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Marcus McCann Profile
Marcus McCann

@mmccnn

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Employment & human rights lawyer. Writer of Park Cruising: What Happens When We Wander Off the Path (Anansi, May 2023) He/him🌈

Toronto, ON
Joined February 2010
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@mmccnn
Marcus McCann
1 year
About my new book Park Cruising… Some interviews, an excerpt and my IG are all here: Photo by Jason Lee
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@mmccnn
Marcus McCann
6 years
Dear @LisaThompsonMPP , In 1998: *The age of consent was 14, not 16; * Reteah Parsons Law (unauthorized distribution of private images) was not enacted; * There was no crime of “internet luring”; & * SCC hadn’t concluded teens’ private auto-depictions aren’t child porn.
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@mmccnn
Marcus McCann
2 years
Happy to report that the case against my clients, a lesbian couple sued for $6M over tweets, was dismissed under the anti-SLAPP law. I had been concerned that if the case was allowed to proceed, it could significantly restrict what LGBTQ people can say online.
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@mmccnn
Marcus McCann
2 years
O, um, I wrote a book about public sex --> Park Cruising: What Happens When We Wander Off the Path ( @houseofanansi , spring 2023), a collection of essays about sex, law and culture. I am excited! And nervous! Love you all. Preorder: & at yr fave shop in May
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@mmccnn
Marcus McCann
5 years
After I publicly spoke about my @utlaw law school debt in 2015 I was flagged by the Faculty. The assistant dean sent this email out (obtained thru access to information legislation), asking staff to advise her if I was invited to events. Today is my 5 year law school reunion. 1/7
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@mmccnn
Marcus McCann
11 months
I don’t want to link to the horrible National Post story today, but I will note that they could not find a single person to interview who regretted having a gender-affirming surgery.
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@mmccnn
Marcus McCann
5 years
I am a swing voter, but this election it’s easy. I am voting for @theJagmeetSingh ’s NDP. I believe in the platform, the leader, and my local candidate @AndrewCash . 🧡 #UpRiSingh
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@mmccnn
Marcus McCann
1 year
Happy #PrideTO weekend 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ and also please vote for @oliviachow this time, my dears. Election day is Monday 💜💛💜
@oliviachow
Olivia Chow
10 years
Saluting the World Pride 2014. #WPTO14 http://t.co/hzcPl3mjGf
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@mmccnn
Marcus McCann
3 years
The longer salons stay closed in Toronto, the more I become dependent on this Bluetooth headset to double as a hairband during zoom court
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@mmccnn
Marcus McCann
5 years
Saturday morning!
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@mmccnn
Marcus McCann
5 months
If I am understanding this correctly, the police waited FIVE MONTHS before asking for our assistance to i.d. dismembered body found at Cherry Beach?
@TorontoStar
Toronto Star
5 months
#NEW : Toronto police looking to identify dismembered human remains found at Cherry Beach last fall
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@mmccnn
Marcus McCann
2 years
It’s pretty rich that the @globeandmail , which cut back its books coverage to an anemic two pages a week, is now concerned that Canadian book publishing is in crisis
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@mmccnn
Marcus McCann
1 year
Good morning, let’s do this!
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@mmccnn
Marcus McCann
4 years
"Nobody should be surprised that men continued to cruise during the pandemic. We cruised through winter. We cruised through police raids. We cruised through the AIDS crisis. Reagan is dead and we are still cruising."
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@mmccnn
Marcus McCann
6 years
Hi, the family of the 11-year-old trans girl I represent who is taking on Doug Ford's #SexEd repeal needs funds to cover travel, accom., etc for the hearing later this month. Throw some bucks their way or signal boost, if you can. Thanks: #onpoli
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@mmccnn
Marcus McCann
4 years
Big news. Angela Chaisson ( @angelawya ) and I are getting the band back together over at
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@mmccnn
Marcus McCann
6 years
And, also in 1998: * SCC hadn’t put limits on corporal punishment of children; * M v H hadn’t decided gay couples entitled to equality; * Gender identity and expression were not in human rights code; & * Material seized on way to Little Sisters still thought obscene.
