Programs & Services > LGBT Parenting Network > LGBT E-news
LGBT Parenting Network
September 2007, E-News
September news update (Sep. 26)
1. LGBTQ Families in the Schools
2. Jewish LGBT Families: The Joys & Challenges
- Part II - Sun. Sept 30
3. Queer/Queer Positive Childcare
Circle Looking for Fourth Family
4. New Group for Youth with LGBTQ
Parents: Families Like Ours
5. Father Visibility Project -
Deadline: Sept 30
6. Daddies & Papas 2B: Volunteer
Position Open
7. Upcoming at the 519: Daddy,
Papa & Me; Mum's the World!; Queer Positive Pre-natal Class
8. Grad Student Seeks Families
Headed by Lesbians and Gay Men
9. Take a Byte: A Cookbook for
Kids, by Kids!
LGBTQ FAMILIES IN THE SCHOOLS
LGBTQ parents across
the board are concerned about what happens for their kids in schools. The
LGBTQ Parenting Network (Sherbourne Health Centre) and Queer Parenting
Programmes at the 519 are launching a new project to make schools
more welcoming for our kids. We invite participation from all, including
parents, prospective parents, young people and teachers.
Last year at the Queer Parenting Exchange we brainstormed about how
to approach our work to make schools more friendly, welcoming and inclusive
of our kids. Themes we talked about included: Looking
at the Big Picture; Approaches in Local Schools; Website Possibilities;
Teacher Training and Curriculum; Parent / Teacher Connections; Media.
We plan to continue this discussion and get down to work.
Please come to the first meeting on:
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 7:00 – 9:00 PM
Sherbourne Health Centre, 333 Sherbourne (2nd floor)
For more info: 416 324 4100, ext. 5219; parentingnetwork@sherbourne.on.ca
LGBTQ parents, prospective parents, teachers, young people, friends
and allies, all welcome.
JEWISH LGBT FAMILIES: THE JOYS & CHALLENGES - PART II
Celebrate
the harvest at the Winchevsky Centre’s community celebration
of Sukkes on Sunday September 30, 2007 at 10:30
a.m. at The Winchevsky Centre, 585 Cranbrooke Avenue (north
of Lawrence, east off Bathurst). In keeping with
the sukkes tradition of ushpezin (inviting special guests
into the sukkeh), we are also hosting a discussion for Jewish LGBT
parents and prospective Morris Winchevsky School families.
The Sukkes celebration offers a variety of activities for people of all
ages, including: decorating the Sukkeh, learning about the holiday through
symbols, music and stories; making edible sukkehs and other arts & crafts
activities.
In addition, after a successful LGBT gathering and panel in March
2007, we are continuing an important community dialogue by offering
an opportunity for LGBT Jewish parents to connect and talk about common
concerns such as: the challenges of inter-faith, inter-cultural relationships
and families; issues for prospective parents; circumcision; holidays;
issues with families of origin; homophobia and heterosexism in Jewish
communities.
LGBT families are becoming more and more “out” and visible
in our communities. They pioneer new ways of building a family, and
new ways of being Jewish, yet they still face oppressive attitudes
as they challenge the heterosexual traditions of both mainstream and
progressive Jewish communities.
Children who attend with their parents are welcome to participate in the Sukkes celebration and everyone is invited for the barbeque lunch following the discussion.
Admission is $5.00 for non-members; $3.00 for members and LGBT guests, and includes a barbeque lunch. For more information, call (416) 789-5502.
QUEER / QUEER POSITIVE CHILDCARE CIRCLE LOOKING FOR FOURTH FAMILY
the idea
A co-operative daycare that runs 4 days a week in our homes starting in September 2007 in the downtown west end. The care will be 100% provided by the 4 families involved – parents will rotate shifts. Each family will be responsible for working 2 days a week – these can both be done by one parent or one day by each parent. Each family will get 2 days a week of daycare in which they are not working. Each day there will be four children and two adults. The children will be in a similar age range. The daycare will operate Tuesdays through Fridays.
the people
So far 3 of the 4 families are confirmed:
Tania and Diane and little Oscar. Tania is a carpenter and home renovator
with skills in astronomy and flowcharts. Diane is a gifted pottery
instructor, excellent cook and all around organized person. Oscar is
18 months old and loves to smile and dance. He's pretty chill.
