The Menace

PATHWAYS RESEARCH PROJECT - LGBQ women and/or trans people of colour and/or are experiencing poverty

Are you dealing with stress? Do you struggle with your emotional health? We need YOU to fill out this survey!

The “Pathways Study” is a community-based research project led by researchers at the Centre for Addiction & Mental Health, Rainbow Health Ontario, University of Toronto, Women’s Health in Women’s Hands, and York University. We’re trying to understand women and/or trans people’s experiences with depression as well as their use of mental health services.

We are recruiting 900 participants of all sexual orientations, abilities and ethno-racial backgrounds to share their experiences by filling out a confidential and anonymous online survey that takes approximately 30 to 45 minutes to complete. About 40 of the 900 online participants will also be asked to do a one hour semi-structured interview with a member of the Pathways Research Team to discuss their experiences.Right now, we particularly need to hear from LGBQ women and/or trans people who identify as people of colour and/or are experiencing poverty, in order to understand how multiple stressors associated with race, class, gender, sexual orientation and/or gender identity can affect peoples’ experiences with mental health services. You will be compensated for your participation with a $10.00 President’s Choice gift certificate, or a donation to charity.

A primary goal of this project is to find out what happens when people seek help or treatment for their emotional or mental health. Our goal is to help make changes to mental health services.

To participate, go to www.900pathways.ca

RHO Seeking Trans Interviewees regarding Preventative Health Care

Rainbow Health Ontario is partnering with Innovative Research to find out preliminary information for a health promotion project on preventative health care in LGBT Communities.
Thanks to all the LGBT people who have contributed their time and information already. We have received lots of helpful information.

We are still seeking a few self-identified members of the trans community to participate in a telephone interview about your experiences seeking or obtaining preventative health care. Interviewees will receive $40 for a 30-40 minute conversation with a researcher.

This study will end in a few days. Please email LGBTQ@innovativeresearch.ca if you would like to participate.

Call To Action - Trans Human Rights

Call To Action:

Toby's Act is a private member's bill introduced by New Democratic Party Whip MPP Cheri DiNovo on February 21, 2012. This is the fourth time DiNovo has introduced this bill.

Toby's Act would amend the Ontario Human Rights Code to include gender identity and gender expression which would explicitly prohibit harassment and discrimination against transsexual and transgender people. It is scheduled for 2nd Reading on May 10, 2012 around 2pm.

Toby's Act is co-sponsored by Progressive Conservative Deputy Leader MPP Christine Elliott and Ontario Liberal Party President MPP Yasir Naqvi.

Contact your MPP by telephone, email, letter to tell them: It is Time to Deliver on Trans Human Rights!!!

Susan Gapka
Trans Lobby Group, Chair
www.translobbygroup.ca

Trans Toronto: An Oral History (book)

Hello,

My new book “Trans Toronto: An Oral History” has been published. It is a longitudinal oral history of Toronto's trans community. It’s a good strong dose of trans feminist postmodern history.

It is available on lulu.com now…and at Amazon, Chapters, Barnes and Noble, and independent book stores in the coming weeks.

If I interviewed you for the book, or if you’d like to publish a review of the book, I’d be happy to send you a free copy. Contact me with your mailing address.

Thanks!

darrylhill@nyc.rr.com
Darryl Hill, PhD
Associate Professor
College of Staten Island
Staten Island, NY
USA

Trans Lobby Group Applauds Ontario Human Rights Decision Surgical Requirement on Record of Birth is Discriminatory for Trans People

For Immediate Release: April 17, 2012

Trans Lobby Group Applauds Ontario Human Rights Decision

Surgical Requirement on Record of Birth is Discriminatory for Trans People

Trans Lobby Group members are thrilled that an Ontario Human Rights Tribunal has ruled that the surgical requirement for a change in the record of birth on legal documents is discriminatory towards trans people. In a decision just released, XY v. The Ministry of Government and Consumer Services confirmed what trans people have been saying all along.

Susan Gapka noted, “Requiring Sexual Reassignment Surgery (SRS) is differential treatment based upon a personal characteristic, that is; that trans people are treated differently and face harassment and discrimination when their legal documents do not match how they present in their everyday lives.” Gapka, chair of the Trans Lobby Group added, “Now we can move forward with remedy which will provide social inclusion for many trans people born in Ontario who are currently without accurate documentation.”