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@mmccnn
Marcus McCann
1 year
The publisher is booking me for events, etc. in May — amazing — but should I also stop by some college campuses in the fall? Park Cruising: What Happens When We Wander Off the Path ( @HouseofAnansi ) is out May 2
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@mmccnn
Marcus McCann
2 years
Yes, I am an employment lawyer. Yes, I am still doing free phone consultations with anyone in Ontario who has recently lost their job. I wish legal information were more widely available, and so I am happy to chat. Often a short call is all that's needed
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@mmccnn
Marcus McCann
4 years
I was asked (months ago) to speak on a panel about LGBTQ people and policing tomorrow... and it is very important in this moment that we speak frankly about policing. So here is a little reminder about our ongoing histories with policing + protest (1/9)
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@mmccnn
Marcus McCann
4 years
Paul & I are feeling gutted by the death of RBG, of course we are. But I can’t help but notice how my woman lawyer friends are reacting tonight. I see you. May we all stand for women’s equality tomorrow & in all days, in honour of RBG & all the rad women who carry on her work
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@mmccnn
Marcus McCann
4 years
Dressing up for zoom proceedings will never not feel silly
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@mmccnn
Marcus McCann
5 years
Students continue to say the obvious: that high tuition is a barrier to low & modest inc people; that high debts worsen mental health outcomes for those who attend; that legal services are super unaffordable & high tuition during an access to justice crisis is indefensible. 5/7
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@mmccnn
Marcus McCann
3 years
A Guelph business and its owner have launched a lawsuit which, if successful, could severely restrict how #LGBTQ people are permitted to express themselves online. I hope our communities take notice of the case. I think it's pretty important 1/5
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@mmccnn
Marcus McCann
1 year
Evening work-related zoom call
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@mmccnn
Marcus McCann
1 year
Finished reading @bmanuel ’s book at Dufferin Grove park on Sunday. What if we just spent all our days reading lusty essays? How nice would that be?
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@mmccnn
Marcus McCann
5 years
Update on pot shops with Toronto-specific pun names. WEED THE NORTH on Spadina is closed, but across the street someone has opened DA GRASSY HIGH.
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@mmccnn
Marcus McCann
6 years
Good vibes only. Our human rights challenge to Doug Ford’s decision to scrap the inclusive sex ed curriculum starts Monday. AB v Ontario. Case runs until Feb 8.
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@mmccnn
Marcus McCann
5 years
This means so much to me. I hope the Student Law Society knows that there is a large network of alumni who are horrified by high tuition and failing financial aid at U of T Law, and we are here to support the current students who have been speaking out <3
@UTLawSLS
Students' Law Society | University of Toronto
5 years
Statement from the Students’ Law Society Following the October 25, 2019 Twitter post by Marcus McCann @mmccnn about the financial barriers to attending U of T Law
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@mmccnn
Marcus McCann
5 years
You know, I do a lot of free consultations, mostly with people who have been fired from their jobs. Often people in very tough situations ... My view is legal information should be freely available, and tbh, I don’t want to take someone’s money unless I think I can help
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@mmccnn
Marcus McCann
1 year
Good morning, yeah no thanks, I am going back to bed
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@mmccnn
Marcus McCann
4 years
Is it still called a "thirst trap" when law firms do it? I have been sitting on pictures of our law firm's rebrand for 2 months. Behold the new look of ... Millard & Company:
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Marcus McCann
2 years
Through the magic of facial recognition, my phone has concluded that my best friend is um a large pink painting(!?), and without prompting it created a moving slideshow of our adventures together…
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@mmccnn
Marcus McCann
1 year
Last hearing today before a little break
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@mmccnn
Marcus McCann
7 years
Oh lordy, look what just arrived on my desk
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@mmccnn
Marcus McCann
3 years
As someone who usually *freezes* in bystander situations, I definitely recommend @JulieSLalonde 's bystander intervention training workshop (how to respond to street harassment). Free 1-hour workshops here:
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@mmccnn
Marcus McCann
5 years
Anyway, follow @UltraVires for the latest. And here is the text of the (i thought pretty gentle) talk I gave to the Class of 1975 about the current tuition problem. Everything about it is still true, probably moreso now. 7/7
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@mmccnn
Marcus McCann
3 years
Happy Pride Month 2021. It is currently easier for a corporation to change its name & letters patent than it is for a trans person to change their name & gender markers 🌈🌈🌈
