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LGBT Parenting Network
May 2005, E-News

This month:

Family Matters - Film Showing: May 24
Queer Parenting Exchange: Access to Sperm & Eggs II: May 25; TransParenting Panel and Forum: June 5
Family Pride Picnic: June 25
Queer Mothering Fundraiser: June 28
MOMS Research Project: Final call for participants
Queer Family Fun Fair: June 4
Camp Ten Oaks – Update and Newsletter

LGBT PARENTING NETWORK NEWS:

FAMILY MATTERS: FILM SHOWING AT INSIDE/OUT FESTIVAL: TUES. MAY 24

The LGBT Parenting Network, David Kelley Services, FSA Toronto and Martin Bourgeois are sponsoring the showing of the film Family Matters.

David Noy, Israel
Tuesday May 24, 5:30pm
Cumberland 2( 159 Cumberland Avenue )

A love triangle of convenience is formed between three people who want nothing more than to have a baby. Two gay men (Itamar, and his partner of ten years, Kai) decide it`s time to settle down and start a family. In the meantime, Dafna has given up her search for "the man of her dreams" and a conventional family in order to have the baby she so desires. Realizing their limitations, the three decide to come together and fulfill one dream with each others' help.

After a few attempts, Dafna successfully conceives and all three are excited, expectant parents. But as the pregnancy progresses, they become embroiled in matters of jealousy, intimacy and loyalty. Itamar becomes caught between Dafne and Kai and neither one wants anything to do with the other despite the fact that they are in the midst of creating a new life and a new family.

As emotions begin to escalate out of control, the fascinating story unravels as a baby boy is born at the height of the tension. Family Matters reveals the true grit of building a family outside the box as Itamar, Kai and Dafna try to come to terms with their own relationship and parenthood.

QUEER PARENTING EXCHANGE: ACCESS TO SPERM & EGGS: WED. APRIL 27

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. May's event (Access to Sperm and Eggs) takes place on Wednesday, May 25, 8 - 10 pm at the 519 Community Centre.

This is an opportunity to learn about the Toronto world of reproductive technology – sperm and egg banks, fertility clinics, doctors – and to share information with others about navigating our way through these resources. We can also talk about the new Assisted Human Reproduction Act and its implications for LGBT family planning. Mostly we want to create a forum for people to share information and experiences. All genders encouraged to attend.

TRANSPARENTING: A PANEL DISCUSSION AND FORUM FOR TRANS PARENTS, PROSPECTIVE PARENTS, FRIENDS AND ALLIES: SUN. JUNE 5

Sunday, June 5, 2005 2:00 – 5:00 pm
Family Service Association of Toronto , 355 Church St .

Come join us for a free panel discussion and open forum on transsexual/transgender parenting! We want to talk about…transitioning with kids, bringing kids into your life, custody issues, navigating day-to-day life as a trans parent, family support and community resources.

Includes a screening of the award winning short film: No Dumb Questions.

Free childcare and programming available. For more information or to register for childcare, contact Rachel Epstein, rachelep@fsatoronto.com, 416 595-0307, ext. 270.

Sponsored by the LGBT Parenting Network, FSA Toronto and the 519 Church St. Community Centre.

An official Pride Toronto event.

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

FAMILY PRIDE PICNIC 2005: SAT. JUNE 25

The LGBT Parenting Network will hold its annual Family Pride Picnic on Saturday, June 25, 11 am to 1 pm at the Church St. Junior Public School (south east corner of Church St. & Alexander St.) Join us with your kids, families and friends! All our welcome. Snacks, juice, water and washrooms provided. Please BYO picnic.

The Family Pride Picnic is part of Pride Toronto’s Family Pride (sponsored by IKEA). Come enjoy this child-friendly interactive space and program, featuring crafts, games, children's entertainment by Rainbow Songs and face painting. In addition, Family Pride offers on-site daycare (Saturday and Sunday) and washrooms with changing areas. For more info and schedule of activities see the Family Pride website: http://www.pridetoronto.com/events/familypride.htm

If you are interested in volunteering for Family Pride this year, please get in touch.

QUEER MOTHERING FUNDRAISER: TUES. JUNE 28

The Association for Research on Mothering and the LGBT Parenting Network are holding a fundraising event on queer mothering on Tuesday, June 28. Speakers will include Diane Flacks, Joanna Radbord and Rachel Epstein. Details to follow.

MOTHERING ON THE MARGINS (MOMS) – FINAL CALL FOR PARTICIPANTS

Are you a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, transsexual, two-spirited or queer (LGBTTTQ) woman who is:

Currently trying to conceive,
Currently pregnant, or
The non-biological parent of a child less than one year of age OR the biological parent of a child less than one year of age?

If so, we want to hear from you!

The goal of the MOMs project is to learn about the factors that contribute to emotional well- being in LGBTTTQ women parents and parents-to-be.

Your participation would involve completing a set of questionnaires which will be sent to you by mail. You may also be invited to take part in an interview. Participants will be compensated for their expenses. Participants must be located in Toronto or within 250km of downtown Toronto .

We particularly encourage women from diverse communities, including women of color and transsexual, transgender and two-spirit women, to respond!

For more information or to find out if you would be eligible, please contact:
Cheryl, Research Assistant
Centre for Addiction & Mental Health
Tel: 1-866-371-MOMS (6667) or (416) 260-4138
Email: moms_project@camh.net

All calls and emails are confidential. This project has been sponsored by Canadian Institutes for Health Research

NEWS FROM THE COMMUNITY:

QUEER FAMILY FUN FAIR: SAT. JUNE 4

Are you a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transsexual, Transgender, Intersex, 2-Spirited, Queer parent? Are you considering parenthood?

Join us on Saturday June 4th from 11 a.m.- 2 p.m . for our 3rd Annual Queer Family Fun Fair at The 519! We will have activities for kids under 10, a children's entertainer, games and arts and crafts. Also, check out our community resource tables with reps from different organizations. We will also have some barbeque and refreshments for adults and kids!!

For more information, contact Rebecca at 416-392-6878 x109 or e-mail: rgower@the519.org.

CAMP TEN OAKS: UPDATE AND NEWSLETTER

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.

It's that time again and we're pleased to share with you our Spring 2005 newsletter and SPECIAL ISSUE on Camp Ten Oaks! In this edition of our quarterly newsletter you can find the following:

focus on our summer camp program, Camp Ten Oaks
upcoming Toronto fundraiser, " Planting the Seeds: A Benefit To Help Grow Camp Ten Oaks"
a special letter from Mountain Meadow
launch of our spring fundraising campaign, Help Us Grow Camp Ten Oaks
our new mission, vision and values

and more!

To read our Spring 2005 newsletter, please click on this link http://www.tenoaksproject.org/spring05.htm to visit our website where it is available in html and pdf formats. If you would like to receive a hard copy, please contact us.

Don't miss our open house which is scheduled for this Saturday May 14, 2005 from 1pm to 4pm at Camp Ten Oaks. More information and directions to camp can be found on our website or obtained by contacting us.

The Ten Oaks Project is a not-for-profit, charitable organization. Our mission is to develop, promote, provide and support programming for the children of LGBTQ and/or non-traditional families, LGBTQ youth, and their allies. We currently offer two programs: Camp Ten Oaks and Rainbow Families.

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 May 2005, E-News