Our event starts at 11 am on the 2nd floor of the Koffler House (569 Spadina Avenue). Social 10:45am – 11:00am.
Gender and sex are two concepts that are muddled together – both at the conceptual level, and in real life when it comes to diagnosing Gender Dysphoria. Such a diagnosis is the precondition for medical treatments for trans people. It is a social and cultural minefield, through which we need to chart a careful path. It is difficult to engage in an open discussion, because emotions run so high. Nevertheless, our featured speaker, Margrit Eichler, believes it is important to do so. Margrit will look at the current definition of Gender Dysphoria in the DMS (that’s the bible of psychiatrists) and what she considers its progressive and conservative elements, with a short side trip to the sex ed curricula of the previous liberal and current conservative governments.
Margrit Eichler taught her first course in feminist sociology in 1971, then entitled “Sex Roles”, because the term gender had not yet been invented for use for social relations (it was a grammatical term only). She has been dealing with issues of sex and gender since that time. She is Professor Emerita of the Department of Social Justice Education at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto.
Our featured musician will be Cassie Norton, the music director of Toronto Oasis. At times fragile and sweet, at other times strong, bold and even harsh, this Toronto-based violinist/singer-songwriter tells the stories behind her lyrics with sound. Cassie’s music is, at times friendly, familiar, and simple, examining ordinary characters with an extraordinary level of depth. Other times it is more adventurous, rumbling with dissonant and irreverent sounds and epic themes.
Cassie and her band have been performing at Toronto venues such as Burdock Hall, Arrayspace, and The Supermarket since January 2018, and released their first EP: Lullaby for the End of Time in February 2019. In addition, Cassie has recorded two full length albums as a solo artist, Little Strength (2009) and Quiet Wilderness (2010).
When she isn’t busy making her own music, Cassie shares her love of music with others through teaching. She teaches a variety of private and ensemble classes at Regent Park School of Music, and through her private studio. Check out her website: https://www.cassienorton.com/
Gerald Robinson will do the Community Moment. The Community Moment is a chance for one of our own to share their journey, thoughts about life, or something personal about themselves. It could be light and silly or it could be emotionally heavy. Either way, you’ll learn more about a valued person in our community. Interested in presenting your own Community Moment? Contact Tania at 416oasis@gmail.com.
You can RSVP for this on our Meetup page at:
https://www.meetup.com/Toronto-Oasis/events/pzdxgryzqbtb/