Jun 9, 2023
Brenda Agnew is co-hosting today’s episode with Simona Jellineck. They have the privilege of welcoming Michael Battista to a thoughtful conversation.
With over 30 years of experience practicing immigration and refugee law, Michael is certified by the Law Society of Ontario as a Specialist in Citizenship and Immigration Law (Immigration and Refugee Protection). Michael worked with EGALE Canada and the Canadian government to extend the family class to same-sex couples under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and has appeared as a witness before Parliament on issues involving LGBTQ+ immigration, sponsorships, and medical inadmissibility. The breadth of Michael's expertise covers the entire spectrum of immigration and refugee law, with a focus on matters related to sponsorships based on same-sex relationships, HIV, medical and other inadmissibility, and Express Entry applications by people seeking to obtain Canadian permanent residence for them and their same-sex partners.
Michael also leads the firm’s corporate immigration practice, involving the transfers of employees to Canada. He has been an adjunct professor at the Faculty of Law at the University of Toronto since 2003 and an adjunct professor at the University of Toronto’s Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy since 2017. He received the first Teaching Innovation Award from the University of Toronto’s Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy in 2018.
Key Takeaways:
[3:30] Michael shares his motivation to do the work that he does.
[6:30] Michael talks about his life in his twenties and the impact of HIV on his community.
[10:15] Many changes have taken place in the past couple of decades.
[14:54] Simone remembers how difficult advocating for LGBTQ+ rights was in her twenties.
[16:39] Rainbow Railroad is not only happening in Canada.
[18:43] Michael recalls the early times of fundraising for Rainbow Railroad.
[22:30] Brenda, Simona, and Michael address the societal aspect in Canada compared to the US.
[27:05] Michael defines prosecution.
[29:00] Is Rainbow Railroad alone gathering funds for the cause?
[30:01] How does Rainbow Railroad help the people in their initial times in Canada?
[33:14] Michael discusses some of the steps forward and some of the steps back that have occurred in this movement over the years.
[34:05] What role do other organizations like the UN play in advocating for LGBTQ+ rights?
[37:30] Michael highlights the power of certain words.
[38:12] How can people get involved?
[40:02] Does the local Ugandan community in Canada hold the same judgments over the LGBTQ+ community?
[41:37] How many people did Rainbow Railroad help over the years?
[42:30] Michael shares one particular email that got to his heart in 2010.
Mentioned in this episode:
To learn more about the work we do at Gluckstein Lawyers, please visit Gluckstein Lawyers.
Learn more about Michael Battista and visit Rainbow Railroad.
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