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LGBT Parenting Network
February 2007, E-News

This month:

Call-Out to Teens and Older Youth who have LGBTT Parents!
Queer Parenting Exchange: Kink, Polyamory and Parenting: Wed. Feb. 28
LGBT Jewish Families: The Joys and Challenges: Sunday, March 11
Mother Outlaws - The Mommy Wars: The Rhetoric and the Reality: Thurs. Feb 22
LGBT Family Resource Programmes at the 519
Nickname Press: New LGBTT-Friendly Children’s Books
Women Who Have Sex With Women: Let’s Talk
Dyke March Community Meeting: Sunday, Feb. 25
Parents and Spouses Coming Out Support Group: Guelph
Camp Ten Oaks: Call for Participants for Camp Planning Committee 2007: Ottawa

Programs, Events and Resources in Toronto:

CALL-OUT TO TEENS AND OLDER YOUTH WHO HAVE LGBTT PARENTS!

A committee of community-based groups have been meeting and talking because we know there are a lot of you out there, but that there are not a lot of programs out there. We know it can sometimes feel like you're the only one.

We have some ideas (you'll see some of them in the survey!), but most importantly, we want to hear from you about what you'd like to see happen! We hope to take your ideas and help plan something that helps connect youth with other youth from similar families!

This survey should take only about 5 minutes to fill out.

We had a great response from LBGTT parents- thanks so much! While LGBTT parents are still welcome to fill out the survey, what we'd really like now is to hear from young people who have LGBTT parents!

Please clink on this link, and fill out the survey. Thank you!

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=379722536862

LGBT Parenting Network, Sherbourne Health Centre/FSA Toronto
519 Church St. Community Centre, Queer Parenting Programmes
Central Toronto Youth Services(CTYS)
Children of Gays and Lesbians Everywhere (COLAGE)

QUEER PARENTING EXCHANGE: KINK, POLYAMORY AND PARENTING: WED. FEB 28

Join us on Wednesday, February 28 for a discussion of Kink, Polyamory and Parenting - Joys, challenges, dilemmas of being all of who we are.

Details of full Queer Parenting Exchange season below.

LGBT Parenting Network (FSA Toronto/Sherbourne Health Centre) and the Queer Parenting Programmes at the 519 Church St. Community Centre present the

QUEER PARENTING EXCHANGE

Are you parenting and looking to connect with other LGBTQ parents to talk about common issues?
Are you lesbian/gay/bi/trans and considering parenthood? Trying to figure out how to bring kids into your life?

Each month we host a discussion forum on an issue related to LGBTQ parenting, as well as offer an opportunity to informally

meet other parents and prospective parents. Snacks provided.

COME TO:

The 519 Church Street Community Centre
4th Wednesday of each month
8:00 to 10:00 PM

Spring 2007 Topics:

January 24: LGBTQ Families and Schools: Continue the discussion about how we want to organize ourselves to create change in our children’s schools.

February 28: Kink, Polyamory and Parenting: Joys, challenges, dilemmas of being all of who we are.

March 28: Creating Local Parenting Groups: Hear from local LGBT parents and prospective parents who are creating their own networks and groups (in neighbhourhoods, for single parents, HIV+ parents, etc.)

April 25: LGBTQ Family-Friendly Books & Stories: Find out about the latest books for all ages…and bring your own to share.

May (TBA): Nancy Nichol’s film “Politics of the Heart” with guest panel: In collaboration with the Inside/Out Film Festival we’ll show this film that documents the struggles for LGBTQ family rights in Quebec, with special guest panelists.

For more information, contact:

Chris Veldhoven 416-392-6878, x 109; queerparenting@the519.org
Rachel Epstein 416-595-0307, x 301; parentingnetwork@fsatoronto.com

LGBT JEWISH FAMILIES: THE JOYS AND CHALLENGES: SUNDAY, MARCH 11

LGBT families are becoming more and more "out" and visible in Jewish communities. They pioneer new ways of building family and new ways

of being Jewish. Yet they still face oppressive attitudes from some as they challenge the heterosexual traditions of both mainstream and progressive Jewish communities.