Shlomit and Lev and little Zohar who is 14 months old. For the first year Shlomit was home with her and has just gone back to work & now Lev is home with her. (He has a lot of experience with childcare from before Zohar was born.) Zohar is pretty easy going and loves to be around other kids and friendly grown-ups. She can say "cheese" and "woof woof" and "more." We live in the St. Clair West area. We like to cycle and cook and be creative. And we both have a history of being activists.
Ginny and Jake and little Beto. Ginny does community justice work and is just getting into immigration consulting. She enjoys giraffes and matching dishes. Jake works as a program coordinator and community researcher in the trans community. Ginny and Jake speak Spanish with Beto. Beto is 11 months old and with your help enjoys walking to and fro, here and there.
the place
Right now it is being held in 2 different homes with a switch part
way through the week . The homes are near Trinity Bellwoods Park and
at St Clair and Oakwood.
the politics (there's always politics)
We will be a daycare that operates with social justice and kindness
in mind. Involved parents will be people who think about: anti-oppression;
anti-racism; gender; class; disability; culture; and the environment.
Activities and games will be done cooperatively and parents will keep
up a continued dialogue about what we are doing and how we are doing
it.
the cost
There will be no fees for this daycare, however there will be shared
costs for stuff and outings and each family will be responsible for
providing healthy lunch and snacks for one day each week.
the
decisions
Decisions will be made collectively by the families involved. Right
now the three families involved are sharing a potluck meal once every
two weeks to communicate about how things are going; solve problems;
and make decisions. A couple of months into it, we might only
need to have a potluck meal once a month.
get involved?
We are up and running three days a week right now. Were happy with
how it's going but are excited about a fourth family. Contact us at: Jake
at jakecat@hotmail.com or
647 439 3320.
NEW GROUP FOR YOUTH WITH LGBTQ PARENTS: FLO - Families Like Ours
A NEW group for youth age 13-18 who are the children of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender/Transsexual parents.
Do you sometimes feel like
you are the only one with a family like yours?
Do you want to find a place where you can talk about your family with
complete honesty and receive support from other youth who share your
experiences?
Are you looking to connect with other youth who have a LGBTTQ family?
This twelve-week group will be starting in the fall of 2007.
To get more info or sign up for the group contact: CTYS (416) 924-2100 and ask for intake.
Free food & TTC. There will be lots of discussion,
arts, film and so much more…
Note: We have now hired a second facilitator for this group, and are
excited to get going. Please call 416 924-2100 to register.
FLO is a joint partnership between: CTYS (Central Toronto Youth Services), LGBTQ Parenting Network (Sherbourne Health Centre), Queer Parenting Programs at The 519, Children of Lesbians and Gays Everywhere (COLAGE).
THE FATHER VISIBILITY PROJECT: Calling all Canadian Gay/Bi/Queer/Trans/2-Spirited Dads, Granddads or Dads-to-be: 4 More Days to Submit Your Story!
The Father Visibility Working Group, an ad hoc group of men established in May 2007, is creating a web-based Father Visibility Project designed to increase visibility and a sense of entitlement to parent amongst gay/bi/queer/trans/2-spirited (GBQT2S) fathers and prospective fathers. The group and project spring from the research done by the Gay Father’s Research Cluster of FIRA (Father Involvement Research Alliance – www.fira.ca). Participants in the research from around Canada noted the extreme invisibility of GBQT fathers and support services, as well as a deeply felt lack of entitlement to father.
We believe that you as a gay/bi/queer/trans/2-spirited
(GBQT2S) father, grandfather, or prospective father:
Have unique experiences,
insights and wisdom to share that will be valued by others who are,
are contemplating, or in process of becoming fathers
Can decrease a sense of isolation and reinforce insights, pride and
possibilities for yourself and for other fathers and potential fathers
and their families.