Davina Hader, Trans Lobby Group Steering Committee member exclaimed, “Accessing essential services in Ontario requires valid identification. If ones’ identification is out of sync with whom they are then discrimination and refusal of services becomes the norm. This ruling validates the need for change for so many.”

The Vital Statistics Act governs the record of birth in Ontario and is recorded on ones' birth certificate. To change sex on ones' birth certificate requires SRS and letters from the preforming surgeon and confirmation from a recognized medical practitioner. SRS has rigorous eligibility criteria with limited access across Ontario so many trans people are not able to pursue this procedure which was delisted as an insured service for 10 years in Ontario. Other trans people do not seek SRS for personal reasons.

In 2005, a mediated case, AB verses the Ministry of Transportation and Minister of Government Services, agreed that the sex designation on ones' Drivers License could be changed through a simple application by the individual and a confirming letter from their physician. XY v. The Ministry of Government and Consumer Services gives the Ontario Government 180 days to revise the criteria for changing sex designation on the record of birth.

The Trans Lobby Group extends tremendous gratitude to the litigant, XY who displayed extraordinary courage and resilience in presenting personal life experience details in a public forum during the Tribunal hearings and to legal counsel Susan Ursel of Ursel Phillips Fellows Hopkinson LLP who provides invaluable and expensive pro Bono legal counsel to the trans communities. Usel was legal counsel in Hogan v Ministry of Health and Long Term Care when we fought for SRS to be relisted as an insured service.

Trans Lobby Group members are seeking to amend the Ontario Vital Statistics Act so that trans people can more easily change their legal documents to match their true gender identity. In Ontario, the Minister of Health and Long Term Care announced restoring of funding for Sex Reassignment Surgery (SRS) on May 14, 2008 following a lengthy campaign by the Trans Lobby Group to relist this medically necessary procedure. Trans Lobby Group members are also seeking explicit Human Rights amendments to include 'gender identity' and 'gender expression' as a prohibited grounds of discrimination. Toby's Act, which amends the Ontario Human Rights Code is scheduled for 2^ndReading at Queen's Park on May 10, 2012.

For More Information Contact:

http://translobbygroup.ca
Susan Gapka, Chair: transhumanrightscampaign@yahoo.ca, 647 882 2776
Davina Hader: davina@studioconceptions.com, 647 808 1484

Extreme homophobia from Oshawa based newspaper, response from Marko Ivancicevic

My Response in relation to the current issue with Oshawa/Durham Central Newspaper concerning Homophobia

I am writing you today, to bring attention to a local issue that effect’s the LGBT community.

The Owner/Editor of the Oshawa/Durham Central, a local newspaper, has made discriminatory comments about a PFLAG gala that occurred in Oshawa recently. They are attacking PFLAG, the LGBT community, City/Regional Councillor Amy England and City Councillor Bruce Wood.

In the article, many homophobic statements and references are made by the writer and also other individuals who apparently sent in their comments, the owner/editor decided to print these comments. One comment includes reference to Amy England’s on stage performance as taking part in a “freak convention”.

I recommend that the Oshawa/Durham Central retract their claims and comments related to PFLAG, the LGBT Community, Councillor Amy England and Councillor Bruce Wood, as this hate mongering is unacceptable in this day-in-age.

Homophobia promoted in the media cannot be tolerated. The Media cannot get away with printing this type of outlandish material as it perpetuates the problem that many individuals have fought against for so many years.

I am proud of our City and the article does not do our City any justice at all. It only casts a very dark cloud over Oshawa. This article does not represent Oshawa.

This type of negative attack towards the LGBT community cannot be accepted has already been met with much opposition. This also includes some of his advertisers pulling out their ads because they do not want to be associated with these types of attacks on their community.

I commend the many people who have spoken out against this situation and I am flabbergasted that the owner/editor continues to attack many individuals who have stood up and defended the many people affected by his hate-driven articles.

Please take the time to read the article in the link below and help to end this type of discriminatory behaviour by contacting fellow supporters or other media sources.

www.ocentral.com – Front page is where it begins. Page 5 is the full article. On page 10 there is another column as well.

In Solidarity,
Marko Ivancicevic

CTV National News - Facing Gender Discrimination

Facing gender discrimination
Following the Miss Universe Pagents' decision to change their rules regarding gender, Cyclist Kristen Worley discusses how she faced similar discrimination within her own sport of high-performance cycling, claiming existing policies oppress the athlete.