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@mmccnn
Marcus McCann
5 years
Omg I got this nonthreatening heterosexual haircut on Thursday and now women are flirting with me in public
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@mmccnn
Marcus McCann
2 years
A Charter challenge in Canada by @cdnswalliance seeks to strike the anti-sex work provisions in the Criminal Code #repealpcepa . On Tuesday, I made submissions on behalf of @ocrcc_on , a pillar of the anti-violence movement. Here’s what we had to say - thread
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@mmccnn
Marcus McCann
4 years
I know some of y’all are dog people so
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@mmccnn
Marcus McCann
5 years
Tuition and fees are worse now than they were in 2015. When I started law school in 2011, tuition was a mind boggling $26,000/per year. Now it is roughly $40,000. Our class protested, including on graduation day. 3/7
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@mmccnn
Marcus McCann
5 years
Also the school touts its financial aid program, but the program is broken. The gap between tuition & financial aid has grown steadily & now anyone from a low or modest income family pays their tuition with a private line of credit of $150,000 arranged by Faculty + a big bank 6/7
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@mmccnn
Marcus McCann
6 years
Additional important changes to law around sexuality since 1998: * Supreme Court centred the subjective consent of the complainant at time of offence in sexual assault (ht @JoleneHansell ) * HIV non-disclosure law (ht Allison Symington) * new sex work laws (ht @DebraMHaak )
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Marcus McCann
1 year
Me being totally cool and normal after signing books at @BookCityTO Bloor West Village. Shop independent! Lots of love to photog Paul Sutton and publisher @HouseofAnansi 🌿💖🌿
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@mmccnn
Marcus McCann
7 years
It is a pleasure and a privilege to be representing fierce and brilliant LGBTQ+ students in #Twu appeal. Team LGBTOUT ❤️❤️❤️
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@mmccnn
Marcus McCann
11 months
We have a term for centring the imaginary worries expressed in the NatPo piece: concern trolling. People looking to limit access to gender-affirming surgery … don’t care what trans people actually want/need. It’s irresponsable to give that POV the front page. It’s fear-mongering
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@mmccnn
Marcus McCann
5 years
Reflecting on Glad Day’s @gdbooks 30 years of legal battles over censorship, fighting for customers’ rights to books, magazines, movies that reflect their lives — at the border, Film Review Board, and criminal law. and I have a couple of thoughts. But first the history. THREAD
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@mmccnn
Marcus McCann
2 years
Park Cruising: What Happens When We Wander off the Path, a book of essays by Marcus McCann, is available for pre-order. I just had a zoom with the @HouseofAnansi promo team, and didn't I look excited and cute?
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@mmccnn
Marcus McCann
5 years
Yeah, the graduation day thing. For whatever reason the law school decided to give the honorary degree in our year to the architect of high tuition at @utlaw , former Dean Daniels. Our class was not having it. We protested w buttons on our gowns, a final symbolic act of protest4/7
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@mmccnn
Marcus McCann
3 years
Back to work, but working from my kitchen, where every day is casual Friday ❤️
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@mmccnn
Marcus McCann
1 year
So grateful for support from independent booksellers — especially rad shops like @AnotherStoryTO 💚💖💚
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@mmccnn
Marcus McCann
1 year
Toronto! I am super stoked to be at @GDBooks to launch Park Cruising with @HouseofAnansi on Monday May 1 at 7pm. Should be a fun conversation, please join if you can. <3
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@mmccnn
Marcus McCann
5 years
The bathrooms in west end bars — in addition to being mostly inaccessible — often have this problem. [picture of me banging head on ceiling] Maybe we could have a thread of west end bars in Toronto with accessible ground floor bathrooms?
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@mmccnn
Marcus McCann
5 years
So, to articling students & lawyers from working class families: I see you. We need your voice in this profession. Let’s get you called to the bar. & if borrowing robes will help, hit me up — my waistcoat fits loosely on me, 6’2”, 200lbs — or Sarah, or Mitch, or, I bet, Louis 5/5
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@mmccnn
Marcus McCann
2 years
This judges-only professional development seminar on emojis exists, in case you were wondering
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@mmccnn
Marcus McCann
5 years
Today I learned the term "camelcase" to refer to words which have an uppercase letter stuck in the middle, e.g., FedEx or eBay
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@mmccnn
Marcus McCann
2 years
Yesterday, @HouseofAnansi sent me PAGE PROOFS. Here’s the first page of the first essay, laid out like a real book! So stoked
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@mmccnn
Marcus McCann
5 years
Okay so a former client left me a Google Review, very flattering -- direct quote: "Truly a blessing to work with, such an incredible lawyer." -- and so I'm pretty sure I get the rest of the day off, right?
