Posted by Wayves Volunteer 31/10/2013
From the NSRAP Board of Directors
The Nova Scotia Rainbow Action Project hopes that we will see you at our annual fundraising gala this Saturday, November 2 at 6 p.m. at the Atlantica Hotel (1980 Robie Street, Halifax). We have had a year of success, worthy of celebrating and we hope you are able to join us.
In the last year, we successfully lobbied the government for Bill 140 to protect gender identity and gender expression in human rights. We have been involved in a number of projects and campaigns pushing for better healthcare for all members of the LGBTQ communities of our province. We continue to hold events to educate and inform our community members and partners of our issues such as HIV stigma, our history, homophobia, transphobia, and more.
Earlier this year, we got a commitment from the Minister of Health & Wellness that the government would move forward on sex reassignment surgeries (SRS). During the election, Stephen McNeil signed a pledge to honour that promise and continue moving forward on SRS. You can watch a slideshow of some of our highlights between July 2012 and June 2013 on YouTube.
As you may know, membership is free so that we can be accessible to all (though donations are more than welcome!) so this is our major fundraiser. As a small, volunteer-run non-profit organization, our gala accounts for over 70% of our operating budget. To ensure equality for all Nova Scotians, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, we need all the help we can get.
Our theme this year, "We're Here! We're Queer!! Celebrating the Past & Future of LGBTQ Activism in Nova Scotia." We are pleased to highlight that activism with the recipients of four awards for this year's gala:
-
The Rev. Darlene Young Community Hero Award will be presented to the Valley Youth Project for significantly advanced LGBTQ causes.
-
The Raymond Taavel Media Award will be shared by CBC Radio One's Mainstreet and Maritime Magazine for representing our community fairly and respectfully.
-
The Turret Stewardship Award honours the AIDS Coalition of Cape Breton for their exemplary leadership in equity for LGBTQ Nova Scotians.
-
The Rising Star Award (new this year!) will go to Rad Pride Halifax to honour new organizations and young activists and to encourage their continued involvement in their communities.
Our entertainment for the evening is sure to please with hostess Miss Eureka Love who will be joined by C. Leah Cruise and Elle Noir to perform queer anthems past. Our keynote speaker will be Gerald Hannon, founding member of The Body Politic and longtime journalist/activist/educator. Following the gala, we will be holding a dance party with music by Halifax's hottest queer dance party group, Heavy Petting. There will also be a silent auction with lots of fabulous items.
Tickets for the full gala are $125 and you can purchase tickets at our Web site (corporate sponsorship packages are also available). We also welcome you to attend our dance party, "We're Here, We're Queer: Let's Dance!" starting at 10:30 p.m.The cost is $10/person, payable at the door.
The day after our Gala, we have teamed with Solidarity Halifax to present a free community discussion with Gerald Hannon. The event will be at 2:30 p.m. at the Company House in Halifax (2202 Gottingen Street). While this event is free, donations to the Support Scott Jones Foundation are welcome.
Thank you for all the support you've given us and each other over the past year. We look forward to continuing to progress toward a time when equality for all comes without question. Until then, we will continue to be activists and advocates for our diverse LGBTQ communities.
The Nova Scotia Rainbow Action Project Board of Directors
Editor's Note: NSRAP has been Nova Scotia's leading LGBTQ rights and community development organization for nearly 20 years. You can learn more about them here.
