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LGBT Parenting Network
April 2005, E-News
This month:
- Queer Parenting Exchange: Single Parenting, April 27; Access to Sperm and Eggs II, May 25; TransParenting, June 5
- Queer Parenting: The Conversations We Rarely Have, May 4
- Family Pride 2005
- Adoption Conference and Resource Exchange: April 16/17
- Homeopathy for Moms To Be: April 20
- Queer Health Matters: April 30
- Camp Ten Oaks: August
- New Directions come to FSA
LGBT PARENTING NETWORK NEWS:
QUEER PARENTING EXCHANGE
Wednesday, April 27: Single Parenting
The Queer Parenting Exchange is a monthly drop-in for queer parents and prospective parents, sponsored by the LGBT Parenting Network (FSA Toronto) and the 519 Church St. Community Centre. April's event takes place on Wednesday, April 27, 8 - 10 pm at the 519 Community Centre.
Some people choose single parenthood and some become single parents due to life's unfolding or circumstances. This month's Queer Parenting Exchange is an opportunity to meet and talk with others who are or are considering single parenthood, whether by choice or by circumstance. Please come join the conversation. The evening will begin with some short presentations by single parents, followed by open discussion and informal social time. And we expect a lot of babies!
Upcoming Queer Parenting Exchange events:
Wed. May 25, 8 - 10 pm : Access to Sperm and Eggs II: share and learn about the Toronto world of reproductive technology. All genders encouraged to attend.
Sun. June 5, 2 -5 pm : Trans Parenting: Trans parents and prospective parents talk about experiences and possibilities.
Come join us for a panel discussion and open forum on transsexual/transgender parenting. We want to talk about things like:
- transitioning with kids
- bringing kids into your life
- custody issues
- navigating day-to-day life as a trans parent
- family support and community resources
The TransParent event will take place at the Family Service Association of Toronto, 355 Church St. Free childcare available. More information to follow.
For more information about the Queer Parenting Exchange and to see topics for upcoming events, go to: http://www.fsatoronto.com/programs/dks/workshops.html#five
QUEER PARENTING: THE CONVERSATIONS WE RARELY HAVE: WED. MAY 4
An event co-sponsored by the LGBT Parenting Network, and LGBTQ Resources and the Family Care Office, University of Toronto.
When: Wednesday, May 4, 7 - 9 pm
Where: International Student Centre, 33 St. George
St .
An opportunity to talk about some of the challenges we face as parents and as queers. Topics may include:
- dynamics between biological and non biological parents
- stepparenting
- communication between parents
- parenting styles and differences
- challenges with kids
Come join the conversation with a panel of queer parents!
For more information contact rachelep@fsatoronto.com; 416 595-0307, ext. 270.
FAMILY PRIDE 2005
The LGBT Parenting Network will be collaborating with Pride Toronto and Ikea once again to bring you Family Pride, 2005.
Childcare and children's activities will be available both Saturday, June 25 and Sunday, June 26. And plan on attending the annual Family Pride Picnic at 11:00 am on Saturday, June 25, Church St. Public School.
We'll keep you posted. If you are interested in volunteering for Family Pride this year, please get in touch.
NEWS FROM THE COMMUNITY:
ADOPTION CONFERENCE AND RESOURCE EXCHANGE: APRIL 16 / 17
The Adoption Council of Ontario is holding its annual conference and resource exchange this weekend, April 16 and 17. Rachel Epstein and Chris Veldhoven from the LGBT Parenting Network, with adoptive parents, Sinead Savage and Steve Simpson, will be facilitating a workshop on same-sex adoption at 10:45 am on Saturday. More info on the conference below. For further details go to: www.adoption.on.ca.
Ontario Adoption Resource Exchange (A.R.E.) Spring 2005
For adoptive and pre-adoptive parents, professionals, and anyone interested
in learning more about adoption.
"The
Adoption Journey: Joys & Challenges"conference
When: Saturday, April 16
* 8
AM - Registration
* 8.30
am - Opening Remarks, News & Updates
* 9
to 10.15 - Voices of Adoption - panel presentation
* 10.15 to
10.45 - Refreshments & Displays
* 10.45 to
12.15 - Workshops - choose 1 from 4
* 12.15 to
1.45 - Lunch & Displays
* 1.45 to
3.15 - Workshops - choose 1 from 4
* 3.15 to
3.30 - Refreshment break
* 3.30 to
5.00 pm Workshops - choose 1from 4
Where: Metro Toronto Convention Centre in Downtown Toronto,
255 Front Street West, North Building
Cost: Fee (includes
workshops, refreshments & handouts): $90 per person - until April
8
$100 per person - AFTER April 8
Download a registration form in .pdf format with details of workshops.
