Thanks to the Shameless reader who sent us a tip on this awful story.

From the Toronto Star:

19-year-old, who faces no charges, distressed at being behind bars after attempts to subpoena her as witness in domestic assault case failed…Due to deliver next Tuesday, [Noellee Mowatt] has been detained at Vanier Centre for Women since Thursday, when a justice of the peace denied her bail. Mowatt, who faces no criminal charges in this case, won’t be let out until she testifies at her boyfriend’s domestic assault trial on Friday.

…Toronto police said they tried several times to serve the expectant mother with a subpoena to show up in court. When she wasn’t present March 20, a judge issued a material warrant for her arrest…Mowatt, who lived in shelters and a rooming house before her arrest April 1, said that while she had several conversations with detectives, no one ever asked her to pick up a subpoena or tried to drop one off.

More frightening than Mowatt’s case in and of itself is the precedent it sets, and the message it sends to women stuck in abusive situations:

Several groups said yesterday they can’t remember the last time a victim of domestic violence was held in jail on a material warrant…Amanda Dale of the YWCA is baffled that such means, which are usually employed to compel other criminals to testify, would be used on someone so vulnerable.

“It’s counterproductive to the broader goal of getting women to leave violent situations,” [Dale] said…”It will have a chilling effect on anyone coming forward and reporting to the police.”

(more inside…)

Study says young male monkeys like playing with trucks and young female monkeys prefer dolls.

This bothers me on so many levels.

From Guest Blogger Jessica Yee:

I am damn happy to be of Native ancestry. I take a real look around and see that we as Aboriginal peoples have so much to be proud of! The media continuously paints ignorant and negative pictures of our peoples and our ways. But our heritage, our culture, and our traditions give us the tenacity to endure many feats and the strength to climb many mountains. It’s time to recognize those on the forefront making a difference for future generations, our YOUTH! The National Aboriginal Health Organization (NAHO) calls Aboriginal youth ages 18-30 to nominate other Aboriginal youth for the National Role Model Program who are making waves in their community.

The program which began in 2004 aims to:-promote healthy self-esteem among Aboriginal Peoples
-strengthen Aboriginal identity
-enhance a positive public image of Aboriginal Peoples
-facilitate availability of Aboriginal role models to Aboriginal youth and communities
-influence behaviours and attitudes of Aboriginal youth toward healthy lifestyles
-foster Aboriginal-inspired leadership

The deadline to submit was March 28 so stay tuned for the winners!

Not Aboriginal? We all have a responsiblity to ensure the First Peoples of this land are being recognized and viewed in the light we deserve to be seen in. Contact the program to have a Role Model visit and learn about the amazing things Indigneous youth are doing to effect positive change across the country.

Start looking out for Aboriginal role models in your community to nominate for next year!

Ok, so you may already know that I spend a lot of time trying to rationalise my love for the Spice Girls, and convincing people that teen dance movies are the vanguard front of the revolution, but you may not know that I have an undying love for Mariah Carey.

Earlier this week MC knocked Elvis out of the #2 spot for most number of #1 singles and is now second only to the Beatles. This is what she had to say:

“I really can never put myself in the category of people who have not only revolutionised music but also changed the world,” she said…”That’s a completely different era and time …I’m just feeling really happy and grateful.”
…
Carey said being in such company was gratifying not only because of her personal success, but what it meant for women and minorities.

Score one for the ladies (and the ladies of colour, and the mixed race ladies, and the ladies who’ve struggled with mental health…)!

Watch the video for her new single “Touch My Body” after the jump. I could go on at length about how it joyfully celebrates sexuality, pokes fun at diva conventions, and confronts the stereotype that ladies don’t know tech talk, but I won’t push it…

(more inside…)

Thomas Beatie, a 34 year-old Trans Man from Oregon who is carrying a child for his wife Nancy and himself, will be on Oprah today. I’m very interested to see how this story will be handled in the mainstream media. I hate to be a cynic, but my prediction is that it won’t be handled well (if the trailer is any indication,) but here’s to hopin’.

If you’re unfamiliar with Beatie’s story, The Advocate features a touching first person account here.

Our situation sparks legal, political, and social unknowns. We have only begun experiencing opposition from people who are upset by our situation. Doctors have discriminated against us, turning us away due to their religious beliefs. Health care professionals have refused to call me by a male pronoun or recognize Nancy as my wife. Receptionists have laughed at us. Friends and family have been unsupportive; most of Nancy’s family doesn’t even know I’m transgender.

I sadly will have to miss the show (but I’m going to get my Mom to tape it for me.) If anyone catches it, please post your reaction in the comments section.

Via Feministing.

A group of rival women’s magazine editors have agreed to work together to draw up a voluntary code of practice on airbrushing and “size zero” models.

Hat tip to Canadian Magazines

Rob Ford apologized.

On Monday, Coun. Adam Vaughn of Ward 20 in downtown Toronto presented a petition signed by 260 residents in his ward demanding an apology. Speaker Sandra Bussin ruled that Ford must retract his comments and apologize.

But before he apologized, Ford cited numerous references to the world “Oriental” in popular culture — including an ad for corn starch in a supermarket flyer that promotes “Oriental-flavoured 100 per cent corn starch.”

I give up. He may have said sorry, but he still doesn’t get it.

I’m going to admit right here and now that Jeanne Beker is a bit of a hero of mine. It’s no secret that I am a big fan of fashion, and ever since I was younger I admired how the Canadian television personality, author and newspaper columnist could glide effortlessly into a runway show and chat up every Vogue editor and designer as if she was their best friend from high school. For the fashionistas among us, watching Beker have a casual chat with Valentino or Betsey Johnson is simply a joy to behold.

Beker’s got a pretty amazing professional history. She launched the ground-breaking music magazine show The NewMusic the same year I was born, was honorary chair of Toronto’s annual Fashion Cares and Gilda’s Club, and she was honoured with the prestigious Crystal lifetime achievement award by Women in Film and Television. She’s covered fashion and lifestyle news for Citytv, FashionTelevisionChannel and The Globe and Mail, and regardless of what you think of fashion as an industry, you have to admit she’s certainly a well-respected journalist in her field who is consistently doing groundbreaking work in mainstream women’s media.

And now she’s a Bratz doll.(more inside…)

Toronto City Councillor Rob Ford, who has been in the news as of late, was arrested at his home yesterday and charged with assault and uttering death threats. The complainant’s name has not been officially released, but a police source said it is Ford’s wife, Renata, and that she has been injured in an apparent domestic incident.

This is the same Rob Ford who recently refused to apologize for some racist comments he made at City Hall.

The reason I decided to post this story was because of some comments I’ve been reading on the local blogs regarding Ford’s innocence. Here’s a sampling of comments :(more inside…)