East Coast Transwomen Awareness and Visibility Tour:
Although many Government entities have started to add human rights for trans people, and while some Governments have pledged to improve health care policies and ID changing policies, it appears many transwomen in Nova Scotia, are being given the run-around when they seek action.
Trans activist Jennifer McCreath from St. John's, Newfoundland will be travelling to Nova Scotia and New Brunswick for a two day trans awareness and visibility tour. Jennifer will be accompanied by Rad Pride Halifax representative, and transwoman activist, Trina Conrad.
While originally from Nova Scotia, Jennifer has lived in St. John's, Newfoundland since 2007, and has undergone her transition while living in Newfoundland. She is in the early stages of launching the Jennifer McCreath Foundation, a soon-to-be non profit organization that will carry out educational, activist, and peer support work for members of the trans communities all over Canada, with a core focus on Newfoundland and Labrador.
In recent months, McCreath has made several appearances in New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island, to undertake trans education and awareness work, during the recent summer Pride season. Jennifer has actually focused little attention on Nova Scotia, given that she thought Nova Scotia was miles ahead of the other three eastern provinces. However, McCreath takes note of several recent news stories involving Nova Scotia transwomen facing discrimination or red tape. With this in mind, Jennifer has decided to focus this tour mostly on Nova Scotia towns. "It seems almost daily, there is a new story going viral on news sites. In a matter of weeks, Jessica Dempsey, Jainey Lee Bresson, and Jessica Durling all had to take their cases to the local media, and this resulted in their stories going national. I am ashamed to see Nova Scotia appear as leaders on paper, but in practice, it appears they are treating transwomen poorly. The time is now for me to come home and lend a hand and a voice as transwomen of Nova Scotia seek acceptance and equality," said McCreath.
Trina Conrad has been transitioning while living in Dartmouth, Moncton and Halifax, in recent years. She knows first hand what it is like to face Government red tape. "Everything from access to medical resources, access to name change, and access to appropriate ID documents, has been an ongoing struggle," said Conrad.
Trina looks forward to rejoining McCreath for this tour, after a very successful tour together this past summer in Summerside and Charlottetown PEI. "Jenn and I seem to be on the same page for the most part, in terms of understanding what it is going to take, to promote positive change for east coast trans people," said Conrad.
Trina has also recently become a leader in the grass-roots movement known as Rad Pride, in Halifax, a group of LGBTQ community members who feel that Pride movements have become too corporate and tend to not pay enough attention to the struggles still faced by many members under this umbrella community.
McCreath co-founded St. John's Pride Inc in 2010, but left the organization in 2012, due to reasons similar to those concerns of Rad Pride Halifax. "While there is definitely a roll for our cis allies, trans activism needs to be lead by trans people,"said McCreath.
Jennifer and Trina will be holding ceremonial trans flag waving events at the following times and places:
Sackville, NB - Town Hall - 31 Main Street, 3.30 pm, Monday November 3, 2014
Springhill, NS - Anne Murray Centre - 36 Main Street, 10.00 am, Tuesday, November 4, 2014
Pictou, NS - Town Hall - 40 Water Street, 12 noon, Tuesday, November 4, 2014
Truro, NS - Town Hall - 695 Prince Street, 2.30 pm, Tuesday, November 4, 2014
Halifax, NS - Province House - 1726 Hollis Street, 4.30 pm, Tuesday, November 4, 2014
note: lunch/supper social events will also take place concluding the events in Sackville, Pictou, and Halifax.
More information:
Jennifer McCreath Foundation
http://jennifermccreath.blogspot.ca/2014/07/jennifer-mccreath-foundation-inc.html
Jennifer McCreath Bio
http://jennifermccreath.blogspot.ca/2014/06/jennifer-mccreath-bio-november-2013.html
questions or interviews:
Jennifer McCreath
info@jennifermccreath.com
709-753-9529
Follow @Jenn_McCreath
Tweet
Friday, October 31, 2014
Thursday, October 16, 2014
McCreath among stars featured in NL Mental Health Awareness "This Video"
It was an honour to be among the huge names in Newfoundland pop culture, including Rick Mercer, Allan Hawco, Alan Doyle, Mark Hiscock, along with innovator Amelia Curran, as today featured the launch of Amelia's "this video" tonight, a campaign to fight the stigma of mental illness. The video is posted here on youtube as well as directly on their website www.Thisvideo.ca
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Here's a few photos from my shoot with Amelia.
Also featuring mental health activist Carolyn Snow.
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Sunday, October 5, 2014
International Trigeminal Neuralgia Day of Awareness - St. John's, NL
Last year, the first ever International Day of Awareness for TN was launched and events were held all over the world, including one in Cavendish, NL, in honour of two locals who suffer from this condition. There will be a small commemorative event in St. John's, on Tuesday Oct 7, 2014, at 12 noon, at the picnic bench park area of Kent's Pond, just out back of the Confederation Building parking lot.
