Latest news with #LGBTQ2
Global News
29-05-2025
- Business
- Global News
Manitoba pledges $2.5 million to Place of Pride in downtown Winnipeg
The Manitoba government is kicking off Pride month by investing in affordable housing for LGBTQ2 Winnipeggers. Premier Wab Kinew and families minister Nahanni Fontaine announced $2.5 million in funding to Place of Pride in downtown Winnipeg, which houses 30 seniors and offers space for programming and events. This latest round of funding — which is intended to go toward a kitchen, an arts hub, a rooftop patio, and other common spaces — brings the province's total investment in the space to $5.5 million. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'All Manitobans deserve a place where they feel safe and welcome, which is why this investment greatly benefits the seniors and community members who access the space,' Kinew said. Rainbow Resource Centre's executive director said Place of Pride is the culmination of decades of work toward a permanent site for members of the community. Story continues below advertisement 'Place of Pride is a centre for every kind of activity, from support groups and community feasts to educational programs, celebrations, memorial services and art exhibitions.'
Global News
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Global News
Sara Quin of Tegan and Sara calls for kindness and civility to end political division
Pop musician Sara Quin says social media has 'tragically torn the world to shreds' in recent years, and it's time people consider ways to re-establish a more positive sense of community. The Calgary-raised performer, who's part of the duo Tegan and Sara, says while she's certain some have found 'beautiful connection online,' she fears it's done more to 'ruin the world' and stoke political divisions. Quin was joined by her twin sister Tegan at Toronto's Departure Festival for a conversation about the Tegan and Sara Foundation, which they created in 2016 after the election of U.S. President Donald Trump. The foundation offers financial support to grassroots and community-based organizations such as youth summer camps, and helped create an LGBTQ2 health-care directory. 1:52 Tegan and Sara use Junos speech to call out policies affecting trans youth The sisters say they want to back initiatives that help build stronger communities, something that's become even more important to them in their mid-40s. Story continues below advertisement Sara Quin says she used to subscribe to the mindset that it was better to 'silence, shun or push out' people who didn't agree with her views, but she found it only left her feeling isolated. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'We have got to be willing to listen to each other, make space for ideas and opinions that don't line up with ours, and figure out if there's a consensus,' she said Wednesday. 'I just want to see people be civil with each other,' she added. 'I don't want to see politicians dismissing, chastising and brutalizing each other for fun, likes (or) bits on the internet. I just want to see people be kinder.'
Global News
07-05-2025
- General
- Global News
What's in a name? How a new pope chooses their title
Cardinals have been sequestered in the Vatican ahead of the conclave Wednesday, where they will vote on who will be next to lead the Catholic Church. They won't emerge until white smoke has billowed into the air and the senior cardinal has announced 'Habemus papam' — 'We have a pope.' And he will tell those gathered at St. Peter's Square the pontiff's baptismal name in Latin, followed by his papal name. When it comes to the pope, a name can say a lot. But what goes into choosing a papal name? How is a name chosen and what can it signify? Cardinals who enter the conclave may have a name in mind that they'll use if they're named the new pontiff, according to Natalia Imperatori-Lee, chair of the department of religious studies and philosophy at Manhattan University in New York. Story continues below advertisement 'Once you know that you're going into that room and that somebody who walks in with you or yourself is walking out the pope, yeah, you're going to think about it,' she told Global News in an interview. That name though can vary depending on how the cardinal wants the church to proceed, with continuity or discontinuity of their predecessor's papacy being one of the questions that's top of mind. It wasn't until the mid-20th century, however, that choosing a name signalled the aim of the papacy. Before then, names would sometimes be chosen