Updates and Reminders

Hello All!

I first want to say thank you to everyone that came out (I <3 puns :p) and showed their support during Pride Week! I am thrilled and honoured to be working with such a strong, passionate, motivated team of womyn (and men!).

Here is a list of events and opportunities that I want to share with you all:

1- Zine Meeting
2- Atlantic Waves Conference
3- Board Meeting
4- Study of Lesbian and Bisexual Women's Health and Well-Being
5- Camping Trip
6- Peace Day
7- I'm Coming! A Guide to Women's Orgasm: workshop @ Venus Envy
8- Cheap Thrills: DIY Sex Toys: Workshop @ Venus Envy
9- The Vagina Dialogues: Workshop @ Venus Envy
10- Volunteers
________________________________________________

1- Zine Meeting

I just wanted to remind everyone about the meeting that will be taking place in the Womyn's Centre tomorrow (Thursday, July 26th) @ 3:00

This is open to ANYONE interested in being a part of a zine that the centre will collectively be creating and distributing, starting in September. (The first issue will be in the frosh packs).

So if you have anything to contribute- thoughts, ideas, opinions, skills, experience- or even if you have never been involved in this type of project before but are interested in taking part, we would love to see you there!

ps- just a heads up: we need a name as well as a logo, so if you have any suggestions, bring them with you tomorrow!

2- Atlantic Waves Conference

Everyone on this E-Mail list should have received a copy of the Atlantic Waves Conference's call for submissions by now, so if you have not- please let me know and I'll get a copy out to you right away! It will come from atlanticwavesconference@yahoo.ca- so if you see this message in your inbox, be sure to read it!! And tell all of your friends about it too!!

3- Board Meeting

There will be a meeting for the Board members of the Womyn's Centre on Friday, August 4th at 12:00 in the centre. This is for existing members who wish to continue sitting, as well as an opportunity for new members to become involved. The board will meet once a month, so for those of you who would like to be involved this year- we welcome you! All that we ask is that you are prepared to commit to this monthly meeting :)

4- Study of Lesbian and Bisexual Women's Health and Well-Being

If you are a woman who is at least 18 and currently in a same-sex relationship of at least 3 months' duration, researchers at the University of New Brunswick would welcome your participation in an annonymous on-line survey.

To learn more, please go to:
www.unbstudy.com

5- Camping Trip

Club 200- all womyn, all weekend! Friday, July 28 to Sunday, July 30/06 " CAMPING AT GRAVES ISLAND" Chester, Nova Scotia

Time: when you arrive :)
Cost $5.00 per person, per night.
Children and pets are allowed.
Any questions please call Sue or Karen at 499-0335

6- Peace Day

Sunday, August 6th is the second annual Peace Day in Halifax. For more information or to help please, please contact the Halifax Peace Coalition
E-Mail: hfxpeace@chebucto.ca or visit our web site at http://www.hfxpeace.chebucto.org

7- I'm coming! A Guide to Women's Orgasm: workshop @ Venus Envy

Some women never experience orgasm, some can have orgasms once in awhile, or on their own, or never on their own, or ... you get the picture. The female orgasm can sometimes be rather elusive, and that can be okay, but it can also be very frustrating. This session will look at some of the reasons women have difficulty with orgasm, offer suggestions around play to enhance sexual feelings, as well as covering important anatomical information. Discussion includes g-spot, clitoris, and tips to use both alone and with a partner.

Date: August 3rd, 2006
Time: 7:15pm (2 hours)
for everyone
Cost: $20.00 (limited income $10.00)

8- Cheap Thrills: DIY Sex Toys: Workshop @ Venus Envy

You may never see your house, the hardware store or grocery store the same way again. Kinky sex doesn't have to be expensive—this workshop will show you how to transform everyday mundane items into sex toys.

Date: August 8th, 2006
Time: 6:15pm (1.5 hours)
for everyone
Cost:$20.00 (limited income $10.00)

9- The Vagina Dialogues: Workshop @ Venus Envy

Women are taught very little about how their cunts work. What's within the range of normal and what's not can be very confusing, even to the person who owns the anatomy. This workshop aims to not only clear away confusion and dispel myths, but to get gals thinking about their genitals in a happy way. We'll cover anatomy, toys and slippery stuff, communication skills, and why knowing how to do a self-exam is important and empowering.

Date: August 10th, 2006
Time: 7:15pm (1.5 hours)
for women
Cost: $20.00 (limited income $10.00)

10- Volunteers

I'm in the process of creating an "office hours" schedule for the month of August, so existing volunteers- if you would like to continue your current hours, could you please confirm that with me? (by the end of this week, if possible)

Also- anyone else who would like to donate some time, (consistency is more important than quantity!), please let me know! We want to keep the door to the centre open as often as possible, so that all of the womyn on campus can take advantage of what our wonderful centre has to offer!

Even if you can only commit to one hour a week, we welcome your contribution!

I hope you are all able to take advantage of these fabulously feminist opportunities! Have a great week!