Presentation of Videos and Agency Displays
When: Sunday, April 17
Time: 9
am to 5 pm
Where: John Bassett Theatre, Toronto Convention Centre
Cost: No
fee. No registration required.
HOMEOPATHY FOR MOMS TO BE: APRIL 20
The Sherbourne Health Centre presents: Homeopathy
for Moms to Be
Sivan Bomze, H.D. Homeopathic Doctor
If you are expecting soon, or planning for childbirth in the future, then this seminar is for you! Come and learn how complementary medicine can help you during your pregnancy, labour and the post-partum period. We will discuss general recommendations, nutritional suggestions and homeopathic support with regards to useful remedies during and after labour.
When: Wednesday, April 20
Time: 6.00 – 8.00 pm
Where: Sherbourne Health
Centre, Carlton Lounge, 333 Sherbourne Street , Toronto
Light refreshments will be provided. Registration encouraged but not required.
To register or for more information please contact Michele Clarke at 416-324- 4177 or mclarke@sherbourne.on.ca
We regret that due to construction, this workshop series is not wheelchair accessible.
QUEER HEALTH MATTERS: A HEALTH FAIR
FOR THE LGBTTQ COMMUNITIES
Sherbourne Health Centre is pleased to announce its second annual community health fair. On April 30th, come join us at this FREE event which will feature research presentations, workshops on new and emerging health issues in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual, transgender and queer (LGBTTQ) communities and various community groups sharing information about their health services.
When: Saturday April 30th, 2005 }
Time: 11.00 am – 4.00 pm
Where: 519 Community Centre, 519 Church Street
Queer Health Matters is sponsored by Sherbourne Health Centre, Women's Mental Health & Addiction Research Section, Centre for Addiction & Mental Health, Women's Mental Health Program, Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto and the Canadian Cancer Society.
For more information e-mail mclarke@sherbourne.on.ca or
call 416-324-4177
Note: The LGBT Parenting Network will
be co-facilitating a workshop with lawyer Kelly Jordan on legal issues
for queer parents, 11:00 am .
CAMP TEN OAKS: REGISTERING CAMPERS FOR AUGUST
Camp Ten Oaks is a week long sleep-away camp program that will represent the first summer camp of its kind in Ontario. The camp environment and programming will strive to address the unique situations of children and youth of LGBTQ and/or non-traditional family structures, youth who identify as LGBTQ and their allies.
Camp will provide an opportunity for them to meet children and youth from similar backgrounds, share experiences, participate in recreational activities, and just have fun in a safe, queer-positive environment.
Program planning for Camp Ten Oaks will be modeled after a very successful queer and trans- positive summer camp in New Jersey (USA) called Mountain Meadow. The organizers of Mountain Meadow are very supportive of our initiative and have been providing guidance throughout the planning process.
We have secured a location at an Ontario Camping Association accredited camp - Camp Kalalla , located in the Gatineau Hills 50 km North of Ottawa. Camp Ten Oaks will offer an exceptional mixture of recreational (sports and aquatics), artistic (arts, crafts, dance and drama), outdoor (canoeing, campouts and hiking) and social justice (media, sexism and environment) programming. At Camp Ten Oaks, campers will be empowered through play that enhances self-esteem, social skills, leadership and self-confidence.
The camp community offered by the Ten Oaks Project will be accessible to all children, youth and families regardless of their income, and will be offered on a sliding scale. Camp is scheduled for August 21 - 27, 2005 . To register or for more information – www.tenoaksproject.org
The Ten Oaks Project is a not-for-profit organization that serves children and youth of LGBTQ and/or non-traditional families, youth who identify as LGBTQ and their allies.
NEW DIRECTIONS COMES TO FSA
The New Directions program has just moved to the Family Service Association of Toronto. Below is some information about some of their programs :
The New Directions legal clinics, which offer women a no-cost half-hour consultation with a family law lawyer, are scheduled 2-3 times per month from now through August. Women can receive an overview of their legal situation around separation/divorce and learn about their legal options. Appointments can be made through the Service Access Unit, 416 595 9618.
We will be starting our eight-week separated/divorced support group for women in mid-April. This confidential self-help group, facilitated by two women who have also experienced separation and divorce, will provide a safe and supportive environment for learning effective ways of dealing with the dramatic changes that can accompany the loss of an intimate partner. If you know of any women for whom this group might be helpful, they can call 416-585-9151 x420.
Past LGBT Parenting E-News issues:
Disclaimer: News from the Parenting Network, as with our Pride & Joy newsletter may include reprints, excerpts or summaries from other sources. We cannot take responsibility for any inaccuracies or omissions. We are also happy to publish information about research projects and other community initiatives. We do so in the spirit of sharing information, but do not have sufficient knowledge to actively endorse or advocate participation in particular projects.