based on the pope's baptismal name or wanting to pay respect to a previous pope. Pope John Paul I, who was pope for slightly more than a month in 1978, chose the name to honour the two previous popes who were involved with the council that reformed the Catholic Church — John XXIII and Paul VI. 1:34 Iconic chimney installed on roof of Sistine Chapel as conclave prepares to elect a new Pope The name signalled a commitment to the reforms established by that council, including ending the practice of giving mass in Latin to instead favour local languages. Story continues below advertisement His papacy lasted just 33 days, from Aug. 26 until Sept. 28 of 1978, but his successor, John Paul II, chose to continue on his legacy, signified by choosing the same name. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Choosing a name may also give insight into the priorities of the new pontiff, such as the most recent pope, Francis, selecting the name of St. Francis of Assisi, who was known for his humility, life of poverty and love of all creatures. Pope Francis signalled a papacy focused on those seen as outsiders, such as the poor, prisoners and the LGBTQ2 community, as well as promoting peace and care of the environment. 'There's kind of two avenues or two sort of conversations that the pope-elect, I guess, is having with the past,' Imperatori-Lee said. 'The immediate predecessors and the legacies of different popes and the sort of history of the saints, the hagiography conversation, is there a saint that you particularly want this papacy to look like or to embody?' Why choose a new name instead of their own? Despite convention, popes don't have to choose another name; many did use their given name in the first millennium. Story continues below advertisement Around the 11th century, that changed. 'It had become kind of a custom, a tradition to change the name,' said Mark Yenson, interim vice-president and academic dean at King's University College in London, Ont., and religious studies associate professor. 'It's a tradition, there's no hard and fast rule about it, but it is one of those ways in which the pope can really kind of signal what their priorities are and where they might want to take the leadership of the church.' 3:49 Cardinals from around the world meet at The Vatican as process to select next pope begins Many have chosen names related to previous popes. John has been chosen by 23 pontiffs, followed by Benedict and Gregory, both at 16. A pontiff's name can also be something totally different than seen before, like when Francis chose a name that hadn't been used by any pope in the past. Story continues below advertisement Names you likely won't see As people await the name, there are some you likely won't see. The first is Peter, which Yenson said many would avoid as it was the first pope's name. The name Innocent is one that, while used 13 times before and featured in the movie Conclave, likely won't be used again. Imperatori-Lee said that amid the abuse scandals the church has faced in recent years, cardinals will be able to 'read the room' and know that that name isn't suited for this time. She added that due to how long John Paul II served, it may also be a time before the name is used again as his influence remains 'very large' in the church and people 'may want to move away from that.' What to look for? The name of the next pope won't be known until white smoke pours forth from the Sistine Chapel and is announced from St. Peter's Basilica, but when it is announced, people can use it to get an idea of what is to come from the church. Story continues below advertisement 'If the new pope took the name Francis, then we would know that this was really a continuity candidate,' Yenson said. 'If they take the name of a sort of more historically distant pope, we might have to do a bit of digging to kind of figure out what they are looking for or if they take the name of a saint, we could guess but we might need to wait for that pope to make that more explicit in the days to come.' But Imperatori-Lee notes there's more to choosing a new name than just signalling the path of the papacy. 'It's a new role,' she said. 'We do this all the time in real life, too, it's not just popes that do this. When babies are baptized, they're given names, in Catholicism, when a child is confirmed, they choose a new saint's name…. The whole idea of a new name is taking on a new role, a new life, a new identity and being very intentional about that, stepping into a new role vis-a-vis the universal church.'