Holly :)

*********CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS-PLEASE DISTRIBUTE WIDELY********

Atlantic Waves
A student led conference to connect community and academic feminists working toward women’s equality
October 13-15 at Saint Mary’s University

Recent decades have seen feminists making significant strides in encompassing diverse experiences and voices. The aim of this conference is to address a specific consideration – region.

How are women’s challenges and projects in the Atlantic region different, and where do they intersect with the experiences of our feminist allies across Canada? And perhaps more urgently, how do our own Atlantic experiences, challenges and successes differ from and mirror each other? How can we make alliances and strengthen the Atlantic feminist community?

In giving voice to our experiences, and hearing the experiences of those who are engaged in the grassroots and academic feminist communities, we will be provided the opportunity to make connections, establish partnerships, integrate our work, and ultimately strengthen our Atlantic feminist networks.

We are seeking diverse papers, artwork, workshops and performances from undergraduate/graduate students, professors, Women’s Centres, women’s organizations and community members.

The following themes are suggested as a guideline, but we welcome submissions on alternative topics as they relate to the Atlantic experience as well:

-Rural/Urban feminist identities/intersections
-Trans-sex/Trans-gender experiences
-Paid/Unpaid work, labour, class identity and women
-Women and peace
-Experiences of Femininity/Masculinity
-Women and violence
-Fertility/Non-Fertility
-Race in Atlantic Canada
-Modified/Altered Bodies
-Whiteness and privilege
-Mothering
-The body/The sick body/The aging body
-Women’s educational experiences
-DIY (do-it-yourself) feminism: zines, postering, stickering, etc.
-Aboriginal Women
-Atlantic community and home
-Women and dis/ability
-Cyber-feminisms
-Protests, vigils, community activism
-Creative protest: spoken word, art, film, etc.
-Local feminist histories


Submissions must be received by August 11th for consideration. Submissions are not to exceed 250 words, and may reflect personal, academic and/or activist experiences. Conference presentations will be 15 minutes in length, and workshops will be 45 minutes. If you are interested in facilitating an interactive group workshop on any of the above-listed themes, or on another relevant topic, please contact us with a 250-word description of the nature of your work, and your plans for a 45-minute workshop.

E-Mail your abstract as a Microsoft Word attachment with no personal identifying features on the abstract itself- only the title and abstract content (as this aids in our unbiased selection) to:

atlanticwavesconference@yahoo.ca

Your registration form and conference fee must be mailed directly to the Saint Mary’s University Women’s Centre (mailing address is on the registration form).

In the body of your E-Mail, please write a maximum 50-word biography. Entitle the biography with your name and organizational affiliation, if any (university, collective, etc.). The organizing collective will notify applicants of their application status by August 25th, 2006.

The deadline for registration forms and payment of conference fees is September 1st, 2006.

Happy Pride SMU!!!

1- Pride Events/Parade
2- Zine Meeting
3- Perceptions of Rape Meeting (today)
4- New E-Mail Address


1- Pride Events/Parade


Pride Week is upon us! And that means that this week is full of awesome events so that everyone can celebrate their pride with the greater Halifax community (which is the theme of this year’s celebration).

I’ve listed a bunch of events and details below, but for anyone that’s interested, you can also check out the full detailed pride schedule @ halifaxpride.org.

Today:

12pm- Pride Lecture: The Charter of Rights and Our Quest for Equality @ Spring Garden Road Memorial Public Library. Ann Levangie and SeanForeman, lawyers and activists for human rights chart the impact of Canada's historic Charter of Rights on the struggle for equal rights and freedom for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender persons in our country.

8pm: Queer Times: Queer Measures - A multidisciplinary evening, featuring performers and artists of all sorts and pleasures from across the city @ Bus Stop Theatre

8pm-10pm. Join Hedy Fry, and celebrate pride! Live, love, laugh, and be proud on Hedy's Big Fat Boat Ride aboard the Haligonian III, leaving from Murphy's on the Water (Halifax Waterfront). Limited number of tickets @ $25 each. Email glenn@hedyfry.com or call 902.402.0799 for tickets. DJ and hors d'oeuvres too! Hosted by Hedy Fry (GLBT Advocate & Candidate for the Federal Liberal Party of Canada).

12pm - 3pm DalWomensCentre 'Celebrate your Inner Diva Day with treats and an afterrnoon of FREE Theraputic Massage (chair massage, not table--very portable and safe) at the Women's Centre: 6286 South Street, next to DalPlex?. Massages are free (10 mins or so) but should be scheduled in advance to ensure everyone gets their much deserved R &R when they most want it. To reserve a guaranteed time, simply mailto:dwc@dal.ca

6pm-8pm DalOUT Speed Dating at Cabin Coffee (1554 Hollis St.) Speed dating is a great way to meet a lot of new people in a short period of time. For those unfamiliar, speed dating participants are seated around a long table. For a few minutes they have a "speed date" with the person sitting across the table. At the end of the time limit, everyone shifts so you're sitting across from a new person. This continues until everyone has had a chance to talk. There will be time to socialize after the speed dates are complete.

