Rev. Dr. Brent Hawkes Speaks at Panel at the United Nations in Geneva - Watch the Video!
Rev. Dr. Brent Hawkes appeared as a panelist in an event that was part of the 41st Human Rights Council session at the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland on July 2, 2019.
Rev. Dr. Brent Hawkes appeared as a panelist in the “Religious Communities Affirming LGBTIQ People Around the World” event on July 2, 2019 at the 41st Human Rights Council session at the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, with the support of Global Affairs Canada.
The Human Rights Council describes the event as “Re-affirming the universality and indivisibility of Human Rights, as proclaimed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) (…) (we believe) that religious freedom/freedom of consciousness is a fundamental human right that applies to all people, including LGBTIQ people, and we claim the right to practice our faith in a way that affirms life, both for us and for others.“
Read more about the event on our Events page.
The panel went extremely well and was live-streamed on the Global Interfaith Network Facebook page. You can view the entire session in this video from the Global Interfaith Network:
https://www.facebook.com/globalinterfaithnetwork/videos/614526619032854/
L to R: Rev. Dr. Brent Hawkes of Canada, Rev. Nokuthula Dhladhla of South Africa, and Victor Madrigal-Borloz, Special UN Rapporteur on LGBTI Issues
In addition to our very own Rev. Dr. Brent Hawkes, panelists also included (in alphabetical order by family name):
Yiulia Dwi Andriyanti (Indonesia)
Rev. Nokuthula Dhladhla (South Africa)
Ankit Gupta (India)
Bochra Bel Haj Hmida (Tunisia)
Father Thomas Ninan (India)
Father Thomas Ninan of India (left), and Victor Madrigal-Borloz, Special UN Rapporteur on LGBTI Issues
Rev. Dr. Brent Hawkes also presented to staff at the Permanent Mission of Canada in Geneva on the work being done with RFF. The meeting and presentation were very well received. Some described the experience as “moving”, and “uplifting”.
Rev. Dr. Brent Hawkes met with the following people and shared his journey and the work of RFF with them:
Ambassador Stephen de Boer, Chef de Mission and Canada’s Ambassador to the World Trade Organization
Ambassador Rosemary McCarney, Canada’s Ambassador to the United Nations
Cyndy Nelson, Human Rights Team
Front L to R: Cyndy Nelson, Human Rights Team, Rev. Dr. Brent Hawkes.
Back L to R: Ambassador Stephen de Boer, Chef de Mission and Canada’s Ambassador to the World Trade Organization, and Ambassador Rosemary McCarney, Canada’s Ambassador to the United Nations
“It was so inspiring to be around such wonderful people doing such amazing work in their parts of the world,” said Rev. Dr. Brent Hawkes. “They are working for change, dialogue, connection; all the same things we are at RFF. We really found common ground to discuss the issues together, and to share strategies on how we can work together to make things better for people who have been marginalized by religions because of who they are.”
Rev. Dr. Brent Hawkes keynote address at the 2nd World LGBTQ conference for criminal justice professionals
In August of 2016, the Dutch National Police held the 1st World LGBTQ Conference for Criminal Justice Professional. The conference was well attended by members of police organizations, public prosecution services and departments of justice from 26 countries and six continents. 250 international criminal justice professionals came together to be inspired on how to proactively contribute to the betterment of human rights for LGBTQ citizens in their respective countries and organizations.
This year, Rev. Dr. Brent Hawkes gave a keynote address at the 2nd World LGBTQ Conference for Criminal Justice Professionals. Click here to listen!
Listen to Rev. Dr. Brent Hawkes keynote address at the 2nd World LGBTQ conference for criminal justice professionals
In August of 2016, the Dutch National Police held the 1st World LGBTQ Conference for Criminal Justice Professional. The conference was well attended by members of police organizations, public prosecution services and departments of justice from 26 countries and six continents. 250 international criminal justice professionals came together to be inspired on how to proactively contribute to the betterment of human rights for LGBTQ citizens in their respective countries and organizations.
