Vancouver, Canada is host to the GLISA North American Vancouver 2011 Outgames, Human Rights

Conference and Cultural Celebration July 25-31, 2011. [www.vancouveroutgames.com]

facebook.com/OFFICIALVancouver2011Outgames

Vancouver 2011 North America Outgames

2101-1177 Hastings Street West, Vancouver, BC, V6E 2K3 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 15, 2011

MEDIA ADVISORY

Vancouver Human Rights Conference

Bursaries Available to Youth and Seniors

June 15, 2011 Vancouver, B.C. –Greg Larocque, Co-Chair of the Vancouver 2011 Outgames Human

Rights Conference, has announced support is available to assist up to 70 youth and seniors to

attend the Vancouver 2011 Outgames Conference.

According to Greg, “Youth and seniors are two audiences we very much want to engage at the

Conference. LGBTQ youth are four times more likely to be bullied in this province and seniors are

often confronted with elder abuse and disrespect. So we want them to be engaged in knowing,

understanding, and demanding their rights, not just in this province, but in the rest of Canada and

the United States. We want them to be lifelong good citizens, and knowing their rights is the first

critical step in doing so.”

The B.C. government has provided an $81,000 contribution towards the Human Rights Conference to

help defray costs for select attendees.

The Human Rights Conference at the Vancouver 2011 Outgames is an important place to raise

awareness and support for inclusivity in our communities,” said Vancouver-Langara MLA Stilwell.

“On behalf of the B.C. government, I am very proud that we have been able to make a contribution to

this important event.”

The Conference, to be held as part of the Vancouver 2011 North America Outgames, will take place at

the Sheraton Wall Centre, July 26-28, 2011. Conference sessions will address several topics

including challenges in education, workplace issues, homophobia and transphobia in sport, Human

Rights law worldwide, and the ability to practise their religions for LGBTQ individuals.

In addition to the Conference sessions, there will be two symposiums on Friday and Saturday, July

29-30. One symposium, hosted by the Q Hall of Fame Foundation, will address hate crime issues,

particularly as they relate to laws in place, enforcement of these laws, and decisions rendered to

support the laws. The second symposium, the Salaam Conference, will look at the applications and

Vancouver, Canada is host to the GLISA North American Vancouver 2011 Outgames, Human Rights

Conference and Cultural Celebration July 25-31, 2011. [www.vancouveroutgames.com]

facebook.com/OFFICIALVancouver2011Outgames

role of Islam and its support for members of the LGBTQ community to practise their faith without

discrimination or ostracism.

Two Human Rights Awards will be presented at the Closing Session of the Conference. The selection

of recipients is being chaired by former Member of Parliament Svend Robinson. Two recipients will

be honoured, an organization and an individual who have significantly and constructively moved

forward Human Rights for LGBTQ persons.

Featured keynote speakers will include Blake Skjellerup (Olympic short track speed skater), Peter

Glassman (Chair – Human Relations Commission, State of Pennsylvania) and Sara Davis Buechner

(Professor of Music UBC and concert pianist).

Youth and seniors wishing to take advantage of this opportunity need to communicate their interest

to Victor Elkins, Co-Chair (velkins@shaw.ca). Individuals will be expected to pay a fee of $50 to

confirm their interest and will be subsidized the $425 registration costs. Interested individuals need

to indicate their reasons for wanting to attend the Conference and, if under the age of 18, need to

accompany their statement with a parental or guardian letter of support.

The Vancouver 2011 North American Outgames will also include multiple sports and a weeklong

culture celebration for the LGBTQ community. The Vancouver 2011 North America Outgames is

supported by GLISA North America (Gay and Lesbian International Sports Association - North

America).

A complete list of speakers and conference seminars is available at

www.vancouveroutgames.com/conference.

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For more information contact: John Boychuk – Vancouver Outgames Chair (Cell) 604-339-1265 or

Victor Elkins - Conference Co-Chair (Cell) 604-763-5781