Accepting school act poster (1)

April 29, 2016
IMPLEMENTING THE
ACCEPTING
SCHOOLS ACT
THE 2ND ANNUAL ONTARIO
EDUCATORS CONFERENCE
LIZ SANDALS
MINISTER OF
EDUCATION
RENU MANDHANE
ANDREA HOUSTON
ONTARIO HUMAN
LGBTQ ACTVIST &
RIGHTS COMMISSIONER
JOURNALIST
29 avril, 2016
L'APPLICATION DE LA
LOI POUR DES
ÉCOLES
TOLÉRANTES
CONFÉRENCE DES
ÉDUCATEURS DE L’ONTARIO
LIZ SANDALS
LA MINISTRE
D'ÉDUCATION
RENU MANDHANE
COMMISSAIRE
EN CHEF
ANDREA HOUSTON
ACTVIST &
JOURNALIST
Ministry of Education
Ministère de l'Éducation
Minister
Ministre
Mowat Block
Queen’s Park
Toronto ON M7A 1L2
Édifice Mowat
Queen’s Park
Toronto ON M7A 1L2
April 29, 2016
To the Attendees of the second annual Ontario Educators Conference:
Implementing the Accepting Schools Act Conference 2016:
On behalf of the Ministry of Education, I am pleased to welcome everyone to the
Canadian Centre for Gender & Sexual Diversity’s second annual Ontario Educators
Conference: Implementing the Accepting Schools Act Conference 2016, on Friday,
April 29, 2016.
Ontario is one of the most diverse provinces in Canada. Our government values this
diversity and is committed to supporting the achievement and well-being of all students,
including lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBTQ) students. Your programming
offers Ontario’s teachers the necessary tools to create safe, inclusive and accepting
schools for all students – regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity or
gender expression.
Recognizing the valuable role education partners like the Canadian Centre for Gender &
Sexual Diversity play in our publicly funded education system, I extend my support and
appreciation to the organizers for developing this engaging and informative series of
workshops.
Once again, I offer all the best to the Canadian Centre for Gender & Sexual Diversity for
another successful year.
Sincerely,
Liz Sandals
Minister
Ministry of Education
Ministère de l'Éducation
Minister
Ministre
Mowat Block
Queen’s Park
Toronto ON M7A 1L2
Édifice Mowat
Queen’s Park
Toronto ON M7A 1L2
Le 29 avril 2016
Aux participantes et aux participants à la deuxième édition du congrès annuel
des éducateurs de l’Ontario sur la mise en œuvre de la Loi de 2012 pour des
écoles tolérantes
En ce vendredi 29 avril 2016, j’ai le plaisir de vous souhaiter la bienvenue, au nom du
ministère de l’Éducation, à la deuxième édition du congrès annuel des éducateurs de
l’Ontario sur la mise en œuvre de la Loi de 2012 pour des écoles tolérantes, événement
qu’organise le Centre canadien de la diversité des genres et de la sexualité.
L’Ontario bénéficie de l’une des plus grandes diversités de population au Canada. Notre
gouvernement a à cœur cette diversité et s’est engagé à favoriser la réussite et le bienêtre de tous les élèves, y compris les élèves lesbiennes, gais, bisexuels et transgenres
(LGBTQ). Les programmes et les ressources du Centre fournissent au personnel
enseignant de l’Ontario les outils dont ils ont besoin pour rendre les écoles sécuritaires,
inclusives et tolérantes pour tous les élèves, quelles que soient leur orientation
sexuelle, leur identité sexuelle ou l’expression de leur identité sexuelle.
Je suis consciente de la précieuse contribution au système d’éducation financé par les
fonds publics qu’apportent les partenaires en éducation comme le Centre canadien de
la diversité des genres et de la sexualité et j’aimerais remercier les organisateurs
d’avoir programmé les ateliers stimulants et instructifs de ce congrès annuel.
Je vous souhaite un congrès des plus fructueux.
La ministre de l’Éducation,
Liz Sandals
Ontario
Human Rights
Commission
Commission
Ontarienne des
Droits de la Personne
Office of the Chief Commissioner
Bureau du Commissaire en Chef
180 Dundas Street West, Suite 900 180, rue Dundas ouest, suite 900
Toronto ON M7A 2R9
Toronto (Ontario) M7A 2R9
Tel.: (416) 314-4537
Fax: (416) 314-7752
Tél. : (416) 314-4537
Téléc. : (416) 314-7752
Welcome to the conference!
It is a pleasure to welcome you to the Implementing the Accepting Schools Act
2016. The conference offers all kinds of expertise and strategies you can apply
where you teach, learn or provide services. And it teaches you about the
important difference even one person can make.
When one person plants a seed for human rights, it’s amazing what can grow.
For example, the Canadian Centre for Gender and Sexual Diversity started with
one person – Jeremy Dias. He faced bullying at school because of his sexual
orientation, so he decided to take action. He challenged his school and school
board through Ontario’s Human Rights System and after 3 years, was awarded
Canada’s second largest human rights settlement ($5,000) at the age of 21. He
used these funds to create Jer’s Vision: Canada’s Youth Diversity Initiative, and
ultimately the CCGSD.
Unfortunately, even though we have made much progress in the past decade,
bullying and discrimination continue to be a daily reality for many students
because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Students are still facing
challenges with things as simple as which washroom they can use, and the next
generation of students needs to be taught what it really means to be accepting.
One person can be a catalyst for this change. I encourage you learn and to teach
at this conference, and to be that catalyst.
Sincerely,
Renu Mandhane, B.A., J.D., LL.M
Chief Commissioner
Ontario Human Rights Commission
Ontario
Human Rights
Commission
Commission
Ontarienne des
Droits de la Personne
Office of the Chief Commissioner
Bureau du Commissaire en Chef
180 Dundas Street West, Suite 900 180, rue Dundas ouest, suite 900
Toronto ON M7A 2R9
Toronto (Ontario) M7A 2R9
Tel.: (416) 314-4537
Fax: (416) 314-7752
Tél. : (416) 314-4537
Téléc. : (416) 314-7752
Bienvenue à la conférence!