Rachel Epstein, coordinator of the LGBT Parenting Network (Sherbourne Health Centre/FSAToronto), her co-parent Lois Fine, their daughter Sadie, and other guests TBA, will lead a discussion on the challenges and joys of living in a Jewish LGBT family.

Part of the ‘Bagels & Banter’ lecture series

Sunday, March 11, 2007
10:30 am – 12:30 pm
The Winchevsky Centre
585 Cranbrooke Ave. (5 blocks north of Lawrence, just east of Bathurst)
Admission: $7.00 and includes bagels and coffee.
For more info: (416) 789-5502.

MOTHER OUTLAWS: The Mommy Wars: The Rhetoric and the Reality: Thurs. Feb. 22

The Association for Research on Mothering (ARM), York University invites you to:

Mother Outlaws are community gatherings in the Toronto area for women interested in discussing current motherhood issues from a feminist perspective and sharing the links between their own mothering practices and social change.

Thursday, February 22, 2007
7:00 – 10:00 pm
Fade In Café
145A Main St. (at Gerrard)

The Mommy Wars: The Rhetoric and the Reality
Sex TV Episode Screening (Less Than Perfect: Battling the Mommy Wars) and Discussion with Guest Panel

Over the last few years, the media has regularly reported on the so-called ‘mommy wars’ – a catch phrase used to describe the tension and anger that supposedly exists between working and stay-at-home moms. This compelling episode goes into the real homes of working and stay-at-home mothers to unveil the truth behind the mommy wars.

Included in the screening is the “un-aired” footage of a Mother Outlaws discussion on this topic: exposing the motives behind these myths and current biases in social policies affecting families.

Guest Panel:

Linn Baran, Mother Outlaws Coordinator (Moderator)
Andrea O’Really, Director of ARM, Professor, Women’s Studies, York University
Brenda Cossman, Professor, Faculty of Law, University of Toronto

Admission Cost: PWYC (suggested $5 – 10)
Free popcorn, snacks and treats.
Sandwiches, teach/coffee, and licensed bar available for purchase.

For more information and to RSVP for event, please contact:
Linn Baran, Mother Outlaws Coordinator, linnbaran@sympatico.ca

LGBT FAMILY RESOURCE PROGRAMMES AT THE 519

Mum’s The World!
Daddy, Papa & Me

Bring your kids to our monthly queer-positive and specific family programming, one for lesbian, bisexual and trans mothers and their children (age 0 to 6) , and the other for gay, bisexual and trans fathers and their children (age 0 to 6). We provide an opportunity to meet other families and find: support, snacks, activities, music, toys, discussions and queer parenting resources. We also provide access to a variety of LGBT positive parenting and children's books through these Family Resource Programmes.

Mum's The World! is held on the last Saturday of each month from 10 am to 1 pm.

Daddy, Papa & Me is held on the second Saturday of each month from 10 am to 1 pm

For more information contact Chris Veldhoven, Queer Parenting Programmes Coordinator, at 416 392 6878 x109, queerparenting@the519.org

NICKNAME PRESS: NEW LGBT-FRIENDLY CHILDREN’S BOOKS

Welcome to Nickname Press, a new Canadian publisher launching a line of LGBT-friendly children's books. The first three titles from Nickname Press are matter-of-fact representations of today's diverse families.

Ryan's Mom is Tall - written by Heather Jopling, illustrated by Allyson Demoe

Ryan's Mom and Mummy are different in many ways. See how their family puzzle fits together! This comparative book of opposites highlights the differences between Ryan's Mom and Mummy while using a puzzle motif to create a picture of families in the new millennium.

Monicka's Papa is Tall- written by Heather Jopling illustrated by Allyson Demoe

This is the gay-positive version of Ryan's Mom is Tall. This version of the story shows Monicka's Papa and Daddy and highlights the differences between her two fathers while using the same puzzle motif found in Ryan's Mom is Tall to bring about its conclusion.