Read more: http://www.ctv.ca/newschannel/index.html?video=651599

Beyond the Queer Alphabet: Conversations on Gender, Sexuality & Intersectionality

Please see the attached e-book "Beyond the Queer Alphabet: Conversations on Gender, Sexuality & Intersectionality". Doreen Fumia, a member of the SPN, and Rinaldo Walcott, one of the keynote speakers at the SPN conference, both have articles in it.

Beyond_the_Queer_Alphabet_20March2012-F.pdf

BOTH/AND video and Elementary Curriculum document: now available online

CHECK OUT LEE HICKS'S FABULOUS NEW ONLINE VIDEO FOR SCHOOLS:

Here are 2 direct links to BOTH/AND: a digital storybook/video by Lee Hicks
with text adapted (with permission) from Kate Bornstein.

BOTH/AND was created to facilitate and open discussions about difference, self, and gender expression/gender identity in elementary classrooms;

It is now available free online with a 70 page curriculum document that corresponds specifically to many aspects of the Ontario Curriculum for grades K-6. This includes theory, background and lesson plans for elementary teachers.

* THIS WORK WAS MADE TO BE SHARED
   PLEASE SHARE OFTEN
   - thank you.

1. www.mygsa.ca/bothand (video and curriculum on this page)

or

2. youtube...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikWeo8AtAZo&feature=share
from here you can link to the ELEMENTARY CURRICULUM document that accompanies it,
(just under the video).

Welcome Friend Association - Rainbow Camp

Welcome Friend Association writes:

Join us for our first Rainbow Camp! This is a unique opportunity for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer questioning, and allied (LGBTQA) youth and/or members of Queer families. We are committed to developing a camp community which honours creativity, individual choice, and social justice.

Rainbow Camp will provide opportunities for campers to make new friends and develop skills through traditional camp programming. More than anything, Rainbow Camp is a fun place to come OUT and be yourself! Our Camp Program will include activities in the following areas:

Music, Theatre, and Movement
Arts and Crafts
Nature and the Environment
Sports
Personal Storytelling through Multi-Media

$275 for the week Camp fee includes all food, accommodation, and activities.

Click here for more information

New_Northeastern_Ontario_Rainbow_Camp_Hopes_to_End_Bullying.pdf

LGBTQ prevention study seeks participants

Thank you to all those who have passed this on, and to those who have responded. We still need more participants in Toronto, Ottawa and Hamilton especially trans and genderqueer folks, and people who identify as bisexual or lesbian. Please pass this invitation on to your contacts or networks. If you are interested in participating, just send an email message toLGBTQ@innovativeresearch.ca and they'll get back to you right away.

Click here for details

Anna Travers, Director Rainbow Health Ontario

Seeking Participants for Study about Parents of Gender-Independent Children

Raising Gender-Independent Children: Coming to Understanding
Seeking Participants for Study about Parents of Gender-Independent Children

My name is Jake Pyne and I am currently completing a Master of Social Work degree at Ryerson University. I am in the process of recruiting participants for a small study about the experience of parents of gender-independent children – children whose gender identity or gender expression differs from that expected of the gender they were assigned at birth. Sometimes these children are known as gender variant,gender non-conforming, gender-creative or two-spirited, though parents do not need to use any of these terms to participate in this study.

The focus of this study is on how parents come to understand their child’s gender identity – in essence, how they know what they know about their child. I am particularly interested in talking to parents of children who are living outside of typical gender roles (neither male nor female) or parents of children who have socially transitioned to a new gender role through a change of name, gender pronoun and/or physical appearance. I aim to learn more about how parents of gender-independent children understand their children and make decisions about their well-being. I feel this is important because these families are often on the receiving end of stigma, discrimination and disbelief. I hope this work can contribute toward creating better resources and services for these families and I hope that having the opportunity to share your challenges and experiences will be helpful. Because there is so little information about the diversity of families with gender-independent children, I particularly welcome the participation of those who identify themselves as Aboriginal, people of colour, those with low income, immigrants and refugees, parents with disabilities and other equity seeking groups. Eligible participants will have parented a gender-independent child under 12 years of age within the past 5 years.

This process will involve a 1 to 1.5 hour tape-recorded interview which can be done at a time and location of your choice. Interviews will be in-person for participants who are in Toronto and over the phone for those in other areas. All information shared will be confidential and no names or identifying information will be published or shared in any way. Participation is entirely voluntary and you can choose to end your involvement with the study at any time.

