIDS movement who has been living with HIV for 21 years. She has done volunteer work for 10 years at PASAN, working with people who are positive within the prison system. She is the chair of Ritten House, an agency dealing with transformative justice, and also a member of Voices of Positive Women. Christine is working hard to break down the stigma and discrimination around HIV, AIDS, transsexual and transgendered people.

Erika Ayala was born in Mexico City, and has been living as a female since she was 15 years old. She first immigrated to the United States where she lived for 10 years, before moving to Canada five years ago. Erika recounts her claim for refugee status, applying as a trans-person and experiencing trans-phobia. The Queer Refugee Experience in Canada

Evana Ortigoza is a Trans Sex Outreach Worker with TransPULSE and 519 Community Centre. She was born in Venezuela, immigrated to Canada in 1994, and danced with the National Ballet of Canada for 4 years. She also coordinates the weekly Meal Trans Drop-In for low income trans-people.

Audience Q&A, Queer Peers, a Human Rights Panel Discussion on International Transgender Politics,

An evening of Queer Expressions, Photos © Linda Dawn Hammond / IndyFoto.com and Pride Toronto 2009, Tuesday June 23, 2009,

Gladstone Hotel, Toronto

Moderator: Fred Kuhr

Panelists:

(L-R) Victor Mukasa, Susan Gapka, Erika Ayala, Evana Ortigoza , Notisha Massaquoi, Christine Decelles, N. Nicole Nussbaum

Global Trans Rights Activist Victor Mukasa from Uganda has been chosen as Pride Toronto's 2009 International Grand Marshal. Join us as we pay tribute to the brave queer activists fighting for their rights in Africa and specifically in Uganda. Come and hear Victor speak. As the 2009 International Grand Marshal, he proudly leads Toronto's Pride Parade on Sunday, June 28 at 2:00PM.

Victor Mukasa, Chairperson of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), 2009 Pride Toronto's International Grand Marshal: is the Chairperson of SMUG and a human rights defender for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender liberation in his home country of Uganda and across Africa. As a global trans rights activist, he strives to protect and defend the space to exit freely without harassment, threat, or violence and to change this world' traditional gender categories so that people are no longer punished for simply being who they are.

Victor Juliet Mukasa is a Ugandan transgender activist who has gained international recognition for bringing light to human rights issues globally. He is a TransLesbian working with the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) as Research and Policy Associate for East, Central and Horn of Africa. Victor is a founding member of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), served as SMUG’s Chairperson from March 2004 to October 2007 and is now serving on the organizations Advisory Board. He’s also the Grand Marshall for Pride Toronto 2009.

N. Nicole Nussbaum, Barrister & Solicitor is an Employment and Human Rights Lawyer working with the Fred Victor Trans Employment Support Program. She represents both employees and employers on employment agreements, wrongful dismissal litigation, human rights complaints, employment and human rights trainings, corporate employment policy review and drafting, and other related services. Nicole transitioned from male to female in 2006.

Susan Gapka is committed to the empowerment of the marginalized community of transgender and transexual people through her dedication to social justice and her activism. She has been vocal in her lobbying the government for the rights of transpeople. Susan has won several awards for her work, worked on several committees, and facilitated many workshops and training sessions.

Notisha Massaquoi is originally from Sierra Leone and is the Executive Director of Women's Health in Women's Hands Community Health Centre (WHCHC). Her most recent publication is the edited anthology Theorizing Empowerment: Canadian Perspectives on Black Feminist Thought. She is the winner of the 2008 IRN-Africa Audre Lorde award for outstanding writing and she is currently working on a second collection of writing with Selly Thiam entitled, None on Record: Stories of Queer Africa. Her most recent work has been implementing transgender programming into the WHCHC.

Christine Decelles is a volunteer with PWA Speakers Bureau, and an active participant and advocate in the gay community and HIV/AIDS movement who has been living with HIV for 21 years. She has done volunteer work for 10 years at PASAN, working with people who are positive within the prison system. She is the chair of Ritten House, an agency dealing with transformative justice, and also a member of Voices of Positive Women. Christine is working hard to break down the stigma and discrimination around HIV, AIDS, transsexual and transgendered people.

Erika Ayala was born in Mexico City, and has been living as a female since she was 15 years old. She first immigrated to the United States where she lived for 10 years, before moving to Canada five years ago. Erika recounts her claim for refugee status, applying as a trans-person and experiencing trans-phobia. The Queer Refugee Experience in Canada

Evana Ortigoza is a Trans Sex Outreach Worker with TransPULSE and 519 Community Centre. She was born in Venezuela, immigrated to Canada in 1994, and danced with the National Ballet of Canada for 4 years. She also coordinates the weekly Meal Trans Drop-In for low income trans-people.

The Caylpso singer known as Structure wins the 30th Calypso Monarch with his song about Col. Russell Williams

Toronto Calypso King, Brian Thornhill aka Structure biography from OCPA: Structure entered the Calypso Arena in the 1980's in his native home Barbados with the social commentary "Product of the Classroom". He was a regular in the yearly Pic-O-De-Crop competitions there, developing his unique style of incorporating subtlety and humor into his art form. In 2002, after immigrating to Canada, he entered the OCPA-sponsored Calypso Monarch competition and placed 1st runner up.

Structure went on to capture the title in 2003, 2004 and 2005, along with ten of the eleven remaining categories, including the most coveted People's Choice Award. The founder and manager of the Kaiso Forum Calypso Tent, Structure also has a deep passion for cricket and dominoes. Structure has held the position of Vice President of the Organization of Calypso Performing Artistes for two years and been an advocate for the Calypso art form, pledging his continued support so see it grow from strength to strength until attaining the recognition it rightly deserves.

In 2006 Structure placed sixth in the fiercely competitve national Pic-O-De-Crop Calypso competition in Barbados with "Youth Restoration" and "I Want A Bag!" - remarkable achievement for a non-resident performer. In 2007 Structure captured the Canadian Calypso crown for the forth consecutive time with his brilliant and wiity "I Know" and "No Mexico"

Helen Kennedy of Egal, Audience Q&A, Queer Peers, a Human Rights Panel Discussion on International Transgender Politics,

An evening of Queer Expressions, Photos © Linda Dawn Hammond / IndyFoto.com and Pride Toronto 2009, Tuesday June 23, 2009,

Gladstone Hotel, Toronto

Moderator: Fred Kuhr

Panelists:

(L-R) Victor Mukasa, Susan Gapka, Erika Ayala, Evana Ortigoza , Notisha Massaquoi, Christine Decelles, N. Nicole Nussbaum

Global Trans Rights Activist Victor Mukasa from Uganda has been chosen as Pride Toronto's 2009 International Grand Marshal. Join us as we pay tribute to the brave queer activists fighting for their rights in Africa and specifically in Uganda. Come and hear Victor speak. As the 2009 International Grand Marshal, he proudly leads Toronto's Pride Parade on Sunday, June 28 at 2:00PM.

Victor Mukasa, Chairperson of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), 2009 Pride Toronto's International Grand Marshal: is the Chairperson of SMUG and a human rights defender for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender liberation in his home country of Uganda and across Africa. As a global trans rights activist, he strives to protect and defend the space to exit freely without harassment, threat, or violence and to change this world' traditional gender categories so that people are no longer punished for simply being who they are.

Victor Juliet Mukasa is a Ugandan transgender activist who has gained international recognition for bringing light to human rights issues globally. He is a TransLesbian working with the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) as Research and Policy Associate for East, Central and Horn of Africa. Victor is a founding member of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), served as SMUG’s Chairperson from March 2004 to October 2007 and is now serving on the organizations Advisory Board. He’s also the Grand Marshall for Pride Toronto 2009.

N. Nicole Nussbaum, Barrister & Solicitor is an Employment and Human Rights Lawyer working with the Fred Victor Trans Employment Support Program. She represents both employees and employers on employment agreements, wrongful dismissal litigation, human rights complaints, employment and human rights trainings, corporate employment policy review and drafting, and other related services. Nicole transitioned from male to female in 2006.

Susan Gapka is committed to the empowerment of the marginalized community of transgender and transexual people through her dedication to social justice and her activism. She has been vocal in her lobbying the government for the rights of transpeople. Susan has won several awards for her work, worked on several committees, and facilitated many workshops and training sessions.

Notisha Massaquoi is originally from Sierra Leone and is the Executive Director of Women's Health in Women's Hands Community Health Centre (WHCHC). Her most recent publication is the edited anthology Theorizing Empowerment: Canadian Perspectives on Black Feminist Thought. She is the winner of the 2008 IRN-Africa Audre Lorde award for outstanding writing and she is currently working on a second collection of writing with Selly Thiam entitled, None on Record: Stories of Queer Africa. Her most recent work has been implementing transgender programming into the WHCHC.

Christine Decelles is a volunteer with PWA Speakers Bureau, and an active participant and advocate in the gay community and HIV/AIDS movement who has been living with HIV for 21 years. She has done volunteer work for 10 years at PASAN, working with people who are positive within the prison system. She is the chair of Ritten House, an agency dealing with transformative justice, and also a member of Voices of Positive Women. Christine is working hard to break down the stigma and discrimination around HIV, AIDS, transsexual and transgendered people.

Erika Ayala was born in Mexico City, and has been living as a female since she was 15 years old. She first immigrated to the United States where she lived for 10 years, before moving to Canada five years ago. Erika recounts her claim for refugee status, applying as a trans-person and experiencing trans-phobia. The Queer Refugee Experience in Canada

Evana Ortigoza is a Trans Sex Outreach Worker with TransPULSE and 519 Community Centre. She was born in Venezuela, immigrated to Canada in 1994, and danced with the National Ballet of Canada for 4 years. She also coordinates the weekly Meal Trans Drop-In for low income trans-people.

Audience and Moderator: Fred Kuhr

Panelists:

(L-R) Victor Mukasa, Susan Gapka, Erika Ayala, Evana Ortigoza , Notisha Massaquoi, Christine Decelles, N. Nicole Nussbaum,

Panel Discussion, Queer Peers, a Human Rights Panel Discussion on International Transgender Politics,

An evening of Queer Expressions, Photos © Linda Dawn Hammond / IndyFoto.com and Pride Toronto 2009, Tuesday June 23, 2009,

Gladstone Hotel, Toronto

Moderator: Fred Kuhr

Panelists:

(L-R) Victor Mukasa, Susan Gapka, Erika Ayala, Evana Ortigoza , Notisha Massaquoi, Christine Decelles, N. Nicole Nussbaum

Global Trans Rights Activist Victor Mukasa from Uganda has been chosen as Pride Toronto's 2009 International Grand Marshal. Join us as we pay tribute to the brave queer activists fighting for their rights in Africa and specifically in Uganda. Come and hear Victor speak. As the 2009 International Grand Marshal, he proudly leads Toronto's Pride Parade on Sunday, June 28 at 2:00PM.

Victor Mukasa, Chairperson of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), 2009 Pride Toronto's International Grand Marshal: is the Chairperson of SMUG and a human rights defender for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender liberation in his home country of Uganda and across Africa. As a global trans rights activist, he strives to protect and defend the space to exit freely without harassment, threat, or violence and to change this world' traditional gender categories so that people are no longer punished for simply being who they are.

Victor Juliet Mukasa is a Ugandan transgender activist who has gained international recognition for bringing light to human rights issues globally. He is a TransLesbian working with the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) as Research and Policy Associate for East, Central and Horn of Africa. Victor is a founding member of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), served as SMUG’s Chairperson from March 2004 to October 2007 and is now serving on the organizations Advisory Board. He’s also the Grand Marshall for Pride Toronto 2009.