The event will be hosted by Jennifer McCreath, a well-known local political and social activist, and it will feature a keynote address by Kim Noftall, also of St. John's, who suffers from Trigeminal Neuralgia.
Participants are encouraged to wear teal blue, as this is the official colour of facial pain. McCreath and Noftall will be available to speak with the media after the event. All are welcome to attend.
For more information:
Jennifer McCreath
709-753-9529
info@jennifermccreath.com
twitter: jenn_mccreath
Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/528385247304897
Additional Resourcecs:
Trigeminal Neuralgia Support Group - based in Cavendish, NL
https://www.facebook.com/TrigeminalNeuralgiaSupportNewfoundlandLabrador
Trigeminal Neuralgia Association of Canada
http://www.tnac.org/
International Petition for World Health Organization
http://www.tnnme.com/
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Friday, October 3, 2014
McCreath accused of giving questionable mugging advice!
Wow, someone I don't even know is accusing me of giving them questionable advice about how to handle being a victim of crime. For the record, I have never spoken with this person, Katie Loft, nor was I ever made aware that she had apparently been mugged. Additionally, this is certainly advice that I would never give, nor have ever given.
Sadly, this appears to be a retaliatory cheap shot at me for voicing my concerns over the infamous lesbian wedding article in Wednesday's Telegram newspaper. Upon further investigation, it appears Loft is acquainted with said couple.
Finally, if Loft continues with these type of false accusations, she is going to find herself being sued in civil court. If any of you reading this happen to be friends with Loft, you may wish to adviser her to cease and desist.
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Tweet
Sadly, this appears to be a retaliatory cheap shot at me for voicing my concerns over the infamous lesbian wedding article in Wednesday's Telegram newspaper. Upon further investigation, it appears Loft is acquainted with said couple.
Finally, if Loft continues with these type of false accusations, she is going to find herself being sued in civil court. If any of you reading this happen to be friends with Loft, you may wish to adviser her to cease and desist.
Thursday, October 2, 2014
Reaction to Telegram's gay-bashing tabloid article
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Note, I am sending this on behalf of my client, Paul Martin, of Harbour Grace, who was the subject of a controversial smear campaign, by the Telegram's Oct 1, 2014 article by Barb Sweet.
--------------------------------------------------------------
On October 1, 2014, the Telegram newspaper published an article that accused me and family members of gay-bashing former clients of mine, as well as published opinionated material that attempted to slander me and my work. I am writing to express disappointment at the telegram, and to voice my side of the story.
First and foremost, I am not homophobic and I did not make any remarks that were intended to be gay-bashing. I am sorry to learn that some members of the customer's family felt disappointed by my work, and felt the need to intimidate me into agreeing to give them a partial refund. The arrangement we had was a handshake. I received written confirmation from one of the brides indicating they were happy with my work. If there was miscommunication or lack of understanding with regards to the policies and procedures for the services rendered, then I will certainly apologize and take a fair share of the blame. Perhaps it was both of our fault that we did not better specifically outline a service agreement, in writing.
Overall, I hold nothing against this couple and wish them nothing but the best, and although I feel I was wronged to be threatened and intimidated by one of their family members, I am willing to let this go. Most of all, I am saddened that the Telegram would stoop to tabloid-level journalism, and attempt to use me as a sacrificial lamb, in order to put a spin on this story based on false opinions and assumptions, rather than facts.
I have many friends in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community, and I am sure that any of them would concur that I am not a hateful or homophobic person. Furthermore, I am disappointed that steps have been taken by the Telegram to try to tarnish my reputation for my work. While I will certainly agree to the concept that 'the customer is always right', I do not think it is fair for a single instance of misunderstanding, to ruin my career. I have been doing this type of work for quite some time, and many of my past customers have spoken highly of my work.
If anyone has any questions or concerns, I would be happy to arrange a meeting to discuss my credentials further. I would also like to put out an open invitation for any other media outlet, to hear my side of the story. I welcome media outlets to contact my agent, Jennifer McCreath, who is a well-known LGBT community engagement specialist, to arrange an interview: info@jennifermccreath.com 709-753-9529.
Respectfully,
Paul Martin
------------------------------------------------
In addition to Paul's statement, I am quite happy to make the following statement of my own:
I was recently contacted by Paul Martin, a citizen of Harbour Grace, who brought an article in the Telegram to my attention, and he raised concern that he was being an apparent victim of a smear campaign, which included false accusations of him being homophobic and hatred towards members of the LGBT community. Upon reading the article, and upon speaking with Mr. Martin, I can't help but express concern with this article.