Finally, a bit about me. I was a gender-independent child myself and currently do community-based research and activism in the trans community in Toronto. I am committed to working towards building better resources for families with gender-independent children so that parents, children and the communities around them are safe, supported and celebrated.

I look forward to hearing from you. For more information please contact me at jake.pyne@ryerson.ca

Support for Gender Independent Children's Books

Bear and I are looking for people to get involved with what I am thinking of as "Community Supported Arts". A couple of years ago, inspired by an invitation to Gender Spectrum's Family Conference Bear wrote two children's books about gender independent children. Not books that explained the existence of gender independent children, not books that talked about transition, but stories that happen to include gender independent children. We've been trying to find them a publisher, and keep getting the answer of "they are good stories, but there is no market" Except I know they are needed. So, in the absence of a publisher, he's found brilliant queer illustrators, a print broker, and we are launching our own press, Flamingo Rampant to create books and more for gender independent children and their families. The plan is to publish Bear's two books initially, and then look add adding other titles and resources.

I am asking people to take a look at our project, and if they can, support it. If you can't support it, but like the idea, please pass it on. There are rewards for different levels of support and even a dollar is helpful (and gets a reward). Yes, we have achieved the original goal, and will be able to print the books, but are aspiring to reach a new goal so we can print the books and create a video story book that will be available as a pay-what-you-can download. There's lots more about this over at the Kickstarter site, http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/310387180/flamingo-rampant-gender-independent-kids-books

You can also get there via http://www.flamingorampant.com/

Thanks,
j wallace
j@juxtaposeconsulting
www.juxtaposeconsulting.com

Tuesday, February 21, 3pm Queen Park Legislature: Toby's Act

Call out to trans people and supporters to attend tabling of Toby's Act to show MPPs we support Trans Human Rights. It is Time to Deliver on Trans Human Rights!

DiNovo renews call for the protection of gender identity in Ontario.

QUEENS' PARK - Parkdale- High Park NDP MPP Cheri DiNovo will table a private members’ bill to amend the human rights code to recognize gender identity and expression. DiNovo’s bill is co-sponsored by PC MPP Christine Elliot and Liberal MPP Yasir Naqvi. The bill, know as “Toby’s Law, has been introduced by DiNovo in three previous sessions of the Ontario Legislature.

Bill will be tabled Tuesday, February 21, 3pm Queen Park Legislature.

Susan Gapka
Trans Lobby Group, Chair
www.translobbygroup.ca

CAMH Changes Announcement

Dear community members and partners,

The CAMH Adult Gender Identity Clinic (GIC) announces some new changes in our current practice as part of CAMH’s focus on improving access to care.

As you may know, staff conducted a policy review last year which launched in Spring of 2011. The eligibility criteria was changed to 18 years of age, and the length of the Real Life Experience (RLE) minimum requirements to three months for hormones, and 12 months for Sex Reassignment Surgery (SRS).

The GIC’s core staff attended the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) conference this year where the new (2011) Standards of Care were presented. We are adopting the language and spirit of the move from Real Life Experience to Gender Role Experience. As always, clients must meet the diagnostic criteria, as well as the readiness criteria. We will work with all our clients to achieve an individually tailored care plan.

Whereas previously all surgery approvals were separate appointments, we are piloting dual chest and hysto approvals for trans men considered to be ready for both procedures.

Since the spring of 2011, we have revised and refocussed our questionnaire to better understand your current goals and situation. We have also created a new information sheet accompanying letters for possible surgery approval appointments to better prepare clients for this meeting and their possible surgery.

In response to client and community feedback, we are piloting a new initiative through TelePsychiatry, which would allow us to conduct follow-up meetings with current clients at long distances or in northern areas. Please ask us for further details.

Clinic Head and psychiatrist Dr. Christopher McIntosh and staff psychologist Dr. Nicola Brown welcome you to the clinic and look forward to meeting you. Our most recent staff addition is psychiatrist Dr. Wayne Baici who is with us one afternoon a week. We thank our consulting psychiatrists, current medical residents and psychology interns who play an invaluable role with us.

CAMH is a teaching hospital and we are helping to train students in the assessment and care for trans clients. You will be informed of any students who are involved in your assessment sessions. If you have concerns about this, please discuss this with clinic staff.

