Programs & Services > LGBT Parenting > Resources
Resources
T.O. PARENT – TORONTO LGBT PARENT MATCHMAKER
There's a new online email list for gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans people living in/near Toronto who are interested in becoming parents through co-parenting, surrogacy, adoption, ova and sperm donation -- and whatever else we can think of!
The email matchmaking list is hosted at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/to-parent/
If you're having difficulties signing up, you can send an email to the list moderator at diva@webdiva.ca and be manually added to the list.
This site is aimed to match you up with co-parents, donors, aunties, etc. You may be searching for a biological complement or a partner willing to help you raise your horde. Place your ad on this list and include all relevant details for finding your perfect match - there's even a place for you to load pics and files. Please keep the group posted with updates if your situation changes. Also, be sure to review the archives when you're looking for a match, as older messages will be stored there.
COLAGE – CHILDREN OF LESBIANS AND GAYS EVERYWHERE
Hey! Does
any of the following apply to your parent(s), guardian(s) or caregiver(s)?
Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Transsexual Queer
Do you want to meet other kids/students with LGBTQ families?
Are you in grade 3 or up?
Then join us at COLAGE Toronto – Children
of Lesbians & Gays Everywhere!
This social and support group is sponsored by the Toronto District
School Board and meets twice a month at the 519 Church Street Community
Centre.
Check us out on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month (6:30-7:30pm) during the school year to meet new friends and talk confidentially. We begin meeting again the 4th Tuesday in September 2007.
For more information, please contact:
Steven Solomon, MSW, RSW
School Social Worker
Toronto District School Board
Tel: 416-985-3749
Email: steven.solomon@tdsb.on.ca
CAMP TEN OAKS
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. Camp will take place August 19-25, 2007 just north of Ottawa.
For more information on Camp Ten Oaks, visit our camp website at: www.camptenoaks.org
PARKDALE DROP-IN FOR LBTTQ MOMS
Parkdale Community Health Centre's LBTTQ mom's group has a new home at Creating Together, a family resource centre located at 1497 Queen St. West (at Sorauren Ave.) The space is great for kids to play and for moms to hang out.
Meeting: third Saturday of the month, 10:30 am – 12:30 pm. For more info contact Connie Collinson at 416 537- 2455.
GAY FATHERS OF TORONTO
Gay Fathers of Toronto (GFT), a confidential peer support group for married, separated, divorced, gay or bisexual men who are in a parenting role, has been around since 1978. The aim of the group is to assist men on their journey by sharing experiences, offering support and by putting them in touch with professionals, such as family counselors, if necessary.
The literature reports that most of the men who come to GFT married because they were genuinely in love with their partners. They did not choose marriage as a way to disguise or "cure" their homosexuality. The majority of the men attending GFT have been married for ten or more years before they started dealing with their sexuality. It can be a difficult and painful struggle to reconcile your sexuality with being a husband and father. Facing the possibility of leaving your home and children is, understandably, a terrifying experience.
We meet the first and third Thursday of each month at 7:30 PM at YMCA Headquarters, 42 Charles Street East, fourth floor. Our important work in offering assistance and support to men who are coming out to themselves, their friends, wives and families continues.
Gay Fathers of Toronto offers a help line at 416. 925-XTRA (ext. 2124) as well as a web site: http://www.gayfathers-toronto.com
NORTH YORK GAY WOMEN'S SUPPORT GROUP
For women who are gay, or think they might be. Come to talk, listen, or just hang out. Lesbian, bi, trans, married, all welcome. We meet the third Tuesday of the month, no fee. Contact Carol: carol.foreverfit@gmail.com or leave a message at 905 780 0491 x18.
RESOURCES FOR LGBTQ PARENTS AND THEIR CHILDREN
The Well, Hamilton's LGBTQ Community Wellness Centre, has steadily moved forward with supporting service providers and agencies to develop an inclusive environment for LGBTQ parents and their children. Among these efforts is an internet resource document covering relevant organizations and groups, issues for parents & children, adoption & insemination, trans parenting, books, and more. Visit http://www.thewellhamilton.ca or e-mail info@thewellhamilton.ca to download the document for free, or for more information about The Well's programs and services.
