Monday, March 31, 2008

Trans Training in Peel

QXposure hosted a Trans Training for service providers in Peel Region on March 28th through the wonderful expertise of the 519 Community Centre facilitators, Jake Pyne and Yasmeen Persad. A diverse audience of social service organizations and health providers actively participated in exploring the issues that Trans communities face when accessing health and social systems. This training was intended to improve capacity amongst participants to service and meet the needs of Trans communities, and second to begin a longer-term discussion to create more inclusive and responsive services for trans communities in Peel. Thank you to all those who participated!! Many thanks to the Positive Space Coalition of Peel, Associated Youth Services and the East Mississauga CHC for making this event possible. A selection of resources is available online: National Trans Resource guide developed by Community Based Research Project on the impacs of discrimination on the health of Onatrio trans communities Web resources supporting agencies to make services more accessible BC Organization providing education and resources for removing barriers for trans people. Site includes a guide for criminal justice personel and trans inclusion policy manual. Extensive website resources on a range of health concerns for transgender people. Includes clinical protocol guidelines for clinicians as well as accessible health information for trans people.
U.S. manual about making shelters accessible to transgender people.

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Peel Queer and Trans Environmental Scan

QXposure understands the unique health issues for these communities and the barriers to health care access due to a lack of recognition of these unique issues by service providers. An environmental scan was conducted to begin to investigate the opinions and knowledge around queer and trans issues of service providers in the region of Peel and also to discover what, if any, specific services existed to cater to this demographic. The focus of this environmental scan was to identify current service provision for queer and trans communities in Peel. It was also intended to highlight gaps in service and offer some insight into the knowledge and opinions of service providers around these communities. It will be helpful if this document is read in-conjunction with the queer and trans and trans health literature review – created by QXposure1 - so that a better understanding of the social determinants of health for queer and trans can be achieved. Recognizing and understanding the stigma and discrimination that are apparent for queer and trans identifying folk – and their allies, is paramount to understanding the need for specific service provision for these communities. A full copy of the Environmental Scan Report can be accessed at: www.eastmisssaugachc.org/qxposure.php (please click on 'click here for access to additional information')

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Peel FFLAG Launch!

Help us Launch FFLAG Peel!!! Join us on March 19, 2008, from 5-7 at Meadowvale Secondary School (6700 Edenwood Drive, Mississauga) to launch Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (FFLAG). RSVP appreciated, email qxposure@hotmail.com Refereshments will be served. Check out www.pflagcanada.ca for more information: "PFLAG Canada is a national charitable organization, founded by parents who wished to help themselves and their family members understand and accept their non-heterosexual children. Mission PFLAG Canada is a national voice that speaks for a more accepting Canadian society by providing support, education and resources on issues of sexual orientation and gender identity. Through our PFLAG Canada Chapter and Contact network, we actively assist in the recognition and growth of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, transsexual, two-spirit, intersex, queer and questioning persons and their families and friends, within their diverse cultures and societies. Vision PFLAG Canada is a nationally recognized presence with a highly effective network of people and resources focused on supporting and educating Canadians on issues of sexual orientation and gender identity." Hope to see you on the 19th! If you would like to be kept updated on regular FFLAG events, either join us on Facebook (FFLAG Peel) or drop us an email at qxposure@hotmail.com