See our webpages for further updated text: http://www.camh.net/About_CAMH/Guide_to_CAMH/Mental_Health_Programs/General_Psychiatry_Program/gid_guide_to_camh.html

Nicola Brown, Ph.D., C.Psych
Staff Psychologist, Center for Addiction and Mental Health
Interim Director, Psychology Practicum Program

Adult Gender Identity Clinic
Centralized Assessment and Triage Support (CATS) Program
250 College St. Toronto, ON M5T 1R8

call for paper 'Trans rights as human rights - the implications for transgender health(care)'

Hi all,
I can highly reccomend this conference which is to be held in Linkoping, Sweden "Trans rights as human rights- the implications for trans health(care)" May 8th to 10th 2012.

Keynotye speakers are really exiting names;
Susan Stryker - assistant professor of Gender Studies at the University of Arizona and note writer, researcher and filmmaker and Jamison Green President elect of WPATH - World Professional Assciation for Transgender Health.

Best,

Maria Sundin
Secretary Transgender Europe

> Från: "Ulrica Engdahl" <ulrica.engdahl@liu.se>
> Skickat: den 15 februari 2012 10:48
> Till: "maria.sundin@rfsl.se" <maria.sundin@rfsl.se>
> Ämne: call for paper 'Trans rights as human rights - the implications for transgender health(care)'
>

> Call for papers for the conference:
> 'Trans rights as human rights- the implications for trans health(care)'
> May 8-10, 2012, Linköping University and Linköping University Hospital, Linköping, Sweden
> Arranged by: Unit of Gender Studies at Department of Thematic Studies and Unit of Gender and Medicine at Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Nordic Trans Network and RFSL, The Swedish Federation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights
>
> Papers are invited for presentation at the international conference on trans rights in relation health care issues 'Trans rights as human rights- the implications for trans health(care)'. This conference takes as its starting point the recent UN resolution that affirms human rights to trans persons and brings attention to human rights violations based on gender identity. The focus will be specifically on the healthcare context as a key space in which issues of rights, responsibilities and care are highlighted. The conference is funded by Riksbankens jubileumsfond.
>
> Key note speakers are:
> Susan Stryker, Associate Professor, Gender and Women's Studies, director of Institute for LGBT Studies, Arizona University
> Jamison Green, PhD, Trans Health Policy Analyst at the Center of Excellence for Transgender Health at University of California, San Francisco (UCSF Medical School), President-Elect of World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH)
> Dr Leighton Seal, Consultant Endocrinologist for the Gender Identity Clinic, West London Mental Health and Consultant Endocrinologist at the Thomas Addison Unit, St George's Hospital, Tooting London.
>
> Dr Gunnar Kratz, Professor of Plastic Surgery, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine (IKE) Linköping University Hospital
> Linda Almqvist, legal adviser, Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare
> We welcome papers from researchers, transgender activists and health care staff on/across/expanding the following themes:
>
> * The role of narratives/cultures in trans health (e.g. learning through reading trans narratives, asking whose stories 'count', and contradictory or counter-narratives)
> * Trans youth (e.g. discussions around age limit, violence and bullying, and practical issues around accessing relevant healthcare)
> * Sexual health (e.g. sexual pleasure, bodily comfort, desire, sexual health clinics and trans knowledge, HIV and sexually transmitted diseases)
> * What is 'health'? (e.g. what constitutes 'good health' and why is it important? Issues around food, exercise, depathologisation, and the role of social networks)
> * Standards of care (e.g. recent changes to standards of care, differing national contexts, funding, caregivers and caregiving)
> * Trans rights as human rights - the right to health care (e.g. patients' rights, responsibilities of medical professionals, and ethical questions)
> A special issue of Lambda Nordica will be published with a selection of papers developed from the conference and additional contributors.
> Please submit abstracts of no more than 250 words in English and a short biography (150 words max) to the conference email address: transrights.conference@gmail.com<mailto:transrights.conference@gmail.com> by 20 March 2012. Don't hesitate to contact the conference organisers at the email address above if you have any questions or queries!
> Deadline for abstract submission: 20 March 2012

Re-Introduction of Toby's Act to amend Ontario Human Rights Code to include 'gender identity and gender expression''

Tuesday, February 21, 3pm; Queen's Park Visitor Gallery:

Call out to trans community members and supporters to support NDP MPP Cheri DiNovo's Re-Introduction of Toby's Act to amend Ontario Human Rights Code to include 'gender identity and gender expression''.