N. Nicole Nussbaum, Barrister & Solicitor is an Employment and Human Rights Lawyer working with the Fred Victor Trans Employment Support Program. She represents both employees and employers on employment agreements, wrongful dismissal litigation, human rights complaints, employment and human rights trainings, corporate employment policy review and drafting, and other related services. Nicole transitioned from male to female in 2006.

Susan Gapka is committed to the empowerment of the marginalized community of transgender and transexual people through her dedication to social justice and her activism. She has been vocal in her lobbying the government for the rights of transpeople. Susan has won several awards for her work, worked on several committees, and facilitated many workshops and training sessions.

Notisha Massaquoi is originally from Sierra Leone and is the Executive Director of Women's Health in Women's Hands Community Health Centre (WHCHC). Her most recent publication is the edited anthology Theorizing Empowerment: Canadian Perspectives on Black Feminist Thought. She is the winner of the 2008 IRN-Africa Audre Lorde award for outstanding writing and she is currently working on a second collection of writing with Selly Thiam entitled, None on Record: Stories of Queer Africa. Her most recent work has been implementing transgender programming into the WHCHC.

Christine Decelles is a volunteer with PWA Speakers Bureau, and an active participant and advocate in the gay community and HIV/AIDS movement who has been living with HIV for 21 years. She has done volunteer work for 10 years at PASAN, working with people who are positive within the prison system. She is the chair of Ritten House, an agency dealing with transformative justice, and also a member of Voices of Positive Women. Christine is working hard to break down the stigma and discrimination around HIV, AIDS, transsexual and transgendered people.

Erika Ayala was born in Mexico City, and has been living as a female since she was 15 years old. She first immigrated to the United States where she lived for 10 years, before moving to Canada five years ago. Erika recounts her claim for refugee status, applying as a trans-person and experiencing trans-phobia. The Queer Refugee Experience in Canada

Evana Ortigoza is a Trans Sex Outreach Worker with TransPULSE and 519 Community Centre. She was born in Venezuela, immigrated to Canada in 1994, and danced with the National Ballet of Canada for 4 years. She also coordinates the weekly Meal Trans Drop-In for low income trans-people.

Artist: Hilda Woolnough

Title: Cork Box #2

Medium: Crayon on Paper

Size: 67 X 82 cm

Acquisition Date: 1983

Current Location: Office of the Official Opposotion, 3rd Floor Coles Building

Hilda Woolnough, RCA

Hilda Woolnough has left her mark on Island art like no other. During her 30 years on the Island, Woolnough has been a teacher and tireless champion of artist's rights and opportunities, serving on the boards of many professional provincial and federal arts organizations. She was a driving force behind The Phoenix Gallery, The Gallery-On-Demand, the Great George Street Gallery, The Arts Guild, the Printmakers Council and the Student Art Expo.

Woolnough has pursued her own work with equal vigour, constantly exploring new media. Her passion is for expressive line in drawing and printmaking but she has also created jewellery, weavings, and quilts. Hilda Woolnough was born into a creative family in Northampton, England. Her mother, uncle, and brother were all painters; her father built and restored houses. In 1952 she began traditional training at the Chelsea School of Art in London, drawing from plaster casts and still life, developing strong discipline and technique. It was here that she first experimented with printmaking, a medium she has passionately pursued throughout her career. But it was with a specialty in painting that she graduated in 1955. Woolnough immigrated to Canada in 1957, settling in Hamilton, Ontario. In 1965 she headed to the San Miguel de Allende Instituto in Mexico, where she studied experimental etching for two years, graduating with a Master's of Fine Art degree in graphics. Back in London, she did post-graduate work at the Central School of Art and Design in metal techniques. After designing the etching and lithography departments at the Jamaica School of Art in Kingston, Jamaica, Woolnough found her way to PEI. Together with her husband, UPEI professor, writer and publisher, Reshard Gool, she formed part of the nucleus for a vibrant arts community.

In 1999 Hilda Woolnough received the Adrien Arsenault Senior Arts Award for "contribution to the arts in Prince Edward Island" and was elected to the Royal Canadian Academy. Her work is in many public and private collections including the Montreal Museum of Fine Art, the Art Gallery of Ontario, and the Canada Council Art Bank.

Woolnough most often works in series, exploring an idea fully, guided by both intellect and intuition. Nature and the human form provide a starting point, but she moves beyond the representational to a deeper, more universal expression.

"I'm interested in evolution of plants, land, the world," Woolnough once said in a interview. "There are stages in the growth of the brain that are reptilian or flower-like. They're proof that we are all the sum of our parts, like the land or sea." This interest in evolution embraces the development of myth and human culture and the process of transformation, themes she has explored throughout her career.

"What is most important to me as an artist are 'accidents and mistakes' If I don't make them technically and intellectually on a regular basis I don't feel I'm going anywhere. I have lived on Prince Edward Island for about thirty three years, but I have travelled, taught, and done my own work all over the world; and been fortunate enough to have my work in many collections and exhibitions in Canada and abroad, including the Canadian Pavillion in the Spanish Biennial in Seville."

Hilda Woolnough passed away in December 2007.

Recent Accomplishments:

2001 June - October TIMEPIECE, a collagraph installation , Confederation Centre of the Arts, PEI sponsored by Canada Council, Ottawa, and the Royal Bank Investment Group

1999, Elected to the Royal Canadian Academy./02 Elected to the board of the RCA

1999, Adrien Arsenault Senior Arts Award Major Provincial Award honouring individual "contribution to the arts in Prince Edward Island."

1999 -04, Fishtales - a marine mythology, Salt Spring Island, B.C. Gallery built especially to house this permanent exhibition, originally curated by Joan Murray,Robert MacLaughlin Gallery .Oshawa; Ontario

Collections (Public)

Air Canada, Montreal, Quebec

Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto, Ontario

Art Gallery of Jamaica

Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, Halifax, N.S.

Canada Council Art Bank

Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs, Ottawa, Ontario

Canadian Catholic Conference

Canterbury College of Art, Kent, England

Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario Also archival collection Art Gallery 98 and Museum.1998. (work from 1970-98n)

CBC Montreal

Confederation Centre of the Arts, Charlottetown, P.E.I.

Esso Resources Division

Gotland Museum, Visby, Sweden

Government of Prince Edward Island

McLaughlin Gallery, Oshawa, Ontario

McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontar

Memorial University Art Gallery, St. John's, Newfoundland

Montreal Museum of Fine Art, Montreal, P.Q.

New Brunswick Art Gallery and Museum

Prince Edward Island Art Bank

Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Charlottetown, P.E.I.

Shell Canada Collection

St. Mary's University, Halifax, N.S.

Toronto Dominion Bank Collection & Universities of New Brunswick, N.B, & PEI

GOOD, HENRY JOHN PRESCOTT WILSHERE, sportsman and newspaperman; b. 22 Nov. 1848 in Solihull, England, son of John Presly Good and Clara Louisa Rogers; m. 20 Nov. 1873 Helen Mar Clute in Yorkville (Toronto), and they had three sons and two daughters; d. 31 Aug. 1927 in Toronto.

A pioneer sports leader and writer, Henry J. P. Good linked two of the principal institutions that gave Canada's burgeoning cities their public discourse, men's sports and newspapers. After private tuition in Shoreham and some time at King's College in England (which King's College is uncertain, but he was a successful rower there), he immigrated to Canada in 1869. He quickly established himself as a prominent organizer in Toronto's flourishing sports scene and as an ambitious newspaperman. Good helped found the Canadian Association of Amateur Oarsmen in 1880 and was also closely associated with the career of professional rower Edward Hanlan*, whose matches, bets, and victory parades he arranged. One episode solidified Good's renown. In 1882, when Hanlan defended his world championship against Edward Trickett in England, Good placed some $40,000 in Toronto wagers with London bookies. Hanlan won, but unknown to the betters was the bookies' practice of paying out only on Mondays, in this case a full week after the race. According to Robert S. Hunter, "Mr. Good made his reputation as an orator on those horrible intervening days, endeavouring to account for his inability to pay off the speculators." To make matters worse, newspaper colleague Philip Dansken Ross* recalled, just when Good was about to distribute the winnings at a gathering of the betters - "he had an eye for the spectacular" and wanted "to make an occasion" - an unexpected telegram arrived from Hanlan demanding a share.

In the late 1880s, as a senior member of the Toronto Lacrosse Club, Good helped shift the power in that sport from Montreal, where William George Beers* had first codified the modern game, to Toronto through the creation of the Canadian Lacrosse Association. Good served as its president in 1890-91. He was active as well in the Canadian National Bureau of Breeding Limited and the Toronto Open-Air Parade Association, both of which promoted equestrianism, and in the Canadian Bowlers' Association.

Good had begun work in Toronto in 1872 as a proof-reader for John Ross Robertson*'s Daily Telegraph. By November 1873 he had moved to the Mail, which, since 1 April 1872, had been publishing weekly, well-informed collections of "Sporting Intelligence" on a single page. Despite the growing popularity of sports, most daily newspapers provided only brief notes scattered throughout their pages. The most extensive coverage was obtained in weeklies and monthlies such as the National Police Gazette and Harper's, both from New York City. Good advanced at the Mail from proof-reader to reporter to night editor (1878), but he was likely responsible for the sports section from an early date, possibly even from its start. At the request of managing editor Thomas Charles Patteson he became the Mail's full-time sports editor, North America's first in the estimate of both the Globe and journalist Hector Willoughby Charlesworth*. Under Christopher William Bunting* the entire paper was redesigned with larger stereotyped print and organized sections throughout; it appeared in its "new shape and dress" on 2 Aug. 1880. Good's section, "Sports and Pastimes," contained the latest news and gossip about rowing, horse racing, baseball, rifle shooting, lacrosse, cricket, distance running, cycling, and swimming. Without bylines, which did not become widespread until after World War I, it is impossible to tell what Good actually wrote, but the style is expansive, gracious, and authoritative.

In the years to follow, Good would move from paper to paper in Toronto, sometimes serving as sports editor (Mail, 1880-83; Empire, 1889-92) or general editor (Telegram, 1884; Mail, 1887-88; World and Sunday World, 1894-95; 1897-1909), but he always wrote about sports. In 1885 he was assistant editor of Edmund King Dodds's Canadian Sportsman and Live Stock Journal and in 1896, with John F. Snetsinger, he put out a weekly called Sport. After the turn of the century, he began writing under his own byline, first as Pop for the World and then as H. J. P. Good. About 1901, evidently as a freelancer, he joined Richard Thomas Lancefield in editing a memorial piece on Queen Victoria.

After he left the World, he tried stints in 1910 as manager of the Dominion Exhibition in Saint John and of a private venture, the Good Correspondence, Reporting, and Publishing Bureau, but he soon returned to what he did best, sports writing. During the last years of his life, he became known to a new audience as a popular historian of Canadian sport, with articles in the Toronto Star Weekly that drew on his recollections and records. Then as now, freelance writing was a precarious existence. Despite his Albany Club membership and upper-class connections, he and his family moved frequently and when he died of arteriosclerosis in 1927 he was virtually penniless. His son Charles Henry had followed him into a career in newspapers, becoming one of the city's best known baseball writers.

