PDF - Toronto Pflag

Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays
May 2011 Newsletter #7
[email protected]
PFLAG TORONTO VISION
PFLAG Toronto is a charitable organization
that speaks for a more accepting Canadian
society by providing support, education and
resources to all people who wish to grow in
their understanding of sexual and gender
diversity.
Through our PFLAG Toronto Chapter, 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.
Susan, Keith, Janet, Irene and Kristyn
spoke at a Proud of Toronto event
at City Hall
Next Chapter Meeting
Wednesday
June 1, 2011
7:30 p.m.
Kimbourne Park United Church
200 Wolverleigh Blvd.,
Toronto, ON M4C 1S2
Raising the Rainbow Flag at city hall
for IDAHT 2011
A message from your President
May 2011
Every month I spend more and more time with a group of people who are like family to me, albeit not blood
related. Like most families we have some things in common and yet each and every one of us is very different.
We really are a diverse bunch of people – and therein lies our strength. We are from different countries, religious
backgrounds, education and careers. We span a couple (or more) generations, and regardless of our different
perspectives, when we come together at PFLAG Toronto, and work as the team that is your Board of Directors,
the diversity that we bring to the table enables us as a group to challenge one another and entertain ideas that we
might not have explored as individuals. And this we have done in recent months.
This is volume 7 of our PFLAG Toronto e-newsletter – a wonderful way of communicating what’s going on and
what’s coming up soon. This is Jim Callaghan’s initiative, to which we all contribute.
We have printed copies on the table at our monthly Support meetings, and visitors who leaf through them often
ask to be put on the distribution list right away. If any of you are forwarding copies to your friends let Jim know
and he will add them to our list as well.
This edition is a short one; as a team we have been so busy out ‘doing’ we haven’t had the
time to sit down and write about it – the next edition will have more information on our activities
and events. Here is a glimpse at our May calendar …
nd
Zelda’s Dirty Bingo
2
th
support meeting
4
TH th
CAW CONFERENCE
7 8
th
9
th
10
th
12
th
14
th
15
th
16
th
17
Zelda’s Dirty Bingo
OISE
PROUD FM 103.9
Bowl-A-Thon
Climax – Charity fundraiser
Proud of Toronto City Hall
IDAHT
th
18 Board meeting
nd
22 Harvey Milk Day
th
24 Toronto City Council
th
25 Peel PFLAG meeting
th
26 Wm. Lyon MacKenzie H.School
th
26 City Hall
th
26 Newsletter
th
27 Inside Out Festival
Supported CLGA – and fundraised
Support and outreach
PRIDE employees Retreat - Facilitated Workshops for CAW
employees from Newfoundland to Yukon, and all places in between.
Supported CLGA
education workshop for teachers and guidance counsellors
Interview with Mike Chalut – IDAHT promotion
Fundraiser with the emphasis on FUN!
Outreach
Outreach and Designated Speaker
th
With allies Proclaimed May 17 the International Day Against
Homophobia and Transphobia and raised the Pride Flag at City Hall
Speaking against the proposal to cut funding to Pride
Co-Facilitating with Peel
Presentation to High School Students
Registered Speaker at City Council mtg. re: cuts to Pride and agencies
Servicing the LGBTQ community
Communication and Outreach
Community Support, outreach, and Speaker
This month I, and PFLAG Toronto, had the privilege of sharing our message in unison with the voices of Mr. Brian
Burke, Councilors Perks, Wong-Tam, Davis, Pride Toronto and the Proud of Toronto group, Mr. Mike Chalut of
Proud FM 103.9 and Mr. Billy O’Neill, CAW – allies all, and definitely part of our PFLAG Toronto family!
Irene Miller
PFLAG Toronto AGM
(Annual General Meeting)
Wednesday
June 22, 2011
6:30 p.m.
Kimbourne Park United Church
200 Wolverleigh Blvd.,
Toronto, ON M4C 1S2
Christine Messier presents a cheque to Irene.
Through Christine Messier and Pepsi, PFLAG
Toronto received $2,000.00
PFLAG Toronto wants to offer a heartfelt ‘Thank You’ to the wonderful people who
have recently made a donation to PFLAG Toronto. Your donations are allowing us
to continue offering our 24/7 Telephone Support Line, our Monthly Support
Meetings and our ongoing outreach and community support.
As a fully volunteer run organization, your donations make a direct impact in the
lives of those who need our help.
If you would like to help, you can make a donation through the secure servers at
CanadaHelps.org (charitable donation receipts are issued automatically), and if you
wish you can specify that your donation remain anonymous, or you can choose to
honour someone or a special occasion. Or you may send a cheque to PFLAG
Toronto, 200 Wolverleigh Blvd., Toronto, ON, M4C 1S2. (charitable donation
receipts will be issued for amounts of $20 or more)
DONATE
NOW http://www.canadahelps.org/CharityProfilePage.aspx?CharityID=s70090
Charitable Registration BN: 891493348RR0001
Irene, Marjorie, Brian and Sergio
Adam, Phillip, Joe and Matt
REQUEST FOR VOLUNTEERS FOR BOOTH AT PRIDE
PRIDE Week is fast approaching, and what a great week it will be!
Not only does PFLAG Toronto have a strong contingent of walkers in the parades, but for the past
many years, we’ve also had an information booth set up on Church Street. Here, PFLAG
members reach out to the community and speak about the support that we offer, as well as sell
our t-shirts, buttons, PFLAG bracelets, etc. to help fund our work.
