March 5: Crossroads – Human Rights for Gays and Lesbians

Human Rights Watch is pleased to present a Panel Discussion. Crossroads: Human Rights for Gays and Lesbians in the Caribbean – A Canadian Perspective Tuesday, March 5th, 2013 Panel Discussion: 6:00pm Ontario Institute for Studies in Education Library University of Toronto 252 Bloor Street West All are invited to attend this special event free of charge *Please note: registration is required and space is limited* Registration by February 28, 2013. Register by email:  thornta@hrw.org Register by phone: 416-322-8448

MODERATOR: Ron Charles, Reporter, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation PANELISTS INCLUDE: Michael Blair, Executive Minister, Community & Ministry, United Church of Canada Graeme Reid, Director LGBT Program, Human Rights Watch Maurice Tomlinson, Lawyer, Jamaican LGBT Advocate Rinaldo Walcott, Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Sociology and Equity Studies, OISE, University of Toronto

In recent years, the Organization of American States passed resolutions condemning acts of violence against people based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.  In 2011, Jamaican Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller broke ranks with her predecessors and made a strong public statement affirming the government's commitment to human rights for all people regardless of their sexuality.  Despite these political overtures, punitive criminalization of homosexuality, discriminatory practices, and exclusionary beliefs continue to sustain environments of fear and violence for LGBT persons in the Caribbean.  In the face of change in other parts of the world, the region stands at a crossroads with impacts felt in Canada. Join us for this fascinating and timely discussion! Human Rights Watch is one of the world’s leading independent organizations dedicated to defending and protecting human rights. By focusing international attention where human rights are violated, we give voice to the oppressed and hold oppressors accountable for their crimes. Our rigorous, objective investigations and strategic, targeted advocacy build intense pressure for action and raise the cost of human rights abuse. For more than 30 years, Human Rights Watch has worked tenaciously to lay the legal and moral groundwork for deep-rooted change and has fought to bring greater justice and security to people around the world. Human Rights Watch is grateful for the generous support of OISE Visit us on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/torontohumanrightsfilmfestival