Throughout his long career, Good stressed three values that have been mainstays of Canadian amateur sport: purposeful recreation, respectable masculinity, and nationalism. He promoted sports for the health, the civic virtues, and the friendships that they encourage. Despite his involvement with Hanlan, he often bemoaned professionalism as "social degradation" for participants and "physical degeneration" for spectators. He abhorred brawling in hockey and had a low opinion of boxing. Probably the most distinctive feature of Good's writing was his Canadianism. He covered not just Ontario sports, but the prospects and achievements of athletes from the Maritimes, Quebec, and the west, and of immigrants and the First Nations. His columns were replete with suggestions for boosting home-grown talent. He regularly regaled his readers with Canadian victories abroad, and complained when outstanding athletes such as the Toronto Lacrosse Club's star runner, George Washington Orton, went to the United States. (Orton was the first Canadian to win an Olympic gold medal, in the steeplechase in 1900, but he did so in the uniform of the University of Pennsylvania.) Success in sports was a barometer of national vitality, Good argued, and Canada should seek to become one of the foremost of nations.

Pacific Mall is an Asian shopping mall in Markham, Ontario, Canada. Opened in the mid-1990s amid a period of significant Chinese immigration to Canada, Pacific Mall is the largest indoor Asian shopping mall in North America.

Coming 2021: B&W Night Photography.

Coming 2022: 80s&90s Television.

Panelists:

(L-R) Evana Ortigoza , Notisha Massaquoi, Christine Decelles, Panel Discussion, Queer Peers, a Human Rights Panel Discussion on International Transgender Politics,

An evening of Queer Expressions, Photos © Linda Dawn Hammond / IndyFoto.com and Pride Toronto 2009, Tuesday June 23, 2009,

Gladstone Hotel, Toronto

Moderator: Fred Kuhr

Panelists:

(L-R) Victor Mukasa, Susan Gapka, Erika Ayala, Evana Ortigoza , Notisha Massaquoi, Christine Decelles, N. Nicole Nussbaum

Global Trans Rights Activist Victor Mukasa from Uganda has been chosen as Pride Toronto's 2009 International Grand Marshal. Join us as we pay tribute to the brave queer activists fighting for their rights in Africa and specifically in Uganda. Come and hear Victor speak. As the 2009 International Grand Marshal, he proudly leads Toronto's Pride Parade on Sunday, June 28 at 2:00PM.

Victor Mukasa, Chairperson of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), 2009 Pride Toronto's International Grand Marshal: is the Chairperson of SMUG and a human rights defender for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender liberation in his home country of Uganda and across Africa. As a global trans rights activist, he strives to protect and defend the space to exit freely without harassment, threat, or violence and to change this world' traditional gender categories so that people are no longer punished for simply being who they are.

Victor Juliet Mukasa is a Ugandan transgender activist who has gained international recognition for bringing light to human rights issues globally. He is a TransLesbian working with the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) as Research and Policy Associate for East, Central and Horn of Africa. Victor is a founding member of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), served as SMUG’s Chairperson from March 2004 to October 2007 and is now serving on the organizations Advisory Board. He’s also the Grand Marshall for Pride Toronto 2009.

N. Nicole Nussbaum, Barrister & Solicitor is an Employment and Human Rights Lawyer working with the Fred Victor Trans Employment Support Program. She represents both employees and employers on employment agreements, wrongful dismissal litigation, human rights complaints, employment and human rights trainings, corporate employment policy review and drafting, and other related services. Nicole transitioned from male to female in 2006.

Susan Gapka is committed to the empowerment of the marginalized community of transgender and transexual people through her dedication to social justice and her activism. She has been vocal in her lobbying the government for the rights of transpeople. Susan has won several awards for her work, worked on several committees, and facilitated many workshops and training sessions.

Notisha Massaquoi is originally from Sierra Leone and is the Executive Director of Women's Health in Women's Hands Community Health Centre (WHCHC). Her most recent publication is the edited anthology Theorizing Empowerment: Canadian Perspectives on Black Feminist Thought. She is the winner of the 2008 IRN-Africa Audre Lorde award for outstanding writing and she is currently working on a second collection of writing with Selly Thiam entitled, None on Record: Stories of Queer Africa. Her most recent work has been implementing transgender programming into the WHCHC.

Christine Decelles is a volunteer with PWA Speakers Bureau, and an active participant and advocate in the gay community and HIV/AIDS movement who has been living with HIV for 21 years. She has done volunteer work for 10 years at PASAN, working with people who are positive within the prison system. She is the chair of Ritten House, an agency dealing with transformative justice, and also a member of Voices of Positive Women. Christine is working hard to break down the stigma and discrimination around HIV, AIDS, transsexual and transgendered people.

Erika Ayala was born in Mexico City, and has been living as a female since she was 15 years old. She first immigrated to the United States where she lived for 10 years, before moving to Canada five years ago. Erika recounts her claim for refugee status, applying as a trans-person and experiencing trans-phobia. The Queer Refugee Experience in Canada

Evana Ortigoza is a Trans Sex Outreach Worker with TransPULSE and 519 Community Centre. She was born in Venezuela, immigrated to Canada in 1994, and danced with the National Ballet of Canada for 4 years. She also coordinates the weekly Meal Trans Drop-In for low income trans-people.

9 Oct: Mississauga, Canada. FRANCIS LOBO. Aged 89, (just shy of his 90th birthday next month). Passed away peacefully on October 9, 2020 at Credit Valley Hospital, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. Francis was born in India on Nov 23rd 1930 and was the eldest of 7 children. He worked in Bombay in the pharmaceutical industry for several years before immigrating to Canada in the mid 1990s. Francis thoroughly enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. He was a devout Catholic, and led a deep and rich spiritual life.

Francis will be remembered for his positivity, his generosity, his sense of humour and wit, his affectionate nature and his kind heartedness. While we will miss Francis, his memory lives on among his friends and family and those who knew him. He will be greatly missed and will always be loved. Condolences can be sent to: d_lobo@yahoo.com

Panelists:

(L-R) Victor Mukasa (standing with mike), Susan Gapka, Erika Ayala, Evana Ortigoza , Notisha Massaquoi, Christine Decelles, N. Nicole Nussbaum, Panel Discussion, Queer Peers, a Human Rights Panel Discussion on International Transgender Politics,

An evening of Queer Expressions, Photos © Linda Dawn Hammond / IndyFoto.com and Pride Toronto 2009, Tuesday June 23, 2009,

Gladstone Hotel, Toronto

Moderator: Fred Kuhr

Panelists:

(L-R) Victor Mukasa, Susan Gapka, Erika Ayala, Evana Ortigoza , Notisha Massaquoi, Christine Decelles, N. Nicole Nussbaum

Global Trans Rights Activist Victor Mukasa from Uganda has been chosen as Pride Toronto's 2009 International Grand Marshal. Join us as we pay tribute to the brave queer activists fighting for their rights in Africa and specifically in Uganda. Come and hear Victor speak. As the 2009 International Grand Marshal, he proudly leads Toronto's Pride Parade on Sunday, June 28 at 2:00PM.

Victor Mukasa, Chairperson of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), 2009 Pride Toronto's International Grand Marshal: is the Chairperson of SMUG and a human rights defender for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender liberation in his home country of Uganda and across Africa. As a global trans rights activist, he strives to protect and defend the space to exit freely without harassment, threat, or violence and to change this world' traditional gender categories so that people are no longer punished for simply being who they are.

Victor Juliet Mukasa is a Ugandan transgender activist who has gained international recognition for bringing light to human rights issues globally. He is a TransLesbian working with the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) as Research and Policy Associate for East, Central and Horn of Africa. Victor is a founding member of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), served as SMUG’s Chairperson from March 2004 to October 2007 and is now serving on the organizations Advisory Board. He’s also the Grand Marshall for Pride Toronto 2009.

N. Nicole Nussbaum, Barrister & Solicitor is an Employment and Human Rights Lawyer working with the Fred Victor Trans Employment Support Program. She represents both employees and employers on employment agreements, wrongful dismissal litigation, human rights complaints, employment and human rights trainings, corporate employment policy review and drafting, and other related services. Nicole transitioned from male to female in 2006.

Susan Gapka is committed to the empowerment of the marginalized community of transgender and transexual people through her dedication to social justice and her activism. She has been vocal in her lobbying the government for the rights of transpeople. Susan has won several awards for her work, worked on several committees, and facilitated many workshops and training sessions.

Notisha Massaquoi is originally from Sierra Leone and is the Executive Director of Women's Health in Women's Hands Community Health Centre (WHCHC). Her most recent publication is the edited anthology Theorizing Empowerment: Canadian Perspectives on Black Feminist Thought. She is the winner of the 2008 IRN-Africa Audre Lorde award for outstanding writing and she is currently working on a second collection of writing with Selly Thiam entitled, None on Record: Stories of Queer Africa. Her most recent work has been implementing transgender programming into the WHCHC.

Christine Decelles is a volunteer with PWA Speakers Bureau, and an active participant and advocate in the gay community and HIV/AIDS movement who has been living with HIV for 21 years. She has done volunteer work for 10 years at PASAN, working with people who are positive within the prison system. She is the chair of Ritten House, an agency dealing with transformative justice, and also a member of Voices of Positive Women. Christine is working hard to break down the stigma and discrimination around HIV, AIDS, transsexual and transgendered people.

Erika Ayala was born in Mexico City, and has been living as a female since she was 15 years old. She first immigrated to the United States where she lived for 10 years, before moving to Canada five years ago. Erika recounts her claim for refugee status, applying as a trans-person and experiencing trans-phobia. The Queer Refugee Experience in Canada

Evana Ortigoza is a Trans Sex Outreach Worker with TransPULSE and 519 Community Centre. She was born in Venezuela, immigrated to Canada in 1994, and danced with the National Ballet of Canada for 4 years. She also coordinates the weekly Meal Trans Drop-In for low income trans-people.

Kim Crosby discusses visa problems which blocked several people from Uganda entering the country and participating in the discussion. Audience Q&A, Queer Peers, a Human Rights Panel Discussion on International Transgender Politics,

An evening of Queer Expressions, Photos © Linda Dawn Hammond / IndyFoto.com and Pride Toronto 2009, Tuesday June 23, 2009,

Gladstone Hotel, Toronto

Moderator: Fred Kuhr

Panelists:

(L-R) Victor Mukasa, Susan Gapka, Erika Ayala, Evana Ortigoza , Notisha Massaquoi, Christine Decelles, N. Nicole Nussbaum

Global Trans Rights Activist Victor Mukasa from Uganda has been chosen as Pride Toronto's 2009 International Grand Marshal. Join us as we pay tribute to the brave queer activists fighting for their rights in Africa and specifically in Uganda. Come and hear Victor speak. As the 2009 International Grand Marshal, he proudly leads Toronto's Pride Parade on Sunday, June 28 at 2:00PM.

Victor Mukasa, Chairperson of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), 2009 Pride Toronto's International Grand Marshal: is the Chairperson of SMUG and a human rights defender for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender liberation in his home country of Uganda and across Africa. As a global trans rights activist, he strives to protect and defend the space to exit freely without harassment, threat, or violence and to change this world' traditional gender categories so that people are no longer punished for simply being who they are.

Victor Juliet Mukasa is a Ugandan transgender activist who has gained international recognition for bringing light to human rights issues globally. He is a TransLesbian working with the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) as Research and Policy Associate for East, Central and Horn of Africa. Victor is a founding member of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), served as SMUG’s Chairperson from March 2004 to October 2007 and is now serving on the organizations Advisory Board. He’s also the Grand Marshall for Pride Toronto 2009.

