Petrelis Files

Canada, Poland: Our Actions for Aug 3/4 Global Gay Solidarity Days

The Global Gay Days of Solidarity, August 3 and 4, soon will dawn and I'm so pleased to report on two emails I received today.

The first is from my friend Lukasz in Warsaw, who has organized a demonstration on Saturday along with a countrywide call to action for all gay bars and cafe to light candles for the day. It gives me chill to stand with my gay brothers and sisters in the country that birthed the Solidarity labor movement under a communistic regime. Lukasz is a brave activist, doing what he can on local and international LGBT matters, and he deeply inspires me. We need more Lukaszs.

And the second email is from my brothers and sisters to my north, Canada, sharing their press release about their action on Friday for global gay solidarity. Hey, Vancouver LGBT citizens - thanks for standing with us and organizing an action that many can participate in. Keep up the great work.

The message from Poland:

Please dont forget about Warsaw. We will meet at Candle Meeting near Iran Embassy (Krolowej Aldony 22 str) in Warsaw at 4 August on 8:00 PM.

I have send message to all gay clubs in Poland to put a candle on the bars on saturday as a sign of GLOBAL GAY SOLIDARITY.

You know... it is Poland. Word: "SOLIDARITY" is very important in our history :)

I will send photos later to my blog. I will put some video also from our action.

Hugs

Lukasz Palucki

luke.santi@eranet.pl

And this the scoop from Canada:

The Vancouver Pride Society (VPS) will take a stand and recognize the first ever Global Day of Gay Solidarity taking place on Friday August 3^rd.

The VPS will honour the day by hosting a moment of silence during the Official Vancouver Pride Weekend Launch at noon outside Vancouver Art Gallery to remember those who have fallen victim to human rights abuses because of their sexual orientation.

The Global Day of Gay Solidarity is a day commemorating the atrocities faced by the international GLBT community. Activists will unite worldwide and send a message to government officials, in particular the UN, to investigate human rights abuses of GLBT people around the planet.
Vancouver will mark the 10^th international city to recognize the Day; other cities include New York, Caracas, Cologne, Warsaw, Mexico City, Washington D.C, and Stockholm.

WHAT: Moment of Silence for the Global Gay Solidarity Day (during the Official Vancouver Pride Weekend Launch).

WHEN: Friday August 3rd, 2007.

TIME: 12:30 pm.

WHERE: Georgia St. Side to the Vancouver Art Gallery.

WHY: Demand GLBT Equality Everywhere.

WHO: John Boychuk, Vancouver Pride Society President.

Ken Coolen, Vancouver Pride Parade Organizer.

Heather Hendelson, Co-chair of New York Pride.

Tomasz Baczkowski, Organizer of Warsaw Pride.

Mark Tewksbury, Human Rights Defender.

For more information or to confirm attendance, please contact:
Rachel Ricketts
rachel@pamelagroberman.com
604-677-7474