I have been in Amman, Jordan, for a day, as it’s the entry point for our delegation to the West Bank and Gaza, to begin on Saturday. And what a day…. Amman is quite extraordinary and beautiful. From the heights of the ancient Citadel (AD 180) to the bowl of the Amphitheatre in the depths of the city, you experience the layers upon layers of sandstone buildings and steep, narrow streets, connected vertically by ribbons of stairs. It is dry and hot, and a cool breeze every now and then is relieving. By chance Kim and I attended a free concert in the ancient amphitheatre and watched as the sky darkened, sitting on one of the time worn tiers of steps, the stones so smooth they seem polished. On our way home we ate a sweet kanafeh, an Arabic dessert, and coffee.

My Dad, Peter Davies, was a frequent visitor to Amman, and entered the West Bank many times from here, in his work for a just settlement for Palestinians. He worked for many years with the Middle East Council of Churches, before his death in 2008.

Our delegation of 3 MPs, 2 members of CODE PINK, and a filmmaker is almost gathered in Amman, about which I will write more later. We are still working through logistical issues.

As I travelled here from Copenhagen, at the conclusion of the Human Rights Conference on LGBT issues, I finished reading Monia Mazigh’s powerful book “Hope and Despair”. Maher Arar, her husband, was sent to Syria via Jordan in 2002. Her tenacity and sense of purpose to support her husband is something we can all learn from. I am mindful that as I work to raise awareness about the situation in Gaza and the West Bank, as a result of Israeli occupation, and the siege of Gaza, we must also be vigilant about the human rights of Canadians, such as Maher, who endured and survived immense violations and suffering also perpetrated by the state. What exactly is our understanding of “terrorism” as defined by the state? These are some of the questions I think about and hope to understand better.

At the 2009 World Outgames, LGBT Human Rights Conference, here in Copenhagen, I have been struck by the courage of many who in their home country, face discrimination, criminal sanction, violence, and stigma.

In the global north we have struggled for and gained rights for LGBT people. There are still many instances of homophobia and discrimination, and Trans people are still very much at risk – but we can use the law and gain support in the community. Elsewhere, in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, things can be really tough. We have heard many stories about not being able to be yourself or “being invisible” and living a double life, and facing criminal charges. Yet even so there are many who take on these barriers and injustices and organize and advocate for their rights and the rights of the Queer community overall.

On Wednesday we heard from an extraordinary young woman in China who organized leadership “LaLa camps” for Asian women. Her video had us in tears as we saw their powerful work together as they faced seemingly overwhelming issues. Their positive attitude and fortitude were inspiring.

There are also examples of great changes underway. One workshop I attended presented four terrific people from Cuba who work with CENESEX, an organization for sexual diversity. Mariela Castro Espin gave a spirited overview of their work. I loved their slogan: “La Diversidad es Natural”. For anyone who has visited Cuba (as many of us Canadians love to do!), the video of the anti-homophobia day on La Rampa, in Havana, was wonderful to see, drag queens and all.

I also saw a wonderful pre-premiere of the Danish film “I am Lesbian” that was humourous, historical, and vivid, as it portrayed the daily life of lesbians in Denmark. I think we will see this film on the International and Queer Film Festival circuit soon. I will definitely go see it again.

Last night Kim and I hung out by the Canal in Nyhavn with other Canadians Ariel, Matt and Jane, and we talked up a storm. We had a nice dinner and I learned a lot about Trans issues.

I feel like I hardly saw Copenhagen, but the number of cyclists who commute everyday is impressive (36% of all commuters). It makes the debate about the Burrard Street Bridge look pretty minor. Every major street has 2 bicycle lanes. As the guide book said, there is an “elegance” to seeing the streams of cyclists on these lanes. People are very laid back and polite.

Have loved being here…..Bill Siksay has already left and we will have lots to report back on.

I attended a press conference today, organized by the Philippine Women Centre of BC, the West Coast Domestic Workers’ Association, SIKLAB, and Grassroots Women – BC, to highlight the terrible situation facing Live-In Caregivers who are being removed from Canadian airports, even though they have been approved, and issued legal documents, to work in Canada.

The event focused on the removal of Ligaya Villacrusis, a Filipina nurse who arrived at Vancouver International Airport July 4, with a work visa. She was eventually turned away and sent back to London, because her employment could not be verified.

She’s not the only one … there are many more women who are being traumatized and exploited by unscrupulous employment agencies which can charge $5 000 – $10 000 for their services, and by the Canadian government, which is so deeply complicit in the Temporary Foreign Worker Program that also exploits workers.

I was horrified to hear the details of Ligaya’s situation. Canadians believe we have a fair immigration system and labour practices. Not so! The Temporary Foreign Worker Program is deeply flawed and seems more intent on enforcement and deportation of workers than protecting people’s rights, and ending the harmful practices of these agencies.

I will be writing to the Minister responsible for the Canadian Border Services Agency, as well as the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, and the Minister of Human Resources and Social Development Canada (the fact that 3 federal departments are involved further frustrates and complicates the situation for these workers), to register my concerns. I will be calling for an end to airport-to-airport deportations, and a full review of the program, emphasizing the need to protect workers’ rights.

My colleague, Olivia Chow, MP for Trinity Spadina, and Critic for Citizenship and Immigration for the NDP, has raised this issue many times in Parliament, as have I. We will continue to press the government to act.

For more info on this go to
www.kalayaancentre.net/pwcofbc