This booth can happen ONLY if we get enough volunteers to help out during the weekend of
Saturday, July 2 and Sunday, July 3. We work in teams of 2-3 people for approximately 2-hour
shifts.
It’s loads of fun conversing with everyone who stops by to chat, as well as an excellent
opportunity to educate people about what PFLAG Toronto is all about. Without enough
volunteers, the booth cannot be set up.
There’s also an opportunity for a few volunteers to help out at Family Pride at Alexandra School,
at Church and Alexander. There will be games and activities similar to a school Fun Fair (jumping
castle, face painting, etc.), running the Saturday and Sunday of Pride Weekend.
If you are able to help out, or want to learn more about what is involved in volunteering at the
PFLAG Toronto booth or at Family Pride, please call Marla Green at 416-242-1558 or email her
at [email protected]
Marla Green
PFLAG Toronto Board Member
Happy Bowlers 2011
(front from left) Irene, Paula and Christine
(back from left) Gary, John and Jared
International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia
Toronto City Hall – Nathan Phillip Square May 17, 2011
Michael, Kristyn, Janet, Irene, Bev and Brian
Councilor Gord Perks proclaiming
IDAHT in Toronto
Brian Burke speaking at IDAHT
at Toronto City Hall
Irene Miller spoke from the heart
at IDAHT
Councilors Davis and Wong-Tam
supported IDAHT
Mary-Jo Callaghan
at
OISE
On Tuesday May 10th I had the privilege of speaking to a group of teachers at OISE. These were
teachers who are taking specific courses to obtain extra qualifications to work as guidance
counselors. Although they were a small group, there were representatives from various school
boards in Toronto (including a private school). They represented both high school and elementary
teachers.
I was quite heartened to hear about the positive things that are happening in some of the schools in
regards to GLBTQ issues. In fact many of the schools had events planned to commemorate the
International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia to bring an awareness to this issue.
Having said that, it was also clear that there is still much work to be done. The Catholic teachers that
were present stated that they are very hesitant to speak about this issue in their schools. They are
quite clearly conflicted in the area of what is and what is not allowed to be said on this issue.
Mary-Jo Callaghan
PFLAG Mom
RECOGNIZING INSPIRATION
A new initiative has sprung up in Canada, specifically in Toronto – ‘Inspire Awards’ is a grand
forward thinking movement seeking to honor LGBTQ individuals, youth, and
businesses/organizations that make a difference.
Inspiring isn’t it?
They have 3 categories: LGBTQ Person of the Year Award, Youth of the Year Award, Positive Business
of the Year Award. Nominations are still being accepted and tickets are available to the gala
ceremony naming the first year’s winners.
Inspire Awards is presented by Pink Play Mags & The Pink Pages Directory in partnership with
PFLAG Canada (Toronto, Durham & York Regions), Pride Toronto & Durham, Deb Pearce, Rainbow
High Vacations, PositiveLite.Com, Club 717.
Visit http://inspireawards.ca to learn more, make nominations, and to get tickets to this inspiring
event at beautiful Casa Loma on June 16th!
Sean Young
CEO & Creative Director
SERIAL SEAN
Flower tea cozy
Elephant tea cozy
Pam’s Knitting For Sale (Net proceeds to PFLAG Toronto)
Cost:
Rainbow tiger and teddy
Flower tea cozy
Elephant tea cozy
$20 (each)
$30
$25
Mailing costs are not included in these prices.
If you are interested in making a purchase send an email to Pam at
[email protected]
Rainbow tiger and teddy
THANK YOU
A big thank you to the following people who donated raffle prizes for our Bowlathon:
ACT
Derrick Burgess
Marla Green
Proud FM
The Black Eagle
The Rainbow Café
Woody’s
Zelda’s
Churchmouse and Firkin
Dollarama
Out on the Street
Rabba
The Church Street Diner
Timothy’s
Yvonne Marie Hubbard
Pogue Mahone will host the
annual PFLAG Toronto brunch
the morning of the Pride Parade
2011, July 3.
More details to come. Put this on
your calendar. It will be a lot of
fun.
PFLAG and our LGBTQ Allies
This past month PFLAG Toronto was fortunate enough to meet with several of th
the LGBTQ
Community leaders throughout Toronto. From IDAHT to the Proud of Toronto event at City Hall,
we found ourselves surrounded by friends & supporters amongst the movers
movers-and
and-shakers of
many LGBTQ community businesses and non
non-profit organizations.
Justt as the LGBTQ Community appreciates PFLAG as an Ally, PFLAG is grateful for the Allies
whom support us throughout the year.
This month, PFLAG Toronto wants to give a special shout out to 103.9 ProudFM -Toronto's own
LGBTQ Radio Station From supporting us at Dirty Bingo, at PFLAG's Holiday event in
December, and again with this month's Bowl
Bowl-a-thon, or giving us air-time
time when we need help to
have our voice heard, 103.9 ProudFM has stood by PFLAG Toronto's side, and raised the
decibel on our collective voice -- giving us volume and added visibility.
Thank you 103.9 ProudFM ! From all of us at PFLAG Toronto.
(In Toronto, find ProudFM at 103.9 on the FM dial or outside of Toronto "Listen Live" on
www.proudfm.com).
Starbucks Coffee Company at 3250 Yonge Street, provides coffee for the
Monthly Support Meetings - helping us to offer a warm welcome to all who come for
support.