Global News
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Global News
Canadian musicians say Donald Trump's return as U.S. president complicates touring
Canadian country singer Robert Adam recorded their new album in Nashville, but under the political tumult of U.S. President Donald Trump, the musician doesn't plan to travel stateside to promote it. The Calgary-based non-binary artist says they contemplated their decision for several months, weighing past negative experiences as a queer person visiting the United States against the importance of the U.S. market for emerging musicians. But after hearing about the obstacles faced by some transgender musicians in obtaining U.S. working visas, Adam said they are confident they've made the right decision to skip the country on their upcoming tour. '(I'm) pretty non-binary presenting, pretty femme … it's hard not to see that I kind of stick out,' they said in a phone interview. 'I don't want to spend my life stressed out over whether I feel like I have to … tone down my image, or what I have to say, just to exist and play a show.' Story continues below advertisement View image in full screen Country singer Robert Adam, as shown in this handout image, says they're skipping plans to tour the United States, in part over concerns about how non-binary musicians might be treated at the border. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Brandynn LP *MANDATORY CREDIT* An order issued in January by the Trump administration declared that the United States will only recognize two sexes, male and female, and that government documents must reflect the one assigned at birth. This would mean trans and non-binary entertainers might have to misgender themselves in hopes of getting approval. 2:00 Trump's executive order on gender identity worries some Canadians Some Canadians also have an X gender marker on their passport, and while Adam doesn't, they said the possibility of invasive questions about their gender or being detained at the U.S. border far outweighs the upside. Story continues below advertisement And so, they will tour elsewhere. After several Canadian dates, Adam plans to head to the United Kingdom and Japan, where they feel their brand of queer country music will be more warmly received. 'It's important to me that we go to spaces where I can do those things freely and … inspire others to do the same,' they added. 1:52 Tegan and Sara use Junos speech to call out policies affecting trans youth Other Canadian artists, both within the LGBTQ2 community and outside it, are asking themselves whether touring the United States is worth the ethical compromise or safety risks it may present. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Last week, the Canadian Independent Music Association held a virtual town hall to address the growing concerns about performing stateside. More than 200 musicians, managers and other industry players attended a panel that included two U.S. immigration lawyers who specialize in visas for the arts community. Story continues below advertisement 'I think everybody is right to be anxious, worried and concerned about coming into the U.S. right now,' said Will Spitz, a lawyer in the performing arts division of New York-based firm CoveyLaw. 'It seems like every day there's a new horror story of someone getting detained, hassled or deported.' Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "It seems like every day there's a new horror story of someone getting detained, hassled or deported." Despite heightened tension at the border, Spitz noted 'not that much has changed' for most travellers who are not trans, gender non-conforming or intersex. 2:14 B.C. woman detained in 'inhumane conditions' after attempting to enter U.S. Many visa rejections, which may seem like Trump-era actions, are actually due to common paperwork errors, he noted. 'Does that mean it can't change tomorrow? No,' Spitz added. 'I think there's a very real chance that they expand their focus to include anyone who's been vocal in support of Palestine and other issues the current administration doesn't like.' Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "I think there's a very real chance that they expand their focus to include anyone who's been vocal in support of Palestine and other issues the current administration doesn't like." Story continues below advertisement Statistics Canada data suggests that many Canadians have soured on going stateside. In March, the number of those returning from the United States by car was down nearly 32 per cent compared to last year, marking the third consecutive month of year-over-year declines. U.S. Customs and Border Protection data shows the number of Canadian citizens turned away at the land border also fell 44 per cent in the same month. In March, 1,747 people were found inadmissible — for reasons as varied as criminal records or improper documents — compared to 3,126 a year earlier. It was the fourth consecutive month of declines. Still, many are worried. Amid the turmoil, some musicians are choosing to stay silent over fears that any negative comments about the American administration might wind up in a Google search by a border agent. Nearly a dozen musicians and managers declined to be interviewed for this story, with some explaining they couldn't risk losing access to the lucrative U.S. tour circuit. 'They're terrified of getting stuck at the border and being interrogated for social media posts,' said Eric Alper, a publicist representing several performers who wouldn't speak out. 'A lot of the Canadian artists are leaning towards just surviving.' Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "A lot of the Canadian artists are leaning towards just surviving." Others are thinking more about how to better prepare for their U.S. tours. Story continues below advertisement Khalid Yassein of Toronto folk act Wild Rivers said his band is upgrading the status of everyone on their team to an O1 visa, which recognizes workers in the arts. Before, some of them held O2 visas, which are for assistants to O1 workers. The band hopes it will streamline the process and eliminate potential hurdles, he said. They also plan on crossing into the United States at the same time. 'We're having conversations with our team on how to be extra prepared,' he said. 'It's a huge, important music market for us. Granted, we're excited every time we come home because we're a little bit less stressed out.' Indie rock newcomer Drew Tarves, who performs under the moniker Young Friend, took a different approach. In March, he announced he was cancelling plans for shows in New York and Los Angeles to promote his debut album Motorcycle Sound Effects. The Vancouver musician said he would dedicate his energy to 17 Canadian dates across six provinces instead. Tarves blamed Trump's tariff war and his aspirations to annex Canada as deciding factors in why he chose to focus on his home country. 'I didn't feel great about going down there,' the 26-year-old said in a recent interview. 'It was a hard decision,' he added. Story continues below advertisement 'Playing there in the past has always felt pretty key to being a developing artist. It's like the hub for music.' Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "Playing there in the past has always felt pretty key to being a developing artist. It's like the hub for music." Last month, pop singer T. Thomason also announced he was backing out of U.S. shows after concluding 'it does not feel safe to attempt to cross the border' as a trans person. His decision came shortly after fellow trans singer-songwriter Bells Larsen cancelled a U.S. tour over new policies that suggested he would likely be denied a visa based on his gender identity. Those boycotts still seem to be rare, according to Liana White, executive director at the Canadian Federation of Musicians. She said the interest expressed by Canadian musicians in touring the United States remains 'huge,' even with the current unpredictability. She advises travelling artists to take extra precautions when planning their U.S. dates. For instance, visa processing times have slowed in recent years, an issue that predates the current Trump administration. Musicians should account for those delays by planning further ahead, she said, and budgeting to pay a premium that expedites approval. Other things to consider: carry medication in prescription bottles, purchase vitamins south of the border and keep food in its original packaging. 'If it is possible to fly, I would recommend that,' White added, noting it's easier to withdraw a request to enter the United States at many airports, because the person is still on Canadian soil. Story continues below advertisement Even with the extra hurdles and turbulent political climate, some Canadian musicians say they couldn't imagine abandoning U.S. audiences. Montreal feminist punk act Nobro, whose debut album was partly inspired by a concert they played hours after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned abortion rights, said performing stateside isn't just about promoting their music but empowering their fans. 'We don't play big shows, we play 200-capacity gigs, and there are a lot of kids out there that can actually afford our tickets,' said bassist Kathryn McCaughey. 'It's really important to uplift those communities and for them to feel like they're being seen and heard and especially just to have fun.' View image in full screen Nobro perform during the Juno Awards Gala in Vancouver, on Saturday, March 29, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns Toronto band the Beaches recently hit the stage at California music festival Coachella and last year played in Florida, a conservative state with several anti-LGBTQ2 laws. Story continues below advertisement Keyboardist Leandra Earl said the band felt it was essential to 'go down there and meet all of our fans who really need an escape from life sometimes.' 'I personally, as a queer woman, think it's really important for us to keep playing in all of those cities that are looking for representation,' she added. 'Wherever people want us, we'll go there.'
Global News
25-04-2025
- Global News
Youths charged with assault in Edmonton after person allegedly lured on LGBTQ2 dating app
Six teenagers are charged with robbery and assault after allegedly luring an adult to an area of north Edmonton through an LGBTQ2 dating app. Police said they were called last month to the Calder neighbourhood, where a person arranged to meet someone from Grindr. Instead, they said the person was met by a group of youths, all between 15 and 16 years old, and allegedly assaulted, struck with blunt objects and robbed. Police identified several suspects and learned the app was used to lure the person under false pretences. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Police said the person was brought to hospital with serious injuries and the youths are facing multiple offences, including aggravated assault, robbery and mischief over $5,000. Investigators say they are looking into whether the matter was motivated by hate for the LGBTQ2 community. Story continues below advertisement 'This use of social media to lure and assault someone is alarming and unacceptable,' said Edmonton police Det. Scott Rowbotham in a news release Friday. 'Given the unpredictable nature of meeting people online, we'd like to remind everyone, regardless of age, to be mindful when first meeting someone they only know through online channels. If possible, plan a location and tell a friend where you are going.'
