2013-06-16

The big chance to show your Trans Pride: Toronto Trans Rally and March: Friday, June 28

As we race into late June, it's Pride season again in Toronto.  And this year, there's a very special event.  On Friday, June 28, the Toronto Trans March will see thousands of Trans people, families, and allies marching legally down Yonge Street.  Come be part of this historic event!  This year, the Trans March has been organized by a grassroots committee of the Trans community, including several Xpressions members, and Xpressions is a sponsor.  We want to make this the biggest Trans March ever, to demonstrate the strength and love of the Trans Community to Toronto Pride, the city, and everyone.  Next year, World Pride is in Toronto, and this year's march is an important step towards getting a meaningful role for the Trans community in World Pride

So we're looking for every Xpressions and Gender Mosaic member, and SO possible to come and march with us, under the Xpressions Banner and Trans Flags!  Please also invite your friends, allies, and families. The colour of the march is lavender (combination of masculine blue, and feminine pink), so please wear lots of purple!  If you don't yet feel comfortable marching dressed, please consider marching with us en drab as an ally.  And if you can't march, do come and wave us off, and meet us in Allan Gardens as we arrive.  The March is fully accessible and we're ready to help those with accessibility or mobility problems.  The March is also fully legal (covered by permits and notices of demonstration), and will be accompanied by trained and experienced marshalls, and by the police.

The March will be preceded by a Trans Rally organized by Toronto Pride. We'll meet nearby for a drink first, head to the Rally to hear some community speakers, and then marshall for a 8 pm March Kickoff.  After the March, we'll have an after-party for Xpressions and Gender Mosaic members.

For further information see the Trans March website or the Trans March Facebook page (and don't forget to join), or contact Stephanie Woolley but key details of Friday are below:

• 5 pm: Xpressions and Gender Mosaic pre-March drink - location TBD
•  6:30 pm: Trans Rally - Norman Jewison Parkette, just east of Yonge between Gloucester and Isabella
•  7:30 pm: Assemble for the Trans March - George Hislop Parkette (just north of Norman Jewison Parkette, between Charles and Isabella)
•  8 pm Trans March - George Hislop Parkette->Charles St->Yonge St->south on Yonge St->Carlton Ave->east to Allan Gardens
•  9:30 pm Xpressions and Gender Mosaic afterparty - location TBD, free finger food!

More Trans March information:

• theme song: All You Need is Love
• colour: Lavender
• theme: Celebration, Commemoration, and Protest
  •  Celebrate: the first anniversary of Toby's Act (which added gender identity and gender expression to the Ontario Human Rights Code) and the progress of federal Bill C-279 which now just needs to pass third reading in the Senate.
  •  Commemorate: our honoured Trans person, Kyle Scanlon, a beloved leader and worker for the Toronto Trans community who passed away last year (http://www.the519.org/newsfeed/the519mournsthepassingofkylescanlon), and our honoured Trans group, The Fallen (the many members of our community who have fallen due to discrimination, violence, and abuse)
  •  Protest: the continued discrimination and violence against Trans people
• route map: http://goo.gl/maps/bpsu1
• posters (please give out freely): http://www.transmarchtoronto.com/useful-stuff.htm
• legal paperwork http://www.transmarchtoronto.com/useful-stuff.htm

2013-06-16

Xpressions Pride Dinner: Saturday, June 29 at Cafe California on Church St

To wrap up our Pride Celebrations after the huge Trans March on Friday, Xpressions will be having our traditional Pride Dinner at Cafe California on Church St.  Come and relive your Trans March experiences!  See the Xpressions Dinner Page for further information and registration.  Hope to see you there! 

2013-06-04

Xpressions marching in Durham Pride Parade on Sunday, June 9 - come join us!!

2013-05-23

April May Newsletter is now available

2013-05-20

May Dinner Event at the Bouncing Bomb - Registration now available!

Ladies, dinner registration for May's dinner at the fabulous Bouncing Bomb in Oakville is now available from the Xpressions Dinner page

http://xpressions.org/events/dinners.php  If you're coming, please register, and I hope to see you there

2013-05-16

Pub Night 12th June 2013

Ladies, another exciting Pub Night in June. Christine Mary Ford is giving us discussions and displays on jewellery. She makes custom jewellery and offers advice on what pieces to wear with a given outfit. It will be another interesting evening, so dressed or drab, come out and meet her.