Je suis ravie de vous accueillir à la conférence L’application de la Loi de 2016
pour des écoles Tolérantes. Cette conférence offre toute une série de
renseignements et de stratégies dont vous pouvez vous servir là où vous
enseignez, apprenez ou offrez des services. Elle vous explique qu’une seule
personne peut vraiment faire une différence.
Lorsqu’une personne sème une graine en faveur des droits de la personne, il est
étonnant de constater ce qui peut pousser. Par exemple, le Centre canadien de
la diversité des genres et de la sexualité a vu le jour grâce à une seule personne,
Jeremy Dias. Il était victime d’intimidation à l’école en raison de son orientation
sexuelle et il a décidé d’agir. Il a porté son école et son conseil scolaire devant le
système des droits de la personne de l’Ontario et après trois ans, à l’âge de 21
ans, il a reçu une indemnisation de 5 000 dollars, soit le deuxième règlement en
importance au Canada dans le domaine des droits de la personne. Ce règlement
lui a permis de créer Jer's Vision : L'initiative canadienne des jeunes pour la
diversité et finalement le Centre canadien de la diversité des genres et de la
sexualité.
Malheureusement, bien que nous ayons fait des progrès considérables au cours
de la dernière décennie, l’intimidation et la discrimination continuent de
représenter une réalité quotidienne pour de nombreux élèves en raison de leur
orientation sexuelle ou de leur identité sexuelle. Les élèves doivent toujours
relever des défis comme décider quelles toilettes utiliser. La prochaine
génération d’élèves doit apprendre ce que la tolérance signifie vraiment.
Une personne peut être un catalyseur de ce changement. Je vous encourage à
apprendre et à enseigner lors de cette conférence, et à devenir ce catalyseur.
Veuillez agréer l’expression de mes sentiments les meilleurs.
Renu Mandhane, B.A., J.D., LL.M
Commissaire en chef
Commission ontarienne des droits de la personne
Dear participants,
On behalf of the Canadian Centre for Gender & Sexual Diversity, it is my pleasure to welcome
you to our second annual Ontario Educators Conference: The Implementing the Accepting
Schools Act Conference!
Look around you. We have educators, administrators and youth service workers from across the
province gathered here today for an incredible lineup of keynotes, workshops, and panels.
I am personally excited about this event because it will be giving you the tools to understand and
take advantage of Bill 13 (the Accepting Schools Act). And taking advantage of these tool can
save lives and make our schools safer. For these reasons, I would have loved for all of my
teachers in elementary school and in high school to have been able to attend an event like this
one.
I encourage you to be ‘that teacher’. The one that changes lives and makes people think
critically.
Thank you for being here. Today will give you everything you need to be a better ally to the
LGBTQ youth, families and other educators in your life.
Sincerely,
Mylène Côté
Francophone Education Coordinator
[email protected]
Cher participants,
De la part du Centre canadien de la diversité des genres et de la sexualité, c’est mon plaisir de
vous accueillir à notre seconde Conférence des éducateurs de l’Ontario : l’Application de la Loi
pour des Écoles Tolérantes!
Regardez autour de vous. Nous avons des éducateurs, des administrateurs et des travailleurs
sociaux d’à travers la province rassembler ici aujourd’hui pour un ensemble incroyable de
conférenciers d’honneurs, d’ateliers, et de panneaux.
Je suis personnellement excitée à propos de cet évènement, car vous serez donnés les outils
nécessaires pour comprendre et tirer avantage du Bill 13 (La Loi pour des Écoles Tolérantes).
Et tirer avantage de ces outils pourrait sauver des vies et fera de nos écoles des espaces plus
sécuritaires. Pour ces raisons, j'aurais aimé qu’un évènement comme celui-ci ait été disponible
pour tous mes enseignants à l’élémentaire et au secondaire.
Je vous encourage à être « cet enseignant ». Celui qui change des vies et qui encourage les
gens à penser de façon critique.
Merci d’être ici. Cette journée vous donnera ce que vous avez de besoins pour être de meilleurs
alliés aux jeunes, familles, et autres éducateurs LGBTQ dans votre vie.
Sincèrement
Mylène Côté
Coordinatrice d’éducation francophone
[email protected]
C305-440 rue Albert St, Ottawa, ON K1R 5B5 (territoire Algonquin Territory)
La journée rose (13 avril 2016) | The Day of Pink (April 13, 2016)
[email protected]/ Tel: 613-858-3427
Ontario Educators’ Conference - Schedule & Workshop Descriptions
Conférence des éducateurs de l’Ontario - Horaire et descriptions
April 29st 2016
8:008:45
Resgistration
Rotunda
8:008:45
Coffee & Snacks
Committee
Rooms 1-4
Welcome Ceremony
9:009:30
Indigenous welcome
Wanda
Whitebird
Welcome, Safe Space, CCGSD & #TheGaySweater
Jeremy &
Mylène & John
Weatherup
9:309:50
Keynote
Presentation 1
09:5010:10
10:1010:30
Keynote
Presentation 2
Keynote
Presentation 3
10:3011:00
Minister of Education
New curriculum
Importance of inclusive curriculum
Renu
Mandhane
Andrea
Houston
Council
Chamber
Break before Session 1 : (Sex Ed curriculum + Inclusion)
Decolonizing the Gender Binary: Racism and
the Non-Binary Identity
Lukayo Estrella
Terrace East
(Chestnut)
Consent in the Curriculum: Where do our
LGBTQ students fit?
