Nov 29, 2020: Coming Out as Trans in Orthodox Judaism and Advocating for Queer Seniors with Shoshana Pellman
Warning for listeners: this podcast contains descriptions of anti-Semitism, transphobia and the Holocaust.
Fierce advocate Shoshana Pellman joins Queer Devotions to discuss her experiences with being a Jewish trans woman, and her process of becoming the advocate she is today. A member of the Senior Pride Network, she works on issues facing queer seniors, in particular in healthcare facilities and Jewish institutions.
Read more about Shoshana here and listen to her on Out in the Open: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/outintheopen/ageing-1.4313239/living-in-fear-of-dementia-as-a-transgender-woman-1.4313528
Learn more about the book, Textual Activism, Shoshana mentions on the podcast: https://www.tikkun.org/book-review-textual-activism-by-rabbi-mike-moskowitz
Nov 28, 2020: Mental Health Day Land Acknowledgement with Josie Spalla
This petition can be signed to help bring attention to the lack of rights given to Mi’kmaw fisheries in Nova Scotia: https://www.change.org/p/justin-trudeau-help-nova-scotia-natives-keep-their-right-to-fish
For more information on the conflict in Nova Scotia: https://globalnews.ca/news/7403001/nova-scotia-lobster-explained/
This website outlines all the ways you can help the Mi’kmaq, as well as lists important articles, activists, and petitions: https://whoacanada.wordpress.com/2020/10/15/how-to-support-mikmaq-fishers-asserting-treaty-rights-in-nova-scotia/
Indigenous organizations in the Maritimes that you can support:
The Mi’kmaq Rights Initiative: http://mikmaqrights.com/
Reconciliation Canada:https://reconciliationcanada.ca/
First Light is located in what many call Newfoundland, and is a registered non-profit organization that serves the urban Indigenous and non-Indigenous community alike by providing programs and services rooted in the revitalization, strengthening and celebration of Indigenous cultures and languages in the spirit of trust, respect, and friendship in Atlantic Canada: https://firstlightnl.ca/
The Indigenous Women of The Wabanaki Territories (IWWT) operate in unceded Wolostoqey/Mi’kmak’ki territory of the Wolostoqey/Mi’kmaq peoples, in what many call New Brunswick. The group provides spirituality and wellness programs, as well as educational and workplace skills:https://iwwt.ca/
The Wabanaki Two Spirit Alliance works across the Wabanaki Territory (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland/Labrador, Gaspé region of Quebec, and Maine (northern areas in Passamaquoddy and Penobscot Tribal territories), to represent the emotional, spiritual, mental and physical well-being and interests of Two Spirit and Indigenous LGBTQ+ individuals: http://w2sa.ca/
Nov 28, 2020: Drag Healing: Coming Out and Coming Into Authentic Performance with Brian Cope
Brigitte speaks with performer, Brian Cope, who began his career as a cast member in the Youth Elders Project and currently stars in Drag Heals. Performing in burlesque shows and a wide variety of theatre projects, Brian’s work explores intergenerational connection, authenticity, and the resilient human spirit. In their conversation, Brian describes the challenges of his early life, and how the process of coming out enabled him to share his light with others, live true to his values, and serve as an elder to his community.
Nov 27, 2020: Decolonizing Gender with Hazim Ismail
Queer, nonbinary and Muslim anthropologist Hazim Ismail brings to Queer Devotions a wealth of knowledge on the long history of gender fluidity and colonialism’s role in imposing strict and violent definitions. In a deeply informative conversation, Brigitte speaks with Hazim about how misconceptions of the incompatibility with queerness and religion, their early teachings about gender in a Muslim context, and so much more.
Nov 27, 2020: Multi-Faith Launch Day Land Acknowledgement
For our call to action today, I want to draw our attention to Resource Movement in terms of the reparations we can be committed to. Those of us who are here as white settlers have stolen wealth, and it is our duty to make reparations for that wealth. How are you supporting mutual aid funds for Indigenous communities? How are you using your wealth - whether that be social capital or financial capital - to decenter your voice and put material benefits towards folks on the ground? I am asking these questions as much to myself as I am to you.
Nov 26, 2020: Catholics in Recovery with leZlie lee kam and Lila Pine
In this episode, Brigitte speaks with facilitator and storyteller, leZlie lee kam, and academic and artist, Lila Pine, two elders and dear friends who came to know each other through a performance in the Youth Elders Project at Buddies in Bad Times in Toronto. Describing their shared experiences of being schooled in Catholic institutions and the violent colonialism enacted upon both of their communities, leZlie and Lila reflect on their dual processes of reclaiming spirituality and rejecting the shame of institutionalized Catholicism.
In leZlie's words: "I am a world majority, brown, trini, Carib, Indo, Chinese, callaloo, differently-abled, queer DYKE elder/senior..67 years young.. I live my life from an anti-oppression, anti-racism, anti-colonial, intersectional and inter-generational perspective..I advocate for 2 Spirit, Indigenous, black and brown queer and transgender people AND Queer Seniors.. I enjoy doubles, dancing, dim sum, a cold beverage and a hot “lime “ anytime.. My EXISTENCE is my RESISTANCE!"
