Hello everyone!

It's Pride Week here in Sudbury Ontario!

As part of the festivities St. Peter's United Church held a special welcoming service for the LGBTQ community.     Recently this church has completed, received, and celebrated achieving the Affirming Congregation designation (I don't know if I have said that quite right).

How wonderful!!!!!

Bill 33 has passed and gender identity has been added to the Ontario Human Rights Code.

We were protected previously under the sex aspects of the act but now we are specifically identified.   This will be much clearer for everyone and I do hope it will make for a much better working and living relationships out there in the everyday world.

My goodness! ..... Two important bill passed so close together!     Bill 13 and then Bill 33.

Yesterday I had the privilege of attending this service @ First Unitarian Congregation of Waterloo.   Here is the sermon by the Reverend Jessica Purple Rodela. She speaks of standing up against LGBTQ bullying, and remembers those who have taken their own lives.  In my opinion, definitely worth a watch, and to share with your friends.

When Rainbows Fade: Standing Up Against LGBTQ Bullying 

Love and Peace,

Mark Andrew Alward

(UPDATED!) In case you missed this...

Are you a GLBTT person or ally associated with The United Church of Canada? You are invited to attend a regional gathering to tell your story and voice your thoughts about the attitudes toward homophobia and heterosexism in the United Church today.