PARADE DAY (Saturday)

Body & Soul Halifax Commons, 9:30am–NoonOUT Run 5K Run, 10am run (9:30am registration)Run, walk, or cheer, and support the ACNS at the same time: five times around the Commons in any way you can! Entertainment will be provided while you exercise your Pride. Get a team together or join with the crowd for a pre-parade warm-up to never forget! Pick up a pledge sheet at Room 2 Move Fitness on Cunard St. or make a donation (no donation too small can be made at Room 2 Move all weeklong. Win prizes for most money raised! Hosted by Room 2 Move Fitness.

11:00am First ever Pride Inter-faith service @ Halifax commons Water Fountain (bring your own chair)

19th Annual Halifax Pride Parade1:30pmGrand Marshal, Lindsey Willow. The parade starts from the corner of Brunswick and Maitland streets, ending at Cogswell on the Halifax Commons (check out the route map online or p.12–13 of the July issue of Wayves).

*PLEASE NOTE*
The SMU Womyn's Centre and The Queer Positive Community will be meeting at the SMU Centre at 11:00am on Saturday, and heading over to the Dal Centre for brunch with them and DalOut, then to the parade where we will all march together. We invite SMU queers and allies to join us and march, or just come out to the parade and show your support!

Concert on the CommonsImmediately following the parade (Last call 7:30pm, concert ends at 8pm)
Bigger and bolder, and it’s right on the Commons. Community groups and vendors; a BBQ and a beer garden; live entertainment with dancers and drag, for a real Village Fair! The climax is a free, open-air concert with fabulous local talent, and featuring the amazing queer Canadian artists, The Cliks and Gentlemen Reg.
WetSpot II: Pride Party for LBTQ women and their friends, 9pm–2amNICHE - 1505 Barrington Street, 9pm - 2am$10 advance tickets available July 15 - 21 at Venus Envy$12 tickets at the door.This event is wheelchair accessable.Presented by Girl-ish Productions, sponsored by www.venusenvy.ca

This Ain’t Your Typical Rose Garden TourGardens of Halifax, 2–4pm, rain or shineTake a tour of four or five gardens in Peninsular Halifax, and socialize over wine and snacks at one more garden between 4-6 pm. Tickets: $15.00 (cash only, please); available at My Mother’s Bloomers, Topiary, and Venus Envy.

Reflections CabaretThe Pride Drag Show, 10pmOne of the biggest shows of the year! As always, Dita Parlow will host this amazing event. Special guests include Mz. Reflections Jenny Blake, Queen of Hearts Meshallay Crystal, Mz.Gay Halifax Rouge Fatale, Lulu LaRude, Amanda, Devastation, April, Debbie, Mame, Dyna Might, Annie, Boom Boom, Miss Vicki, Nina Diamonds, a top secret special guest that everyone loves, and many more! We will be awarding the Mariah Carey Concert and trip to Toronto on this night, make sure you are here!! $6 cover.

All Week
Argyle Fine ArtArgyle Fine Art will host an art exhibition called “Spectrum.” This show will run the week of Pride. Donations are accepted for the ACNS. The gallery will be opened Monday to Wednesday, 10-6; Thursday to Friday; 10-8; Saturday, 10-6; and Sunday, 12-5. For further information please contact the gallery at 425-9456. Located at 1869 Upper Water St.

Room 2 Move GymRoom 2 Move Gym will be showing new paintings by Tim Humphrey and Brandt Eisner. The work will be shown throughout pride. A donation from any sales will be made to ACNS.

Seadog’s Sauna and SpaNaked Night All Week Long!! Saturday, July 14 to Sunday July 23

2- Zine Meeting
Anone interested in contributing to the creation of a Womyn's Centre zine is invited to a meeting on Thursday, July 27th @ the SMU Womyn's Centre at 3:00. Bring your ideas, we'd love to hear them!!

3- Perceptions of Rape- Group Discussion
What do you think rape is?
What do you think it’s not?
Where do you draw the line between sexual assault and rape?

We are having a discussion about rape and want to know what you think. Please contact us as soon as possible. Any input would be very much appreciated and will also be kept confidential. All published work will address discussion participants as a group and not as individuals.

Please contact the SMU Women’s Centre at halifeminist@yahoo.ca.

The Discussion will be on Friday the 21st at 12:00 pm in the Ozmon Boardroom.

4- Just a quick note for those of you that didn't already know- my new E-Mail address is halifeminist@yahoo.ca

I Hope everyone has an awesomely femtastic Pride Week!!

Pride Parade!!

Hey everyone!

This is a shout to SMU queers and allies… This years pride parade is just two weekends away, and we need to get together to discuss our ideas about how we want to represent the Queer Positive Community (QPC), The SMU Womyn’s Centre and the DAL Womyn’s Centre collectively in the parade.

We are scheduling one meeting for Sunday, July 16th at 2:00 pm at Uncommon Grounds on South Park St. The second meeting will be held in the Womyn’s Center at Saint Mary’s on Wednesday July 19th at 11:00am.

Both meetings are open to anyone who is a part of these communities or who would just like to show their support by participating, so we hope to see lots of you there!

Bring your ideas and your friends :)

Holly