To this end, the Father Visibility Project is collecting 10 stories with photos from fathers, grandfathers and fathers-to-be that reflect the ethno-cultural and geographic diversity of Canadian gay/bi/queer/trans/2-spirited fathers, and explore the many ways we become fathers. The most convincing and reaffirming stories are those from men "who've been there," or are “going through the process.” Whether you became a father before coming out, after coming out, are on your way or thinking about it, consider sharing your insights with those who could benefit from your journey. All selected submissions will be used in whole or in part, subject to editing. No one's writing will be changed or used without their permission.
If you are willing to write a brief story (300 -1000 words) about your experiences, challenges, discoveries, and joys of being or - thinking about being - a gay/bi/queer/trans father, please send your story and photo submission, including your name and contact information to:
Chris Veldhoven, queerparenting@the519.org,
416 392-6878 x109
Submission Deadline: September
30th, 2007.
If you are looking for ideas on how to focus your story, please
check out: www.the519.org/programs/Queer_Parenting/father_visibility.shtml.
This web project is supported by the LGBTQ Parenting Network - Sherbourne Health Centre (www.fsatoronto.com) and Queer Parenting Programmes at The 519 (www.the519.org).
All of your stories are important. Even if not selected, we thank you for your generosity in sharing.
DADDIES & PAPAS 2B: Volunteer Position Open
We
are looking for a Note Taker for Daddies and Papas 2B, our bi-annual
12-week course for gay, bisexual, and queer men considering parenthood.
The Note Taker assists the Queer Parenting Programmes Coordinator with
sensitively capturing the content of guest speaker presentations, topic
discussions, participants’ concerns and interests, as well
as emerging themes. The course for the Fall runs each Tuesday evening,
Sept 18 to Dec 4, from 7 pm to 9:30 pm.
Anyone interested in applying please contact Chris Veldhoven, queerparenting@the519.org,
416 392 6878 x109.
UPCOMING AT THE 519: DADDY, PAPA & ME / MUM'S THE WORLD! / THE QUEER POSITIVE PRE-NATAL CLASS
Daddy, Papa & Me
Next date: Saturday, October 13th - our bi-annual joint jam: Daddy,
Papa & Me hosts Mum 's the World!
Come to our monthly queer-positive gathering for fathers & their children (age 0 to 6). Meet other families from far and wide and find: support, snacks, activities, music, toys, discussions & queer parenting resources. The 2nd Saturday of each month from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm at The 519's Family Resource Centre.
Mum's the
World!
Next date: Saturday, September 29th: Come to our monthly gathering
for Lesbian, Bisexual and Trans Mothers/Parents and their children
(age 0 to 6). Meet other families from far and wide and find:
support, snacks, activities, music, toys, discussions & queer parenting
resources. The last Saturday of each month from 10:00 am to 1:00
pm at The 519's Family Resource Centre.
The Queer-Positive Pre-Natal Class
Upcoming dates: October 27-28.
An affirming weekend course for people of diverse identities & family
structures in late pregnancy or expecting a newborn. Find out about
the stages of labour, creating a birth plan, life after giving birth,
understanding newborns and much more. Partners, co-parents & your
support people are welcome. Pre-register at the Front Desk of
The 519 (phone 416 392 6874).
For more info, contact:
Chris Veldhoven
Queer Parenting Programmes Coordinator
The 519 Church St. Community Centre
416 392-6878 x109
queerparenting@the519.org
http://www.the519.org/programs/Queer_Parenting/index.shtml
GRADUATE STUDENT SEEKS FAMILIES HEADED BY LESBIANS AND GAY MEN
I am a graduate student at the University of Michigan
in clinical psychology and women's studies. I am hoping you might
be able to help with a study I am currently running. There is more
information about the study in the survey itself, but basically,
it is designed to look at psychological outcomes related to political
and social context for families headed by lesbians and gay men. I am primarily
interested in strengths, attributes, and happiness in these families and how
to best promote such outcomes. As a part of the study, I need LG parents in the
GTA to complete a 10-minute, anonymous online survey. If you have any
questions or concerns, please let me know.