Shannon
Salisbury
Terrace West
(Chestnut)
Wanda
Whitebird
-
11:0012:00
Liz Sandals
French slot
Safe Spaces and 2 Spirited Community
Aaron
Bowerman
Committee
Room 4
Beyond GSAs: Inspiring a New Generation of
Young LGBTQ Activists
Cheri Dinovo
Committee
Room 1
Balancing Rights and Responsibilities:
Understanding Religious Accommodations in
the Context of the "Sex Ed" Debate
Ken Jeffers
Council
Chamber
La pédagogie inclusive et les thématiques
Miriam
St. Lawrence
d’identité et de genre: stratégies, approches et
leçons pour créer une classe qui accueille les
élèves transidentitaires ou créatifs par rapport
au genre
Greenblatt
École sécuritaire et élèves LGBTQ+
Mélanie Piché
(Chesnut)
Jeannine
Faubert
Committee
Room 3
Kiley May
Transmisogyny: the complicated intersections of
Cissexism and sexism
12:0013:00
Bridget Liang
Jade Pichette
Councillors
Lounger &
Upper Level
of
Council
Chambers
Lunch and Info Fair
13:0013:15
Committee
Room 2
Break before Session 2
Tess Vo
Supporting
Marginalized
Students
LGBTQ Disability & Accessibility in Education
(panel)
How to Create More Inclusive Lesson Plans for
Trans Students
Amy Kipfer
Missy Pfaff
St. Lawrence
(Chesnut)
J Wallace
Skelton
Committee
Room 2
Jennifer Kujath
LGBTQ2S+ Youth Homelessness and Resiliency
Kativa
Bissoondial
Committee
Room 1
Transforming Policy into Practice: Creating a
Framework for Effective Bullying Prevention and
Interventions Strategies
Ken Jeffers
Council
Chambers
The Power of Classroom Meetings and Building Kristina Rivard Terrace East
Relationships with Students
Gobbo
(Chestnut)
Understanding the New LGBTQ+ New Comer
Narrative Through Lived Experiences
Rosalyn
Forrester
Kusha Dadui
Lukayo Estrella
Trans History: From the Archives to the
Classroom
13:1514:15
14:1514:30
« Une place à la table » : comment créer un
espace pour les jeunes transidentitaires ou
créatifs par rapport au genre dans le cadre des
initiatives pour les « écoles sécuritaires et
tolérantes»
Break before Session 3
Suzanne Muir
Terrace West
(Chesnut)
Jade Pichette
Committee
Room 3
Julie Godin
Morrison
Martin Flintoff
Committee
Room 4
Dave Stocker
Alice Paradis
Odessa HewittBernhard
Chase Valeriote
Callum
RobertsonMakuch
All Gender Washrooms: Making It Happen!
Nick White
Lindsay Elin
Working with Trans* Youth and Their Parents
LeeAndra Miller
Committee
Room 2
Council
Chambers
Christopher
Karas
Kelia Wane
Luconvé
Nwaigwe
Julie Godin
Morrison
French Panel
Comment rendre nos écoles plus inclusive
Martin Flintoff
St. Lawrence
(Chesnut)
Promoting Positive Mental Health & Safety in
Schools for Trans, Intersex, and Two-Spirit
Youth
Rupert Raj
Comittee
Room 1
Creating Safer Spaces in the Moment –
Responding to Student Disclosures and
Addressing Homophobic and Transphobic
Comments from Students, Fellow Teachers and
Administrators
Julia Riddell
Terrace West
(Chestnut)
Alain Saleh
French
14:3015:30
Devenir allié.e aux jeunes francophones
LGBTQ
Hannah
Forman
Terrace East
(Chestnut)
De-Sexualizing Consent: Consent & The
Elementary Student
Jessica
Azevedo
Comittee
Room 3
Leading the Way: Working with LGBTQ Athletes Jennifer Birtch
and Coaches
Jones
N’hétisez pas à contacter Mylène si vous avez des questions
[email protected]
Should you have any questions, please contact Mylène at:
[email protected]
Comittee
Room 4
Time/Temps: 8:30-9:00
Title/Titre: Indigenous Welcome
Description: Be welcomed to the traditional territory of the Missisauga by a First Nation member from that
land.
Presenter/Présentateur: Wanda Whitebird
Bio: Wanda Whitebird, of the Bear Clan, is a member of the Mi’kmag Nation from Afton, Nova Scotia.
She is a Traditional person conducting ceremonies such as Women’s Sweats, Feasts and Full Moon and
has been developing and implementing traditional based programs. Wanda is currently at the Women’s
Outreach/Support Services at Ontario Aboriginal HIV/AIDS Strategy (OAHAS).
Time/Temps: 9:00-9:30
Title/Titre: Keynote: Minister of education
Presenter/Présentateur: Liz Sandals
Bio: Liz Sandals has represented the riding of Guelph at the Ontario legislature since 2003. Sandals
currently serves as the Minister of Education. She has served as the Parliamentary Assistant to the
Ministers of Health and Long-Term Care, Transportation, Education, Government Services, and
Community Safety and Correctional Services. As Minister of Education, Sandals has overseen the
development of a new collective bargaining framework, taken steps to modernize childcare in the province
and released Achieving Excellence: A Renewed Vision for Education in Ontario.She has led the
government's Safe Schools Action Team and served on the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, the
Select Committee on Mental Health and Addictions and Treasury Board/Management Board of
Cabinet.Sandals first became involved in politics with education issues. She was elected to the local
public school board in 1988 and was re-elected four times. She served as chair of the board and was
elected as president of the Ontario Public School Boards' Association (OPSBA) from 1998 to 2002. She
also sat on the board of directors of the Canadian School Boards Association. In recognition of her work
as OPSBA president, she was selected as the first recipient of the “Outstanding Contribution to Education
Award” by the Ontario Principals' Council. The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health's Centre for
Prevention Sciences (London) presented Sandals with their 2009 Fourth R Award in recognition of her
leadership on the Safe Schools Action Team and her significant contributions to making Ontario schools
safer.Prior to her election, Sandals worked as a computer programmer analyst and taught computer
science at the University of Guelph. Sandals grew up in Guelph and received a Bachelor of Science from
the University of Guelph and a Masters of mathematics from the University of Waterloo. Sandals and her
husband, David, have two children, Richard and Allison, and three grandchildren.
Time/Temps: 9:30-10:00
Title/Titre: Keynote: Minister of human rights
Presenter/Présentateur: Renu Mandhane
Bio: Renu Mandhane is the former Executive Director of the International Human Rights Program at the
University of Toronto’s Faculty of Law. She has an LL.M in international human rights law from New York
University, and is a recognized expert. Renu sits on the Canada Committee of Human Rights Watch, and
has appeared before the Supreme Court of Canada and the United Nations. She has also trained
Canadian and foreign judges through the National Judicial Institute of Canada. Renu has worked at
several domestic and international organizations to advance women's human rights, and has represented
survivors of domestic and sexual violence and federally sentenced prisoners. Renu was appointed Chief
Commissioner of the Ontario Human Rights Commission in October 2015.
