The 519

After a very successful Pride Speaker Series, our Education and Training team returns with our Fall Speaker Speaker Series! Choose from 5 specially-crafted virtual talks delivered by The 519 staff and community leaders. Learn tangible skills and knowledge to champion inclusion in your workplace and beyond - beyond Pride month, all year round. When you book a talk, you also help power the important year-round work of The 519 serving 2 Spirit, queer, and trans people in Toronto and beyond! So what are you waiting for? Sign up for a talk today! Visit The519.org/FallTalks *** [Image 1 description: A fall-themed design. Text reads: "The 519 Fall Speaker Series 2024: Queer for all Seasons. 5 virtual talks to help you champion inclusion all year round."] [Image 2 description: A fall-themed design. Graphics lists out the available talks: Talk 1: Illuminating History: Unveiling Local 2SLGBTQ Movements; talk 2: Transforming Awareness into Action: Bringing Trans Allyship to Life in the Workplace; talk 3: Mujtama El Meem–Ain: Learning about Queer and Trans Arab Communities; talk 4: Space for Play, Space for Joy: Trans Inclusion in Sports; talk 5: “Rebel Killjoy” Without Borders: Decolonizing Queer Feminism from a Community Perspective"] [Image 3 description: A fall-themed design. Text reads: "1: Learn from leaders whose expertise is rooted in community. 2: Gift your staff tangible skills to be active allies for all seasons. 3: Support The 519 and our year-round work for 2SLGBTQ people."] Click on the graphic to download it as a PDF.

October 1 is the International Day of Older Persons. This year, we’re reflecting on the role of 2SLGBTQ older adults in building stronger communities. Many of the rights we enjoy today were fought for by 2SLGBTQ older adults. They didn’t grow up in safe, affirming spaces where they could freely express themselves. Many of them were outed against their will and were endangered by institutions meant to protect them. They lost friends, lovers, and family to the AIDS crisis. They realized that community was their only true support, and fought for the right to live authentically. 2SLGBTQ adults remind us of resilience in the face of adversity, and the need to create joy every day. They have the wisdom to have the intergenerational conversations which will be key to building a safe, just, and equitable world. According to Statistics Canada, the number of Canadians aged 65 and older is projected to grow by 49 percent by 2042, yet there are inequities in health care, workplaces, and daily interactions that continue to impact how our community ages. We need better 2SLGBTQ affirming healthcare and increased investment in community groups, social spaces, and intergenerational initiatives. We’ve made progress, but we must not leave 2SLGBTQ seniors behind. The 519 continues to address the unique challenges they face through programming, skill-sharing, social activities, workshops, meal programs, and more. To our 2SLGBTQ older adults, we love you and cherish your presence! Here’s to aging in community, with joy, dignity, and pride! Learn more about our 2SLGBTQ Older Adults Program in the link in bio. https://lnkd.in/gKJfudZf [Image 1 description: An older adult smiling and talking to another person. Text reads: Celebrate aging with dignity. October 1 is the International Day of Older Persons.] [Image 2 description: Two older adults posing with an older drag queen. Text reads: Celebrate aging with joy. October 1 is the International Day of Older Persons.] [Image 3 description: Three older adults posing in front of a Pride flag projected on the wall. Text reads: Celebrate aging in community. October 1 is the International Day of Older Persons.] [Image 4 description: Three older adults posing wearing shades of pink. Text reads: Celebrate aging with Pride. October 1 is the International Day of Older Persons.] [Download the PDF to view it on your device.]

September 30 is National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The day honours the children who never came home, and survivors of residential schools. Truth and Reconciliation is also a wider-ranging process that touches on many historical and current injustices faced by Indigenous people in Canada. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) of Canada’s calls to action concern a variety of issues like child welfare, health, business, and more, but for many Indigenous people and allies, justice is currently top of mind. This year between August 29 and September 17, at least seven Indigenous people across Canada were killed by police. Their names were Jack Charles Piche, Hoss Lightning, Tammy Bateman, Jason West, Danny Knife, Steven “Iggy” Dedam, and Jon Wells. Two other people died in police custody on September 14 and 15. Their identities haven’t been made public, but activists are saying they were also Indigenous — possibly bringing the number to nine. Indigenous lives matter. Everyone should have access to due process. An interaction with police shouldn’t be a death sentence. We should all be alarmed and deeply troubled by these incidents. Some of the calls to action in the Commission for Truth and Reconciliation related to justice include calls to reduce the overrepresentation of Indigenous people in custody, culturally appropriate solutions to justice issues, and greater education on Indigenous issues and law in law schools. We hope to see all the TRC calls to action implemented, to see Indigenous people treated fairly by the Canadian justice system, and to see greater education and awareness on current and past injustices and how they’re all connected. [Image description: bright orange background with artistic rendering of two feathers. Text says, "Every Indigenous life matters" and "September 30, National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.]