Here is the url: http://lessons.ummu.umich.edu/2k/marriage_study/survey
Thank you very much, Danielle Shapiro
PhD student in Clinical Psychology and Women's Studies
The University of Michigan
734-763-5685
razzled@umich.edu
TAKE A BYTE: A COOKBOOK FOR KIDS, BY KIDS!
$8.00/copy
Produced by THE ST JAMES TOWN COMMUNITY TRUST a group of small local programs who work together to help each other provide excellent programs, learn new skills and develop ways to generate funds and materials.
Copies available from COMMUNITY MATTERS TORONTO
260 Wellesley St E Unit #102 entry code #8605 OFFICE HOURS: 10-3PM, Monday to Friday PHONE: 416 944 9697 FAX: 416 944 0640EMAIL: communitymatters@rogers.com
CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE: communitymatterstoronto.org
September news:
- Don't forget the picnic! Sunday, Sept. 16
- Schools Project: Sign up at the picnic
- New Group for Youth with LGBTQ Parents
- Jewish LGBT Familes: Joys & Challenges: Sunday, Sept. 30
- Request for Proposals: LGBTQ Parenting Website: Deadline - Sept. 24
- Take a Quick Moment and Help
Us Choose a Name
BACK-TO-SCHOOL LGBTQ FAMILY PICNIC:
SUNDAY, SEPT 16 (New
- Activities for kids! See below)
Join the LGBTQ Parenting Network
(Sherbourne Health Centre) and Queer Parenting Programmes at the
519 for a back-to-school LGBTQ family picnic on:
Sunday, Sept. 16, 2007
10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Dufferin Grove Park (meet at the south end of the park)
(Dufferin, south of Bloor, across from Dufferin Mall)
There will be a story/song/rhyme circle for babies/toddlers led by a volunteer from the Parent-Child Mother Goose program at 11:00 a.m. and Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People (formerly Young People's Theatre) will be offering interactive theatre fun at the following times: 10:30-11:15 (4 - 6 year olds); 11:30-12:15 (7 – 9 year olds) 12:30-1:15 (10 - 12 year olds).
BVOP (picnic) and
B (blanket) and G (games).
We'll provide small snacks and drinks. See you there!
SCHOOLS PROJECT
LGBTQ parents across the board are concerned about what happens for their kids in schools. Following up on several meetings held last year, the LGBTQ Parenting Network and Queer Parenting Programmes at the 519 are launching a new project to make schools more welcoming for our kids. We welcome participation from all, including parents, prospective parents, young people and teachers. Sign up to be part of it at the Family Picnic on Sept. 16! or contact parentingnetwork@sherbourne.on.ca for more info.
NEW GROUP FOR YOUTH WITH LGBTQ PARENTS: FLO - Families Like Ours
A NEW group for youth age 13-18 who are the children of Lesbian,
Gay, Bisexual, Transgender/Transsexual parents.
Do you sometimes
feel like you are the only one with a family like yours?
Do you want to find a place where you can talk about your family
with complete honesty and receive support from other youth who
share your experiences?
Are you looking to connect with other youth who have a LGBTTQ family?
This twelve-week group will be starting in the fall of 2007.
To get more info or sign up for the group contact: CTYS (416) 924-2100 and ask for intake.
Free food & TTC. There will be lots of discussion, arts, film and so much more…
Note: We have now hired a second facilitator for this group, and are excited to get going. Please call 416 924-2100 to register.
FLO is a joint partnership between: CTYS (Central Toronto Youth Services), LGBTQ Parenting Network (Sherbourne Health Centre), Queer Parenting Programs at The 519, Children of Lesbians and Gays Everywhere (COLAGE)
JEWISH LGBT FAMILIES: THE JOYS & CHALLENGES - PART II
The Winchevsky Centre’s community celebration of the Jewish holiday Sukkes takes place on Sunday September 30, 2007 at 10:30 a.m. at The Winchevsky Centre, 585 Cranbrooke Avenue (north of Lawrence, east off Bathurst). In keeping with the sukkes tradition of ushpezin (inviting special guests into the sukkeh), we are also hosting a discussion for Jewish LGBT parents and prospective Morris Winchevsky School families. The Sukkes celebration offers a variety of activities for people of all ages, including: making decorations for our sukkeh, holiday music, storytelling and games.