Time/Temps: 10:00-10:30
Title/Titre: Keynote: Importance of inclusive curriculum
Presenter/Présentateur: Andrea Houston
Bio: Andrea Houston is a Toronto journalist, human rights advocate and community organizer, who has
worked on a range of issues affecting LGBT people on local, provincial, national and international levels.
Andrea has played a key role in getting laws passed, both as a journalist and an activist. As a journalist,
she broke the story that Ontario Catholic schools banned GSAs, and steered the province-wide debate
ultimately leading to the passage of the Accepting Schools Act. In 2012, she was named Honoured Dyke
by Pride Toronto. In 2014, Andrea co-founded #ENDhatelaws, a coalition fighting for an end to
international anti-gay laws enforced in more than 80 countries. Most recently, Andrea worked as executive
assistant to Ontario's first LGBTQ critic, MPP Cheri DiNovo, drafting legislation to make the province safer
and more accepting for queer and trans people. In June 2015, legislation banning conversion therapy for
LGBTQ youth passed at Queen's Park, which led to the closure of the gender dysphoria clinic at CAMH,
which has been directly implicated in the suicide of numerous trans youth.
Time/Temps: 11:00-12:00
Title/Titre: Decolonizing the Gender Binary: Racism and the Non-Binary Identity
Description: Delegates will gain an understanding of gender outside of the western world Delegates will
gain an understanding of the role of gender in non-western cultures and the impact of western concepts of
gender Delegates will gain an understanding how the gender binary reflects colonialism Delegates will
gain the skills to better support non-binary youth of colour
Goals/Buts: Delegates will gain an understanding of gender outside of the western world Delegates will
gain an understanding of the role of gender in non-western cultures and the impact of western concepts of
gender Delegates will gain an understanding how the gender binary reflects colonialism Delegates will
gain the skills to better support non-binary youth of colour
Presenter/Présentateur: Lukayo Estrella
Bio: Lukayo Estrella writes to educate and speaks to inspire. A Bikol and Tagalog diasporic wordslinger,
they are based on unceded Algonquin territory and currently reside in the city of Ottawa. Their poetry has
been shouted out on national spoken word stages and whispered into local crowded classrooms. Their
words have taken up space in newspapers, magazines, and an anthology called Out Proud: Stories of
Pride, Courage, and Social Justice. Lived experience and research ground their interactive workshops of
liberation, while faith in collective impact informs their organizing. Ultimately, Lukayo seeks to creatively
support communities with their words and actions for collaborative growth.
Time/Temps: 11:00-12:00
Title/Titre: Consent in the Curriculum: Where do our LGBTQ students fit?
Description: This interactive workshop will engage educators and administrators in a conversation
covering challenges, opportunities, frustrations, and strategies for implementing consent-based learning.
Now included as explicit expectations in Ontario's Health and Physical Education curriculum, how can we
ensure that we address not one general principles of sexual consent, but also aspects specific to students
who identify as bisexual, lesbian, gay, queer, and/or transgender?
Goals/Buts:
-Demonstrate an understanding of the specific learning expectations related to consent education in
Ontario's 2015 Health and Physical Education Curriculum;
-Describe how issues of consent, body autonomy, and sexual violence have been addressed before the
explicit inclusion of consent in the curriculum;
-Address concerns about the inclusion of LGBTQ student needs in meeting these expectations;
-Collaboratively develop effective strategies for the implementation and evaluation of inclusive consent
education;
-Analyse community critiques that may complicate the implementation of consent education in general
and specifically consent education which includes sexual and gender diverse student needs
-Assess the challenges in the implementation of inclusive consent education in schools
Presenter/Présentateur: Shannon Salisbury
Bio: An educator and former social worker, Shannon Salisbury has spent several years working around
issues of sexual and reproductive health and sexual violence. She is currently a classroom teacher and is
pursuing her PhD at OISE, studying how teachers reinforce and resist against rape culture in schools, and
the ways in which they incorporate consent into their teaching practice. She is also parenting two
teenagers.
Time/Temps: 11-12
Title/Titre: Safe Spaces and 2-Spirit Culture
Description: Aaron Bowerman, Regional Outreach & Support Service Worker with the Ontario Aboriginal
HIV/AIDS Strategy (Oahas) will be presenting at this years Ontario Educators Conference on Two-Spirit
People. Aaron will be speaking on the history of colonization and how that impacted Two-spirit people.
He will share his personal experiences and understanding of being Two-spirit. Aaron will also be giving a
snap-shot of some programs and services that exist for Two-spirit youth and convey challenges youth
have identified to him in the course of his work. This sharing is intended to assist educators in engaging
with Two-spirit youth and to help better understand the challenges and support their resolution.
Goals/Buts: to be more inclusive of First Nations culture and 2-spirited peoples
Presenter/Présentateur: Aaron Bowerman
Bio: Aaron Bowerman is a two spirit male youth currently living and working in the city of Toronto as the
Regional Outreach and support service worker for the Ontario Aboriginal HIV/Aids Strategy (OAHAS).
Aaron Grew up on the Sheguiandah First Nation reserve on Manitoulin Island and is the oldest of 6
siblings. He is the first member of his family to engage in a post-secondary education, which led to him
recently receiving a diploma from the Tourism Management – Travel Service Industries program at
Humber College. Aaron has been an active volunteer throughout his adolescence Over-sees and in his
own communities, through, Canada World youth, 2-spirits of the first nation Canadian Roots Exchange
and other various organizations. Since this time Aaron has partaken in many training opportunities as a
first nation youth. Aaron has also had many partime/summer jobs as a store clerk, bartender, bingo caller,
member of a board, travel quality care agent, aboriginal resource centre employee, restaurant expeditor,
and youth worker. Aaron believes the only limits we have are the ones we set for ourselves.
Presenter/Présentateur: Wanda Whitebird
Bio: Wanda Whitebird, of the Bear Clan, is a member of the Mi’kmag Nation from Afton, Nova Scotia.