N. Nicole Nussbaum, Barrister & Solicitor is an Employment and Human Rights Lawyer working with the Fred Victor Trans Employment Support Program. She represents both employees and employers on employment agreements, wrongful dismissal litigation, human rights complaints, employment and human rights trainings, corporate employment policy review and drafting, and other related services. Nicole transitioned from male to female in 2006.

Susan Gapka is committed to the empowerment of the marginalized community of transgender and transexual people through her dedication to social justice and her activism. She has been vocal in her lobbying the government for the rights of transpeople. Susan has won several awards for her work, worked on several committees, and facilitated many workshops and training sessions.

Notisha Massaquoi is originally from Sierra Leone and is the Executive Director of Women's Health in Women's Hands Community Health Centre (WHCHC). Her most recent publication is the edited anthology Theorizing Empowerment: Canadian Perspectives on Black Feminist Thought. She is the winner of the 2008 IRN-Africa Audre Lorde award for outstanding writing and she is currently working on a second collection of writing with Selly Thiam entitled, None on Record: Stories of Queer Africa. Her most recent work has been implementing transgender programming into the WHCHC.

Christine Decelles is a volunteer with PWA Speakers Bureau, and an active participant and advocate in the gay community and HIV/AIDS movement who has been living with HIV for 21 years. She has done volunteer work for 10 years at PASAN, working with people who are positive within the prison system. She is the chair of Ritten House, an agency dealing with transformative justice, and also a member of Voices of Positive Women. Christine is working hard to break down the stigma and discrimination around HIV, AIDS, transsexual and transgendered people.

Erika Ayala was born in Mexico City, and has been living as a female since she was 15 years old. She first immigrated to the United States where she lived for 10 years, before moving to Canada five years ago. Erika recounts her claim for refugee status, applying as a trans-person and experiencing trans-phobia. The Queer Refugee Experience in Canada

Evana Ortigoza is a Trans Sex Outreach Worker with TransPULSE and 519 Community Centre. She was born in Venezuela, immigrated to Canada in 1994, and danced with the National Ballet of Canada for 4 years. She also coordinates the weekly Meal Trans Drop-In for low income trans-people.

Our Shipmate in the Spotlight for this edition is LCDR Elise

Hurrell. LCDR Hurrell started her career as a credentialer at MCRD

Parris Island, SC, in August 2011. In 2012, she took an assignment

to Naval Branch Health Clinic Bahrain, for a 1-year overseas tour, in

which she thoroughly enjoyed the opportunities to explore the

Middle East—traveling to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Oman, Jordan,

Turkey, and Greece. She next served at Naval Health Clinic

Quantico for 3 years, until her selection for Comprehensive

Dentistry residency training at NPDS, in Bethesda, MD. In 2019, she

became a Diplomate of the American Board of General Dentistry.

Most recently LCDR Hurrell completed her Department Head tour

onboard LHD-8, USS MAKIN ISLAND, where she was responsible

for the care of more than 3,000 Sailors and Marines during an

arduous FY21 COVID-19 impacted deployment with the 15th MEU

in support of Operations Octave Quartz, Freedom’s Sentinel,

Inherent Resolve, Ready Lion, Neptune Phoenix, and Northern Edge. While onboard, she achieved the qualification of Surface Warfare Medical Department Officer (SWMDO), the Humanitarian Service Medal for her participation in the USS MAKIN ISLAND’s efforts to rescue and provide medical support to a COVID-19 outbreak aboard the USS KIDD and the Armed Forces Service Medal for her participation and support in executing 250 COVID-19 medevacs during PMINT pre-deployment exercises. She is currently stationed at Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command in San Diego, where she serves as the Program Director for the AEGD residency program. LCDR Hurrell currently lives in San Diego with her husband and their spit-fire labradoodle puppy, Charlie.

Fun Facts

Hometown: Indianapolis, IN

Dental School: University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine

Favorite thing about being a Navy Dental Corps Officer: I’ve enjoyed taking advantage of all the wonderful educational opportunities within the Navy as well as stepping into the various unique and adventurous positions the Navy has to offer—like serving overseas and deploying on a warship—which have challenged and developed me into a better clinician and leader. I am able to provide the best possible care to our Sailors and Marines, regardless of their socioeconomic status. My work directly supports an organization and mission larger than myself!

Hobbies: Being active running, hiking, SCUBA diving, traveling and taking Charlie, our new labradoodle puppy to the beach/dog park! I also enjoy trying new cuisines and local restaurants.

Something that most people don't know about you: I’m an immigrant who lived in three different countries before the age of 5. Until my commissioning, I held three different passports. My parents are both Australians who immigrated to Canada, then the UK, and finally ended up in the United States. I officially became a US Citizen in June, 1999.

Published in Weekly Dental Update, April 1 2022.

Achille Vanhee (Archie) beloved husband of Joan Watson Sept. 15 1909 - May 3 2009 Rest in Peace

obituary:

VANHEE, Achille (Archie) Peacefully at his home, on Sunday, May 3, 2009, Archie, in his 100th year. Beloved husband for 66 years of Joanie. Dear father of Michele, Peter (Barbara). Also survived by grandchildren Suzanne (Bill), Jennifer, David (Rebecca), Benjamin (Andrea), Alexandra and great-grandchildren Kassandra, Zachary, Owen, Madelyn, Jack and his sister Henrietta Vanhee. Archie had a long and distinguished career in aviation and is a member of the Canadian Aviation Hall of Fame, Quebec Air and Space Hall of Fame, and Les Vieilles Tiges De Belgique. Archie immigrated to Canada from Belgium at the age of 16 in 1925. Motivated at an early age, watching dog-fights in the skies above his backyard in Belgium during WWI, he developed a fascination for flying machines. He witnessed and lived through the early years of aviation and was motivated by pioneers such as Lindbergh. He commenced flying training at the Montreal Flying Club and soloed on October 28, 1928. He flew with Central Airways in Amos, Quebec as a pilot engineer in 1935 and joined MacKenzie Air Service in 1937. He flew alongside Canada's Aviation Pioneers until commissioned in the R.C.A.F. as a Flying Officer in 1939. He attained the rank of Squadron Leader and was appointed CO of 160 Squadron, a Canso Coastal Reconnaissance Unit at Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. At the time of his discharge in 1945, he was Director of Instrument Flying Training. After the war Archie joined Canadian Pacific Airlines and moved to Vancouver in 1949 to fly for CPA Overseas Lines. He was one of five Captains on the first Canadian registered Aircraft to fly to Tokyo, Shanghai and Hong Kong. His firsts included - Captain of the inaugural flight to Honolulu, Fiji, Sydney and Auckland; Captain of the first direct Honolulu-Vancouver flight by a Canadian aircraft; Captain of the inaugural flights between Lima, Peru and Mexico. Between 1973 and 1982, he acted as the instrument flight instructor for Austin Airways and also worked for CIDA. He trained African pilots on the DHC-6 Twin Otter in Senegal, Mali, Upper Volta and other African countries; a Chief Pilot for the Aviation Project in Dakar. Archie retired in 1983 at the age of 74 after 56 years in aviation. He had flown over 90 different types of aircraft from the biplane Curtiss JN4 to the prototype Boeing 707, totaling more than 25,000 hours. He had a passion for flying and a love for all things aircraft. In retirement he spent years drafting memoirs and reflecting on his great joy of instrument flying and the contributions that he had made as a pioneer and instructor. Friends will be received at the DODSWORTH & BROWN Funeral Home, ANCASTER CHAPEL, 378 Wilson Street East, on Thursday, May 7, 2009 from 2-5 p.m. Funeral service from St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, Hamilton on Friday, May 8, 2009 at 11 a.m. Interment Hamilton Cemetery. "Oh I have slipped The surly bonds of earth ... Put out my hand And touched the Face of God"

Artist: Hilda Woolnough

Title: Liquado 2

Medium: Crayon on Paper

Size: 67 X 82 cm

Acquisition Date: 1982

Current Location: 1st Floor, Coles Building, Legislative Clerk Research Office

Hilda Woolnough has left her mark on Island art like no other. During her 30 years on the Island, Woolnough has been a teacher and tireless champion of artist's rights and opportunities, serving on the boards of many professional provincial and federal arts organizations. She was a driving force behind The Phoenix Gallery, The Gallery-On-Demand, the Great George Street Gallery, The Arts Guild, the Printmakers Council and the Student Art Expo.

Woolnough has pursued her own work with equal vigour, constantly exploring new media. Her passion is for expressive line in drawing and printmaking but she has also created jewellery, weavings, and quilts. Hilda Woolnough was born into a creative family in Northampton, England. Her mother, uncle, and brother were all painters; her father built and restored houses. In 1952 she began traditional training at the Chelsea School of Art in London, drawing from plaster casts and still life, developing strong discipline and technique. It was here that she first experimented with printmaking, a medium she has passionately pursued throughout her career. But it was with a specialty in painting that she graduated in 1955. Woolnough immigrated to Canada in 1957, settling in Hamilton, Ontario. In 1965 she headed to the San Miguel de Allende Instituto in Mexico, where she studied experimental etching for two years, graduating with a Master's of Fine Art degree in graphics. Back in London, she did post-graduate work at the Central School of Art and Design in metal techniques. After designing the etching and lithography departments at the Jamaica School of Art in Kingston, Jamaica, Woolnough found her way to PEI. Together with her husband, UPEI professor, writer and publisher, Reshard Gool, she formed part of the nucleus for a vibrant arts community.

In 1999 Hilda Woolnough received the Adrien Arsenault Senior Arts Award for "contribution to the arts in Prince Edward Island" and was elected to the Royal Canadian Academy. Her work is in many public and private collections including the Montreal Museum of Fine Art, the Art Gallery of Ontario, and the Canada Council Art Bank.

Woolnough most often works in series, exploring an idea fully, guided by both intellect and intuition. Nature and the human form provide a starting point, but she moves beyond the representational to a deeper, more universal expression.

"I'm interested in evolution of plants, land, the world," Woolnough once said in a interview. "There are stages in the growth of the brain that are reptilian or flower-like. They're proof that we are all the sum of our parts, like the land or sea." This interest in evolution embraces the development of myth and human culture and the process of transformation, themes she has explored throughout her career.

"What is most important to me as an artist are 'accidents and mistakes' If I don't make them technically and intellectually on a regular basis I don't feel I'm going anywhere. I have lived on Prince Edward Island for about thirty three years, but I have travelled, taught, and done my own work all over the world; and been fortunate enough to have my work in many collections and exhibitions in Canada and abroad, including the Canadian Pavillion in the Spanish Biennial in Seville."

Hilda Woolnough passed away in December 2007.

Recent Accomplishments:

2001 June - October TIMEPIECE, a collagraph installation , Confederation Centre of the Arts, PEI sponsored by Canada Council, Ottawa, and the Royal Bank Investment Group

1999, Elected to the Royal Canadian Academy./02 Elected to the board of the RCA

1999, Adrien Arsenault Senior Arts Award Major Provincial Award honouring individual "contribution to the arts in Prince Edward Island."

1999 -04, Fishtales - a marine mythology, Salt Spring Island, B.C. Gallery built especially to house this permanent exhibition, originally curated by Joan Murray,Robert MacLaughlin Gallery .Oshawa; Ontario

Collections (Public)

Air Canada, Montreal, Quebec

Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto, Ontario

Art Gallery of Jamaica

Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, Halifax, N.S.