In addition, after a successful LGBT gathering
and panel in March 2007, we are continuing an important community
dialogue by offering an opportunity for LGBT Jewish parents to
connect and talk about common concerns such as: the challenges
of inter-faith, inter-cultural relationships and families; issues
for prospective parents; circumcision; holidays; issues with families
of origin; homophobia and heterosexism in Jewish communities.
LGBT families are becoming more and more “out” and
visible in our communities. They pioneer new ways of building a
family, and new ways of being Jewish, yet they still face oppressive
attitudes as they challenge the heterosexual traditions of both
mainstream and progressive Jewish communities.
Children who attend with their parents are welcome to participate in the Sukkes celebration and everyone is invited for the barbeque lunch following the discussion. Admission is $5.00 for non-members; $3.00 for members and LGBT guests, and includes a barbeque lunch. For more information, call (416) 789-5502.
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS: LGBTQ PARENTING
WEBSITE
Website Design, Technical Programming and Maintenance
Sherbourne Health Centre, the 519 Community Centre and Family Service Association of Toronto have formed a partnership to support LGBTQ parents and children. We are developing a new stand-alone website to provide information, resources, and opportunities for networking for LGBTQ families in Toronto and beyond. The website will incorporate materials from previous websites but will require a new name, look, graphics, etc. as well as additional features.
We are seeking proposals from companies that have the capacity to provide graphic design, technical functionality and ongoing maintenance of this website.
Requirements
Design of overall look and graphics for the website (yet to be named)
that will be appealing to LGBTQ parents and service providers, will
be user friendly and easy to update.
Incorporate of several pages from former website into new website with appropriate changes, see www.fsatoronto.com/programs/lgbtparenting.html.
Provide graphic and technical design of new pages, interactive features, lookup capability, and online ordering/registration forms.
Examples
of website pages:
Monthly News & Events page
Capacity to upload brochures, posters, handouts, newsletter, etc for
printing by consumers
Online ordering system for hard copies of brochures, posters etc
Monthly E-newsletter (with downloadable archives)
Research section with reports, links and invitations to participate
in studies
Workshops, Courses & Groups with online registration system
Interactive message boards for parents to meet each other and network
on line.
Gallery of photos, stories, etc.
Offer timely, accurate updating of
content as new projects emerge or are completed, or as new information
becomes available.
Create capacity for staff to upload new items themselves for routine
items or updates.
Process
Please send a letter of interest indicating your company’s experience
in all aspects of the work and your suitability for this project. Please
provide links to past work and indicate your initial ideas, time line
and a tentative budget or fee schedule. References from former
clients would be helpful. Chosen candidates will be interviewed
by a panel representing the partners.
E-mail proposals to: parentingnetwork@sherbourne.on.ca
by September 24, 2007
Attention: Rachel Epstein, LGBTQ Parenting Network Coordinator, Sherbourne
Health Centre, Toronto.
TAKE A QUICK MOMENT AND HELP US CHOOSE A NAME
The LGBTQ Parenting Network, located now at the Sherbourne Health Centre, and Queer Parenting Programmes at the 519 Church St. Community Centre work together to provide resources, information and support to lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and queer parents, prospective parents and their families.
We want to find a name
to describe our partnership. We've been taking suggestions and have
come up with four options that we would like to get feedback on. To
help us with this, we ask that you fill out a VERY SHORT survey (by
short, we mean ONE question). To answer
this one question, go to: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=Rh2kTlWAyPyZHG_2bcotHMrA_3d_3d
THANK YOU!
Past LGBT Parenting E-News issues:
- August 2007
- July 2007
- June 2007
- May 2007
- March 2007
- February 2007
- January 2007
- November 2006
- October 2006
- September 2006
- July 2006
- June 2006
- May 2006
- April 2006
- March 2006
- November 2005
- September 2005
- July 2005
- June, 2005
- May, 2005
- April, 2005
- March, 2005
- February, 2005
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.