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@mmccnn
Marcus McCann
4 years
Stay sweet ✌️ (shirt courtesy of @BakeChicago )
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@mmccnn
Marcus McCann
2 years
We in Toronto should be envious of the Ottawa municipal elections. I would be voting for @cmckenney if I could, and @ArielTroster for councillor. They represent once-in-a-generation opportunities for positive change ❤️❤️❤️
@GracihernanC
Graciela Hernandez- Cruz (She/Her)
2 years
I’d love to be in #ottawa so I could vote for mayor @cmckenney . To my friends & loved ones in Ott-City..I know them personally & besides being a caring, compassionate, hard working person they were a spectacular city councillor for Somerset ward. You’ll be in great hands. #vote
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Marcus McCann
3 years
The couple are fighting back. They say the lawsuit was designed to silence expression on a matter of public interest. This will test Ontario’s 2015 anti-SLAPP legislation. I am representing them, and I am speaking with their permission. Nothing has yet been proven in court 4/5
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@mmccnn
Marcus McCann
2 years
I talked to the clients earlier today. The decision is a huge relief. They have been through so much over the past 8 months. They are happy to be vindicated, and looking forward to returning to a normal life without a $6M lawsuit hanging over them.
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@mmccnn
Marcus McCann
1 year
Temporarily locking my account because trolls/bots found me after I tweeted a picture of Olivia Chow at Pride in 2014. Happy Pride everyone!
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@mmccnn
Marcus McCann
3 years
In Canada, let’s not forget the beginning of the pandemic: universal basic income, free public transit, eviction moratoriums, halting student loan repayments. (Reminder courtesy of @deanspade ’s Mutual Aid)
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@mmccnn
Marcus McCann
3 years
Please help spread the word. A bit more about the case can be found here. Jake Somerville (who was one of the lead parents fighting the sex ed repeal 3 years ago) is organizing a fundraiser to help defray legal costs:
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@mmccnn
Marcus McCann
2 years
Good morning from Cartagena
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@mmccnn
Marcus McCann
5 years
#newprofilepic , for better or worse
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@mmccnn
Marcus McCann
4 years
Saturday morning, heading to the beach!
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@mmccnn
Marcus McCann
4 years
Saturday morning long read. Technically about cruising for sex in Toronto’s parks, actually about how queer people are looking after each other. #lgbtq #canqueer
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@mmccnn
Marcus McCann
1 year
How do we talk about gender rebels from history who didn’t have the language of trans/nb identities to describe themselves? How can anyone really understand what it was like to live in another era? These are central questions of @krheyam ’s Before We Were Trans — get into it!
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@mmccnn
Marcus McCann
5 years
At a recreated yurt village in Kyrgyzstan, a man with a giant eagle was like c’mon... and he put my hand in a leather glove and then suddenly I was holding an eagle and we were both like ummm
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@mmccnn
Marcus McCann
5 years
Little one: When is it picture day for dads? Me:
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@mmccnn
Marcus McCann
1 year
Getting ready for a tv interview this morning hiii
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@mmccnn
Marcus McCann
4 years
Yes, I am still doing free calls with employees who have lost their jobs / need someone to review their package - fill out contact form at ; for general questions, start with or your community aid clinic
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@mmccnn
Marcus McCann
3 months
It’s been so amazing to hear how people have responded to this story. A little empathy and kindness can go a long way 🐻🎷🕺🪩💕🌿
@yourewrongabout
You're Wrong About...
3 months
NEW EPISODE! Let’s go outside in the sunshine. Part 2 of 2 of our George Michael series with @mmccnn is here!
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@mmccnn
Marcus McCann
3 years
This amateur backyard haircut will tide me over until my proper salon appointment, booked for July 21
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@mmccnn
Marcus McCann
5 years
I don’t know if you’ve seen what @MitchRoseSGRLLP , @Sarah_Molyneaux & others are doing, but they are offering to lend their robes to lawyers getting called to the bar who can’t afford $1,000 to buy their own just yet 1/5
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@mmccnn
Marcus McCann
1 year
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@NegroAphrodite
❤️‍🔥
1 year
Do you know any queer people who have been together for 10 years?
