For Immediate Release
 
BRACEBRIDGE,  ONTARIO – November 17th  , 2016 –  Almost 300 trans and gender-diverse people were reported murdered in the last year around the world.
 
November 14th  to 20th is recognized as Trans Awareness Week. It is a week to help raise the visibility of transgender and gender-diverse people and address the issues these communities face.
 
Muskoka Pride invites the community to  participate in recognizing the International Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDoR) this Sunday, November 20th at Bracebridge United Church (46 Dominion St.) at 6pm.  The event both celebrates the diversity of transgender life and honours those who have lost their lives in the past year.
 
The event will include a screening of the film “Transgender Life in Slovenia” (2016) with filmmaker Michelle Emson, who will be doing a Q&A after the screening.  Muskoka Pride screened her previous film “Pride of Ukraine” during the 2015 Muskoka Pride Festival.
 
For Emson the Trans Day of Remembrance is especially significant, as she came out as transgender in 2011.  She says, “If we can come to accept our own uniqueness, then perhaps we could come to respect and accept the uniqueness of others." She is an LGBTQ Human Rights advocate and has given many presentations on the subject.  This month she was a presenter at the Muskoka Pride Conference.
 
The local TDoR event will include reading the names of the 295 trans and gender-diverse people who were victims of transphobic violence between October 1st 2015 and September 30th 2016.  We will be joined by singer-songwriter  Angie Nussey and Cree performance artist Veronica Johnny.
 
Since 2008 (when records started being kept) a total of 2,264 deaths have been reported worldwide in 68 countries.
 
For further information on this and other Muskoka Pride events, go to www.muskokapride.com or visit the Muskoka Pride Facebook Page www.facebook.com/muskokapride

• Opening space with Veronica Johnny -  Cree artist, performer, and speaker
  
• Screening of trans filmmaker Michelle Emson's latest film "Transgender Life in Slovenia"
  
• Performance by Angie Nussey - nominated SOCAN Songwriter of the Year for her album "Still Hope"
  
• Group Reading of the 2016 TDoR list
  
• Social and newtorking

Sunday November 20th - Bracebridge United Church (46 Dominion Street) 6pm-8pm
Trans Day of Remembrance Muskoka Pride Event

For Immediate Release
MUSKOKA PRIDE CONFERENCE THIS THURSDAY IN GRAVENHURST
 
GRAVENHURST,  ONTARIO – November 1st , 2016 –  Muskoka Pride invites the community to attend the 4th annual Muskoka Pride Conference on November 3rd  at the Gravenhurst Marriott.
 
With the theme of “Defining Diversity” the conference looks at issues concerning the lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and queer (LGBTQ) community of Muskoka.
 
The 2016 Muskoka Pride Conference features presenters from Toronto, Barrie, and Muskoka. The conference reflects the supportive network of LGBTQ agencies and organizations across the province.
 
The conference begins with a session presented by Veronica Johnny, from Toronto. She will be sharing her personal journey as a Two Spirit (2S) identified person.   Dale Boyle, from the Gilbert Centre in Barrie, will present on “How to be an Ally”.
 
Muskoka Pride board member Lennox LePage presents a workshop on Politics and Human Rights in the broader LGBTQ community.  Muskoka Pride chairperson Heather Hay will present a workshop on Elder Abuse and LGBTQ Seniors.
 
For Heather Hay, the conference fills an important need in the community.  “This is an opportunity for service providers and members of the LGBTQ community to exchange ideas and information to build an inclusive community.”

Hay stressed the importance of visibility and the opportunity to discuss LGBTQ issues in Muskoka. “Many members of our community are isolated, LGBTQ youth face a higher risk of homelessness and suicide and seniors struggle with access to informed care providers. We particularly want members of the LGBTQ community to be present so that their voice and concerns can be heard.”
 
Interested community members can register for the conference online at the website:  http://www.muskokapride.com/conference-2016.html  The cost is $30, with scholarships available.  Muskoka Pride wishes to thank the OPSEU Rainbow Alliance for its financial support.
 
For further information about all Muskoka Pride events, go to www.muskokapride.com or visit the Muskoka Pride Facebook Page www.facebook.com/muskokapride