Q News

Queer Hall of Fame tells a Story of Bullying.

Today is Feb 23, 2011 – almost two full months into the year gone, before we know it we’ll be golfing in the sun at the beautiful University Golf club for the TEE OFF to Fight Bullying golf tournament.  If all goes well, we will raise some decent money for charity and most importantly: help to eradicate bullying and raise some more awareness.

I’d like to share my own bullying story with you.

I grew up in Edmonton Alberta Canada and I was bullied horribly.  Daily harassment, assaults both verbal and physical, and the thoughts of suicide that went with it all were routine for me at an early age.  I just have to look at the poetry I wrote back in those days to have a really clear picture of how I felt every day. 

You see my bully started in on me in grade 5 and he didn’t stop until high school and even then I had to put up with it from time to time.  My coping mechanism for being bullied?  Well hanging out with the bad kids was one… smoke cigarettes, pot, drink, etc.  It made sense;  If I was bad enough the bullying would stop… wrong.  The bullying slowed down because I had friends that would defend me sure, but I was ruining the exact thing I was attempting to safeguard.

I never took my life, but that bully took something from me – my self-pride, my confidence, my youth.

I look back now, and I think about all the people that could have helped me.  The people that knew what was going on and stood on the sidelines.  My stepfather told me to “man up”, my teachers, the school principle, and others they ignored it, or told me to stop whining.  (I leave my mom out of it, because she was always, and still is, my guardian angel – her love is the reason I survived.  My brother is the reason the bullying eventually stopped, because eventually I told him about it, and he and his friends were tougher than the bully.)

I went to Catholic school, I was not out, but even today the Catholic system tells us that being gay is bad.  They recently banned GSA’s in Ontario.  So if they are not protecting our youth today… 20 years ago?  Forget it.

Bullying, as I see it is an issue for more than just the victim, it is an issue for all of society.  Bullies rarely find themselves in a position where they are contributing to society in a healthy way.  I only have to look to my own personal experience growing up to find a perfect example.

My bully ended up in jail, more than once, for assaulting people.  He became a criminal, and for many years I honestly felt that he deserved all he got.  Maybe he does BUT he ended up taking away from society, and I feel sorry for him.  His story makes me sad, because if the truth be told he too is a victim.  It might have been my bully’s behavior that was the issue, but he learned that behavior from somewhere, and let’s face it… the adults around us either ignored it, or were powerless to stop it. 

As wrong as some of you may think this next statement is… I believe that my bully was as much a victim as I was.  I am lucky – very lucky.  I became a productive member of society with a loving family, friends and a career.  I found my way out of the cycle.  My bully didn’t.

There are still too many bullies in our world, and they are everywhere.  Being LGBTT2QQ does not mean you are not a bully, it just makes you a bully who is LGBTT2QQ.  It’s bad enough we have to worry about bullies outside of our community, but from our own community?  I have even seen people from our own charities and groups bully people or organizations to get what they want for their own interests.  I have seen people bully our seniors, our youth, our disabled, the two spirited people, asians, blacks, etc etc etc. 

IT HAS TO STOP. 

If we are not safe in our own community, then we will never be safe anywhere.  As Joan-E said while acecpting her induction to the Hall of Fame.  “United we stand, divided they’ll pick us off one by one.”  So why do we pick each other off?

I encourage everyone to come out and golf on the 24th of June, help us to stop the cycle of bullying.  We have that power, united, we can stop the cycle.

Written by:

Paul Therien, Chairman and Founder, The Q Hall of Fame Canada

Queer Hall of Fame partners with North American OutGames

February 18, 2011 – For Immediate Release

The Q Hall of Fame Canada has announced they are entering into a partnership agreement with the North American OutGames and the Human Rights Conference. Here is a recap of a recent discussion with Paul Therien, Chairman and Founder of the Queer Hall of Fame Canada.

“This is a milestone for the Q Hall of Fame which allows us to reach a broader audience and better get the word out about the inductees and their outstanding achievements” Said Paul Therien, Chairman of the Hall of Fame.

When asked to clarify if it is the Queer Hall of Fame or Q Hall of Fame “It is technically called the Q Hall of Fame Canada, but media and the community have called us the Queer Hall of Fame, which is also correct given that the Q does stand for Queer. Either works, the important part is the people we honour, and the community work that we hope to accomplish.”

The Q Hall of Fame Canada was founded in 2009 with the inaugural event “Q Ball” where five outstanding Canadians were inducted for their decades long efforts to fight for the equality of the LGBTQ Community. Inaugural inductees were: ted northe for 50 years, Pierre Eliott Trudeau 40 years, Janine Fuller 30 years, Mark Tewksbury 20 years, and Robert Kaiser 10 years.

When asked about the happening at the Hall of Fame since 2009 Therien responded “We have been busy, there is no question. Our mandate in 2010 was to launch www.qhalloffame.ca, the public nomination process, create the scholarship program, and create partnerships with other non-profits and charitable groups in Canada. We are very happy to say that we have accomplished these goals, and much more.”

2011 is an exciting year for the Queer Hall of Fame Canada. On June 24, 2011 is the “Tee Off to fight bullying” golf tournament where funds will be raised to support the Q Scholarship Program designed to help youth with university who are involved in combating bullying in School, Sport and Life. Funds are also being raised for SOLOS, the Safe Online Outreach Society, to help them better prepare our youth, parents and educators in understanding what cyber harassment, bullying, and predatory behavior are and how to best protect against them.

The golf tournament is closely followed by the UNITE Symposium being held July 29 and 30th during the OutGames and as part of the Human Rights Conference. Asked about UNITE and what it is about Therien explained “In Canada we have a unique piece of legislation called the Hate Crimes Legislation, and because it is unique we are really breaking new ground.”

