Here are 2 articles that have appeared in the Winnipeg Free Press:
Looking beyond our borders
WHEN David Pepper comes home to Manitoba for Pride Day, his mission is to make the LGBTTQ community aware that people in many countries are being persecuted -- and even killed -- for their sexual orientation.
The Ottawa activist, who grew up in Brandon, is on an extensive national tour to encourage Canadians to form groups of five and privately sponsor persecuted gay and lesbian refugees to settle here.
His initiative is called the North Star Triangle Project, a name that honours American slaves' freedom journey to Canada, and the triangle as a gay symbol. He has been to 11 cities since he launched his odyssey in Winnipeg in April.
"I subscribe to the notion that an injustice to one is an injustice to all," says Pepper, 48, by phone from Vancouver.
On June 5, Pepper will lead this year's Winnipeg Pride parade as its marshal and speak at the pre-parade rally at the Legislative Grounds.
The "Winnipeg Group of Five," local gay men who are sharing the cost (about $14,000) and responsibility of sponsoring a young gay man from Iran who is currently in Turkey, were invited to lead the parade with Pepper. But most of them prefer to stay out of the limelight, so one member, Doug Holroyd, will represent them.
The Winnipeg Five have discovered that the immigration bureaucracy is painfully backlogged and slow. It could be two years before the man they want to help can travel here. Pepper confirms that the process is fraught with delays.
Nonetheless, he wants to inspire LGBTTQ Canadians to open their eyes and hearts.
"It really is important that we look beyond our national borders to remember that the Pride parade that's happening in Winnipeg, when it happens in some countries, the violence is extraordinary....
"As gay and lesbian people, injustices, intolerance and state-sanctioned murder of gays and lesbians anywhere in the world is an affront to our own dignity and human rights."
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition May 26, 2011 E10
Winnipeg Free Press - ONLINE EDITION
Winnipeg Free Press - ONLINE EDITION
Pepper to lead Gay Pride Parade
WINNIPEG — Manitoba-born gay rights activist David Pepper and members of a local group which is sponsoring a refugee’s move to Winnipeg will lead this year’s Pride Parade though downtown Winnipeg.
Pepper, who grew up in Brandon and now lives in Ottawa, will also speak at the rally kicking off the June 5 parkade. The rally is scheduled to start at 11:30 a.m. on the grounds of the Manitoba Legislature.
Pepper is currently touring the country to raise awareness about the plight of gay refugees. His North Star Triangle project aims to mobilize members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual and transgendered community to form groups of five and support refugees being persecuted in their homeland because of their sexuality.
The Winnipeg "Group of Five" has already committed to supporting a refugee coming to Winnipeg.
Pepper recently launched his cross-country tour in Winnipeg because it’s an immigrant city and the future home of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights.
"David Pepper reminds us that although we enjoy many rights and freedoms in our country, there are others around the world who still suffer because of who they love," said Pride Winnipeg chair Barb Burkowski. "As we celebrate Pride this year with a ‘unity’ theme, we want to acknowledge the inspiring work of David Pepper and the North Stat Triangle Project."
murray.mcneill@freepress.mb.ca
Pepper, who grew up in Brandon and now lives in Ottawa, will also speak at the rally kicking off the June 5 parkade. The rally is scheduled to start at 11:30 a.m. on the grounds of the Manitoba Legislature.
Pepper is currently touring the country to raise awareness about the plight of gay refugees. His North Star Triangle project aims to mobilize members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual and transgendered community to form groups of five and support refugees being persecuted in their homeland because of their sexuality.
The Winnipeg "Group of Five" has already committed to supporting a refugee coming to Winnipeg.
Pepper recently launched his cross-country tour in Winnipeg because it’s an immigrant city and the future home of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights.
"David Pepper reminds us that although we enjoy many rights and freedoms in our country, there are others around the world who still suffer because of who they love," said Pride Winnipeg chair Barb Burkowski. "As we celebrate Pride this year with a ‘unity’ theme, we want to acknowledge the inspiring work of David Pepper and the North Stat Triangle Project."
murray.mcneill@freepress.mb.ca
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