Realwomen of BC - Archives - February2007

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THE REAL NEWS The R.E.A.L WOMEN of BC Newsletter February 2007, P.O. Box 39068, Point Grey RPO, Vancouver, BC V6R 4P1, Tel/Fax: 604- 463-1611, website: http://www.realwomen.bc.ca
Feminist groups in panic Canadians are still hearing about the “terrible” funding cuts to the Status of Women and how harmful they are to women and their children. The federal government is under continued pressure by the opposition and Status of Women allies to rethink its decision to not fund certain advocacy and lobby groups and is accused of not caring for women and their children. However, Heritage Minister Bev Oda puts the whole issue into perspective. According to Oda the reason for cuttings funds to the Status of Women is to achieve greater accountability, efficiency and effectiveness. After the cuts, the first project to receive funding was awarded to a group in Prince George. This group is working directly with sex-trade workers, trying to get them off the streets by providing a safe place and training opportunities. Minister Oda said that the Government’s goal is to provide funding only to projects that will directly help women and make a difference in their lives. Oda was clear that the government will no longer use taxpayers’ money to provide funds for advocacy groups. The ultimate goal is to streamline Status of Women by saving in administrative costs and directly funding programs that help women improve their lives. Funding to women’s programs has not been cut. Applications for funding will now also be available on-line which translates into easier access for Canadians and less need for regional Status of Women offices.
Marriage Commissioners under fire Opening marriage to same-sex couples has caused great difficulty for many marriage commissioners. Kevin Kisilowsky, for example, is a lay minister to the biker community in the Winnipeg area. He had a license from the Manitoba government to perform marriages until he refused to perform same-sex marriages. Apparently, under Manitoba law a marriage commissioner is not required to perform any marriage ceremony if he chooses not to – except those of same-sex couples. Kisilowsky filed a complaint with the Manitoba Human Rights Commission which sided with the province. Mr. Kisilowsky is now in court. The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada is intervening on his behalf. Mr. Kisilowsky’s situation is not an exception. When Manitoba marriage commissioners were told that they would be forced to perform same-sex ceremonies, twelve marriage commissioners resigned. In Newfoundland, seven marriage commissioners resigned, including the mayor of Gander, because performing same-sex marriage ceremonies was against their religious beliefs. If you want to help Mr. Kisilowsky, you can forward a cheque to The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada, M.I.P. Box 3745, Markham, ON L3R 0Y4.
Lesbian Activist leaves homosexual lifestyle For Charlene E. Cothran, the last 29 years of her life revolved around her activism in the homosexual community. Cothran organized and participated in marches and lobbied for equal treatment of homosexuals and lesbians. She was an aggressive participant in events that would further the cause of the homosexual community. Cothran also is the publisher of a l3-year old periodical called Venus Magazine marketed to Black homosexual men and women. Working with the magazine gave her the opportunity to reach out to thousands of people encouraging them to “come out”, be proud of who they are and to stand up for themselves. On the website of the magazine, Ms. Cothran talks about a new “coming out.” In her article “Redeemed! 10 Ways to Get out of the Gay Life, if you want out”, she tells her amazing story of how she became a Christian and became convinced that same-sex relationships were not what God intended for us. Although Ms. Cothran realizes that her new life will come under attack and her message not readily received, she is now using the on-line Venus Magazine to tell gay men and women that they can find freedom from their homosexual lifestyles through Jesus Christ. Ms. Cothran will continue to work with Venus Magazine and the target audience will continue to be the homosexual community, but the tone of the content has changed. Ms. Cothran has even a poll on her website that asks its readers the question: “Do you believe WITH CERTAINTY that you are in a pleasing fellowship with God and going to heaven even though you are gay?” It is rather interesting to read the letters to the editor Ms. Cothran received after her article was published. We will most likely hear more about Charlene Cothran in the future.