Lila Pine is a New Media artist and Indigenous thinker. She is the Director of Saagajiwe, FCAD’s Indigenous Communication and Design network, whose mission is to facilitate the creation and dissemination of Indigenous thought and ways of knowing and doing at Ryerson University and in the larger Indigenous community in Toronto.
Lila is the Principle Investigator of Imag(in)ing Indigeneity in Language, a SSHRC funded program of research creation. Through the visualization of sound, Imag(in)ing Indigeneity in Language seeks to develop a way of “seeing” language in order to identify distinct qualities in the speaking of different languages. It employs digital art creation as a scholarly research tool and it engages Indigenous research methods to shift perceptions around the relationship of language to worldviews and ecological concerns.
Lila is also collaborating with Buffy Sainte-Marie on a project called Creative Native: Youth Mentorship in the Arts Initiative. The Creative Native Project will bring touring multi-arts festivals to First Nations communities across Canada. Beginning in Ontario the festival will showcase local and professional Indigenous entertainers and artists of all kinds, while building a corps of local Indigenous youth who will take leadership positions in doable jobs and then mentor their peers at subsequent community events.
Lila teaches Indigenous Media and New Media courses. She received her MFA from York University in Toronto and PhD from the European Graduate School. In 2011, she defended her dissertation, entitled Memory Matters: Touching the Untouchable, which theorizes oral, literate and “electrate” cultures, as well as the divergence and convergence of Indigenous and Eurocentric ways of knowing. Dr. Pine graduated Magna Cum Laude.
Nov 26, 2020: Seniors Day Land Acknowledgement with leZlie lee kam
On our Seniors Day land acknowledgement, leZlie lee kam speaks to the land that is now to referred to as Toronto and Ontario.
"I am a world majority, brown, trini, Carib, Indo, Chinese, callaloo, differently-abled, queer DYKE elder/senior...67 years young..
I live my life from an anti-oppression, anti-racism, anti-colonial, intersectional and
inter-generational perspective..I advocate for 2 Spirit, Indigenous, black and brown queer and transgender people AND Queer Seniors..
I enjoy doubles, dancing, dim sum, a cold beverage and a hot “lime “ anytime..
My EXISTENCE is my RESISTANCE!"
Nov 25, 2020: Queering the Talk: Queer Pedagogies with Hannah Maitland
How do we hold conversations about what it means to be both LGBTQ2S+ and religious or spiritual? How do we learn to frame discussions of gender, sexuality and faith in effective ways? Brigitte interviews Hannah Maitland, a PhD student at York University, who has led a successful series on queer pedagogies with her colleagues, identifying key tools to bring into your next discussion.
Haven't yet registered yet? Go to this link and get your free ticket: https://rff.salsalabs.org/faithincrisis/index.html.
Like us on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/rainbowfaithandfreedom.
Learn more on our website: https://www.rainbowfaithandfreedom.org/
Nov 25, 2020: Youth Day Land Acknowledgement with Diana Probivaniets
Warning to listeners: this podcast includes description of suicide and racism.
On our Youth Day land acknowledgement, Diana Pobivanets, an RFF Researcher, speaks to the land that is now to referred to as Alberta and Saskatchewan.
1. Article - https://www.nationalobserver.com/2020/07/04/news/walk-pile-bones
2. Saskatchewan Aboriginal Women's Circle Corporation (SAWCC) - https://sawcc-nwac.ca/
3. Manitoba Moon Voices - https://www.manitobamoonvoices.com/
4. Two- Spirited People of Manitoba - https://twospiritmanitoba.ca/
Why Diana is a Part of RFF:
"It's important for people to have meaningful connections and have access to a strong support system, even in the best of times. At a time when folks ache for a sense of community the most, the Multi-Faith-Based Resources Pillar is an invaluable project. We are creating an inclusive and welcoming virtual space where people can engage in conversation, ask important questions and find like-minded communities. In a time of uncertainty and isolation, having access to affirming and engaging resources is vital and I am grateful to be part of a team that makes this possible."
Nov 24, 2020: Reclaiming the Role of Two-Spirit People in Society with Chevi Rabbit
Note to listeners: this podcast includes description of sexual assault, racism and gender based violence. Queer Devotions host, Brigitte Pawliw-Fry, speaks with advocate Chevi Rabbit, an activist known for leading anti-transphobia efforts in Edmonton and the wider province of Alberta. In the course of the conversation, Chevi reflects on her earlier experiences with religion and spirituality, the process of rejecting the colonized learnings of misogyny and patriarchy within her own community, and the long role of Two-Spirit people in Indigenous societies.
Haven't yet registered yet? Go to this link and get your free ticket: https://rff.salsalabs.org/faithincrisis/index.html.
Like us on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/rainbowfaithandfreedom.
Learn more on our website: https://www.rainbowfaithandfreedom.org/