Due to rising Mpox cases, The 519 together with Toronto Public Public Health is bringing back our Community Mpox Vaccine Clinic! Drop in at The 519 on the following dates: • Friday, September 27, from 10am to 4pm • Friday, October 04, from 10am to 4pm • Saturday, October 26, from 10am to 5pm • Friday, November 01, from 10am to 4pm Good to know: • For ages 18 only • Drop-in only; first come, first served • Open until doses run out or closing time • 1st and 2nd doses available • Wait 28 days between doses • OHIP card optional, but preferred • No one will be turned away from accessing the vaccine if they self-determine that they need it Who needs the vaccine? No one will be turned away, but people who need it most are: men who have sex with men who have more than one sexual partner, people have had an STI in the past year, engage in sex work, hook up or work at sex clubs or bathhouses, or partners of anyone who meet that criteria. Others may also need the vaccine. More information about the Imvamune® (MPOX) vaccine and eligibility at our clinic, visit: toronto.ca/mpox. Link in bio. This Clinic is run by Toronto Public Health. Questions? Email us at [email protected] [Image description: Close-up of two people holding hands. Test reads: The 519 MPOX Vaccine Clinic, Friday, September 27, 10 am to 4pm; Friday, October 4, 10 am to 4pm; Saturday, October 26, 10 am to 5pm; Friday, November 1, 10am to 4pm. Drop in at The 519 [519 Church St.]. Visit toronto.ca/mpox]

September 23 is Bi Pride Day, marking the close of Bi Awareness Week. This week’s roots can be traced to ‘Celebrate Bisexuality Day’ in 1999 when three activists — Wendy Curry, Michael Page, and Gigi Raven Wilbur — threw a party. Sick of asking for a seat at the table from the ‘mainstream gay movement’ they didn’t feel was recognizing them at the time, they created their own space. Today, the day’s sense of inclusion has continued to grow with more conversations for bi visibility at community tables, in the media and popular culture, and beyond. Until recent years, the idea that bisexuality meant being attracted to both men and women was common for many in the community. As more people discover language to describe themselves like non-binary, pansexual, or queer, people who find attraction across the gender spectrum might find the word bisexual limiting. Others recognize these shifts, but still find affirmation in the term bisexual. Wherever you are on the bi spectrum, we wish you a happy Bi Pride Day, and a lifetime of love, friendship, and affirmation! Shoutout to TorontoBiNet. Check out our interview with Tara at https://lnkd.in/ga8JWTRp [Image description: A placard in colours of the bi flag that says 'Bi is beautiful'. Text reads: Bi Pride Day, September 23.]

Finding safe spaces for 2SLGBTQ youth at The 519’s Youth Action and Arts Space: Queer and trans youth are still fighting for safe spaces. M and her two kids, Z and T, started coming to The 519’s Youth Action and Arts Space (YAAS) in January, due to a lack of affirming programming in their hometown of Brampton. Z is 10 years old, non-binary and uses he and they pronouns. T is 12, uses she/her pronouns, and identifies as bi. Sadly, both Z and T experience homophobic bullying at school. Z and T describe hearing other kids use the term “gay” as an insult. “A lot,” T says. M says since Z switched schools, his school experience has gone downhill. “It’s a Catholic school, so there’s even fewer supports,” she says. “At the last school, which was also a Catholic school, the principal was amazing, and they had a big Pride flag, but at this one, not so much. When I was explaining Z’s pronouns they were like, ‘Well how do you even do they/them?’ so that’s where they were in terms of their understanding.” Instances like this are why anti-discrimination laws and board-wide policies are so important. When safety and dignity aren’t embedded in school policy, then 2SLGBTQ students’ school experience comes down to the luck of the draw. Will they have a supportive or unsupportive teacher or principal? M brought the kids to YAAS. YAAS is a free, drop-in program that offers 2SLGBTQ youth who are 10 to 14 years old a fun place to make new friends. They use art, dance, and music to create spaces where queer and trans youth and families can be their whole selves. T likes watercolour painting, and Z likes to draw. No bullying, no homophobic recess games. Affirming flags, posters and resources everywhere. Read the full story here: https://ow.ly/HRA350TsjtL Learn more about YAAS here: https://ow.ly/7hzx50Tsju2