This year, Rev. Dr. Brent Hawkes gave a keynote address at the 2nd World LGBTQ Conference for Criminal Justice Professionals.
Rev. Dr. Brent Hawkes giving the keynote address at the 2nd World LGBTQ conference for criminal justice professionals.
Left to right: Andy Pringle. Chair of the Toronto Police Services Board, Toronto Police Chief Mark Saunders, Rev. Dr. Brent Hawkes, conference co-chairs - RCMP lay person, Toronto Police Services LGBTQ Liaison Daniele Bottineau.
New Canada $1 Coin Commemorates 1969 Legalization of Homosexuality
The Royal Canadian Mint releases a coin celebrating decriminalization of homosexuality in 1969 and celebration of LGBTQ2S rights.
The Royal Canadian Mint released a new coin that features an LGBTI theme to commemorate the legalization of homosexuality by then-Minister of Justice, Pierre Elliott Trudeau, father of current Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau.
Rev. Dr. Brent Hawkes was the Master of Ceremonies. “I’m thrilled and honoured to be part of this. Back in 1969, nobody would ever have imagined that we would be here where we are now, releasing a widely used coin that celebrates LGBTI rights,” said Hawkes.
The new LGBTQ2S commemorative $1 coin, designed by Vancouver artist Joe Average. Photo: Royal Canadian Mint
“When you have laws hanging over your head that say when you love someone very, very much and you practise consensual sex with that other adult person you could be thrown in jail, that is significant. In 1969, the government passed a law to end that piece of the terror. And while it’s not perfect, we should not diminish the significance of that moment,” said Hawkes.
Read more at https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/loonie-lgbtq-1.5107077
See Rev. Dr. Brent Hawkes in CBC's "The Activist: Uncover: The Village"
See Rev. Brent Hawkes in a documentary about LGBTI-police relations in Toronto in the 1970s and 1980s.
Rev. Dr. Brent Hawkes appears in this documentary about the LGBTI community’s relationship with the police and the climate of fear and mistrust in the 1970s and 1980s.
Check it out here: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=639535496485540&__tn__=-UK-R
Rev. Dr. Brent Hawkes Invited to Preach at First Baptist Church
First Baptist Church in Guelph is going through a process to become affirming. Rev. Dr. Brent Hawkes was invited to speak to the congregation about his journey.
Rev. Dr. Brent Hawkes was Invited to Preach at First Baptist Church, Guelph as They Move to Becoming an Affirming Congregation
Preaching at First Baptist Church in Guelph on March 24th was an amazing experience and a real honour for me. The congregation is going through a process of deciding to become affirming. They are a theologically diverse congregation and they are very welcoming.
They gave me 40 minutes for the sermon which was a first for me. I was able to talk about my spiritual journey and the history of the LGBT movement in Canada.
The response was overwhelming. Many families who have attended First Baptist since their youth brought LGBT young people with their same sex partners. People were so proud that their church was showing this openness by having me preach. It was great having folks from MCC Toronto show up to indicate their support for the congregation, too. More Baptist congregations are exploring becoming affirming and the leadership shown by this congregation and its Pastor, Debra Nicholson-Elwell, will encourage this trend.
Find out more about First Baptist Church of Guelph here: http://fbcg.ca/
Blessings,
Rev. Dr. Brent Hawkes
Panel: Can sexual orientation and religious beliefs be reconciled?
Religions can often be interpreted in many ways, and none is a monolith. Many religious people have found interpretations that are inclusive of sexual minorities. But the battle between inclusive and exclusive continues in what is now the final frontier in gay rights.
Rev. Dr. Brent Hawkes participated in a panel on reconciling sexual orientation and religious beliefs.
In Ontario, Canada, a new curriculum for sexual and health education was released a few years ago. This curriculum had not been updated in nearly 20 years and was overdue for an overhaul. The new curriculum addressed such issues as healthy bodies, dating, sexting, cyberbullying and other things that young people today need to be aware of to stay safe. The curriculum also finally addressed what many know to be reality: that there are gay, lesbian, trans and other identities and ways of being in the world, and they belong, too.