Canada Council Art Bank

Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs, Ottawa, Ontario

Canadian Catholic Conference

Canterbury College of Art, Kent, England

Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario Also archival collection Art Gallery 98 and Museum.1998. (work from 1970-98n)

CBC Montreal

Confederation Centre of the Arts, Charlottetown, P.E.I.

Esso Resources Division

Gotland Museum, Visby, Sweden

Government of Prince Edward Island

McLaughlin Gallery, Oshawa, Ontario

McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontar

Memorial University Art Gallery, St. John's, Newfoundland

Montreal Museum of Fine Art, Montreal, P.Q.

New Brunswick Art Gallery and Museum

Prince Edward Island Art Bank

Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Charlottetown, P.E.I.

Shell Canada Collection

St. Mary's University, Halifax, N.S.

Toronto Dominion Bank Collection & Universities of New Brunswick, N.B, & PEI

Ian David Nsenga, aka Creative, was born in the city of Nairobi, Kenya as one of many diasporas of a war torn Rwanda. His journey began on the continent of Africa but he eventually immigrated to Canada in 1993. His love for music and literature shaped his style - fusing poetry and hip-hop during his university days in British Columbia. His journey brought him to major venues in the community and diverse settings from International Festivals to Non-Profit Organizations during the 2010 Olympic Games.

www.myspace.com/iammadecreative

George Lord was born in Essex County, England on April 21, 1816 to Felstead and Anna Siggs Lord. He immigrated to Canada in 1834 and worked there for two years. He then moved to New Orleans and joined other volunteers under a Capt. Lyons to serve in the military of the young republic of Texas, they arrive in Galveston in 1837.

As part of the Texas Army, Lord participated in a number of operations, including suppression of the Cordova Rebellion (1838) and the fight against Manuel Flores (1839). he also fought in Mexico with the Federalists before returning to Texas. He joined the Somervell Expedition to expel forces of Gen. Adrian Woll from the Republic, fighting at the battle of Salado Creek (1842) with many notable Texas figures like John C. "Jack" Hays and William "Bigfoot" Wallace. Lord was among those who then followed Col. William Fisher into Mexico. Fisher's men were captured after fighting at Mier, and as part of the infamous "Black Bean Incident," ten percent were executed while the others remained imprisoned. Lord was not selected for execution; he survived the harsh conditions at Mexico's Perote Prison, returned to Texas and fought in the Mexican War as a ranger.

In 1849, Lord accompanied Jack Hays and others to California during the gold rush. Along the way, he wed Catherine "Kate" Myers (1832-1909) in Eagle Pass, Texas. The couple spent three years mining for gold, Kate sold pies to other miners while her husband collected gold dust. they returned to Texas with $7,000 worth of gold and settled near this site in DeWitt County, where they established a longhorn cattle ranch and reared 11 children. Lord died while working in his garden in 1895. Today, he is remembered as a Texas patriot. (2004) (Marker No. 13071)

Helen Kennedy of Egal, Audience Q&A, Queer Peers, a Human Rights Panel Discussion on International Transgender Politics,

An evening of Queer Expressions, Photos © Linda Dawn Hammond / IndyFoto.com and Pride Toronto 2009, Tuesday June 23, 2009,

Gladstone Hotel, Toronto

Moderator: Fred Kuhr

Panelists:

(L-R) Victor Mukasa, Susan Gapka, Erika Ayala, Evana Ortigoza , Notisha Massaquoi, Christine Decelles, N. Nicole Nussbaum

Global Trans Rights Activist Victor Mukasa from Uganda has been chosen as Pride Toronto's 2009 International Grand Marshal. Join us as we pay tribute to the brave queer activists fighting for their rights in Africa and specifically in Uganda. Come and hear Victor speak. As the 2009 International Grand Marshal, he proudly leads Toronto's Pride Parade on Sunday, June 28 at 2:00PM.

Victor Mukasa, Chairperson of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), 2009 Pride Toronto's International Grand Marshal: is the Chairperson of SMUG and a human rights defender for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender liberation in his home country of Uganda and across Africa. As a global trans rights activist, he strives to protect and defend the space to exit freely without harassment, threat, or violence and to change this world' traditional gender categories so that people are no longer punished for simply being who they are.

Victor Juliet Mukasa is a Ugandan transgender activist who has gained international recognition for bringing light to human rights issues globally. He is a TransLesbian working with the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) as Research and Policy Associate for East, Central and Horn of Africa. Victor is a founding member of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), served as SMUG’s Chairperson from March 2004 to October 2007 and is now serving on the organizations Advisory Board. He’s also the Grand Marshall for Pride Toronto 2009.

N. Nicole Nussbaum, Barrister & Solicitor is an Employment and Human Rights Lawyer working with the Fred Victor Trans Employment Support Program. She represents both employees and employers on employment agreements, wrongful dismissal litigation, human rights complaints, employment and human rights trainings, corporate employment policy review and drafting, and other related services. Nicole transitioned from male to female in 2006.

Susan Gapka is committed to the empowerment of the marginalized community of transgender and transexual people through her dedication to social justice and her activism. She has been vocal in her lobbying the government for the rights of transpeople. Susan has won several awards for her work, worked on several committees, and facilitated many workshops and training sessions.

Notisha Massaquoi is originally from Sierra Leone and is the Executive Director of Women's Health in Women's Hands Community Health Centre (WHCHC). Her most recent publication is the edited anthology Theorizing Empowerment: Canadian Perspectives on Black Feminist Thought. She is the winner of the 2008 IRN-Africa Audre Lorde award for outstanding writing and she is currently working on a second collection of writing with Selly Thiam entitled, None on Record: Stories of Queer Africa. Her most recent work has been implementing transgender programming into the WHCHC.

Christine Decelles is a volunteer with PWA Speakers Bureau, and an active participant and advocate in the gay community and HIV/AIDS movement who has been living with HIV for 21 years. She has done volunteer work for 10 years at PASAN, working with people who are positive within the prison system. She is the chair of Ritten House, an agency dealing with transformative justice, and also a member of Voices of Positive Women. Christine is working hard to break down the stigma and discrimination around HIV, AIDS, transsexual and transgendered people.

Erika Ayala was born in Mexico City, and has been living as a female since she was 15 years old. She first immigrated to the United States where she lived for 10 years, before moving to Canada five years ago. Erika recounts her claim for refugee status, applying as a trans-person and experiencing trans-phobia. The Queer Refugee Experience in Canada

Evana Ortigoza is a Trans Sex Outreach Worker with TransPULSE and 519 Community Centre. She was born in Venezuela, immigrated to Canada in 1994, and danced with the National Ballet of Canada for 4 years. She also coordinates the weekly Meal Trans Drop-In for low income trans-people.

Stranger 20 of 100

One Hundred Strangers Tumblr

I met Li on the Toronto subway system way earlier this year, but I just took forever to finish the roll and never got the chance to scan these negatives!

Our train stopped at moving at a station, and a bunch of cops ran by our car. A bunch of passengers, including Li, rushed to the doors to see what was happening. When I asked what happened, he told me a man with a bike got arrested.

"I have lived 38 years here in Toronto, and this is the first time I've seen this happen" he said.

Li was a traveler in his earlier years, but it seems as if he settled down in Toronto. He was born in India, lived in China, then moved to Hong Kong, living in the Jordan district for 5 years before setting off to Europe. Li traveled all across Europe before coming to Canada in 1975.

Li is a welder by trade, a profession that allows him to make decent money and travel as welders are often in demand in all parts of the world. He wanted to live in Australia, but had no blood relatives there. He said immigrating to Canada was easy because of his ability to speak English and his profession as a welder.

Li's daughter is a dress maker, and his son is a computer engineer, all of them have very different professions!

Li was heading to Niagara Falls that weekend. He said his friends like to gamble, and they invite him out once a year to join in. Li doesn't like to gamble much, but goes to spend time with his friends.

Zorki 1 | Canon 35mm F2 | Arista Premium 400 | Epson 4870

Tombstone of Dr. Barry Shandling (February 20, 1928 - October 1, 2016), a paediatric surgeon. Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Toronto, Canada. Spring evening, 2021. Pentax K1 II.

Obituary from humphreymiles.com/tribute/details/4750/Dr-Barry-Shandling...

BARRY SHANDLING, MB, ChB, FRCS(Eng), FRCS(C), FACS

Professor Emeritus Department of Surgery, University of Toronto

Passed away on October 1, 2016 at Sunnybrook Hospital after a long illness.

Dr. Shandling was born in South Africa on February 20, 1928, graduating from the University of Cape Town in 1950. He did postgraduate work at the Royal College of Surgeons and at the Hospital for Sick Children, Great Ormond Street in London, England, specializing in Paediatric Surgery.

He married Mary Elizabeth Gordon in 1959 and with their infant daughter, immigrated to Canada in 1961. He worked at The Hospital for Sick Children (now known as Sick Kids) in Toronto as a staff surgeon where he taught generations of young surgeons his meticulous, gentle operative techniques, as well as caring for little children, and kindness and consideration for their families.

Upon his retirement in 1996, he was appointed Professor Emeritus in the Department of Surgery at the University of Toronto. Dr. Shandling, as his personal Centennial project in 1967, founded and was a past-President of the Canadian Association of Paediatric Surgeons.

In 1972 he was the first surgeon in Canada successfully to separate Siamese twins and also the first to succeed in treating infants in Canada with atresia of the bile ducts. As Director of the Bowel Clinic at the Hugh MacMillan Medical Centre (now known as the Bloorview MacMillan Centre) he was responsible for improving the quality of life for thousands of incontinent children and teenagers and their families, both in Canada and throughout the world, as a consequence of his inventions and innovations.

His delightful letters to referring doctors reflected his sense of humour and were prized by those who received them. He traveled widely as a Visiting Professor, lecturing on many different paediatric surgical subjects.

In addition to surgery Dr. Shandling's interests included fly-fishing, cooking, music, the English language and history. He loved his two Siamese cats. He was a member of the Churchill Society as well as the Royal Commonwealth Society.

He is survived by Mary, his beloved wife of 57 years, his older daughter Susan Shandling of Milton (Byron), his son Ian (Clare) of Shinfield, Berkshire, England and younger daughter Alexandra (Richard) of Hudson, Quebec, as well as by his six cherished grandchildren, Graham and Emma Bignell, Alexander and Christopher Shandling, Elizabeth and Felix Gratton.

Private cremation. If wished, memorial donations to Sick Kids Hospital, 555 University Avenue, Toronto ON, M5G 1E2.

Private Hugh Williamson King

Regimental Number: 490652

Born February 4th, 1890 in London, England. Immigrated to Canada circa 1907. He was a provincial Constable in Nelson, and he lived on Fifth Street in Fairview. Enlisted on May 18th, 1916 in Nelson with the 1st Canadian Pioneers. Joined the 3rd Pioneer Battalion upon arrival in France in May, 1916. Suffered from pyrexia (a catch-all term for fevers) in December, 1916. Suffered from inflamed connecting tissue from an injury to his right arm in February, 1917. Transferred to the 123rd Battalion in May, 1917 and to the Canadian Light Railway Construction Company in November. Suffered from pyrexia again in June and July, 1918. Transferred to the Canadian Engineer Reinforcement Depot and served as a sapper with the engineer battalions for the remainder of his service. Returned to Canada in April, 1919. Demobilized in St. John’s, New Brunswick on April 25th, 1919. Married Doris Amy Beckwith at some point. Moved to Penticton circa 1942 and retired from police work in 1945. Died on February 25th, 1955 in Penticton; 94 years old.