The Not-So-Only Child written by Heather Jopling illustrated by Lauren Page Russell

This book is done in a scrapbook style where an only child shares with us the diversity in her family, embracing bi-racial families, lesbian grandmothers, gay fathers and lesbian moms - plus a whole whack of family animals!

All three titles are appropriate for children aged 3- 6 years.

Link to Publications: http://www.nicknamepress.com

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Heather Jopling has performed Shakespeare as a clown, written 4 one-woman shows, several plays and a very bad romance novel. She has been a surrogate mother for a gay family and her husband has been a sperm donor for a lesbian family. She has a degree in Theatre and is the proud parent of a beautiful daughter, two cats and one dog.

ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATORS

As a youngster, Allyson Demoe always enjoyed drawing, painting and looking at art, so much so that she graduated with a degree in Studio Art from the University of Guelph. Allyson also likes to help others draw, paint and look at art, so she became an art teacher and currently lives and teaches in Southern Ontario. In her off time, Allyson enjoys (you guessed it) drawing, painting and looking at art

Lauren Page Russell is a Drawing and Painting graduate of the Ontario College of Arts and Design. Her favourite medium is the trusty HB Pencil, but she has also been known to use pencil crayon, paint and ink. In Lauren’s spare time, she also designs theatre sets. Lauren lives and works in Toronto.

WOMEN WHO HAVE SEX WITH WOMEN: LET’S TALK

Planned Parenthood of Toronto and Sherbourne Health Centre invite you to please join us to participate in a focus group to identify the sexual and reproductive health needs of women in their 30s, 40s and 50s who have sex with women.

Tuesday, February 27: Parents
Wednesday, February 28: Open to All Women
Thursday, March 1: Women of Colour
Tuesday, March 6: Open to All Women
Wednesday, March 7: Transwomen

All focus groups will be held at Sherbourne Health Centre, 333 Sherbourne Street from 6.00 - 8.00 p.m.

Refreshments will be served and we will provide TTC tokens, childcare subsidies and a $20.00 honorarium for your participation.

To register, please contact:
Cindy Weeds
416.961.0113 ext.223 or cweeds@ppt.on.ca

The information gained from this community consultation will be used to develop new programs between Planned Parenthood of Toronto and Sherbourne Health Centre.

DYKE MARCH COMMUNITY MEETING: SUNDAY, FEB 25

As you may recall, the Pride Toronto Dyke March Committee recently held an open consultation to seek community input on the creation of Guiding Principles for the Dyke March. Once developed, the Guiding Principles are intended to help Dyke March organizers plan and grow the event in a manner that is consistent with our community's interests and values.

With thanks to the many members of our community who contributed their comments, ideas, and suggestions at the first consultation, the Dyke March Committee has developed a draft set of the Guiding Principles. We are therefore now inviting members of the community to attend a second community consultation, one in which the draft Guiding Principles will be presented and discussed.

On Sunday, February 25, 2007, the Pride Toronto Dyke March Committee welcomes any one who has or who wants to march in the Dyke March to drop by the 519 between 1-3pm to review, question, comment on, or provide suggestions to the draft Guiding Principles. Light refreshments will be provided.

The details:

WHO: Any one who has or who wants to march in the Dyke March.

WHAT: Pride Toronto community consultation on Draft Dyke March Guiding Principles

WHEN: Sunday, February 25, 2007, 1-3pm.

WHERE: 519 Community Centre ( 519 Church St.), 1st floor of the new wing.

WHY: Pride Toronto, and the Dyke March organizing Committee, strive to ensure that the Dyke March is a welcoming and enjoyable experience for everyone in our diverse community. By providing feedback on the draft Guiding Principles, you will be helping ensure that current and future Dyke March organizers have the information they need plan and grow this fantastic event!

This building is accessible for people with mobility dis/abilities ASL interpretation will be provided if booked through the Dyke March Committee before February 19, 2007. This is a trans positive space Please let us know if there are other ways we can make this meeting more accessible

Questions and RSVP: dykemarch@pridetoronto.com

ALSO!!! Nominations are now being accepted for the Dyke March's Honoured Dyke and Honoured Group!!