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@mmccnn
Marcus McCann
4 years
Employment lawyers are in overdrive right now, and much of the work we are doing is heavy, emotional, frustrating, unpaid, and legally fraught. The next time the employment law bar is allowed to meet in person, it’s going to be wild....
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@mmccnn
Marcus McCann
4 months
This guy became the main character of gay Twitter yesterday for dunking on cruising. I’ll say it again: cruisers look out for each other + for non-participants. It is a social (rather than anti-social) practice
had my friends explain “cruising” to me and all I can say is y’all risk so much for so little…
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@mmccnn
Marcus McCann
5 years
I case you’re wondering what I look like headed to the gym at 5:30am on a Monday
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@mmccnn
Marcus McCann
5 years
Greetings from the mountains 1 hr outside of Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan ❤️
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@mmccnn
Marcus McCann
1 year
Pssst, I will be talking about park cruising with @JeyanTVO on @TheAgenda tonight at 8 pm EST. Very grateful for the opportunity and happy pride 🌈
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@mmccnn
Marcus McCann
2 years
Working from home on a Sunday vibes
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@mmccnn
Marcus McCann
5 years
Look: I hope you never get fired, but if you do, I’m happy to chat. New website:
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@mmccnn
Marcus McCann
5 years
Photo of email, subject like “Marcus McCann’s speech to Class of ‘75” from assistant dean, JD Program: “The key people on staff should be aware of his name and flag it if they see him/see his name on invite lists.” September 15 2015 2/7
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@mmccnn
Marcus McCann
6 years
Y'all are so awesome! Parents of trans and gender expansive kids in Grades K-8 can contact our firm directly (mccann @ssmlaw .ca); for everyone else, here's the link to the legal fund (donate or spread the word): ." No media inquiries atm pls/thx
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Marcus McCann
5 years
The reason I’m not wearing a tie in my official lawyer photo is because the photoshoot was my first day ever wearing one, judging by the results:
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@mmccnn
Marcus McCann
2 years
Your worst nightmare? The 2022 postseason
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@mmccnn
Marcus McCann
1 year
💚🌲📗 Xtra generously published a little excerpt from my essay in Park Cruising about municipal planning. This bit discusses how the **proximity of strangers** fosters cruising, e.g. at “bus & train terminals, subway bathrooms, loading docks, piers, and markets” …and some parks
@XtraMagazine
Xtra
1 year
In this excerpt from 'Park Cruising,' @mmccnn discusses what characteristics made Toronto’s Marie Curtis Park attractive to gay and bisexual men over the course of decades.
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Marcus McCann
2 years
This is rich, and not just because the education bill that strips out human rights protections. The Ford government has messed up the HRTO to the point that it only released *16* final decisions last year (with 8,979 matters backlogged)
@douglasdowney
Doug Downey
2 years
Celebrating 60 years of Ontario's Human Rights Code. I'm proud that Ontario was the first jurisdiction in Canada to address systemic discrimination. We'll continue this legacy, in partnership with leaders & students from @YorkUniversity 's Osgoode Hall Law School & @SABAToronto .
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@mmccnn
Marcus McCann
3 years
Where did we leave things with non-traditional chino colours before the pandemic? I kind of forget
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@mmccnn
Marcus McCann
3 years
I am watching a child of four sitting on a tricycle and wearing a watermelon helmet but refusing to budge, wailing nooo and thirty feet away a retriever puppy being absolutely dragged down the street, and can confidently report that no one wants this Monday to happen
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Marcus McCann
1 year
“…wave after wave of revellers arrive by ferry and water taxi, wearing backpacks or dragging coolers on wheels or carrying festive canvas diaper bags. Naked is popular but impossibly small and colourful swimsuits are more so…” Photo @rannieturingan book
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Marcus McCann
4 years
FYI: In late 2016, 19-year-old Dafonte Miller was attacked by an off-duty Toronto police officer and his brother in Whitby, Ontario. Dafonte’s family is urging people who have heard his story to support his recovery and ongoing fight for justice.
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Marcus McCann
1 year
This @maxwellander outtake from a shoot we did in advance of Shut Up Slow Down Let Go Breathe didn’t end up getting used anywhere, I think. But it was such a fun (and messy omg) sesh ❤️❤️❤️
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