She is a Traditional person conducting ceremonies such as Women’s Sweats, Feasts and Full Moon and
has been developing and implementing traditional based programs. Wanda is currently at the Women’s
Outreach/Support Services at Ontario Aboriginal HIV/AIDS Strategy (OAHAS).
Time/Temps: 11:00-12:00
Title/Titre: Beyond GSAs: Inspiring a New Generation of Young LGBTQ Activists
Description: Dr. DiNovo will discuss what’s next for LGBTQ activism and how to organize. The workshop
will also touch on legislation related to LGBTQ rights at Queen’s Park – how it was done, what’s coming
up and how youth can get involved.
Goals/Buts: Providing teachers with the skills and knowledge to inspire and engage young activists to
continue the fight for LGBTQ human rights.
Presenter/Présentateur: Cheri Dinovo
Bio: Rev. Dr. Cheri DiNovo is the Member of Provincial Parliament of Parkdale – High Park. Cheri is
known as the “Queen of tri-party bills” for tabling the most bills in the Legislature that have all three
parties’ support. Cheri has also passed more Private Member’s Bills than any other opposition MPP on
record. Cheri was voted NOW Magazine’s Best MPP for 2015, her second time winning the title. She has
also twice been voted Runner-Up Best MPP. She is an ordained United Church Minister with a long
history of activism for the LGBT community beginning in 1971 when she was the only woman in Canada
to sign the historic “We Demand” document, Canada’s first gay rights manifesto. While working as a
Minister for the United Church she wrote “Qu(e)erying Evangelism: Growing a Community from the
Outside In” which won the Lambda Award in Washington DC. She also performed the first legalized same
sex marriage in North America. In 2012, she authored the historic Toby’s Law, which amended the
Ontario’s Human Rights Code to include gender expression and gender identity making Ontario the first
jurisdiction in North America to recognize both. She also played a key role in Bill 13 fighting for GSAs to
be allowed in all schools. She was honored at the 2012 pride parade and named Grand Marshal for her
role in the passing of both historic bills. As well, she was recognized as one of 2012’s Heroes by The
Torontoist and as one of 2012’s Newsmakers of the Year by Xtra! In 2015, Cheri`s Banning Conversion
Therapy Bill, which banned so-called conversion therapy for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender
children passed in 8 weeks. She is also the author of Cy and Ruby’s Act, which makes parental
recognition easier for queer parents. Cheri has received the Community Hero Award from Jer’s Vision, the
Rainbow Health Advocate Award from Rainbow Health Ontario, the History Maker Award from Brockville
Pride and the PFLAG Ally Award, presented by Rosie O’Donnell.
Time/Temps: 11:00-12:00
Title/Titre: Balancing Rights and Responsibilities: Understanding Religious Accommodations in the
Context of the "Sex Ed" Debate
Description: The public debate and discourse regarding the updated human growth and development
strands of HPE curriculum has been loud and controversial. The media has reinforced the very narrow
stereotype that it is a stand off between religion and 'sex education' and much of the understanding of
individual rights and professional responsibilities has been lost in this over simplification. On Dec 10, 2015
the Ontario Human Rights Commission updated its decades old policy on Creed making many new
clarificatications, and changes regarding faith and accommodations. It is therefore important for educators
to clearly understand the legislation requirements that flow both from the Education Act regarding what
must be taught and the Ontario Human Rights Code regarding why, when and how we are obligated to
make religious accommodations. This workshop will offer participants an overview of these issues and
explain the process of formal religious accommodations as they would apply to this curriculum.
Goals/Buts:
● identify Education Act responsibilities for delivering curriculum
● identify OHRC process for religious accommodations including understanding undue hardship,
barriers to participation, limitations to requests, typical requests and applying accommodations to
curriculum
● understand the principle of 'cognitive dissonance'
Presenter/Présentateur: Ken Jeffers
Bio:Ken Jeffers is a teacher and child and youth worker and has been an employee of the Toronto District
School Board for the past 16 years. He began his career within the TDSB as a Equity Program Advisor,
designing and delivering programs for staff and youth, playing an advocate role for students experiencing
discrimination and helping to draft and implement the TDSB’s Equity and Human Right’s polices as early
as 1999. Since 2009 Ken has worked as Coordinator of the Board’s Gender-Based Violence Prevention
Office, implementing a system prevention strategy for all 600 schools, 250K students and 30K employees
across the district.
Time/Temps: 11:00-12:00
Title/Titre: Transmisogyny: the Complicated Intersections of Cissexism and Sexism (Panel)
Goals/Buts: The workshop aims to introduce transmisogyny -the oppression faced by trans women and
other transfeminine folks- to participants and build allyship through simple, takeaway points.
Presenter/Présentateur: Kiley May
Bio: Kiley May is a Mohawk and Cayuga storyteller and artist from Six Nations of the Grand River
Territory (aka “the rez”) and is now settled in Toronto. Kiley is a two-spirit person, who can also be called
trans, queer and genderqueer. Her pronouns are they/their/them and also she/her. They do creative work
in film, photography, writing, fashion, dance and performance art. And transitioning, which is an art form;
her greatest art work to date.
Presenter/Présentateur: Bridget Liang
Bio: Bridget Liang is a mixed race, queer, transfeminine, neurodiverse, disabled, fat fangirl. They came
into their queerness in Hamilton Ontario and co-founded RADAR Youth Group at the LGBTQ Wellness
Centre (the Well), the first queer group in a high school in Hamilton, and were instrumental in the passing
of an equity policy in the HWDSB. They have worked for a number of queer/trans organizations and
groups over the years both in Hamilton and Toronto. They have been involved with community research,
workshop and group facilitation, and doing performance art.
Presenter/Présentateur: Jade Pichette
Bio: Jade is an anti-oppressive educator, who has worked as an advocate in LGBTQ+ communities for
over ten years. She has previously worked at Kind (formerly Pink Triangle Services) in Ottawa as the
Education Programs Coordinator, and has worked with over 50 different organizations across Ontario to
develop queer and trans inclusive policies. Jade currently works as the Volunteer & Community Outreach
Coordinator at the Canadian Lesbian and Gay Archives. She has an interest trans and bi erasure in
LGBTQ+ communities, LGBTQ+ Interfaith work, and continuing to challenge her own position of whiteprivilege.