Different religious groups have responded in diverse ways, from urging parents to take their kids out of schools until the new curriculum is repealed, to an open, outright welcome and endorsement of the curriculum.
Here’s the description of the panel:
“If you're struggling to embrace your lesbian colleague's sexual orientation for religious reasons. Or, your son comes to you and says he wants to marry a man -- and you think ‘blasphemy!’ Or, you are an LGBT person of faith but struggling, thinking your religion will not accept you. Or you're someone who believes being gay is a sin, but you do not want to discriminate.
This panel is for you! Come to dialogue, gain insight and develop understanding.
LGBT rights in Canada have come a long way since the police bathhouse raids of 1981 in Toronto. Today, gay couples can get married and have children. Their rights are enshrined in legislation and human rights codes. Toronto’s annual Pride Month attracts hundreds of thousands to the city to celebrate, show pride and stand in solidarity.
One hurdle, a large one, remains in the path to full equal rights: religious belief. To many, their culture’s interpretation of religion defines being gay as a sin. The large controversy over an updated sex-ed curriculum in Ontario in 2015 (that specifically recognized gender fluidity) demonstrated how a number of religious groups continue to be conflicted about the subject. And LGBT individuals who are religious have often suffered in attempting to reconcile these two sides of their identity.
But religions can often be interpreted in many ways, and none is a monolith. Many religious people have found interpretations that are inclusive of sexual minorities. But the battle between inclusive and exclusive continues in what is now the final frontier in gay rights.“
“I think it’s wonderful that we’re having these discussions,” said Rev. Dr. Brent Hawkes. “It’s time to help prepare young people to understand that there are many ways of being, and not just one, and that if you’re not being like that one way, then you’re fine just the way you are, exactly as God created you.”
Equitas Human Rights Annual Cocktail & Conversation
The Equitas Human Rights Annual Cocktail & Conversation featured Rita Izsák-Ndiaye, former UN Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues.
On March 6, 2019 I attended the Equitas Human Rights Annual Cocktail & Conversation at the TD Centre in Toronto. There was a conversation with Rita Izsák-Ndiaye regarding human rights education in Canada and around the world for International Women’s Day. Rita is a former UN Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues who inspired us with stories of her exceptional work in human rights education. Long-time journalist Lloyd Robertson of CTV (a Canadian television network) moderated the event.
Symposium: Confronting & Diminishing Religious-Based Homophobia
This one-day symposium, which took place right after the Parliament of the World's Religions, brought together leading organizations and individuals involved in 2SLGBTIQ human rights issues around the world.
The symposium on Confronting and Diminishing Religious Based Homophobia on November 8, 2018 was an amazing day which far exceeded my [Brent’s] hopes!
This one-day symposium, which took place right after the Parliament of the World's Religions (PWR), brought together leading organizations and individuals involved in LGBTIQ2 human rights issues around the world.
Attendees came from Canada, United States, Jamaica, Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, India, South Africa, Nigeria, Columbia and the Philippines. Among the group were the first openly gay Imam in North America, the first openly gay Orthodox Rabbi, representatives from the United Church of Canada, Metropolitan Community Churches, and Theology Professors. Five of the attendees were sponsored by RFFM to come to the PWR and our symposium. We are grateful to our sponsors, the United Church of Canada, Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto, and various individual donors.
In partnership with Egale, we spent part of the day in plenary with a group of local teachers who were on a professional development day focused on LGBTIQ2 issues in their classrooms and the education system.
The majority of the time, however, was spent in our break-out sessions, focused on the Rainbow Faith and Freedom Movement (RFFM), which I founded. The vision of RFFM is to improve the lives of LGBT+ people globally by confronting religious-based homophobia, and our mission is to work to inspire faith communities and families to be safe places for LGBT+ people by changing the hearts and minds of individuals around the world.
