Better Writing
September 20th, 2014
I first learned this lesson from the Miss Canada beauty pageant, but on Thursday three Informed Opinions’ “grads” reminded me of it… If a reporter calls or emails to solicit your informed opinion about an current controversy or topical story, that’s an opportunity for you to provide additional analysis — that you have more control over — […]
read more...What’s the easiest news hook for your next op ed?
Master Media Engagement
April 4th, 2013
It’s one of the most commonly-cited deterrents to doing media interviews: not having control over how the words you speak will be used in the resulting story, whether it’s in a newspaper, on the radio or on TV. But just because you can’t oversee the editing or transmission process doesn’t mean you shouldn’t participate — […]
read more...When they get it wrong
Our Advocacy Work
June 14th, 2011
“Feminazi”, “President, Bitch of the Year Club” and “you dog-faced slut” – these are among the monikers I collected during my three-year stint as an out-feminist columnist with the Vancouver Sun. Most of the insults came from readers, but occasionally a columnist from another paper – or even my own – would be so stuck […]
read more...Sexual assault – defining consent, round 2
Our Advocacy Work
June 1st, 2011
Last week’s controversial decision by the Supreme Court of Canada in favour of protecting unconscious women from sexual assault begged for additional context and analysis. The salacious facts of the case (including the apparently agreed-to asphyxiation, the nature of the assault, and the subsequent relationship breakdown of the couple involved) have fueled simplistic and predictable […]
read more...Controversial “unconscious consent” case given context