ALTERNATIVE MOMS
Alternative Moms is a social, support and advocacy group for queer moms
and their children in the Greater Toronto area and beyond (within travelling
distance). Membership is open to all lesbian, bisexual, transsexual,
intersex, two-spirited, queer and questioning women who are also parents,
co-parents, step-parents or foster parents. All members are
met in person prior to gaining entry to this private internet community.
The online community keeps everyone virtually connected, and there are events
going on each month, sometimes just for the moms and sometimes for the whole
family. Events are often seasonal; in the winter we go tobogganing or tubing,
and in the summer we have picnics and camping. And in-between the seasons the
calendar is marked with events like potlucks, games nights, and roller
skating.
To connect to Alternative Moms, go to http://groups.msn.com/alternativemomsinpeelregion
- You will see a message that says This is a Members-only area
- Click on Join
- Type in a message to the Membership Manager and explain briefly why you would like to be a part of Alternative Moms
- Your application will be received via email by the Membership Manager and will be responded to via email.
If you have problems accessing the MSN Groups site, email the manager for assistance: karen.altmoms@sympatico.ca
LGBTTQ FAMILIES WHO HAVE ADOPTED CHILDREN THROUGH CAS
We are a lesbian couple who adopted our son through the Children's Aid Society in 2004. We are interested in setting up a regular get-together for LGBTTQ parents who have adopted through the CAS. Our goal is to create a support network for parents and a space where our kids can get to know other children who share their life experience.
With the support of the Toronto CAS and the Queer Parenting Program at the 519 Church Street Community Centre, we've already had one successful drop-in in the spring of 2007. We are aiming to have another in October.
If you'd like to join our mailing list, or have any questions or suggestions about this group, please get in touch with us by email or phone.
Contact Jenn & Rachel: LGBTadopt@sympatico.ca or 416 465 8417
ADOPTION COUNCIL OF ONTARIO
Looking for information on adoption? Visit www.adoptontario.ca. The Adoption Council of Ontario(ACO) provides adoption information, education, support and advocacy on behalf of those in Ontario whose lives are touched by adoption.
ACO has regular seminars on Getting Started in Adoption.
ACO's Adoption Resource Centre is a place to call with questions about
adoption before and after you adopt. For more information call: 416
482 0021
CHILDREN'S AID SOCIETY OF TORONTO
Have you ever felt like you were on the outside, looking in? Have your ever experienced rejection, being hurt by those you depend on the most? Have you ever felt like you just don't belong? This is the experience of many children and youth who come into the care of the Children's Aid Society of Toronto.
We are looking for people who are sensitive to these and the many other issues that affect children who have experienced neglect and abuse, and asking them to open their hearts and their homes.
Some of the qualities that the agency looks for in people who foster children include the ability to accept difference, to cultivate resiliency in children, to foster a sense of acceptance and belonging, and the ability to mirror positive self image.
Successful foster parents have themselves experienced challenges in their lives that they have overcome. These individuals have developed skills and knowledge that would be of great value to our children and youth
The Children's Aid Society of Toronto is looking to LGBTQ communities to consider becoming foster parents. As an agency, we have welcomed same-sex fostering and adoption since 1994 and there have been many successful foster care and adoption placements of children with same-sex families. Now we want to reach out to the broader LGBTQ communities.
While some of the youth in our care identify as LBTGQ, it is not just these young people that need families. Children who come into our care range from newborn to 16 years of age, from diverse populations. Currently, our greatest need is for foster families for infants and toddlers, teens, children with special needs and sibling groups.
If you are interested in learning more about fostering, please call 416-924-4646 x 3501 and speak with the Foster Care Intake Worker. You will find our children need people just like you.
SHERBOURNE HEALTH CENTRE
Looking for health care for your LGBT family? Our family doctors and nurses provide care for routine illnesses, immunizations, well-baby/child check-ups and management of chronic conditions all in a welcoming and supportive environment. To register call 416-324-4103; www.sherbourne.on.ca.
