More from Montreal

Well, it’s been an amazing couple of days. I’m not a good enough writer to begin to convey what it’s like being here at the conference. My roommate, J, and I agree that it’s one of those events that you really have attend to “feel.” So, I’ll have to settle for descriptions that might give you a tiny sense of things.

Yesterday we checked out Montreal – shopped, took a tour, etc. I always have to spend some time in the bookstores because I can get books on Canadian politics, etc., that are not available in the States. We also had a snack of crepes that was delightful. J has been hankering for Tim Horton’s, but we didn’t make it there until one of the breaks today…

The conference officially began with a dinner last night, Wednesday. About 1500 people were assembled in one of the large halls in the Palais des Congres, Montreal. The main speakers were Gerald Tremblay, Mayor of Montreal, Yvon Marcoux, Minister of Justice – Quebec, and Louise Arbour, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. They were all wonderful to hear, but Ms. Arbour was just fabulous! We also heard from the Ville-Marie borough mayor, Benoit Labonte. Ville-Marie contains the area known as the "Gay Village." Unfortunately the “8-10 pm” dinner ran until about 11:30 so we were really dragging when we got back to the hotel.

This morning the first plenary was held, “Plenary on Canada and the United States.” The panel was tremendous. I guess I'm saying that a lot... First, Olympic swimmer Mark Tewksbury spoke. He medaled for Canada in 1988 and 1992. It was really interesting to hear him talk about how he had been “groomed” to represent Canada on the International Olympic Committee and how disgusted he became when he learned about the real politics and greed of the whole process of bidding to host the Olympics. Then he talked about how members of the committee told “fag jokes.” He was also very funny and was totally jazzed about the conference and the Outgames.

Tewksbury was followed by Kim Gandy, president of the National Organization for Women. She was also terrific, emphasizing the degree to which people need to realize that LGBT issues are women’s issues, women’s issues should be of concern to those fighting racism, those fighting racism… you get the picture.

Now, with a panel of four you kind of expect someone to not be so great. All four were all just wonderful! The next speaker was Bishop Gene Robinson, the openly gay Episcopal Bishop of New Hampshire. He spoke about how LGBT people need to “come out of the closet” about… being people of faith.

Finally, Irshad Manji took the podium. Oh my gosh was she something. Those of you who have been in Toronto a while may remember her from CityTV’s Queer Television. She’s also the author of “The Trouble with Islam Today.” What a spectacular speaker and accomplished woman.

All four speakers – on the panel chaired by Deborah Batts, the first openly lesbian African-American member of the federal judiciary – were engaging, insightful, inspiring… What a great way to kick off the conference.

After lunch I went to the session, “LGBT Equality and Participation in the Military and the Judiciary.” It was great to hear from the openly gay military folks from Sweden and from SLDN’s Dixon Osburn. I also got to visit with a couple of other folks I’ve met at past conferences.

After a quick lunch J and I met up with the other members of our panel and did our presentations at 2:00. I think they went well, though there is NEVER enough time!!! It was then time for a stop back at the hotel and off to dinner at Chez Suzette Creperie. I had a so-so cheese fondue and we shared a yummy, albeit decadent, crepe for dessert.

We then walked over to Square Viger which is set up like a mini-pride festival with food booths, vendors, etc. as well as a stage. Tonight there were drag performers and great music. We wandered around a bit and then headed over to Old Montreal. Even in the humidity it was great to see the sketch artists set up all over the plaza, the cafes and shops open late, and all the hub-bub. Even though it’s clearly a tourist mecca it doesn’t, to me, have quite the same degree of tackiness as similar places. Yes there are dozens, it seems, of t-shirt shops with the same kitsch, but there are also nice restaurants and galleries. Maybe it’s just the evidence of French, but it seems nicer than many comparable tourist havens.

That’s about it for now. Tomorrow there are more sessions and we hope to, at some point, squeeze in a jaunt to one of the [allegedly] best bagel shops in Montreal.

Oh, last night at dinner I sat next to two women from Serbia. Today, while grabbing a snack with my colleagues one of them ran into a friend from New Brunswick who now lives in Berlin with her partner and child. I talked during one break with a fellow who is the Deputy Executive Director of PFLAG in the US and, at lunch, was able to chit-chat with Mark Tewksbury. Just a few of the highlights I neglected to mention. Highlights because it is just so wonderful to be in such an international environment in such a welcoming city.

That's it for now, g’night!