Susan Gapka
Trans Lobby Group, Chair
www.translobbygroup.ca

Workshop and Discussion on Gender Independent Kids - Sexual Health Network of Ontario

The Sexual Health Network of Ontario Invites you to a panel discussion on:

Gender Non-conforming Kids
Understanding the needs of kids and families, learning about local programs, resources and research, and talking about how and why it matters in sexual health education and services

Panel Members:
Jake Pyne - Community-Based Researcher and Trans Activist
Steve Solomon - School Social Worker Triangle Program,
Toronto District School Board LGBT Resources & Support
Chris Veldhoven - Queer Parenting Programs Coordinator
The 519 Church Street Community Centre
Moderated by Cory Silverberg - Certified Sexual Health Educator
Date : Wednesday February 22^nd 2012
Time : 9:30am – 12:00pm
Location: North York Civic Centre, 5100 Yonge Street
Committee Room # 1, Lower Level
Contact: Jessica Abraham at 416 338-6107 / jabraha@toronto.ca
RSVP not required

The 519 OLGBT Program Schedule

Attached is the schedule for The 519’s Older LGBT Drop-In and monthly outing, please forward it to older LGBT friends, family, or anyone you think might be interested in joining us.

For our monthly outing we have booked a private screening at the National Film Board where we will be viewing a selection of LGBT films. Admission will be covered by The 519 OLGBT program. To register please contact Jen Durst, 416-392-6874x4013, Student1@the519.org. This event is open to all older LGBT people.

The following are the schedule’s for The 519 book clubs. Books for both clubs can be found at The Toronto Public Library. All meetings take place at The 519 and refreshments are served. New members are always welcome.

The Women’s Book Club will be meeting February 7^th to discuss Too Close to the Falls, a memoir by Catherine Gildiner. The following months are as follows:
- March 6^th   The Beekeeper's Apprentice, novel by Laurie R. King
- April 3^rd     Hominids, novel by Robert J. Sawyer

The Mature Men’s Book Club will be meeting February 28^thto discuss “Natural Order” and will be joined by the author Brian Francis. See attached poster for more information. The following months are as follows:
- March 27^th     Water For Elephants, novel by Sara Gruen
- April 24^thThe Road, novel by Cormac McCarthy
- May 22^nd     Coventry, novel by Helen Humphrey.
- June 26^th     The Last of the Wine, novel by Mary Renault:
- July 24^th   Death Comes For The Archbishop, novel by Willa Cather:

Hope to see you soon!
Heather Bain
Older LGBT Community Service Coordinator

The 519 Church Street Community Centre
519 Church Street, Toronto, ON M4Y 2C9

FebruaryEvents_2012.pdf

Women’s Coming Out Group @ The 519

The Women’s Coming Out Group is a peer support group for all queer and questioning women to discuss and share the experience of coming out. This group meets to discuss topics such as coming out to your family, coming out at school or in the workplace, coming out in a heterosexual relationship, coming out as a bisexual woman when previously identified as a lesbian (and other topics related to labels), coming out for trans women, coming out as a woman of colour, recognizing and overcoming internalized homophobia, among other discussion topics (as directed by the group each week). This group is inclusive of women of all ages, ethnic backgrounds, gender* and queer identities.

The group meets every Wednesday from 8:00pm – 9:30pm. The group just started last week so it's not in the 519 website yet. Just show up and you'll see the room location listed on the screen above the front desk.

*Cis gendered men are encouraged to participate in the Coming Out, Being Out (mixed gender) support group which is held directly before the Women’s Coming Out Group.

reachOUT at Griffin Centre, North York

Within Griffin Centre, reachOUT is a creative, inclusive & accessible program for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) youth and adults in the Greater Toronto Area. Incorporating Youth Engagement, Anti-oppression and Anti-racism frameworks into our work allows us to offer safe spaces that reflect the diversity of our queer and trans communities. We provide a range of innovative services, which include:

drop-in groups
outreach
settlement supports
counselling
case management
training, education and consultation
arts skills exchange
sports programming

Our individual counselling and case management services are for youth who are 12-18 years of age. To date, the focus of reachOUT has been to work with LGBTQ youth who are often marginalized in mainstream services. Within this context, we typically work with:

youth with mental health and addictions issues
newcomer youth
youth of colour
youth with intellectual disabilities

Please keep us in mind when referring suitable clients that can benefit from our services.

