SCOTT BRISON BREAKS THE SILENCE IN SASKATOON

SCOTT BRISON BREAKS THE SILENCE IN SASKATOON
MP KEYNOTE SPEAKER AT ANNUAL JUSTICE CONFERENCE

The Goodspeed Lecture Theatre on the U of S campus was buzzing with excitement as the lights dimmed to open the thirteenth annual Breaking the Silence conference Friday evening March 5.  Darren Hill, Saskatoon City Council, brought greetings from City Hall and was followed by Don Cochrane, College of Education, CEO of the conference board, who presented the first Peter Corren Award for Outstanding Achievement to longtime gay rights activist Gens Hellquist. Gens was followed by a recorded message from Svend Robinson in Geneva Switzerland, a good friend of keynote speaker, Member of Parliament Scott Brison, who was introduced by Dr. Richard Florizone, VP Finance and Resources, University of Saskatchewan.  The enthusiasm kept building.

And then the dam burst with salvos of applause as Scott Brison walked down the aisle, shaking hands and warming hearts, to take the podium and address an enthusiastic audience on courage, integrity, and authenticity in public leadership.

The conference received strong support from several community organizations. Integrity Saskatoon took part through the participation of John Irwin and Jim Komar on the organizing committee (see photo at right with Scott Brison), through a resource booth, and through the participation of members. St. James' Anglican, Grosvenor Park United, and St. Thomas-Wesley United were represented.  Also represented were PFLAG Saskatoon, the Rainbow Coalition of the New Democratic Party, the City of Saskatoon, and the University of Saskatchewan.

Marnie Deighton (Grosvenor Park Affirm) and Kay Williams (PFLAG) with organizers Don Cochrane, and Anthony Santoro.  

RESOURCE BOOTHS were provided by Saskatchewan NDP Rainbow Pride, PFAG Canada, Saskatoon Public Library, and Integrity/Saskatoon.

                               

                                                            
                        

During the 'Good News' session several people spoke of developments. HyeRan Kim-Cragg, faculty at St. Andrew's College, who coordinated the efforts of Affirm United with those of Integrity/Saskatoon to celebrate the first ecumenical worship service for LGBTT people and their friends at the College on 3 December 2009, also spoke. At Breaking the Silence, Kim addressed the conference on (1) the importance of including social justice in theological education, and (2) what St.  Andrew's is doing to support LGBTT justice.







After refreshments and social times Saturday morning a presentation on Camp Firefly Saskatchewan 2010, a volunteer-based, summer leadership retreat for sexual minority and gender variant (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans-identified, two-spirited, intersexed, queer, questioning) and allied youth, was made by camp leader Anthony Santoro and James McNinch. (SEE: www.usask.ca/education/fyrefly )

A panel discussion took place on Courage, Integrity, and Authenticity in Public Leadership with presenters talking about their experiences living and promoting sexual diversity in school, community, church and as youth. 

Wayne Clements (Elementary school vice-principal); Camp fYrefly Student Erica McFadden; Rev. Shawn Sanford-Beck; Pat Atkinson (MLA, Saskatoon Nutana). Moderator: Margi Corbett at lectern.

Constable Hal Lam (Cultural Resource Officer), Saskatoon Police Service, explored how to recognize, deal with, and report hate and bias crimes.

After the provided lunch, two afternoon sessions gave participants the options of taking in 2 of 4 presentations:

(1) Mona Holmlund, Women Together Women Together (Philadelphia: Running Press, 1999). Facilitator: Kris Wall
(2) Cindie Neudorf, RespectED Trainer, Beyond the Hurt Workshop. Facilitator: Don Cochrane

(3) Sheelah McLean, Sexy You!(th): 'Buying in' to Raunch Culture. Facilitator: Jen Green

(4) Lisa Jewell, Subtle Discrimination Directed Toward Gay Men and Lesbian Women: What It Consists Of and How We Can Address It. Facilitator: Dave Little

Cindy Neudorf
and colleague
RespectED      


                       Sheelah McLean
                       'Buying in' to 
                       Raunch


The afternoon was completed with a presentations by the Bridge City Choir

The Breaking the Silence Conference offers a chance to meet many who are affected by sexual diversity in society, and to hear entertaining, quality, and knowledgeable presentations on sexual diversity.