UNITE aims to bring together four key groups: The Legislators, Judiciary, Law Enforcement and Community to create dialogue and understanding about what the legislation means and what its impact is for Canadians. “This is a first, I have not been able to find an instance where anyone has attempted to bring together these four groups to create dialogue. It is exciting and we are very proud to be the organization spear-heading this wonderful initiative.”

Q Ball, The induction celebration for the Queer Hall of Fame Canada, is slated to happen on July 30, 2011 at the beautiful Sheraton Wall Centre in Vancouver. Held the day before the pride parade, and at the end of the OutGames, Q Ball is the only Black Tie Gala being held over the week long celebration.

“In 2009 our ticket cost was $150.00 and we heard from the community that it was too expensive, and so we made a commitment to make it more affordable, and that is what we have done. Tickets are a very reasonable $90.00 if purchased by June 01, and only $100.00 if Purchased afterwards.”

For $90.00 (or $100.00 if purchased late) guests will enjoy an evening of glamour as ten individuals and one organization are inducted into the Hall of Fame. Ticket cost gets you a full three course meal, great entertainment, dancing, and a celebration of some of Canada’s Human Rights Hero’s.

When we asked about who the inductees were, Therien would not let the cat out of the bag just yet. He simply stated “The press release will be coming out in March.”

For more information about the Q Hall of Fame, or to purchase tickets to the Tee Off to Fight Bullying or Q Ball, Vvisit: www.qhalloffame.ca

Q Hall of Fame Participates in Human Rights Conference

UNITE!!

….in the fight against hate crimes

A first … Join us and harness the power and creativity of collaboration at this symposium

Designed to bring together the critical stakeholders who are dealing with complex and challenging issues in the battle against hate crimes, Law Makers, Law Enforcers and the Community will come together as one group to:

• discuss the issue that exist with the current state of affairs;
• identify common priorities that require a collaborative effort for a success resolution; and
• develop strategies for continued collaboration on the design, development and implementation of legislation and law enforcement practices that will create and support safe communities.

The expected outcome of this symposium is a commitment from the participants to implement the strategies they have designed for ensuring continued collaboration among the stakeholder groups.

Presented by the Q Hall of Fame

July 29^th & 30^th, 2010 at the Sheraton Wall Centre

*************************************************************************

Q BALL

July 30, 2010 at the Sheraton Wall Centre, Grand Ballroom

Join us as we induct outstanding humanitarians who have had a significant impact on the freedoms that we realize today into the Q Hall of Fame Canada.

Q Ball is a one of a kind, glamorous, black tie event that provides the venue for these amazing individuals. For the price of your ticket expect an evening filled with elegance: excellent food served at a sit-down dinner, participation in honouring the next Q Hall of Fame inductees, mingling with beautiful people and, of course… a great party with dancing and entertainment!

DON’T MISS IT!!

TICKETS $80:00

To purchase your tickets please visit the Q Ball page or Click HERE

Holiday Greetings – 2010 comes to a close.

As we see the fast approaching end of 2010 and the start of a fresh new year there was much to reflect on. In Canada and around the world there was tragedy, and triumph, as we continue to advance the movement for equality and continue to grow as a community. There are so many stories to tell, that for me to try to summarize each story here for you the reader would be impossible. I simply could not pick the top ten amazing moments of 2010 for our community, there are too many wonderful and amazing people and events that have happened.

I’m not sure if everyone knows that the CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) ran a contest to select Canada’s top ten agents of social change. I took a look at the nominees and I have to tell you, each person nominated is so very worthy, they are all incredible people. As I read the list I was in awe of them and of the amazing things that they have accomplished in one short year, never mind in their lifetimes.

One of the things that struck me however as I took a look at the list is the absence of any of our own hero’s – those tireless people who have spent their lives fighting for equality not just for LGBTT2QQ people, but for all Canadians, and indeed for all people around the world. Our community has a history spanning decades, of people who have sacrificed all to ensure that we have the freedoms that we do today as Canadians. Yet for all their sacrifice I believe that we as a community has done them a disservice, we have not adequately celebrated their achievements, nor them as individuals.

In 2009 we launched the Q Hall of Fame, and the most rewarding comment we received from the community was that this recognition program was long overdue. That we as a community had forgotten our hero’s, and had failed to recognize them for the selfless work that they had done to give us the freedoms we each enjoy today. There was much excitement in the air as we inducted our first five Canadians, each very deserving. We received international media attention and applause, in fact we were surprised at how much support (and yes criticism) we received. Move forward to 2010 and we have had a list of ten amazing nominees, all who will be inducted into the Hall of Fame in the coming months during Q Ball (the official inductee list will be released in January).

But only 15 people nominated from across Canada in 2 years, and only 15 people inducted. Surely there are many more people in Canada that are our hero’s, our pioneers, who deserve nothing less than national recognition of the sacrifices that they have made? Surely we have not so quickly forgotten our history, our hero’s?

Perhaps it is our own fault, perhaps we have not done as good a job engaging the community in the process as we could have done. So, for 2011, I make this promise: The Q Hall of Fame will do better to engage the community in the nomination process so that we can fully acknowledge, and support, our hero’s and our pioneers. So that we can better support and educate our youth on the colourful and sometimes painful history of this community.

I wish each and every member of this community a happy, healthy and safe New Year and Holiday Season. I am excited about our future, about the things to come, because I know that as a community we can achieve great things, that as a community nothing is impossible.

In service to Community

Paul Therien
Founder and Chair
Q Hall of Fame Canada