“All these gung-ho third-wave feminists gladden the heart of an old second-waver like moi. That’s because, rather than run from the f-word while benefiting from the hard-won battles for equal rights, these women embrace it.”

-Antonia Zerbisias on Jessica Valenti, The Miss G Project for Equity in Education, Shameless magazine, and, well, you, in today’s Toronto Star.

Don’t forget to check out Jessica Valenti and the rest of the F-word panel tonight at Camera Gallery at 7:00!

Here’s the Facebook page for the event, and some more info. Our very own Jessica Yee will be taking part in the panel discussion, along with Sarah Wolf, Laurel Mitchell, and of course, Jessica Valenti.

Wednesday, June 25, 2008
7:00pm - 10:00pm
Camera Gallery,
Queen and Ossington

More info from The Miss G Project after the jump.

(more inside…)

In celebration of Aboriginal People’s Day, and, you know, just because it’s awesome, the indigenous media production company Isuma will be hosting a live internet broadcast of the Alianait! Arts Festival in Iqaluit. That means that you can tune in from anywhere there’s an internet connection and check out music, storytelling, circus acts, and more from the northern community. Just go to the Isuma TV website starting tomorrow, June 21st - events run all the way to July. It’s a great opportunity to see what northern youth are up to, and to get acquainted (or more familiar) with an amazing Inuit-owned, Inuit-run film and video company. Full schedule of events here.

The Isuma team in Igloolik

The Scream Literary Festival is coming up again, and there are a few events that we at Shameless are particularly excited about.

First of all, Julie Wilson, who runs the delightful Seen Reading blog is going to be running a writing workshop for teens called Seen Writing. The workshop, which is free, will be followed by readings by young poets Rupi Natt and Aaryn Zhou. Check out the event on Saturday, July 5th at 4:30 at the Tinto Cafe, 89 Roncesvalles Ave.

On July 11, the Toronto Women’s Bookstore is going to be hosting poets Camille Martin, Harmony Rice and Monica Rosas.

Camille Martin, a poet and collage artist, works with both found and original materials; Harmony Rice is a reporter for the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network, publisher of SPIRIT Magazine and a burlesque dancer; Monica Rosas is an educator/agitator/artist whose work aims to challenge and provoke discussion on gender, the environment and the visible minority experience. Readings will touch on issues of language, authorship and power, space and place, land and its ownership, the body, and belonging.

And last but not least, on July 14, the Scream in High Park mainstage event has a terrific lineup this year including Dani Couture, rap-storytelling-poet Motion and Skim author Mariko Tamaki. Sigh.

Find out more about the Scream Literary Festival on the website.

Our apologies…there was a typo with the date on the post below - it should read June 25, 2008! That’s next week!

Shameless Magazine is proud to be a media sponsor of Jessica Valenti’s appearance in Toronto at the end of the month.

Wednesday June 25th, 7:00 p.m. at Camera Gallery (Queen and Ossington).

Valenti will be talking about her new book, followed by a panel discussion about choice, media, and sexuality.

Hope to see you there!

UPDATE: There was a typo with the date - it should read June 25, 2008! That’s next week!

Shameless Magazine is proud to be a media sponsor of Jessica Valenti’s appearance in Toronto at the end of the month.

Wednesday June 25th, 7:00 p.m. at Camera Gallery (Queen and Ossington).

Valenti will be talking about her new book, followed by a panel discussion about choice, media, and sexuality.

About Jessica Valenti:

Jessica Valenti is the Executive Editor of Feministing.com. She’s a feminist writer from New York who has a Masters degree in Women’s and Gender Studies and has worked with organizations such as NARAL Pro-Choice America, Legal Momentum (formerly NOW Legal Defense and Education Fund), Planned Parenthood, the Women’s Environment and Development Organization (WEDO) and Ms. magazine. She is a co-founder of the REAL hot 100, and a contributing author to We Don’t Need Another Wave and Single State of the Union (Seal Press). Her writing has appeared in Ms. magazine, Salon, The Guardian (UK), The Nation, Bitch, and Alternet. In April 2007, Jessica was named one of ELLE magazine’s IntELLEgentsia. Her first book, Full Frontal Feminism: A Young Woman’s Guide to Why Feminism Matters, was released in Spring 2007. Her most recent book, He’s a Stud, She’s a Slut, and 49 Other Double Standards Every Woman Should Know was just released with Seal Press in May.

Martinis and feminist hilarity to follow!

This event is all ages and free.

I’ve been remiss in not posting this sooner, but tomorrow night is the relaunch of Piece of my Heart: A Lesbian of Colour Anthology. Thanks to contributor Dianah Smith for the heads up on this great event!

This is an official Pride Toronto event.

Matters of the Heart: A celebration and relaunch of Piece of My Heart - A Lesbian of Colour Anthology

Thursday, 19 June 2008 (7 p.m.)
The Revival Bar
783 College Street West
Toronto ON

Piece of My Heart was edited by Makeda Silvera and published by Sister Vision Press in 1991. It was the first North American anthology of literature by lesbians of colour and was a finalist for the the American Library Association, Gay and Lesbian Book Award.(more inside…)

Ladyfest Toronto 2008 - Call for Submissions

Ladyfest Toronto is looking for musicians, artists, filmmakers, and workshop facilitators for our 2008 festival! This fall, we will be celebrating feminism in all its forms this and we need you!

Ladyfest Toronto 2008 is happening in and around Kensington Market from September 18th to the 21st. The aim of the festival is to incite dialogue about contemporary feminist issues and to create space for women to showcase their amazing creativity.

With concerts, workshops, a film festival and more, there will be something that’s sure to tickle your fancy. To apply to be a part of this year’s festival, please go to www.ladyfesttoronto.ca/program.html.

(more inside…)

Join The Fat Femme Mafia at The Gladstone Hotel in Toronto on Sunday June 15th 2008 for a massive plus sized clothing sale!

Toronto fat activist and performance duo, The Fat Femme Mafia are holding another Fat Flea Market Sunday June 15th in The Gladstone Hotel’s Art bar from 10am-5pm.

All clothes are size 14 and above and between $5-$10! Accessories being sold as well!

To donate your size 14 and up clothes, please email fatfemmemafia@hotmail.com to arrange either drop off or pick up before the date. In exchange for donations the Mafia will be giving out Fat Flea Bucks to be used at the sale! Give them your old wardrobe and they’ll give you a new one!

Fat Femme Mafia co-founder and member Chelsey Lichtman (right) chats with Rosie O’Donnell about fat politics.

About The Fat Femme Mafia:

The Fat Femme Mafia consists of Chelsey Lichtman and Liz Brockest, a Toronto based performance and activist duo on a mission to spread the message that every BODY is a GOOD body. Whether they are scratching out weight loss ads with a sharpie, parading their chunky selves across a stage, or expanding public awareness on issues pertaining to bodies and health, the FFM are large and in charge and not afraid to make it known. Chelsey and Liz have toured their Love your Chub campaign all across North America dressed sometimes in their finest muumuu’s and other times in their best dresses. They are probably the diet industry’s worst nightmare and can be reached at www.myspace.com/fatfemmemafia.