Giovanni Temansja (audience), Audience Q&A, Queer Peers, a Human Rights Panel Discussion on International Transgender Politics,

An evening of Queer Expressions, Photos © Linda Dawn Hammond / IndyFoto.com and Pride Toronto 2009, Tuesday June 23, 2009,

Gladstone Hotel, Toronto

Moderator: Fred Kuhr

Panelists:

(L-R) Victor Mukasa, Susan Gapka, Erika Ayala, Evana Ortigoza , Notisha Massaquoi, Christine Decelles, N. Nicole Nussbaum

Global Trans Rights Activist Victor Mukasa from Uganda has been chosen as Pride Toronto's 2009 International Grand Marshal. Join us as we pay tribute to the brave queer activists fighting for their rights in Africa and specifically in Uganda. Come and hear Victor speak. As the 2009 International Grand Marshal, he proudly leads Toronto's Pride Parade on Sunday, June 28 at 2:00PM.

Victor Mukasa, Chairperson of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), 2009 Pride Toronto's International Grand Marshal: is the Chairperson of SMUG and a human rights defender for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender liberation in his home country of Uganda and across Africa. As a global trans rights activist, he strives to protect and defend the space to exit freely without harassment, threat, or violence and to change this world' traditional gender categories so that people are no longer punished for simply being who they are.

Victor Juliet Mukasa is a Ugandan transgender activist who has gained international recognition for bringing light to human rights issues globally. He is a TransLesbian working with the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) as Research and Policy Associate for East, Central and Horn of Africa. Victor is a founding member of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), served as SMUG’s Chairperson from March 2004 to October 2007 and is now serving on the organizations Advisory Board. He’s also the Grand Marshall for Pride Toronto 2009.

N. Nicole Nussbaum, Barrister & Solicitor is an Employment and Human Rights Lawyer working with the Fred Victor Trans Employment Support Program. She represents both employees and employers on employment agreements, wrongful dismissal litigation, human rights complaints, employment and human rights trainings, corporate employment policy review and drafting, and other related services. Nicole transitioned from male to female in 2006.

Susan Gapka is committed to the empowerment of the marginalized community of transgender and transexual people through her dedication to social justice and her activism. She has been vocal in her lobbying the government for the rights of transpeople. Susan has won several awards for her work, worked on several committees, and facilitated many workshops and training sessions.

Notisha Massaquoi is originally from Sierra Leone and is the Executive Director of Women's Health in Women's Hands Community Health Centre (WHCHC). Her most recent publication is the edited anthology Theorizing Empowerment: Canadian Perspectives on Black Feminist Thought. She is the winner of the 2008 IRN-Africa Audre Lorde award for outstanding writing and she is currently working on a second collection of writing with Selly Thiam entitled, None on Record: Stories of Queer Africa. Her most recent work has been implementing transgender programming into the WHCHC.

Christine Decelles is a volunteer with PWA Speakers Bureau, and an active participant and advocate in the gay community and HIV/AIDS movement who has been living with HIV for 21 years. She has done volunteer work for 10 years at PASAN, working with people who are positive within the prison system. She is the chair of Ritten House, an agency dealing with transformative justice, and also a member of Voices of Positive Women. Christine is working hard to break down the stigma and discrimination around HIV, AIDS, transsexual and transgendered people.

Erika Ayala was born in Mexico City, and has been living as a female since she was 15 years old. She first immigrated to the United States where she lived for 10 years, before moving to Canada five years ago. Erika recounts her claim for refugee status, applying as a trans-person and experiencing trans-phobia. The Queer Refugee Experience in Canada

Evana Ortigoza is a Trans Sex Outreach Worker with TransPULSE and 519 Community Centre. She was born in Venezuela, immigrated to Canada in 1994, and danced with the National Ballet of Canada for 4 years. She also coordinates the weekly Meal Trans Drop-In for low income trans-people.

Panelists:

(L-R) Notisha Massaquoi, Christine Decelles, N. Nicole Nussbaum, Panel Discussion, Queer Peers, a Human Rights Panel Discussion on International Transgender Politics,

An evening of Queer Expressions, Photos © Linda Dawn Hammond / IndyFoto.com and Pride Toronto 2009, Tuesday June 23, 2009,

Gladstone Hotel, Toronto

Moderator: Fred Kuhr

Panelists:

(L-R) Victor Mukasa, Susan Gapka, Erika Ayala, Evana Ortigoza , Notisha Massaquoi, Christine Decelles, N. Nicole Nussbaum

Global Trans Rights Activist Victor Mukasa from Uganda has been chosen as Pride Toronto's 2009 International Grand Marshal. Join us as we pay tribute to the brave queer activists fighting for their rights in Africa and specifically in Uganda. Come and hear Victor speak. As the 2009 International Grand Marshal, he proudly leads Toronto's Pride Parade on Sunday, June 28 at 2:00PM.

Victor Mukasa, Chairperson of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), 2009 Pride Toronto's International Grand Marshal: is the Chairperson of SMUG and a human rights defender for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender liberation in his home country of Uganda and across Africa. As a global trans rights activist, he strives to protect and defend the space to exit freely without harassment, threat, or violence and to change this world' traditional gender categories so that people are no longer punished for simply being who they are.

Victor Juliet Mukasa is a Ugandan transgender activist who has gained international recognition for bringing light to human rights issues globally. He is a TransLesbian working with the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) as Research and Policy Associate for East, Central and Horn of Africa. Victor is a founding member of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), served as SMUG’s Chairperson from March 2004 to October 2007 and is now serving on the organizations Advisory Board. He’s also the Grand Marshall for Pride Toronto 2009.

N. Nicole Nussbaum, Barrister & Solicitor is an Employment and Human Rights Lawyer working with the Fred Victor Trans Employment Support Program. She represents both employees and employers on employment agreements, wrongful dismissal litigation, human rights complaints, employment and human rights trainings, corporate employment policy review and drafting, and other related services. Nicole transitioned from male to female in 2006.

Susan Gapka is committed to the empowerment of the marginalized community of transgender and transexual people through her dedication to social justice and her activism. She has been vocal in her lobbying the government for the rights of transpeople. Susan has won several awards for her work, worked on several committees, and facilitated many workshops and training sessions.

Notisha Massaquoi is originally from Sierra Leone and is the Executive Director of Women's Health in Women's Hands Community Health Centre (WHCHC). Her most recent publication is the edited anthology Theorizing Empowerment: Canadian Perspectives on Black Feminist Thought. She is the winner of the 2008 IRN-Africa Audre Lorde award for outstanding writing and she is currently working on a second collection of writing with Selly Thiam entitled, None on Record: Stories of Queer Africa. Her most recent work has been implementing transgender programming into the WHCHC.

Christine Decelles is a volunteer with PWA Speakers Bureau, and an active participant and advocate in the gay community and HIV/AIDS movement who has been living with HIV for 21 years. She has done volunteer work for 10 years at PASAN, working with people who are positive within the prison system. She is the chair of Ritten House, an agency dealing with transformative justice, and also a member of Voices of Positive Women. Christine is working hard to break down the stigma and discrimination around HIV, AIDS, transsexual and transgendered people.

Erika Ayala was born in Mexico City, and has been living as a female since she was 15 years old. She first immigrated to the United States where she lived for 10 years, before moving to Canada five years ago. Erika recounts her claim for refugee status, applying as a trans-person and experiencing trans-phobia. The Queer Refugee Experience in Canada

Evana Ortigoza is a Trans Sex Outreach Worker with TransPULSE and 519 Community Centre. She was born in Venezuela, immigrated to Canada in 1994, and danced with the National Ballet of Canada for 4 years. She also coordinates the weekly Meal Trans Drop-In for low income trans-people.

(L-R) Susan Gapka, Erika Ayala, Evana Ortigoza , Notisha Massaquoi,

Panel Discussion, Queer Peers, a Human Rights Panel Discussion on International Transgender Politics,

An evening of Queer Expressions, Photos © Linda Dawn Hammond / IndyFoto.com and Pride Toronto 2009, Tuesday June 23, 2009,

Gladstone Hotel, Toronto

Moderator: Fred Kuhr

Panelists:

(L-R) Victor Mukasa, Susan Gapka, Erika Ayala, Evana Ortigoza , Notisha Massaquoi, Christine Decelles, N. Nicole Nussbaum

Global Trans Rights Activist Victor Mukasa from Uganda has been chosen as Pride Toronto's 2009 International Grand Marshal. Join us as we pay tribute to the brave queer activists fighting for their rights in Africa and specifically in Uganda. Come and hear Victor speak. As the 2009 International Grand Marshal, he proudly leads Toronto's Pride Parade on Sunday, June 28 at 2:00PM.

Victor Mukasa, Chairperson of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), 2009 Pride Toronto's International Grand Marshal: is the Chairperson of SMUG and a human rights defender for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender liberation in his home country of Uganda and across Africa. As a global trans rights activist, he strives to protect and defend the space to exit freely without harassment, threat, or violence and to change this world' traditional gender categories so that people are no longer punished for simply being who they are.

Victor Juliet Mukasa is a Ugandan transgender activist who has gained international recognition for bringing light to human rights issues globally. He is a TransLesbian working with the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) as Research and Policy Associate for East, Central and Horn of Africa. Victor is a founding member of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), served as SMUG’s Chairperson from March 2004 to October 2007 and is now serving on the organizations Advisory Board. He’s also the Grand Marshall for Pride Toronto 2009.

N. Nicole Nussbaum, Barrister & Solicitor is an Employment and Human Rights Lawyer working with the Fred Victor Trans Employment Support Program. She represents both employees and employers on employment agreements, wrongful dismissal litigation, human rights complaints, employment and human rights trainings, corporate employment policy review and drafting, and other related services. Nicole transitioned from male to female in 2006.

Susan Gapka is committed to the empowerment of the marginalized community of transgender and transexual people through her dedication to social justice and her activism. She has been vocal in her lobbying the government for the rights of transpeople. Susan has won several awards for her work, worked on several committees, and facilitated many workshops and training sessions.

Notisha Massaquoi is originally from Sierra Leone and is the Executive Director of Women's Health in Women's Hands Community Health Centre (WHCHC). Her most recent publication is the edited anthology Theorizing Empowerment: Canadian Perspectives on Black Feminist Thought. She is the winner of the 2008 IRN-Africa Audre Lorde award for outstanding writing and she is currently working on a second collection of writing with Selly Thiam entitled, None on Record: Stories of Queer Africa. Her most recent work has been implementing transgender programming into the WHCHC.

Christine Decelles is a volunteer with PWA Speakers Bureau, and an active participant and advocate in the gay community and HIV/AIDS movement who has been living with HIV for 21 years. She has done volunteer work for 10 years at PASAN, working with people who are positive within the prison system. She is the chair of Ritten House, an agency dealing with transformative justice, and also a member of Voices of Positive Women. Christine is working hard to break down the stigma and discrimination around HIV, AIDS, transsexual and transgendered people.

Erika Ayala was born in Mexico City, and has been living as a female since she was 15 years old. She first immigrated to the United States where she lived for 10 years, before moving to Canada five years ago. Erika recounts her claim for refugee status, applying as a trans-person and experiencing trans-phobia. The Queer Refugee Experience in Canada

Evana Ortigoza is a Trans Sex Outreach Worker with TransPULSE and 519 Community Centre. She was born in Venezuela, immigrated to Canada in 1994, and danced with the National Ballet of Canada for 4 years. She also coordinates the weekly Meal Trans Drop-In for low income trans-people.