Time/Temps: 11:00-12:00
Title/Titre: La pédagogie inclusive et les thématiques d’identité et de genre: stratégies, approches et
leçons pour créer une classe qui accueille les élèves transidentitaires ou créatifs par rapport au genre
Description: Suite à des changements à la législation ontarienne, ainsi qu’à une augmentation de la
conscientisation sociale des besoins de nos diverses communautés, les écoles sont en train d’évoluer
pour être de plus en plus inclusives pour les élèves trans* et non conforme par rapport au genre. Bien
qu’amener des changements aux politiques ou aux espaces physiques (comme créer des salles de
toilettes neutres) soit important, en tant qu’éducatrices et qu’éducateurs, on doit aussi prioriser une
pédagogie et des stratégies d’enseignements inclusives. Cet atelier explorera des thèmes, des sujets
ainsi que des stratégies et leçons pratiques qui peuvent s’intégrer aux pratiques quotidiennes. La
présentation inclura des matériaux et des ressources en français.
Goals/Buts: - Réfléchir sur nos pratiques dédiées à la création d’espaces sécuritaires et inclusifs pour
tous nos élèves en tant qu’éducateur.trices.
- Explorer des approches concrètes pour l’inclusion des élèves trans*.
- Acquérir des outils pratiques et des idées pour un enseignement inclusif qui peuvent être appliqués dans
la salle de classe.
Presenter/Présentateur: Miriam Greenblatt
Bio: Miriam Greenblatt (EAO) est une éducatrice qui a œuvré dans l’enseignement de l’anglais au
secondaire, autant en Ontario qu’à l’international. Elle travaille présentement comme accompagnatrice
pour les écoles tolérantes et sécuritaires pour le conseil scolaire Viamonde, où elle appuie les écoles afin
qu’elles deviennent des milieux sécuritaires qui sont inclusifs et accueillants pour tous les élèves.
Presenter/Présentateur: Jeannine Faubert
Bio: Jeannine Faubert, M.A., B.Ed, (EAO) a travaillé comme enseignante, conseillère pédagogique et
direction en Ontario. Présentement, elle est accompagnatrice pour le projet de loi 13: Écoles sécuritaires,
tolérantes et inclusives pour le Conseil scolaire Viamonde. Dans ce rôle, elle accompagne tous les
membres de l’école à adopter des pratiques inclusives et tolérantes. Elle explique clairement le lien étroit
entre l’anti-intimidation et les pratiques réussies de l’appui au comportement positif à l’échelle de l’école et
le rendement des élèves.
Time/Temps: 11:00-12:00
Title/Titre: École sécuritaire et élèves LGBTQ+
Description: L'atelier permettra aux participants d'avoir une vision de ce qu'est une classe et une école
idéale pour nos jeunes qui ont une identité de genre ou une orientation sexuelle autre que la norme.
L'atelier permettra aussi de connaitre d'avantage les questionnements et craintes de nos élèves LGBTQ+
et comment mieux les soutenir.
Goals/Buts: En tant que personnel scolaire comment puis-je soutenir un élève LGBTQ+
Presenter/Présentateur: Mélanie Piché
Bio: Mélanie Piché est travailleuse sociale pour le CEPEO depuis 2010. Elle est également formatrice
pour les formations safe TALK, ASIST et Premiers soins en santé mentale. Elle détiens un baccalauréat
en psychologie et une maîtrise en service social de l'Université d'Ottawa. Depuis plusieurs années elle
s'intéresse à la question de l'inclusion des jeunes lgbtq+ en milieu scolaire.
Time/Temps: 1:15-2:15
Title/Titre: Trans History: From the Archives to the Classroom
Description: The process of remembering is a powerful one. Too often do we lose the stories of who
came before, and that is very true when it comes to Canadian trans histories. This presentation will give
context to the history of transgender, transsexual, and non-binary trans movements in Canada. We will
also discuss how to access these histories and bring them to future generations.
Goals/Buts: Educate on Canadian trans history, Discuss how to include more LGBTQ+ history in
curriculum, Learn how to engage students with an LGBTQ+ archives.
Presenter/Présentateur: Jade Pichette
Bio: Jade is an anti-oppressive educator, who has worked as an advocate in LGBTQ+ communities for
over ten years. She has previously worked at Kind (formerly Pink Triangle Services) in Ottawa as the
Education Programs Coordinator, and has worked with over 50 different organizations across Ontario to
develop queer and trans inclusive policies. Jade currently works as the Volunteer & Community Outreach
Coordinator at the Canadian Lesbian and Gay Archives. She has an interest trans and bi erasure in
LGBTQ+ communities, LGBTQ+ Interfaith work, and continuing to challenge her own position of whiteprivilege.
Time/Temps: 1:15-2:15
Title/Titre: How to Create More Inclusive Lesson Plans for Trans Students
Description: Lets plan for the full inclusion of trans and enby* students. Let's plan ways to build gender
diversity and celebrations of gender diversity into our everyday, so this is embedded into our work, and
not a special topic saved for a special day. We will explore successful strategies for planning inclusive
lesson plans, look at some inclusive lesson plans, discuss tools that are out there, and think together
about how to prepare all students for success in exploring and celebrating gender diversity. * enby is a
short form for "non binary" (NB = enby) and one way of talking about identities that are outside of the
binary of ale/masculine/men/boys and female/feminine/women/girls. Other people may use other words,
and that's great too. We'll share together.
Goals/Buts: Attendees will become better at planning to include trans students. They will think about
what activities will prevent trans and enby* students from feeling seen and included and avoid them. They
will look for ways to build all student's knowledge of gender diversity and celebrate gender diversity
broadly.
Presenter/Présentateur: j wallace skelton
Bio: j wallace skelton is a queer, trans, an educator, and deeply committed to helping schools and
members of school communities celebrate sexual and gender diversity. j is currently on leave from the
Toronto District School Board's Gender Based Violence Prevention office, returning in May of 2016. J's
new book for middle school students, Transphobia, Deal with it and Become a Gender Transcender came
out this spring.
