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LGBT Parenting Network
March 2007, E-News

This month:

NEWS FROM LGBT PARENTING NETWORK

  • The LGBT Parenting Network will be moving to the Sherbourne Health Centre on Wednesday, March 14, 2007.  Stay tuned for a special email giving you all the info about how to contact us. 

  • Are you a Dykes Planning Tykes grad?  We want to make sure you are invited to the 10 th Anniversary Reunion on Sat. May 12!  Whether you have or haven’t had kids, or are still in process, reconnect with us by sending contact info to Alex Smith at asmith@sherbourne.on.ca or call 416-324-4100, ext. 5220.                     
  • Research project seeks LGBTTTQ Adoptive Parents & Parents-To-Be: We are looking for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, 2-spirited and queer individuals and couples anywhere in Ontario who are either in the process of adopting or have recently adopted a child through public, private or international adoption.  Contact 1-866-371-6667 or adoption_research@camh.net (a partnership between the LGBT Parenting Network, SHC and CAMH).
  • We are beginning to plan for the Pride Issue of Pride & Joy.  If you have had a child join your family in the last year (or before and you never sent in an announcement) please send us a birth/adoption announcement – a couple of sentences and an electronic photo.   Thanks!
  • Queer Parenting Exchange on Wed. March 28, 8:00 – 10:00 pm at the 519 Church St. Community Centre
  • Creating Local Parenting Groups: Hear from local LGBT parents and prospective parents who are creating their own networks and groups and talk about how to start your own!

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PARKDALE COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTRE LAUNCHES NEW DROP-IN FOR LESBIAN/BI/QUEER/TRANS MOMS: SATURDAY. MARCH 24

Parkdale Community Health is launching a monthly gathering for lesbian, bisexual, queer and trans mothers.  The gatherings will be held the 3rd Saturday of the month at Parkdale Community Health Centre,  1229 Queen St. West. Snacks will be provided.

Join us for the first gathering on Saturday March 24 10:30am to 12:30pm featuring storyteller Clare Nobbs. Clare is a storyteller and LGBTQ community development worker who uses story to explore many issues including racism, homophobia, social justice and just plain fun!

Contact Connie for more info @ 416 537-2455.

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FAMILY PRIDE SEEKS VOLUNTEERS

Looking to have some fun, meet new people, and gain some experience this summer?  Then come and join us in putting on Family Pride at Pride Toronto’s festival this June 23 rd, and 24 th, 2007. 

Family Pride is planning a number of activities this year and is looking for volunteers who would love to work with families and children at various activities and events.  We’ve developed a list of volunteer roles which we’d love to share with you.

For more information about our organization, please visit www.pridetoronto.com and sign up online.  Alternatively, feel free to contact me at family-pride@pridetoronto.com or our weekend volunteer committee at weekend_volunteer@pridetoronto.com.

There will also be an orientation session for volunteers, with dates to choose from in late May to June, where you will meet volunteers, coordinators, and staff, as well as learn more about Pride Toronto and your role within the Pride Weekend.  We are also planning a meet and greet before the event, likely after the orientation session. We will also be hosting our infamous volunteer appreciation party in July, so mark your calendars as these are always a great time!

Thanks and we hope to see you in the coming months.

Michael Demeter
Family Pride Coordinator - Pride Toronto
family-pride@pridetoronto.com
416-927-7433 ext.235

Please join us for Family Pride 2007: June 23-24!

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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)

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A CALL FOR RESEARCH STUDY PARTICIPANTS : SOCIAL SUPPORT NEEDS & ASSISTED REPRODUCTIVE CARE OF LESBIAN/QUEER WOMEN

Are you a self-identified lesbian/queer woman in a committed relationship?

AND

Are you CURRENTLY attempting to build your family through assisted reproductive means?

OR

Have you sought and received assisted reproductive care in the LAST 2 YEARS?

If so, we invite you to complete a brief electronic questionnaire about your experiences.  Your participation in this study is entirely voluntary and anonymous.  For more information, or to obtain a copy of the study questionnaire, PLEASE CONTACT erin.frotten@utoronto.ca

The deadline for participating in this study is March 31st, 2007.  For more information, please read on:

For the lesbian couple considering parenthood, the decision to have a child involves complex processes and choices not normally encountered by most heterosexual couples.  This study focuses on the experience of seeking and receiving assisted reproductive care in lesbian family building.  "Assisted Reproductive Care" is any medical assistance in achieving conception that is provided by all medical practitioners (both fertility clinicians and family physicians).  More specifically, we are interested in understanding the social support needs of lesbian couples as they embark on this journey.  We hope to identify what kinds of social supports exist, who is providing this support, and what kinds of supports are lacking. Both partners involved in the family building process are invited to participate.  This study is being lead by Erin Frotten, a second year medical student at the University of Toronto, and is supported by the New Women's College Hospital and the University of Toronto.

We look forward to your involvement!

Sincerely,

Erin Frotten, BHSc
Pre-Clerkship Undergraduate Medical Student University of Toronto erin.frotten@utoronto.ca  

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INFORMED PARENT OFFERS ADOPTION SERIES

The Adoption Transition

If you are you planning to welcome a new child into your family through adoption, this workshop will provide you with ideas and information that can ensure the smoothest transition and adjustmentpossible for your child and family.  This workshop is intended to teach parents the key ingredients to enhancing family success in order to prevent or minimize common difficulties.  Thursday April 12, 6:30-8:30

Adoption and Child Development: Key Concepts

In this workshop participants will understand key concepts in child development and adoption in the early years. Parents can expect to gain a better understanding of why early relationships are critical to the development of the brain and in life functioning. Participants will also consider the potential impacts of neglect and/or trauma experienced during early childhood on young children.  Susan will review effective parenting strategies for enhancing the parent-child relationship and attachment.  Thursday April 19, 6:30-8:30

Post-Adoption Supports

Come together with local families who have adopted their young child(ren) to talk about parenting with Susan O’Quinn, an experienced developmental consultant who specializes in working with families who unite through adoption. Talk about the topics that matter to you most in this 2 hour session. This session is designed to help parents gain information and skills for navigating the service community, and assist in the challenging task of locating appropriate post-adoption supports.  Thursday April 26, 6:30-8:30

Warm Blankets; Adoption and the Extended Family

If you are a grandparent, aunt or uncle, friend, or other close person in the life of a newly or soon-to-be adopted child, this session has been designed for you!  Susan will share information about the unique needs of adopted infants and children, and best ways of beginning to build your relationship, how to support the child and his or her parent(s) best, and the ways that you can help your loved ones build strong relationships at this important time in their lives.  Thursday May 3, 6:30-8:30

Facilitator Susan O’Quinn, MSW, RSW. is a child development consultant with extensive experience working with families who unite through adoption.  These workshops reflect themes that families have identified as most closely connected to their ability to thrive as newly united families.  As with all of our programs and services at the informed parent, this course welcomes families of all kinds, including LGBTTQ-led and lone-parent-led. 

Course fee: $60/person $220/four session series
Register Online www.theinformedparent.com
Register by Phone 416-964-1100 

The informed parent is an innovative pregnancy and parenting centre that features a bright and spacious drop-in play centre as well as educational, wellness and support services to adults and children in downtown Toronto.  We respect and support all definitions of families, including traditional, single, adoptive, LGBTTQ and foster, and attempt to offer services that are inclusive and accessible to everyone.  We support parents and care-givers in their efforts to raise healthy, self-confident, self-reliant, co-operative and loving children .

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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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