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LGBT Parenting Network
May 2006, E-News

This month:

Call For Participants: Lesbian / Bi / Queer Parenting: An Evening of Creativity
Queer Parenting Exchange: May 24 – LGBT Parenting Research Round-Up
Workshop on Collaborative Practice for LGBTT Families: June 2
Queer Family Fun Fair: June 3
Racial Awareness in Inter-Racial Adoption: June 10
Camp Ten Oaks Accepting Camper Registrations
Family Pride 2006: June 24 / 25
Sherbourne Health Centre’s Trans Pride Day: May 11
Rainbow Health Network Trans Pride Event: June 19
Update on LGBT Parenting Network

CALL FOR PARTICIPANTS: LESBIAN / BI /QUEER PARENTING: AN EVENING OF CREATIVITY

We are looking for creative lesbian / bi / queer parents to be a part of this event on Thursday, June 15, 2006.

Lesbian / Bi / Queer Parenting: An Evening of Creativity

On Thursday, June 15, 2006, 7:00 pm, WRIB (Women for Recreation, Information, and Business) is offering their second in a series of 4 Health and Lifestyle presentations FREE OF CHARGE to the lesbian/bi/queer community. This program is presented in conjunction with the LGBT Parenting Network, FSA Toronto and the Family Committee of Pride Toronto, and will be an official Pride event.

Our vision is to present, in a creative, informative and entertaining way, real-life experiences related to lesbian/bi/queer parenting. We hope to cover a range of pertinent issues such as: planning a family, insemination, adoption, legal issues, blended families, parenting issues, coming out to children, coming out to spouses, issues for interracial families, questions of race and culture and parenting, parenting with disabilities, leaving relationships, kids in schools and daycares, parenting babies/toddlers/big kids/teenagers…and anything else you might think of.

We are inviting lesbian/bi/queer mothers and grandmothers, with a penchant for creativity, to share your experience by writing a narrative, a poem, a song, a skit, or a stand-up routine - solo or ensemble. You can choose to perform your own material or to have someone present it on your behalf.

The presentation will be introduced by WRIB, coordinated and MC’ed by Rachel Epstein (coordinator of the LGBT Parenting Network) who will also moderate a Q and A afterwards, and the finale will be a reception hosted by WRIB.

It will be held at the Palmerston Library Theatre which seats 120, has a basic light and sound system (run by a library tech person), a green room, and a room for the reception.

Your piece can be from 1 to 5 minutes in length and the deadline for submissions is Wednesday, May 24. Please accept our invitation to a part of an important (and fun!) community project and to do so in a way that will highlight your experience and your talent. Please email submissions to parentingnetwork@fsatoronto.com. For more info call: 416 595 0307, ext. 301.

PLEASE FORWARD THIS E-MAIL TO YOUR FRIENDS, AND SPREAD THE WORD WITHIN YOUR OWN EXTENDED COMMUNITIES. SHARE YOUR STORIES TO PROVIDE HOPE, INSIGHT, INFORMATION, PATHOS, OR HUMOUR. REMEMBER, IF GETTING UP IN FRONT OF AN AUDIENCE ISN'T YOUR THING, SOMEONE ELSE CAN READ YOUR WORDS.

QUEER PARENTING EXCHANGE: Wed. May 24 – LGBT Parenting Research Round-Up

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

MAY 24: LGBT Parenting Research Round-Up

Come hear about the issues arising from new Canadian LGBT Parenting Research. We will be talking about at least three community-based research projects: One that interviewed young people (10-18 years old) who grew up with LGBT parents (and LGBT parents and teachers interested in LGBT issues); one that interviewed gay fathers in Toronto and Calgary, and the MOMS project – that explored the experiences of queer women during conception, pregnancy and early parenthood. Also hear about current projects on same-sex adoption and research that aims to broaden understanding of how LGBT parenting issues are framed in diverse ethno-cultural communities.