A year ago today, over 3000 of us - community and allies – took to the streets to make it clear that like all students, 2SLGBTQ students deserve safety at home, school, and everywhere in between. We made it clear — as our communities have for decades — that we’re here, we’re queer, and we’re not going anywhere.  Today, again, there are protests nationwide pushing back against the progress that’s been made for and by 2SLGBTQ students, parents and their families. But at the end of the day, we all want kids to be safe at schools. We all want our families to thrive. We all deserve to feel joy in community. There are differences between communities and belief systems about what this should look like. There are difficult conversations to be had, and we are here to have them. What we’re not interested in is fueling hate or getting into conversations about our existence. We’re choosing love and care for our communities and allies while investing our energy where it’s most needed: building a future where every student is free to be themselves at school. We are our best, happiest, most fabulous selves when we don’t let others define who we are, or what we’re fighting for. Take care of each other today. Read more: https://lnkd.in/d4ts6W6p [Image 1 description: Graphic showing single-line school paper with two hands being held drawn on it. One of the hands is wearing a bracelet in the colours of the Indigenous medicine wheel. Text reads: We all want kids to feel safe.] [Image 2 description: Graphic showing single-line school paper with two hands being held drawn on it. One of the hands is wearing a rainbow bracelet and the other a bracelet with colours from the trans flag. Text reads: We all want students to thrive.] [Image 2 description: Graphic showing single-line school paper with rainbow colours painted on it. Text reads: Inclusive schools for every student.] Click on the graphic to download it as a PDF.

We celebrated our 5th annual Sports Day in July. Program participants from our New to Canada, Older Adults, EarlyON, and Drop-In programs came together to get physical! Recreational programming like this is important for the well-being and full participation of our community members - especially refugees and newcomers. Fostering affirming spaces for play is our continued response to what we’re currently witnessing in the world of sport; where our right as 2SLGBTQ people to take part is called into question, and athletes are subjected to sexist, racist, and transphobic attacks. We’re grateful to U of T’s Hart House and Faculty of Kinesiology and Phys Ed for their ongoing partnership on this event. 2SLGBTQ people belong everywhere — the field, the ice, the court, the locker room — and we’re proud to be part of change.

Schedule change! The 519 Trans ID Guided Self-Help Program is now running on the 3rd Monday of every month from 5:30 to 7:30pm. Coming up on Monday, September 16, drop in at The 519 [519 Church St.] This program is for 2 Spirit, trans, and non-binary people looking to change their name or gender markers on their IDs, but need less assistance or just have a few questions. An Access to Justice staff member will educate attendees on name and gender marker change processes, and help folks fill out forms. You’ll also get to socialize in a supportive peer environment. Our Trans ID Clinic currently has a waiting list, so the Trans ID Guided Self-Help Program is being introduced for people who feel comfortable navigating the ID change process in a drop-in setting. Question? Email Adrian at [email protected]

On September 14, 2000, five male uniformed Toronto Police officers raided Club Toronto during the "2000 Pussies" or "Pussy Palace" event. Hosted by the Women’s Bathhouse Committee (TWBC), this was one of many nights when women and trans folks took over a space otherwise dominated by cisgender gay men. The police had been raiding similar establishments, harassing people, and using all kinds of false pretences to initiate raids and lay charges. Recalling the raid, Chanelle Gallant and Loralee Gillis of TWBC said, “Although many women were naked or semi-naked, we were explicitly prevented from warning participants of police presence.” Violations took place at many levels. Following the raid, the TWBC launched and won a human rights complaint against Toronto Police Services, sued them, and fought the bogus liquor license charges against two volunteer team members in court. The Pussy Palace victory deserves to be remembered and reflected upon. It speaks to the loss of safe access to affirming spaces for women, 2 Spirit, non-binary, and gender non-conforming folks. More importantly, it reminds us of the power of community action and organizing to reclaim the spaces that belong to us. Read an exclusive interview with Chanelle: https://lnkd.in/eprhp5QA [Image 1 description: Facade of the venue where the Pussy Palace raids happened. Quote from Chanelle Gallant that reads: “Pussy Palace shows us that collectively, we can fight the powers that are after us, and we can win.” Beside it is a an image of a button from the Women's Bathhouse Defense Fund.] [Image 2 description: Facade of the venue where the Pussy Palace raids happened. Quote from Chanelle Gallant that reads: “At the time, we won one of the largest settlements against a police force in Canadian history. The Chief of Police himself had to apologize. They were forced to introduce the first policy on how the police search trans people in any police force in North America.” Beside is the logo of Pussy Palace designed by Claudia Davila.]