Stephanie Latty, M.S.W
Community Connections Worker, reachOUT

griffin centre
24 Silverview Drive
North York, ON M2M 2B3

Tel: (416) 222-1153 ext. 118
Fax: (416) 222-1321
Email: slatty@griffin-centre.org
Website: www.griffin-centre.org

US Joint Commission - Communication, Cultural Competence & Patient & Family-Centred Care for the LGBT Community

Please see this newly released document from the US Joint Commission:

Advancing Effective Communication, Cultural Competence, and Patient- and Family-Centered Care for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Community : A Field Guide

Online Link: http://www.jointcommission.org/assets/1/18/LGBTFieldGuide.pdf

New Trans PULSE E-Bulletin (#4)

The Trans PULSE team is pleased to share with you the fourth e-bulletin to be produced from the project.

The new e-bulletin - Challenging the Binary: Gender Characteristics of Trans Ontarians is attached to this email in both English and French. It can also be viewed and downloaded at the following links in English:http://transpulseproject.ca/documents/E4English.pdf , and in French: http://transpulseproject.ca/documents/E4French.pdf.

Sincerely,

The Trans PULSE Project team

Call for applications: LGBT Home Care Access Project Advisory Committee

Attached is a call for applications for the Advisory Committee of a new research study being undertaken by Andrea Daley and Judith MacDonnell (York University), Rainbow Health Ontario, and Toronto Central CCAC. Please see the attached flyer for more information.

This could be a great opportunity to directly impact research that is happening in OLGBT communities. They are hoping for involvement from across Ontario, so please forward widely.

LGBT_Home_Care_Access_Project.pdf

Job Posting (new initiative): Q? Y Art? Project Coordinator

We are seeking a candidate for the position of Coordinator, Q? Y Art? Project. This is a short term contract position that will be responsible for facilitating the outreach and program development stage of the project. The posting can also be find online at Job Posting: Coordinator, Q? Y Art? Project

Q? Y Art? is a multidisciplinary arts program for South Asian LGBTTIQQ2S/WSW/MSM youth in Toronto. Through the project, youth 29 and under will engage in arts practices, create portfolios and launch their work. This project is funded by ArtReach Toronto.

We are seeking someone engaged, who is willing to learn, and interested in the process as much as we are. Interested candidates are welcome to ask questions via email until December 29, 2011. The closing date for applications is December 31, 2011 at midnight. Please email us at qyartproject@gmail.com with questions and applications.

It would be greatly appreciated if you could pass on this posting to your networks and partner agencies.

Sincerely,

Organizers of the Q? Y Art? Project

Q_Y_Art_Job_Posting.pdf

"Tomboy" at the Toronto International Film Festival

I don't know if you and the Toronto LGBT community already knows about this film that is being screened in TIFF right now. It's called Tomboy, a french film directed by Céline Sciamma (http://tiff.net/filmsandschedules/tiffbelllightbox/2011/3600001313). Newspaper NOW has written a short article-slash-review about it a week ago (http://www.nowtoronto.com/movies/story.cfm?content=184101). I watched it today and I was mesmerized by the beautiful screenplay. I don't know how long TIFF will keep the film on their list so I think it would be good for everyone to watch it soon when they have the spare time. Please spread the word.

93% of American Catholics back transgender rights

A release from Fortunate Families about recent religious survey information: http://www.fortunatefamilies.com/docs/EBCatholicopinion.pdf

The survey was done by the Public Religion Research Institute. You can read more about the survey itself here (covers other religious groups).

Program Assistant Position with the Re:Searching for LGBTQ Health Team at CAMH

CAMH is looking for a Program Assistant to provide support to their team in their research related to LGBTQ health. Presently they are able to offer a 1-year, part-time (20 hrs/week) contract, but they hope to be able to extend this if they are successful with upcoming grant applications, so ideally they are looking for someone who might be interested in working with their team in a longer term capacity. Previous experience providing administrative support is essential for this position, as is knowledge of/experience working with LGBTQ communities.

For more information about their team and projects, please check out their website:

www.lgbtqhealth.ca

Youth Line Board Recruitment

The Lesbian Gay Bi Trans Youth Line Board of Directors is seeking a committed and motivated youth leader to fill a vacancy on the Board of Directors. This individual will work closely with other board members and staff of the Youth Line to help the organization realize its mission, live its values and deliver on the priorities of its strategic plan. We also require our new board member to be part of our Strategic planning happening Saturday January 14th, 2012.

As part of the Youth Line's commitment to youth community engagement, we are recruiting a trans youth member, between 18-26 years of age. Training and learning opportunities will be provided.