Patricia Luna and Bro. Paul Tuz. Paul was an IPA Region 2 Toronto member for many years. Paul got us interested in collecting Montblanc products.

Paul Tuz Album: www.flickr.com/photos/21728045@N08/sets/72157630198553412/

Patricia Luna: Born in Veracruz, Mexico, Ms. Luna received an Honors Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Mexico in 1984. Luna worked in the financial industry until she immigrated to Canada in 1988. She joined Royal Bank in 1990 and held several positions, mostly in retail. She attained the Personal Financial Planning Designation in 1999 from the Institute of Canadian Bankers, and has been a Financial Planner for the last 10 years. She has been the Honorary Vice Consul of Mali since 2010. Her spouse, Paul Tuz (deceased), was the Consul General of Mali for the last 25 years and was a strong link between Malian and Canadian business community.

L. Col PAUL JOHN TUZ CM, CStJ, CD Peacefully passed away Saturday, June 16, 2012. Born October 20, 1929 at Vienna, Austria. Served 27 years in HM service, 10 years Chrysler, 20 years President Better Business Bureau and Hon Consul General of Mali. Survived by son Matthew, daughter Elizabeth, sons James and Mark and daughters Michaelle and his youngest and most precious Rebecca. Also survived by his spouse of 25 years Patricia Luna, who nurtured him during his last years. Special thanks for Dr. K. Yee, Dr. R. Chisholm, Dr. K. Pace and the caring and compassionate staff at St. Michael's Hospital Palliative Care Unit. The family will receive friends at the HUMPHREY FUNERAL HOME A.W. MILES CHAPEL LIMITED, 1403 Bayview Avenue (south of Davisville Avenue) from 5 to 8 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday, June 18 and 19, 2012. A service will be held in the chapel on Wednesday, June 20 at 11 o'clock. Interment at Mount Pleasant Cemetery to follow. Donations to the Canadian Cancer Society , 55 St. Clair Ave. West, Suite 500, Toronto, ON, M4V 2Y7 or Princess Margaret Hospital, 610 University Ave., Toronto, ON, M5G 2M9 would be appreciated. Condolences and memories may be forwarded through www.humphreymiles.com - See more at: www.legacy.com/obituaries/thestar/obituary.aspx?n=l-c&...

This is my Great Grandfather Tom, his wife Sophia and their family of seven boys and five girls. Tom and Sophia were my father's father's parents. I used to know which one was my grandfather but I don't like to say right now. (I'm pretty sure it was the chap sitting right beside my Great Grandfather Tom in the second row.)

Tom

Great grandfather Tom was in the English army and was a veteran of the Crimean War (1853-1856). It is said in the family that he met Florence Nightingale during the war. To the best of my knowledge there are no other surviving stories of his service. He immigrated to Canada circa 1860 and married Sophia whose maiden name was Trott.

Postscript: (August 2008) I was going through some of mother's stuff over the last few days and came across a newspaper clipping from 1980 in her effects. This clipping gave a bit more information regarding Great Grandfather Tom's service during the Crimean War.

It is a historical fact that dysentery was rampant among the British troops in the Crimean War and many British troops died from dysentery. According to the newspaper clipping, Great Grandfather Tom did contract dysentery but he managed to recover.

It is also a historical fact that sanitary conditions for the British soldiers in hospital in the Crimea were atrocious, and it was because of these atrocious conditions that many soldiers were dying. Florence Nightingale made her name by coming to the Crimea, taking control and improving these conditions. She undoubtably saved the lives of many British soldiers. Arguably, I wouldn't be here except for Florence Nightingale.

The newspaper article also said that at one point Great Grandfather Tom had been Florence Nightingale's mailman. Reading that kind of jogged my memory as I do recollect hearing that fifty or so years ago when I was visiting relatives in the Hillsburg area.

Sophia Trott

Sophia Trott was a member of two interconnected families (Toby and Trott) who came from England about 1840 to the Hillsburg/Erin area of Ontario where they remained for about thirty years until about 1870. At that time the whole extended Toby and Trott families moved to the Midwestern U.S. (Wisconsin sounds about right). When they moved they left behind only two members of the family. These were my great grandmother Sophia and her brother Will.

My great grandmother, Sophia, was left behind because she was already married to Thomas. Sophia was only seventeen and Thomas was forty-one when they married.

Will Trott was also left behind when the Toby and Trott families moved to the U.S. He was left behind because he had become a successful businessman by that time, and later became the Mayor of the town of St. Thomas in Ontario.

Tom (Sophia’s husband) lived to a reasonably old age but because of the difference in their ages Sophia was still fairly young when he passed on. She remarried after Tom died and the curious thing about that is that she remarried to a man who had the exact same name as her first husband – both the first and last name. This gentleman had also been previously married and had had a large family as had Sophia. The last name which I won’t mention just now is a fairly common one and I often think I am probably related to a lot of them either through Sophia’s first or second marriage.

Hello, Doug:

I am also a grand-grandson of Thomas Hall and Sophia Trott.

Briefly, Sophia's parents, James and Susan Trott, came from England as part of the Toby family, headed by Charles and Lydia Toby.Susan (Toby) Trott was the eldest daughter, and was already married to James Trott.The family settled in Hillsburgh, Erin Township, Wellington County, around 1850 and remained in the area for about 30 years.James and Susan had nine children, including Sophia.About 1880 most of the extended Toby and Trott family moved to Wisconsin, except for Sophia, who was already married to Thomas Hall and had a family, and William, an older brother who was already established in business, and who later became mayor of St. Thomas.

I can give you considerably more information off-line in the form of a GEDCOM file sent to me from relatives in Wisconsin - apparently the source of the family history was a lady named Rowena Larson in Wisconsin who wrote down what her older relatives told her.(The Ontario and Wisconsin branches of the family had lost touch entirely for almost a century - my mother, now 89, could remember a visit from a great-aunt from Wisconsin - until we made contact via the Internet last year.)My mother also knew "Uncle Will" Trott from several visits to Hillsburgh.

I have gotten behind in my family history research for the past year or so but would like to pick it up again.I now live in Toronto but spent part of my youth in Hillsburgh and have many relatives there.I would also be interested in any information you might have about Thomas Hall - I have

confirmed that he was born in Knapton, Norfolk, England to parents John Hall and Abigail Lynn in 1832, as this is recorded in the 1851 Norfolk census and matches the info on his death certificate in 1919, and I also know he was married to Sophia in 1870 and their first child soon followed (he was 41 while she was 17 at the time of their marriage), but there is a "gap" in between 1851 and 1870 - my mother says that family lore had him at Scutari Hospital with Florence Nightingale during the Crimean War as a kind of handyman or servant or assistant, but I haven't been able to confirm this.Good to hear from a second cousin!

Panelists:

Victor Mukasa (standing with mike)

(L-R) Susan Gapka, Erika Ayala, Evana Ortigoza , Notisha Massaquoi, Christine Decelles, N. Nicole Nussbaum, Audience Q&A, Queer Peers, a Human Rights Panel Discussion on International Transgender Politics,

An evening of Queer Expressions, Photos © Linda Dawn Hammond / IndyFoto.com and Pride Toronto 2009, Tuesday June 23, 2009,

Gladstone Hotel, Toronto

Moderator: Fred Kuhr

Panelists:

(L-R) Victor Mukasa, Susan Gapka, Erika Ayala, Evana Ortigoza , Notisha Massaquoi, Christine Decelles, N. Nicole Nussbaum

Global Trans Rights Activist Victor Mukasa from Uganda has been chosen as Pride Toronto's 2009 International Grand Marshal. Join us as we pay tribute to the brave queer activists fighting for their rights in Africa and specifically in Uganda. Come and hear Victor speak. As the 2009 International Grand Marshal, he proudly leads Toronto's Pride Parade on Sunday, June 28 at 2:00PM.

Victor Mukasa, Chairperson of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), 2009 Pride Toronto's International Grand Marshal: is the Chairperson of SMUG and a human rights defender for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender liberation in his home country of Uganda and across Africa. As a global trans rights activist, he strives to protect and defend the space to exit freely without harassment, threat, or violence and to change this world' traditional gender categories so that people are no longer punished for simply being who they are.

Victor Juliet Mukasa is a Ugandan transgender activist who has gained international recognition for bringing light to human rights issues globally. He is a TransLesbian working with the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) as Research and Policy Associate for East, Central and Horn of Africa. Victor is a founding member of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), served as SMUG’s Chairperson from March 2004 to October 2007 and is now serving on the organizations Advisory Board. He’s also the Grand Marshall for Pride Toronto 2009.

N. Nicole Nussbaum, Barrister & Solicitor is an Employment and Human Rights Lawyer working with the Fred Victor Trans Employment Support Program. She represents both employees and employers on employment agreements, wrongful dismissal litigation, human rights complaints, employment and human rights trainings, corporate employment policy review and drafting, and other related services. Nicole transitioned from male to female in 2006.

Susan Gapka is committed to the empowerment of the marginalized community of transgender and transexual people through her dedication to social justice and her activism. She has been vocal in her lobbying the government for the rights of transpeople. Susan has won several awards for her work, worked on several committees, and facilitated many workshops and training sessions.

Notisha Massaquoi is originally from Sierra Leone and is the Executive Director of Women's Health in Women's Hands Community Health Centre (WHCHC). Her most recent publication is the edited anthology Theorizing Empowerment: Canadian Perspectives on Black Feminist Thought. She is the winner of the 2008 IRN-Africa Audre Lorde award for outstanding writing and she is currently working on a second collection of writing with Selly Thiam entitled, None on Record: Stories of Queer Africa. Her most recent work has been implementing transgender programming into the WHCHC.

Christine Decelles is a volunteer with PWA Speakers Bureau, and an active participant and advocate in the gay community and HIV/AIDS movement who has been living with HIV for 21 years. She has done volunteer work for 10 years at PASAN, working with people who are positive within the prison system. She is the chair of Ritten House, an agency dealing with transformative justice, and also a member of Voices of Positive Women. Christine is working hard to break down the stigma and discrimination around HIV, AIDS, transsexual and transgendered people.

Erika Ayala was born in Mexico City, and has been living as a female since she was 15 years old. She first immigrated to the United States where she lived for 10 years, before moving to Canada five years ago. Erika recounts her claim for refugee status, applying as a trans-person and experiencing trans-phobia. The Queer Refugee Experience in Canada

Evana Ortigoza is a Trans Sex Outreach Worker with TransPULSE and 519 Community Centre. She was born in Venezuela, immigrated to Canada in 1994, and danced with the National Ballet of Canada for 4 years. She also coordinates the weekly Meal Trans Drop-In for low income trans-people.

Osvaldo Ramirez Castillo

Nahual Soldier, 2012

Screen print / Serigraph / Silkscreen

Edition of 50 (Serie XIX / 19)

Visit the artist's page on our website to purchase this print. For more information about other artists in the series, visit serieproject.org/shop.

Born in El Salvador in the late 1970s, Osvaldo Ramirez Castillo immigrated to Canada in 1989 as a result of 12-year civil war. His allegorical drawings explore issues of collective memory, cultural identity and historical trauma.