In our first breakout group we listened to perspectives on how we all see and experience the reality of religious-based homophobia and what is being done to address it. We spent the second breakout session in conversation about our various responses to our proposed approach and recommendations as to how we should proceed from here.
Twenty-five attendees discussed what’s going on related to religious-based homophobia, what’s working and what’s not working. The RFFM model was presented and feedback received on what they liked about the model and what suggestions they had to improve the model. Under excellent facilitation by MCC Toronto’s Jim Allen and Dietrich Heine, RFFM received phenomenal feedback which will substantially impact the planning, launch and ultimate success of RFFM.
There were many pages of feedback which need to be typed up and once that is done my assistant and I will review the notes (along with her detailed notes) and summarize the key recommendations for consideration by the Steering Committee.
A huge part of the success of the Symposium was about our partnership with Egale Canada. Egale and their staff, led by Executive Director Helen Kennedy, were all amazing. Egale led a separate track for educators across Ontario on Religion and LGBT. We closed the formal part of the day with a final plenary conversation with the teachers.
Blessings,
Rev. Dr. Brent Hawkes
#rainbowfaithandfreedom
Parliament of the World's Religions Comes to Toronto; First LGBTI Room Opened
Rev. Dr. Brent Hawkes discusses the Parliament of World’s Religions meeting in Toronto in November, 2018 and including LGBTI programming for the first time. A Rainbow Lounge was opened, and there was even a same-sex, interfaith engagement ceremony!
The Parliament of the World’s Religions meets every three years and this year, they met in Toronto from Nov 1-8th. There were 7500 delegates in attendance from 120 of the world’s religions.
When we heard that it was coming to Toronto, Doug Kerr and I [Rev Dr Brent Hawkes] thought this would be the perfect time for us to gather folks from around the world to look at the issue of religious-based homophobia and also to have an impact on the Parliament (PWR). We’ve been trying for the last few years to organize a conference on religious-based homophobia and this seemed to be the perfect time. Never in the past has the Parliament had any LGBTI content in their official program so we approached the Parliament’s head office in Chicago and expressed that it was time to include some LGBTI content since their theme for this Parliament was Love and Inclusion.
We received an enthusiastic response! They asked us to submit names for speakers and suggestions for workshops and panels. We got the word out to other LGBT organizations and, as a result, the PWR accepted 19 workshops with LGBTI-supportive content to be included in the official program.
PWR also contacted us to offer a free hospitality space for the duration of the conference! It became the Rainbow Lounge and was decorated with large panels depicting LGBTI couples and some photos of members of the local LGBTI Mosque. We opened the Lounge with a special reception on Nov 1st to a full room. It was an electric atmosphere as we made history with the first ever PWR LGBTI event!
As the week progressed, many of the LGBT workshops/panels were held in the Lounge. There was a constant flow of conference delegates dropping in to talk about coming out, having LGBTI children, how to influence their faiths to be more LGBTI-positive, etc etc.
Rev Pat Bumgardner from MCC New York and Rev Jim Merritt from MCC in Florida spent their whole conference in the lounge with me greeting the people who dropped by. My husband John made 300 rainbow ribbons for people to wear and they were all taken and worn.
The panels we organized included:
“Creating a Different Future:Building Faith Communities Inclusive of LGBTIQ2 People- from Muslim and Christian Perspectives”
“Sacred Knowledge: Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity in Sacred Texts and Other Teachings”
“The Global Inter-Faith Movement for Human Rights of LGBTI People”
I handed out brochures describing my international human rights initiative “the Rainbow Faith and Freedom Movement” (RFFM) and collected 70 names and emails from people across the globe interested in learning more about RFFM.
On the Sunday of the Parliament a minister from the Unity Movement came to me and said that a young couple wanted to use the Rainbow Lounge to celebrate an Engagement Ceremony. Would that be ok? We responded that certainly we’d be honoured to have it in the Lounge! On Monday the ceremony occurred and it was very moving. For the rest of the Parliament this young gay couple walked around the conference site proudly holding hands! They made conference history that day for sure!