Time/Temps: 1:15-2:15
Title/Titre: LGBTQ2S+ Youth Homelessness and Resiliency
Description: Jennifer Kujath and Kative Bissoondial from the YMCA Sprott House will present on
LGBTQ2S+ youth homelessness and share lessons learned at Toronto's frist LGBTQ2S+ youth housing
program.
Goals/Buts:
- Share lessons from Toronto's first LGBTQ2S Housing Program
- Learn about how homelessness uniquely affects trans and queer youth
- Talk about how homelessness, transphobia, and homophobia affect young people's education
Presenter/Présentateur: Kavita Bissoondial
Bio: Kavita Bissoondial is the Outreach Counsellor for YMCA Sprott House, a transitional housing
program for LGBTQ2S spectrum youth age 16-24. She has over eight years of experience facilitating and
developing programming for queer and trans youth of colour in a variety of settings.
Presenter/Présentateur: Jennifer Kujath
Bio: Jennifer Kujath holds a Master of Social Work degree and is a Registered Social Worker. She has
experience supporting youth in a variety of settings such as child welfare, public school, community
health, and housing. Currently, she is a Youth Worker at YMCA Sprott House - Canada's first transitional
housing program for LGBTQ2S youth.
Time/Temps: 1:15-2:15
Title/Titre: Transforming Policy into Practice: Creating a Framework for Effective Bullying Prevention and
Interventions Strategies
Description: If most bullying programs offer easy fixs and bandaids that don't really work or are not
sustainable, how can we move towards a better education? The prevalence and negative effects of
bullying have been studied for over 30 years. However, our understanding of how to effectively prevent
cultures of bullying is still in its infancy, despite the wealth of research on the subject.
Goals/Buts: This workshop seeks to provide administrators, teachers and education staff with an
comprehensive, school-wide framework for bullying prevention and intervention embedded in legislated
responsibilities of the accepting schools act. Including a whole school approach model for transforming
school climates into positive and accepting spaces, as well as responding to and preventing bullying
behaviours through a human rights lens. Integral to this work will be an examination of our own
conceptions of the ‘bully’ and ‘victim’, impacts of biased social construction and power imbalances on
learning and behaviour; with the intention to raise awareness of how our perceptions of bullying guide our
responses and action planning.
Presenter/Présentateur: Ken Jeffers
Bio: Ken Jeffers is a teacher and child and youth worker and has been an employee of the Toronto
District School Board for the past 16 years. He began his career within the TDSB as a Equity Program
Advisor, designing and delivering programs for staff and youth, playing an advocate role for students
experiencing discrimination and helping to draft and implement the TDSB’s Equity and Human Right’s
policies as early as 1999. Since 2009 Ken has worked as Coordinator of the Board’s Gender-Based
Violence Prevention Office, implementing a system prevention strategy for all 600 schools, 250K students
and 30K employees across the district.
Time/Temps: 1:15-2:15
Title/Titre: The Power of Classroom Meetings and Building Relationships with Students
Description: The participants will be presented the power of classroom meetings and how this strategy
will assist in developing relationships with students. The meetings allow for discussion, dialogue and
opportunities for students to share their feelings and concerns. This strategy can be implemented in an
elementary or secondary classroom.
Goals/Buts: The teachers will leave the workshop with tools that will assist in developing relationships
with their students in an inclusive and accepting classroom.
Presenter/Présentateur: Kristina Rivard Gobbo
Bio: Kristina Rivard Gobbo is a Principal at Barrydowne College in Sudbury Ontario and works for the
Rainbow District School Board. For the past two years she has assisted with the Dare To Stand Out
Conference for the LGBTQ students in her Board. Growth mindset and resiliency are a part of her practice
and she is working with her students in order to develop these skills. She has a passion for teaching and
works part time at Laurentian University in the Faculty of Education preparing students for their French
teachable. Kristina is currently enrolled in the PhD of Humanities at Laurentian University and the focus of
her dissertation is meeting the needs of students from a lower socioeconomic status in the high school
setting.
Time/Temps: 1:15-2:15
Title/Titre: Understanding the LGBTQ+ New Comer Narrative Through Lived Experiences (panel)
Description: To have a conversation about barriers that Trans youth face particularly if they are
newcomers/refugees.
Presenter/Présentateur: Rosalyn Forrester
Bio: Rosalyn walks with several identities; pagan, woman of color who was born with transexualism,
single mom of two daughters, a person living with chronic pain, an activist, a woman loving women
femme, an educator, and a caregiver.
Presenter/Présentateur: Kusha Dadui
Bio: I am a Trans masculine person of color from Iran and came to Canada as a refugee 20 years ago. I
have been active in the LGBT community and worked with different organizations such as 519, Amnesty
International, Iranian Queer Collective and Sherbourne Health Centre. I currently work at Sherbourne
Health Centre as the Trans Program Coordinator
Presenter/Présentateur: Lukayo Estrella
Bio: Lukayo Estrella writes to educate and speaks to inspire. A Bikol and Tagalog diasporic wordslinger,
they are based on unceded Algonquin territory and currently reside in the city of Ottawa. Their poetry has
been shouted out on national spoken word stages and whispered into local crowded classrooms. Their
words have taken up space in newspapers, magazines, and an anthology called Out Proud: Stories of
Pride, Courage, and Social Justice. Lived experience and research ground their interactive workshops of
liberation, while faith in collective impact informs their organizing. Ultimately, Lukayo seeks to creatively
support communities with their words and actions for collaborative growth.
Presenter/Présentateur: Suzanne Muir
Bio: Suzanne Muir is a children's author, teacher librarian, and equity consultant.
Time/Temps: 1:15-2:15
Title/Titre: LGBTQ Disability & Accessibility in Education (panel)
Description: To come
Presenter/Présentateur: Tess Vo
Bio: Tess Vo’s work focuses on disability, race, sexuality, gender identity, migration and incorporating
community-based approaches to research. During her 20-year career, she has developed programs within
various children’s mental health, LGBTQ, settlement and AIDS service organizations in both Toronto and
New York City. She is invested in the creation of equitable spaces, and cultural production that
interrogates dominant ideologies. Tess currently supervises reachOUT, an LGBTQ program centering on
the needs of queer, trans and two-spirit communities in Toronto, Canada. Tess also directed and
produced the award-winning documentary Our Compass, which was co-written by LGBTQ youth labelled
with intellectual disabilities.
