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Québec Solidaire health critic Amir Khadir has suggested that CLSC’s stay open all week, twenty-four hours a day.

According to the Gazette, Khadir made the suggestion Saturday during a campaign for Québec solidaire candidate Édith Laperle as a way of reinforcing the public health-care system.

A physician by profession, Khadir said that CLSCs are currently being under-utilized, criticising private clinics as ‘parasites of the public system’ for their trend in recent years.

Laperle also said that she wants CLSC’s to return to their original mission of front-line care.

She pledged that if elected, she would extend the operating hours of the CLSC in Cote des Nieges as a pilot project. 

The leaves have turned to compost, the wind is getting stronger, and the nights are dropping below the zero point - that must mean it is almost time for Image + Nation, Canada's longest running LGBTQ film festival. If you are like most people I know just now, you probably have a million and one things to be thinking about and doing, so I thought I would help you out by posting my top 5 festival picks! You can thank me later!!

LESBOMUNDO 
Friday, November 29 at 19:15
Pavillon Judith-Jasmin Annexe

One of my favourite things about film festivals is the selections of shorts. This is really the only place to see some of these beautiful shorts, so be sure to check them out! This collection features nine little lady gems, including locally-made Minute du Patrimoine directed by Dominic Poliquin. Picture this: It's 1959, and two nuns fall in love, need I say more? If so, this collection also has a Chinese sweet short called "Knighthood," about a young girl who dreams of becoming a fearless knight.

Before You Know It 
Saturday November 30 at 15:15
Pavillon Judith-Jasmin Annexe

This documentary follows the lives of three gay seniors, an often overlooked group of serious knowledge-holders that should be celebrated more. To quote the Image+Nation program, "award-winning film maker PJ Raval traces a year in the lives of three gay senior citizens, addressing society's de-sexualization of an age bracket within a community that, it can be said, defines itself by sexual identity." That, right there, should be enough to pique your interest and see what these three fellows have to say!

Intersexion 
Saturday, November 30 at 17:15
Pavillon Judith-Jasmin Annexe

This flick, directed by Grant Lahood, follows intersex activist Mani Bruce Mitchell's journey to connect with peers across the world, inevitably developing a larger community and wider awareness. He/r powerful statement "It doesn't suck to be intersex; it sucks to be persecuted" should make you want to see this emotional doc. Knowing the film's message is to break the silence and speak out against the shame, isolation and bullying is the reason to get you buying your ticket to make sure you don't miss it!

I Am Divine 
Saturday, November 30 at 19:00
Pavillon Judith-Jasmin Annexe

Acclaimed documentary filmmaker Jeffrey Schwarz honours the amazing life of Harris Glenn Milstead, better known as Divine. This documentary features interviews with so many icons, including John Waters, Mink Stole, Ricki Lake, Tab Hunter, Holly Woodlawn and his mother, Frances. This is definitely one to catch at the fest, the crowd will, no doubt, be absolutely divine!

QUEERMENT QUEBEC 
Tuesday, December 3 at 19:00
Cinémathèque québécoise

This is another collection of shorts, and like I mentioned, one of my favourite things at festivals! The stand out of this collection will certainly be Je Suis Lesbienne, a Montréal-made short doc showcasing 22 local women proudly affirming what it means to be lesbian to them. There is also Confessions of a Fag Hag, and the name alone should be enough! If not, how about Girl Friday, a beautiful depiction of the way we’d all really love to remember to Lauren Bacall... Yes, minds are now wandering...

Tune in to With Gay Abandon on Monday November 25th at 1 PM to hear Julie interview Charlie Boudreau, the director of the festival, and get a look at the program on a broader scope!

--Julie 'OCDJ' Matson hosts With Gay Abandon every Monday from 1-2 PM

At least one person has died after protesters and police clashed in Cairo's Tahrir Square.

According to Al Jazeera, protesters gathered on Tuesday to mark the two-year anniversary of the 2011 demonstrations. Police used tear gas and birdshot to disperse the crowd filling the square.

On Monday, protesters vandalized a recently inaugurated monument to those killed in the 2011 protests. A protester said that they need the trials of those responsible for the 2011 deaths, and not celebrations.

At least 43 people were killed and more than 3000 wounded in the 2011 protests against the regime of President Hosni Mubarak.

_{source: Al Jazeera}