Know a group or individual who has made a positive impact in our dyke and LGBTTIQQ2S communities through their words, actions, or achievements? Nominate them! Nomination forms and additional information are available online at www.pridetoronto.com . The deadline for nominations is Saturday, March 17, 2007.

Questions or comments? Email dykemarch@pridetoronto.com

Programs, Events and Resources Outside Toronto

PARENTS & SPOUSES’ COMING OUT SUPPORT GROUP: GUELPH

This group is for straight parents or spouses who are beginning to question their sexual orientation and gender identity (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, transsexual, two-spirit, intersex, queer and questioning - LGBT). This group is open to any participant who may be in the process of separation/divorce; or who have chosen to remain within their heterosexual relationship. It is also open to single parents raising child(ren). The group deals with balancing questions of parenthood or relationship issues with the newly emerging sense of sexual orientation and gender identity.

Members of this therapy group provide support, and validation, all while receiving specific strategies to help each other manage this complicated and confusing time. The group functions to decrease the sense of isolation these participants may feel, and invites them into a sense of relationship with themselves. Read the attachment for the group objectives and see the registration information below.

Registration

Register until Wednesday February 28, 2007 by e-mail or phone. The group starts the week of February 26 and will run for 10 weeks. This is a closed group with 6 to 10 participants, meaning no one will be added once it commences. Intake meetings are free and take 30 minutes. No one will be added after the start date.

Registration: Registration ends Wednesday February 28 , 2007
Start Date: Week of March 5, 2007
Group:10 weeks of 2 hour meetings
Cost: $30.00 per meeting
Location: Guelph
Phone: 519-821-5163
Toll Free: 1-888-821-5163 (outside Guelph)
E-Mail: DaveVervoort@sympatico.ca
Web: www.RainbowTherapist.com

Warm regards,

Dave Vervoort M.Sc.
Registered Marriage and Family Therapist
O.A.M.F.T.
A.A.M.F.T.

CAMP TEN OAKS: CALL FOR PARTICIPANTS FOR CAMP PLANNING COMMITTEE 2007 - OTTAWA

What:

The Ten Oaks Project would like to invite you to consider participating on its 2007 Camp Planning Committee. Between February and June 2007, the Camp Planning Committee will meet on the third Tuesday of every month. Reporting to the Ten Oaks Project Board of Directors, the objectives of the Committee are to:

provide direction on specific camp issues as identified by the Chair, using a problem solving and creative action tool called the Simplex System;
generate ideas for social justice programming and special guests; and,
execute other work as identified by the BOD through the Chair.

Why:

We want you to be involved. The work of the Ten Oaks Project and Camp Ten Oaks has always been driven by the involvement and contributions of passionate community members. The voices of people who use/or support our programs, are also the voices that should help shape them. In addition, through your participation you will be exposed to an innovative creative problem solving process that we expect will have you leaving every meeting excited for the next!

About the Ten Oaks Project

Our mission is to develop, promote, provide and support programming for the children of LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, two-spirit, queer) and/or non-traditional families, youth who are themselves LGBTQ, and their allies. Visit our website for more details: www.tenoaksproject.org

About Camp

Camp Ten Oaks is a one-week, sleep-away camp for children and youth ages 8-17. In 2007, camp will take place August 19-25 at a site located 45 minutes north of Ottawa in the Gatineau Hills. With space for 52 campers, the summer schedule at Camp Ten Oaks is designed to provide campers of all ages with an extraordinary camp experience. Informed from a social justice model, our activities include both the traditional and the cutting-edge. Camp program is offered to campers and families on a sliding scale basis. Visit the camp website for more details: www.camptenoaks.org

Join Us!

Tuesday, February 20 th, 2007 , 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Glebe Community Centre
175 Third Avenue, Ottawa

In the meanwhile, if you have any questions, would like more information, or want a copy of the Camp Planning Committee's Terms of Reference please free to contact us: camp@tenoaksproject.org

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.

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LGBT Parenting Network February 2007, E-News