While I can't speak for what happened at this wedding, I have reviewed all content provided to me from various on-line exchanges between Mr. Martin and his clients. This appears to be a sad attempt by the Telegram to exploit Mr Martin, by attempting to play the gay card, in a story that is otherwise, non-newsworthy. It appears quite clear to me, that had this been a heterosexual couple, that the Telegram would have not pursued this article.
Overall, I am disappointed in the Telegram, and feel it is my role, as a member of the LGBT community of Newfoundland and Labrador, to speak out. While there are definitely many sad cases of discrimination that take place here in this province, and while I certainly support the exposure of such discriminations, it is of my opinion that the Telegram has made a major blunder here, by creating something out of nothing, and putting an inappropriate gay-bashing spin, on an instance that was not a gay-bashing matter. Finally, it concerns me when media entities appear to negatively and falsely portray the LGBT community, as whiners who will run to the media and play the gay card, simply to get attention.
questions or interviews:
Jennifer McCreath
St. John's, Newfoundland & Labrador
http://www.jennifermccreath.com
info@jennifermccreath.com
www.twitter.com/Jenn_McCreath
709-753-9529
Follow @Jenn_McCreath Tweet
Note, I am sending this on behalf of my client, Paul Martin, of Harbour Grace, who was the subject of a controversial smear campaign, by the Telegram's Oct 1, 2014 article by Barb Sweet.
--------------------------------------------------------------
On October 1, 2014, the Telegram newspaper published an article that accused me and family members of gay-bashing former clients of mine, as well as published opinionated material that attempted to slander me and my work. I am writing to express disappointment at the telegram, and to voice my side of the story.
First and foremost, I am not homophobic and I did not make any remarks that were intended to be gay-bashing. I am sorry to learn that some members of the customer's family felt disappointed by my work, and felt the need to intimidate me into agreeing to give them a partial refund. The arrangement we had was a handshake. I received written confirmation from one of the brides indicating they were happy with my work. If there was miscommunication or lack of understanding with regards to the policies and procedures for the services rendered, then I will certainly apologize and take a fair share of the blame. Perhaps it was both of our fault that we did not better specifically outline a service agreement, in writing.
Overall, I hold nothing against this couple and wish them nothing but the best, and although I feel I was wronged to be threatened and intimidated by one of their family members, I am willing to let this go. Most of all, I am saddened that the Telegram would stoop to tabloid-level journalism, and attempt to use me as a sacrificial lamb, in order to put a spin on this story based on false opinions and assumptions, rather than facts.
I have many friends in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community, and I am sure that any of them would concur that I am not a hateful or homophobic person. Furthermore, I am disappointed that steps have been taken by the Telegram to try to tarnish my reputation for my work. While I will certainly agree to the concept that 'the customer is always right', I do not think it is fair for a single instance of misunderstanding, to ruin my career. I have been doing this type of work for quite some time, and many of my past customers have spoken highly of my work.
If anyone has any questions or concerns, I would be happy to arrange a meeting to discuss my credentials further. I would also like to put out an open invitation for any other media outlet, to hear my side of the story. I welcome media outlets to contact my agent, Jennifer McCreath, who is a well-known LGBT community engagement specialist, to arrange an interview: info@jennifermccreath.com 709-753-9529.
Respectfully,
Paul Martin
------------------------------------------------
In addition to Paul's statement, I am quite happy to make the following statement of my own:
I was recently contacted by Paul Martin, a citizen of Harbour Grace, who brought an article in the Telegram to my attention, and he raised concern that he was being an apparent victim of a smear campaign, which included false accusations of him being homophobic and hatred towards members of the LGBT community. Upon reading the article, and upon speaking with Mr. Martin, I can't help but express concern with this article.
While I can't speak for what happened at this wedding, I have reviewed all content provided to me from various on-line exchanges between Mr. Martin and his clients. This appears to be a sad attempt by the Telegram to exploit Mr Martin, by attempting to play the gay card, in a story that is otherwise, non-newsworthy. It appears quite clear to me, that had this been a heterosexual couple, that the Telegram would have not pursued this article.
Overall, I am disappointed in the Telegram, and feel it is my role, as a member of the LGBT community of Newfoundland and Labrador, to speak out. While there are definitely many sad cases of discrimination that take place here in this province, and while I certainly support the exposure of such discriminations, it is of my opinion that the Telegram has made a major blunder here, by creating something out of nothing, and putting an inappropriate gay-bashing spin, on an instance that was not a gay-bashing matter. Finally, it concerns me when media entities appear to negatively and falsely portray the LGBT community, as whiners who will run to the media and play the gay card, simply to get attention.
questions or interviews:
Jennifer McCreath
St. John's, Newfoundland & Labrador
http://www.jennifermccreath.com
info@jennifermccreath.com
www.twitter.com/Jenn_McCreath
709-753-9529
Follow @Jenn_McCreath Tweet
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