Meri Perra RSS

• Ready, set, Gapka: Susan Gapka runs for Kyle Rae’s seat in Ward 27

  Published at 9:55 pm on February 15, 2010
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  The race for Ward 27 in Toronto’s upcoming fall election is getting attention for two reasons. The first is the crowd of candidates who have already signed up to replace 19-year council veteran Kyle Rae. The second is that two openly trans women are running, Enza Anderson and Susan Gapka.

  A win for either Anderson or Gapka would be a historic first in Canada. That being said, both candidates stress the election is about municipal politics, not their respective gender identities. Gapka herself couldn’t be clearer.

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• Frustrated crowd disrupts recession meeting in downtown Toronto

  Published at 4:54 pm on February 13, 2010
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  A panel of representatives from the federal Liberal, Green and NDP parties spoke to an aggravated crowd at the Church of the Holy Trinity in downtown Toronto last Tuesday. Politicians were frequently heckled as each described party platforms to pull out of recession.

  Liberal MP Derek Lee, NDP MP Tony Martin and Rebecca Harrison of the Green party, sat on a panel along with representatives from labour and anti-poverty groups.

  The town hall was organized by the Recession Relief Coalition (RRC). The group surveyed each federal party about social spending in areas such as housing and funding non-profit agencies.

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• Chris Tindal enters race for Ward 27 against two trans women

  Published at 11:43 am on January 27, 2010
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  The race to replace Kyle Rae in Ward 27 is getting packed and interesting, with the potential that an out trans person could make it to city council for the first time ever in Canada.

  Enza Anderson, whose campaign is getting significant media attention, and Susan Gapka, a well-known activist within the queer community, are registered candidates within the ward. They are also two out trans women.

  Also in the race is fresh-faced former Green party candidate Chris Tindal. Ever respectful, Tindal understands the significance of a win for Anderson or Gapka.

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• Toronto may get first transgendered councillor in 2010 election

  Published at 9:16 pm on January 9, 2010
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  It’s possible that this coming fall George Smitherman will be our city’s first openly gay mayor. But Toronto’s October 2010 election could result in a council with more than one big – and queer -  first.

  Former ‘supermodel’ Enza Anderson is running to replace Kyle Rae in Toronto Centre-Rosedale. Rae was the first openly gay person elected to city council back in 1991. But he’s announced he will not be going for re-election, which means Anderson’s chances have just gone up.

  Winning would make Anderson the first out trans person ever to serve on a city council in Canada.

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• Every good farmers’ market needs a farm

  Published at 5:27 pm on October 28, 2009
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  Pedal-powered, horizontally-traded hot chocolate, foraged wild mushrooms and, of course, Maddawg the nursery-rhyming guitarist – especially popular among toddlers — are indications that it must be Tuesday in Cabbagetown.

  The last Tuesday in October marks the end of farmers’ market season at Riverdale Farm. It’s the last chance for folks to engage directly with farmers and other local vendors in the park environment. Many consider it far more wholesome than the local grocery store.
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