For more information, contact:

Chris Veldhoven, Queer Parenting Programmes: 416-392-6878, x 109; queerparenting@the519.org

Rachel Epstein, LGBT Parenting Network: 416-595-0307 x 301; parentingnetwork@fsatoronto.com

WORKSHOP ON COLLABORATIVE PRACTICE FOR LGBTT FAMILIES: NO BORDERS, NO BARRIERS: JUNE 2, 2006

June 2, 2006 Niagara Falls, Ontario Sheraton Falls Hotel

A Collaborative Approach for Resolving Disputes Respectfully for Separating Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transsexual/Transgender Clients & Their Families

A one-day workshop for family mediators, counselors, therapists, mental health professionals, community agencies, lawyers, financial planners, and social service providers who work with LGBT families. This workshop introduces the Collaborative Practice model.

What is Collaborative Practice? Collaborative Practice is an interdisciplinary model which includes lawyers, mental health professionals and financial planners, who assist families to reach resolution using a non-adversarial, non-court approach.

Register Now for this Exciting Symposium!

To register, contact Marion Korn at (416) 915-7000 or Neeraj Goel at (416) 913-1994, or go to www.collablaw.org/symposium.htm to register online. Our website provides more information about why collaborative practice is the approach most suited to many LGBT couples and for more information about the upcoming Symposium.

Some sliding scale tuition is available, particularly for those traveling for long distances. To inquire about sliding scale or for other questions, contact Marion Korn at symposium@collablaw.org.

QUEER FAMILY FUN FAIR: JUNE 3

Come celebrate our families at The 519's annual Queer Family Fun Fair!

Saturday June 3rd, 11 am to 2 pm, behind The 519 Church Street Community Centre.

We'll feature:

games and activities for kids
food and refreshments
information and resources for LGBTTQ parents and prospective parents
information on upcoming Family Pride activities!

This free event is open to all families and prospective parents.

Any related services or organizations are welcome to have a table in our community information section.

To get more information, provide suggestions, or book a table, please contact: Chris Veldhoven, Queer Parenting Programmes Coordinator, 416 392 6878 x109, queerparenting@the519.org.

RACIAL AWARENESS IN INTER-RACIAL ADOPTION: Sat. June 10

A workshop for parents, prospective parents and extended family members of children adopted inter-racially

Presented by the Adoption Council of Ontario.

This workshop will support participants to move towards racial awareness in inter-racial adoption – the ability to recognize how race, ethnicity, culture and related power status operate in our own lives and the lives of our children. The day will include group discussion, exercises and a panel presentation aimed at answering questions such as How have race, ethnicity and culture impacted our attitudes, values and approaches to parenting and caregiving? Participants will gain new insights and ideas to assist with parenting and caregiving children of another race.

The workshop will be facilitated by Maira McKenna, MSW of 2imagine Ventures Inc. and a consultatnt from the company Visable Diversity Solutions. The facilitators have extensive experience conducting diversity workshops, and have worked with children, youth and families. Maira has personal and professional experience with inter-racial adoption.

Date: Saturday, June 10, 2006, 9 am – 5 pm
Location: International Student Centre, University of Toronto, 33 St. George St.
Cost: $90 per person (by May 14, 2006); $100 per person (May 15 – June 4, 2006)

Includes lunch and morning and afternoon refreshments.

More info: Pat Fenton (416) 482-0021 or Carole Neron (416) 531-0789.

CAMP TEN OAKS ACCEPTING CAMPER REGISTRATIONS

Camp Ten Oaks is a one-week, sleep-away camp for children and youth ages 8-17. Our camp community is for the children of LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, two-spirit, queer) and/or non-traditional families, youth who are LGBTQ, and their allies.

We are now accepting camper registrations! We currently have spaces available in each of our three age groups:

* JACs (8-9) * MACs (10-12) * SACs (13-15)

We are also accepting applications for our new LAC program (leadership program for campers ages 16-17).

