Montreal demonstration is three days away! Saturday, Oct 31 @ Berrie Square.

This Saturday, October 31, 2009, 2-4pm. @ Berrie Square, Montreal, Canada.

Join us for a demonstration to raise awareness about Uganda's proposed 'Anti-homosexuality Bill'.

Uganda has tabeled a new law that, if passed, will result in the criminalization of all sexual acts between same-sex couples. The bill calls for the death sentence in certain conditons [including 'repeat homosexuality'] and life-in-prison for all others. The bill further stipulates that any organization promoting or "abating" homosexuality will lose it's license to operate in Uganda, and that any individual in a position of authority who does not report a homosexual will be punished with a lengthy prison term.

We're meeting up to make a MESS [Meet-up/Eat-up/Speak-up/Spread-out].

It's a costumed demonstration; "It is fun to dress up for a day, but no one should have to pretend for their whole life". So come out in your best Halloween gear and join us to listen to some excellent speakers and show support for our Ugandan brothers and sisters.

Speakers:
-Trudeau Scholar William Tayeebwa;
-LGTB NDP;
-Gender Advocacy Center

Also, there will be candies and flyers provided for everyone to take away to your evening Halloween events. And a special thank you to the People's Potatoe for providing food on the day!

A letter from the ground:

"...this is a very isolating and lonely business and the fear doesn't help. Ok, first I want you to follow the following blog http://gayuganda.blogspot.com/ it contains more insight and information than I could provide at  any one time. Apparently the parliament won't pass any law between now and January of 2010. Gives a window of action. The more I listen the nastier it gets; on some program on TV some people were calling in asking for death to all, plain and simple. The main advocate of the law is calling it a softening of our morals that the law, should it come into reality, won't be retrospective, he wants blood in the streets. And he is constantly pressuring politicians, making it very clear about the political suicide that they face if they do not support the law (they become De-facto SUPPORTERS and PROMOTERS).

...I never thought it would get like this, but an email such as this one could be outside the law soon, and should I be around it could be used against me (materials or literature in support or promoting homosexuality....heaving and retching)...."

Help organize demonstrations across Canada

You may or may not have already heard about the repressive and terrible legislation that is currently being debated in Uganda; the "Anti-Homosexuality Bill" is now in parliament. If passed it would result in the criminalization of all sexual acts between same gendered couples. The bill further stipulates that any organization promoting or "abating" homosexuality will lose it's license to operate in Uganda, and any individual who does "not report" a homosexual will be punished with a prison term.

Let's make a MESS:

M - Meet-up
E - Eat-up
S - Speak-up
S - Spread-out

Montreal, Canada, Demonstration: Saturday, October 31st @ 2:00pm, Berri Square.

It will be a costumed demonstration, the theme being "It is fun to dress up for a day, but no one should have to pretend for their whole life", and Halloween in general, "What is scarier then Frankenstein? The new Ugandan legislation".

We can hand out candy to passers-by with flyers attached and encourage them to sign a petition and to speak to others about this. We will have face painting, apple bobbing, a roller derby display, etc. It is aimed to be a fun event as well as informative. We will need to have speakers and education about homosexual rights and the challenges that are faced around the world. After the Speak-up we will encourage people to Spread-out; form groups and move through the city (public transit, etc.) informing people and getting signatures for the petition. Additionally, we will encourage people to take flyers and candy with them if they are heading to a Halloween party later that night.

What we need: Organizers!!
At this stage we need: flyers produced, candy donations, publicity, partner organizations, innovative ideas, press contacts, and a press release. Basically, we need help. We would like to reach out to as many communities as possible and ask them to get involved, so if you or your organization could donate time, help, or supplies that would be great.

What we need: Toronto organizers!! 
We are hoping someone can pick this up and run a parallel demonstration. We can get you in contact with groups who might help out; let us know if you are interested and we will let you know what support has come up in your town].

Please contact me if you think you can help. This thing has to be put together pretty fast, and the more people working on it the better.

Contact: ProtestAntiHomosexualityLaw@gmail.com