Jer's Vision Speaks At Senate Of Canada

Jer’s Vision has been to be invited to speak on behalf of youth and LGBTQ concerns on Bill C-2

Jer’s Vision: Canada’s Youth Diversity Initiative will be speaking at the Senate of Canada at the Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs. Jer’s Vision is honoured to be speaking about the concerns of the national youth community and the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans & Queer communities in Canada.

Jer’s Vision will be discussing Bill C-2 (An Act to amend the Criminal Code...) with Senate representatives of the committee. They will be educating the committee about youth opinions of the Bill, and the need for Youth Consultation. Currently, Jer’s Vision will be the first youth organization to be consulted on this Bill. They are very concerned that considering that there are major proposed changes to legislation that affects youth; they want Senators and Parliamentarians to seek additional youth consultation.

They also hope to educate the Committee on the homophobic nature of the bill, and the importance of making changes.

Jer's Vision: Canada's Youth Diversity Initiative is Canada’s first national organization to support and encourage the work of youth to address discrimination in their schools and communities. Through grass roots initiatives and partnerships with a variety of established national and community organizations, they provide youth with the tools and the resources to promote diversity and address discrimination of all kind.

To complement their national programming and in response to requests from youth in local high schools, Jer’s Vision is proud to announce the launch of local programming for the national capital region. The programming works with high schools, post-secondary institutions and community groups/centers to address discrimination. All of these services are offered free of charge to the school or organization, and services are offered in French and English. They are a youth run organization with an adult Board Advisors.

Gay Activist to receive "ORDER OF CANADA"

REV. DR. BRENT HAWKES TO RECEIVE ORDER OF CANADA
CANADA BECOMES THE FIRST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD TO BESTOW ITS HIGHEST CIVILIAN HONOUR ON A GAY ACTIVIST

Toronto, ON – The Rev. Dr. Brent Hawkes, gay activist and senior pastor of the Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto, will be invested as a member of the Order of Canada on Friday, February 22, 2008.
The Order of Canada is Canada’s highest civilian honour. Created in 1967, the Order of Canada recognizes a lifetime of outstanding achievement, dedication to community and service to the nation. Over the last 40 years, more than 5,000 people from all sectors of society have been invested into the Order.
“To my knowledge, Rev. Dr. Hawkes, is the only person to receive their country’s highest honour in recognition of their gay activism,” said Douglas Elliott, founding president of the International Lesbian and Gay Law Association.
Rev. Dr. Hawkes has been a champion of human rights and social justice for decades, and is a leading advocate in the struggle for equality of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered persons. A man of fearless conviction, he presided over Canada's first legal wedding of a same sex couple – also the first in the world - and has continued to call for tolerance, understanding and respect for all Canadians. Rev. Dr. Hawkes has previously been honoured with the City of Toronto’s Award of Merit, the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal, the United Nations Toronto Association Global Citizen Award and the YMCA Peace Medal.
Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, will preside over the 101st Order of Canada investiture ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa, which begins at 10:30 a.m on Friday.

February Edition Now On-Line!!

February is the month for love and romance so Outlooks contains several articles about relationships and Valentine's dating. Our travel story is all about Costa Rica and the tropical paradise of Central America. Plus information regarding the new Provincial Government of Saskatchewan, reviews and Out and Abouts from New Year's Eve across Canada.

Alphabet Soup Gathering

Wednesday February 13th & Thursday February 21st
6:00 – 8:00 pm
Your chance to voice your ideas for building stronger, more resilient community supports in Calgary. Come out and express yourself.
Free coffee & snacks will be provided.
Outlink and the Miscellaneous Youth Network Present:
A gathering of anyone who feels they belong to the Trans, bisexual,
queer, two-spirited, lesbian and gay communities.
At The Alligator Pear Restaurant: 100-333 11th Avenue SW,

Details at www.miscyouth.ca