Camp will take place August 20-26, 2006 at a site located 45 minutes north of Ottawa in the Gatineau Hills. With space for 40 campers, the summer schedule at Camp Ten Oaks is designed to provide campers of all ages with an extraordinary camp experience. We maintain a minimum camper to staff ratio of 3:1. Our activities include both the traditional and the cutting-edge. Examples of activities include:

swimming – outdoor adventure – drumming - arts & crafts - kayaking - campouts & cookouts – drama - social justice activities - field sports - hiking - dance – family programming - mystery days - soccer - evening activities - fishing - yearbook

Camp Ten Oaks is run by the not-for-profit organization, Ten Oaks Project. There is no set fee to attend camp. Our camp program is offered on a sliding scale basis.

This year, we will be making a supervised bus available from a central location in Ottawa that will take our campers straight to camp and back again when the time comes. Some of our campers coming from Toronto and surrounding areas will also have the option of traveling to camp by train.

Camper registration forms can be downloaded from www.camptenoaks.org or by contacting us. Registrations are accepted on a first come, first served basis.

Applications for the LAC program are available at www.camptenoaks.org or by contacting us. LAC campers have until June 2, 2006 to let us know why you want to be part of the leadership program.

More information on camp can be found on our website and in the camper application. If you or your camper(s) have any questions, please give us a call or drop us an e-mail.

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.

FAMILY PRIDE 2006: Mark Your Calendars! June 24 / 25

Family Pride– an oasis and a destination for families during Pride Toronto – returns this June with some of the fun stuff from previous years in addition to new and exciting activities. A little peak at what you can expect:

The annual picnic of the LGBT Parenting Picnic on Saturday
Sunday brunch hosted by the Queer Parenting Programs of the 519
Enhanced arts and crafts projects
Exciting performances

There is more, but you’ll have to be patient... just a little bit longer. More details will be available as the activities are confirmed. A full program of events will be posted to the Pride Toronto website by early June (http://www.pridetoronto.com/familypride/)

Mark your calendars – June 24th and 25th – and come celebrate your pride with your family.

And, if you are interested in getting involved in some way, please contact the Family Pride Committee, options:

Getting your family-related event recognized as an Official Event of Pride Toronto
Becoming a Community Supporter of Family Pride
Volunteering with Family Pride

Please direct any questions or ideas to family-pride@pridetoronto.com

Looking forward to seeing you as part of Family Pride 2006!

Skye, Ron, and the rest of the 2006 Family Pride Committee

SHERBOURNE HEALTH CENTRE’S TRANS PRIDE DAY: MAY 11

A Fun, Free Event for Trans Folk and Their Allies

Bring your art, journals, poems, songs or just bring yourself and join the LGBTT Program and Supporting Our Youth for an Evening of Celebration…

Thursday, May 11, 2006
6:00 – 9:00 pm
365 Bloor St. East, Suite 301 , Toronto (close to Sherbourne subway)

Contact Carole Baker or Rupert Raj at 416 324-4180 for more info or to arrange drop-off of art.

RAINBOW HEALTH NETWORK: TRANS PRIDE EVENT: JUNE 19

Monday, June 19, 6 – 8 p.m.
31 Wellesley Street East

Achieving Trans Pride: Advocating for health care access in Ontario

An interactive panel will discuss the Rainbow Health Network’s efforts to restore public funding of Sex Reassignment Surgery (SRS) by lobbying politicians and supporting the Ontario Human Rights SRS case.

Update on LGBT Parenting Network

The Parenting Network is now fully funded by the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care and supported by a new partnership between Sherbourne Health Centre, the 519 Church St. Community Centre and Family Service Association of Toronto. We will be continuing our usual services , including special Pride events. We will also be inviting parents and others to participate in a process to give feedback and suggestions to help make services for LGBTTQ families even better. Stay tuned for more information. In the meantime you can continue to contact staff at:

LGBT Parenting Network, David Kelley Services, Family Service Association
Rachel Epstein, 416 595 0307, ext. 301; parentingnetwork@fsatoronto.com

Queer Parenting Programs, 519 Church St. Community Centre
Chris Veldhoven, 416 392 6878, ext. 109; queerparenting@the519.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 May 2006, E-News