Panelists:

Victor Mukasa (standing with mike)

(L-R) Susan Gapka, Erika Ayala, Evana Ortigoza , Notisha Massaquoi, Christine Decelles, N. Nicole Nussbaum, Audience Q&A, Queer Peers, a Human Rights Panel Discussion on International Transgender Politics,

An evening of Queer Expressions, Photos © Linda Dawn Hammond / IndyFoto.com and Pride Toronto 2009, Tuesday June 23, 2009,

Gladstone Hotel, Toronto

Moderator: Fred Kuhr

Panelists:

(L-R) Victor Mukasa, Susan Gapka, Erika Ayala, Evana Ortigoza , Notisha Massaquoi, Christine Decelles, N. Nicole Nussbaum

Global Trans Rights Activist Victor Mukasa from Uganda has been chosen as Pride Toronto's 2009 International Grand Marshal. Join us as we pay tribute to the brave queer activists fighting for their rights in Africa and specifically in Uganda. Come and hear Victor speak. As the 2009 International Grand Marshal, he proudly leads Toronto's Pride Parade on Sunday, June 28 at 2:00PM.

Victor Mukasa, Chairperson of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), 2009 Pride Toronto's International Grand Marshal: is the Chairperson of SMUG and a human rights defender for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender liberation in his home country of Uganda and across Africa. As a global trans rights activist, he strives to protect and defend the space to exit freely without harassment, threat, or violence and to change this world' traditional gender categories so that people are no longer punished for simply being who they are.

Victor Juliet Mukasa is a Ugandan transgender activist who has gained international recognition for bringing light to human rights issues globally. He is a TransLesbian working with the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) as Research and Policy Associate for East, Central and Horn of Africa. Victor is a founding member of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), served as SMUG’s Chairperson from March 2004 to October 2007 and is now serving on the organizations Advisory Board. He’s also the Grand Marshall for Pride Toronto 2009.

N. Nicole Nussbaum, Barrister & Solicitor is an Employment and Human Rights Lawyer working with the Fred Victor Trans Employment Support Program. She represents both employees and employers on employment agreements, wrongful dismissal litigation, human rights complaints, employment and human rights trainings, corporate employment policy review and drafting, and other related services. Nicole transitioned from male to female in 2006.

Susan Gapka is committed to the empowerment of the marginalized community of transgender and transexual people through her dedication to social justice and her activism. She has been vocal in her lobbying the government for the rights of transpeople. Susan has won several awards for her work, worked on several committees, and facilitated many workshops and training sessions.

Notisha Massaquoi is originally from Sierra Leone and is the Executive Director of Women's Health in Women's Hands Community Health Centre (WHCHC). Her most recent publication is the edited anthology Theorizing Empowerment: Canadian Perspectives on Black Feminist Thought. She is the winner of the 2008 IRN-Africa Audre Lorde award for outstanding writing and she is currently working on a second collection of writing with Selly Thiam entitled, None on Record: Stories of Queer Africa. Her most recent work has been implementing transgender programming into the WHCHC.

Christine Decelles is a volunteer with PWA Speakers Bureau, and an active participant and advocate in the gay community and HIV/AIDS movement who has been living with HIV for 21 years. She has done volunteer work for 10 years at PASAN, working with people who are positive within the prison system. She is the chair of Ritten House, an agency dealing with transformative justice, and also a member of Voices of Positive Women. Christine is working hard to break down the stigma and discrimination around HIV, AIDS, transsexual and transgendered people.

Erika Ayala was born in Mexico City, and has been living as a female since she was 15 years old. She first immigrated to the United States where she lived for 10 years, before moving to Canada five years ago. Erika recounts her claim for refugee status, applying as a trans-person and experiencing trans-phobia. The Queer Refugee Experience in Canada

Evana Ortigoza is a Trans Sex Outreach Worker with TransPULSE and 519 Community Centre. She was born in Venezuela, immigrated to Canada in 1994, and danced with the National Ballet of Canada for 4 years. She also coordinates the weekly Meal Trans Drop-In for low income trans-people.

Sergeant Joseph Cotter

Regimental Number: 931277

Born April 20th, 1876 (on death certificate) / 1877 (on enlistment papers) in Belfast, Ireland. Had previous military experience serving with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers for eight years, likely during the Boer War. Earned the Irish Campaign Medal and the South African Medal. He immigrated to Canada circa 1908, and came to BC circa 1910. Lived in Nelson at 717 Victoria Street; worked as an accountant for British Columbia United Agencies. He enlisted with the 225th Battalion in Nelson on April 17th, 1916. Held ranks of acting Corporal and Sergeant throughout his service. Contracted bronchitis in November, 1917 but did not spend much time in hospital. Demobilized on April 2nd, 1919. After the war, he lived at 314 Gore Street and worked at the Land Registry Office in Nelson as a clerk. Retired in Vancouver in 1945 after a total of working 35 years as a clerk and bookkeeper. Died on October 21st, 1948 in Vancouver; 72 years old.

Jewish youth liberated at Buchenwald lean out the windows of

a train, as it pulls away from the station.

The train, which has been marked with the phrase 'Hilter

kapout [sic]' [Hitler is finished], will transport the

children to an OSE (Oeuvre de Secours aux Enfants) home in

Ecouis, France.

Robert Waisman (born Romek Wajsman) is the son of Rywka

(Gil) and Chiel Wajsman. He was born on February 2, 1930

in Skarzysko, Poland, where his father worked as a tailor.

Romek had five older siblings, Chaim, Mottel, Moishe,

Abram and Lea. The Wajsman family was forced into the

local ghetto in the fall of 1941. Romek's older brothers

were sent to work in the HASAG factory camp in Skarzysko.

Chaim obtained information about the planned liquidation

of the Skarzysko ghetto shortly before it was to occur. In

the early morning hours of the appointed day, Chaim entered

the ghetto and smuggled Romek out in the back of a truck.

Chaim managed to obtain a permit for Romek to work with

his brothers at the HASAG plant, marking aircraft shells

with the factory's initials. With the advance of the Red

Army in the summer of 1944, the HASAG camp was closed, and

Romek was sent to dig anti-tank ditches in Przedborz.

Subsequently, he was transfered to the HASAG camp in

Czestochowa. He remained there for several months, before

being sent to Buchenwald. Romek was liberated in

Buchenwald on April 11, 1945. Shortly afterwards,

representatives of the OSE (Oeuvre de Secours aux Enfants)

came to the camp and arranged for the transport of 430

Jewish children, Romek among them, to an OSE children's

home in Ecouis, France. Romek was transferred from Ecouis

to the OSE home at Le Vesinet, near Paris. In 1948 he and

twenty other OSE children immigrated to Canada with the

help of the Canadian Jewish Congress. Romek and his

sister, Lea, were the only members of the family to survive

the war.

The Buchenwald children were a group of approximately 1000

Jewish child survivors found by American troops when they

liberated the Buchenwald concentration camp on April 11,

1945. Most of the children were originally from Poland,

though others came from Hungary, Slovenia and Ruthenia.

Unsure of what to do with the child survivors, American

army chaplains, Rabbi Herschel Schacter and Rabbi Robert

Marcus, contacted the offices of the OSE (Oeuvre de Secours

aux Enfants), the Jewish children's relief organization in

Geneva. They arranged to send 427 of the children to

France, 280 to Switzerland and 250 to England. [Vivette

Samuels reverses the figures for England and Switzerland in

her monograph, 'Sauver les Enfants.'] On June 2, 1945 OSE

representatives arrived in Buchenwald, and together with

Rabbi Marcus escorted the transport of children to France.

Rabbi Schacter accompanied the second transport to

Switzerland. Because of the difficulty in finding clothing

for the children, the boys were clad in Hitler Youth

uniforms. This created a problem, for when the train

crossed into France, it was greeted by an angry populace

who assumed the train was carrying Nazi youth. Thereafter

the words 'KZ Buchenwald orphans' were painted on the

outside of the train to avoid confusion. On June 6, 1945

the French transport arrived at the Andelys station and the

orphans were taken to a children's home in Ecouis (Eure).

The home had been set up to accommodate young children,

but in fact only 30 of the boys were below the age of 13.

This was only one of the many problems faced by the OSE

personnel, who were not prepared to handle a large group of

demanding, rebellious teenagers who were full of anger for

what they had experienced. At Ecouis the boys were given

medical care, counseling and schooling until more permanent

accommodations could be found. Most of the children

remained only four to eight weeks at Ecouis before being

moved elsewhere, and the home was closed in August 1945.

Among the first to leave were a group of 173 children who

had family in Palestine. They were given immigration

certificates and departed from Marseilles in July aboard

the British vessel, the RMS Mataroa. The remaining boys at

Ecouis were soon transferred to other residences and homes.

Some of the older ones were sent to the Foyer d'Etudiants

located on the rue Rollin in Paris, where they boarded

while attending vocational training courses or working at

jobs in the city. Others were sent to the Chateau de

Boucicaut home in Fontenay-aux-Roses (Hauts-de-Seine).

Many of the boys came from religiously observant homes.

Since the OSE could not obtain kosher food for everyone,

they divided the children into religious and non-religious

groups. Dr. Charly Merzbach offered OSE the use of his

estate, the Chateau d'Ambloy (Loir-et-Cher) for the summer,

and between 90 and 100 boys chose to go there in order to

receive kosher food and live in a religious environment.

In October 1945 the children and staff of Ambloy were

relocated to the Chateau de Vaucelles in Taverny (Val

d'Oise). About 50 of the non-religious boys were taken to

the Villa Concordiale in Le Vesinet (Yvelines) near Paris

that housed an equal number of French Jewish orphans. In

the summer they went to the Foyer de Champigny in

Champigny-sur-Marne (Val-de-Marne). In all the homes

attended by the Buchenwald children vocational training as

well as regular classroom instruction was offered. At the

same time OSE social workers made every effort to locate

surviving relatives, succeeding in about half the cases.

By the end of 1948 all of the Buchenwald children who had

come to France had left the OSE fold and begun new lives

for themselves.

[Sources: Hemmendinger, Judith and Krell, Robert. 'The

Children of Buchenwald.' Gefen Publishers, 2000; Grobman,

Alex. 'Rekindling the Flame.' Wayne State University Press,

1993; Hazan, Katy, 'Chronologie de l'histoire de l'OSE

L'action de l'OSE apres la guerre.'

(31 December 2002).]

Photo Credit: United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, courtesy of Robert

Waisman

Date: Jun 1945

Private John Statham Goulding

Regimental Number: 77324

Born November 20th, 1889 in Leicestershire, England. He immigrated to Canada with his family in 1901. Lived in Nelson at the foot of Front Street, and worked as a cook. Left Nelson with the 2nd Contingent and enlisted with the 30th Battalion in Victoria on November 9th, 1914. Transferred to the 16th Battalion in February, 1915. Fought during the battle of Festubert and received a gunshot wound to his left thigh. He was carried to safety by his brother, Joseph Eli. While in the hospital, he was transferred to the 30th Reserve Battalion, the 43rd Battalion, and the 17th Battalion. Discharged on May 13th, 1916 by reason of being medically unfit, and was invalided back home to Canada. Left service with difficulty walking due to muscular atrophy in his left leg. Returned to Nelson and lived at 1614 Stanley Street, while working as a clerk at the Land Registry Office. Married his first wife, Ethel Annie Deacon, in Nelson on August 23rd, 1916. After Ethel Annie Goulding’s death in 1919, he lived for some time in Slocan City circa 1921. He was married again to Flora Victoria McCloud. He lived for some years in Victoria while working as a florist. Died on May 20th, 1983 in Victoria/Saanich; 93 years old.