At the end of a busy week we recognized and celebrated the great beginning that this PWR represented and we pledged to build on this foundation for an even better PWR in three years time. Many folks signed up to help plan the LGBTI content for the next one.
I can’t express enough how exciting it was to be part of this historic event! To meet spiritual activists from all over the world from many different faiths, and to see this potentially transformational entry into the Parliament was truly amazing.
At the official closing of the Parliament, the chair of the Board of Trustees of the Parliament displayed the pictures of the Engagement Ceremony and said that this was an example of the success of the Parliament, and indicated his support for LGBTI inclusion in front of 7500 delegates. For many in the room, this was a clear signal that the time had come to seriously look at being more inclusive of LGBTI people.
As a side event I hosted a dinner for 10 people from RFFM, the Global Justice Institute and the Global Interfaith Network out of South Africa so that our three organizations could talk about what makes each of the organizations unique and how we might work together. It was a great start for an exciting cooperative relationship.
Blessings,
Rev. Dr. Brent Hawkes
#parliamentofworldreligions2018
The Changing Face of Christianity: Global Affairs Canada, Office of Inclusion and Religious Freedom
Rev. Dr. Brent Hawkes speaks at a panel about the changing face of Christianity around the world, held at the Office of Inclusion and Religious Freedom at Global Affairs Canada in Ottawa.
Rev. Dr. Brent Hawkes participated in a panel for the Office of Inclusion and Religious Freedom at Global Affairs Canada (GAC), equivalent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in other countries. The panel was called “The Changing Face of Christianity,” was moderated by Director-General Shelley Whiting, and had four speakers:
Dr. Brian Butcher (Assistant Professor, Faculty of Theology, Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky Institute of Eastern Christian Studies, University of Toronto Scholar of Theology, Eastern Christian Studies, and Middle East Studies). He gave an overview of what’s going on in Canada and around the world regarding Christianity.
Ms. Marie-Claude Lalonde (National Director, Aid to the Church in Need - International Pastoral Aid Organization of the Catholic Church, offering financial support to more than 5,000 projects worldwide annually. Publishes a yearly report on the Freedom of Religion in the world.) She spoke about the Roman Catholic initiatives around the world for helping people in need and the church where persecuted.
Rev. Dr. Hawkes was the third speaker and spoke about:
The increasing inclusion of the LGBTI community in the Christian church in parts of the world;
The ongoing marginalization, discrimination and even persecution of the LGBTI community by the Christian church in other parts of the world;
The future role for LGBTI Christians in their Church communities.
The Reverend Cannon Laurette Glasgow (Anglican Church of Canada’s Special Advisor for Government Relations Former Canadian ambassador to Belgium and Luxembourg, former Consul General in Monaco). She spoke about Christianity and the lack of inclusion around women.
“It was a great opportunity to talk to people at Global Affairs Canada about the role of religion, both positive and negative, in the experience of LGBTI people in particular, and how it shapes the societies we all live in,” said Rev. Dr. Brent Hawkes. “They [GAC] are doing a series for the GAC staff in Ottawa which was also broadcast more widely to GAC staff around the world. This was a religious literacy series helping their staff to know more about what’s going on in Canada and around the world regarding various religions. They have already had panels on Islam, Aboriginal Spirituality and no faith background.”
“I think it’s a wonderful initiative that will yield good results for everyone that GAC works with,” said Hawkes.
Interview with Justin from "Queer From the Couch": Religious-based homophobia, Rainbow Faith & Freedom
Justin from Queer From the Couch talks to Rev Dr Brent Hawkes on international LGBTQ human rights, confronting and diminishing religious based homophobia and Rainbow Faith and Freedom.
“Queer From the Couch”, a popular vlog on YouTube about queer issues by The Queer Network, featured Rev. Dr. Brent Hawkes on their show.
Hosted by Justin, the pair talked about confronting and diminishing religious-based homophobia and how Rainbow Faith & Freedom will address it.
Watch the full video here:
