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Remembering Stonewall

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Today is the 52nd anniversary of the Stonewall riots. In yesterday’s Sunday service, Elizabeth Dunn, as a representative of the Genders and Sexualities Alliance, recognized and commemorated this landmark date:

The Stonewall riots started on June 28, 1969. The riots erupted in response to police raids at the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village, New York City, lasting about five days. At that time, the police commonly arrested LGBTQ+ people or those serving them. This time many of those being attacked by police resisted arrest, sparking several days of protests and riots and subsequently sparking the gay revolution demanding equal rights for LGBTQ+ people. While the gay rights movement didn’t begin at Stonewall, it was definitely a turning point. And on June 28, 1970, the first Gay Pride parade set off from the Stonewall Inn. 

  • Further reading: Check out this excellent article in YES! Magazine.

Friday Film Night in June- Indigenous Peoples Day

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In honour of National Indigenous History Month, the UCV BIPOC Caucus is proud to present:

 

Unceded Chiefs (2019) 1hr 3 min

 

 

 

The film is not released to the public yet and will only be available to us until June 18.

 

Friday Film Night Discussion on Zoom : June 18, 7-8pm

Special guest, producer, Doreen Manuel

Everyone from the congregation and the greater community welcome!

 

This new film covers the historic early activism of BC First Nations Leaders who in the late 1960’s unified to reject Prime Minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau’s proposed 1969 White Paper Policy. Director Doreen Manuel skillfully weaves a story of resilience and determination through interviews and archival audio with the people who lived the battle and the children of the Chiefs who had dedicated their lives to the survival of their Aboriginal title and rights.

Naomi Klein: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLafbWVDugU 

Lorne Cardinal:  https://vimeo.com/394718492 

Facebook: 

 

 

 

 

Statement on Anti-Muslim Hate Crime

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The Vancouver Unitarians condemn the recent act of violent terrorism that killed four members of a Muslim family in Ontario, orphaning a nine year old boy. We are shocked and horrified by this premeditated hate crime, and stand in solidarity with our Muslim siblings.  Islamophobia and racism have no place in our world. We celebrate diversity and are one human family. No-one should have to live in fear of violence or discrimination.

We will hold the victims of this tragedy close to our hearts, and share our deepest condolences with their family and friends and with the Islamic community. The people of London, Ontario, Muslims all across Canada, and indeed all Canadians have been hurt by this attack, and all of humanity is diminished by it. We will stand alongside our local Muslim communities and support its members as they mourn. We will show those who hate that their hatred isn’t welcome, isn’t shared, and will be confronted and rejected at every turn with calls for justice, solidarity and compassion.

We will be sharing suggested resources for people to become better informed and engaged in actively supporting anti-Islamophobia and our local Muslim communities, and welcome suggestions and invitations for involvement.

With blessings and in faith,

Rev. Lara Cowtan