Presenter/Présentateur: Amy Kipfer
Bio: Amy works for Avon Maitland District School Board which is committed to ensure staff and students
strive to 'create positive inclusive learning environments' for all students through their school board's
strategic directions.
She has lead system level professional development for both administrators and
staff around inclusive education in her role as a Learning for All Coordinator. In the past Amy's positions
have included classroom teacher, special education teacher and special education consultant focusing on
how to best implement inclusive practice. In recent years, she has participated in creating and presenting
provincial workshops for ETFO, travelling across the province to share messages of inclusion of students
who identify as LGBTQ or whom have loved ones of the community. Within her own school board she
promotes and works with school communities to implement supportive and safe and inclusive Gay
Straight Alliances.
Presenter/Présentateur: Missy Pfaff
Bio: The Learning for All Coordinators, Missy Pfaff has lead System Level Professional Development with Amy
Kipfer for both administrators and staff around inclusive education. She will join us to share her journey so far
and to facilitate discussions about how schools may best serve students with developmental disabilities. Missy
and Amy have both held a consultant role in Special Education in the previous model within their school board.
In response to research on inclusive education and the advancement of teaching practices regular classroom
they believe the time is now to change dialogue and practice from traditional models of special education
towards a model of inclusion.
Time/Temps: 1:15-2:15
Title/Titre: « Une place à la table » : comment créer un espace pour les jeunes transidentitaires ou
créatifs par rapport au genre dans le cadre des initiatives pour les « écoles sécuritaires et tolérantes »
Description: En conformité avec la loi, les énoncés politiques pertinents ainsi qu’une prise de conscience
accrue des facteurs qui déterminent la sécurité et le bien-être des élèves, les conseils scolaires
s’engagent de nos jours dans une foule de stratégies et d’initiatives pour favoriser un climat scolaire où
l’on prône le respect des différences. Ceci dit, l’inclusion des élèves Trans et/ou créatifs par rapport au
genre dans de
telles initiatives soulève de nombreux obstacles, et peut éveiller des discussions empreintes de préjugés,
de dénis et de craintes. Ceux et celles qui cherchent à effectuer des changements concrets doivent donc
élaborer des stratégies pratiques afin que nos milieux scolaires extrêmement diverses puissent accueillir
de nouvelles conceptions critiques des notions d’identité, de genre et de binarité. Cette présentation
abordera donc des principes stratégiques importants qui devraient faciliter l’incorporation d’identités Trans
et non-binaires dans les réalités éducatives et sociales d’une école qui se veut sécuritaire et tolérante. À
l’aide d’exemples d’espaces sécuritaires et accueillants, ainsi qu’en explorant des contre-exemples de
stratégies et de discours inadéquats, cet atelier outillera les intervenants à confronter et à éliminer les
obstacles et les exclusions. De plus, nous explorerons des projets concrets et des activités pratiques qui
favorisent l’ouverture de terrains d’entente fructueux où la non-discrimination et la sensibilité
culturelle/religieuse s’harmonisent afin de créer une communauté scolaire qui est sécuritaire, accueillante
et positive pour tous les individus non-conformes par rapport au genre. Cette présentation sera basée sur
notre expérience dans des écoles francophones publiques extrêmement diverses de l’Ontario et elle
inclura des ressources en français.
Goals/Buts: Les participants vont :
- Explorer l’intersectionnalité et l’harmonisation des droits, des croyances et des politiques telles que
celles-ci affectent la création d’espaces positifs pour les élèves Trans et/ou créatifs par rapport au genre
dans le cadre des initiatives «d’écoles sécuritaires et tolérantes»;
- Porter un regard critique et stratégique sur les obstacles et les défis qui reviennent le plus souvent quant
à la sécurité, la dignité et l’autonomie des élèves Trans et/ou et créatifs par rapport au genre;
- Explorer les pratiques et stratégies gagnantes pour transformer la culture scolaire et briser le silence
systémique ainsi que l’invisibilité des élèves Trans et/ou et créatifs par rapport au genre, même à
l’intérieur d’initiatives «d’écoles sécuritaires et tolérantes; »
- Mettre en pratique des approches constructives et un leadership cohérent dans le but de créer des
espaces sécuritaires dans lesquels on pourra encourager l’épanouissement des jeunes non-conformes
par rapport au genre.
Presenter/Présentateur: Julie Godin Morrison
Bio: Julie Godin Morrison, M.A., PhD, EAO a travaillé en tant qu’avocate, chercheuse et éducatrice au
Québec et en Ontario, où elle s’est penchée sur les thématiques reliées à l’oppression, aux identités
divergentes et aux voix marginalisées dans le monde juridique, la culture et la littérature. Son poste actuel
au conseil scolaire Viamonde est axé sur l’appui aux écoles sécuritaires et le développement de
meilleures pratiques visant le climat scolaire sain, inclusif et harmonieux. Elle puise dans son expérience
variée et son activisme passionné de justice et d’inclusion afin d’inspirer et de guider différentes
communautés scolaires.
Presenter/Présentateur: Martin Flintoff
Bio: Martin Flintoff, EAO enseigne dans les écoles élémentaires francophones de la région de Toronto
depuis maintenant neuf ans, ayant enseigné autant au primaire qu’au moyen. Tout récemment, il a
accepté le poste d’enseignant-accompagnateur pour les écoles sécuritaires et tolérantes, où son intérêt
pour la justice sociale lui permet d’aider les communautés scolaires à créer des milieux positifs et
accueillants pour tous.
Time/Temps: 2:30-3:30
Title/Titre: All Gender Washrooms: Making It Happen!
Description: In June of 2012, NDP Member of Parliament Cheri DiNovo passed Bill 33, also known as
Toby’s Act. As a result, gender identity and gender expression were formally added to the Ontario Human
Rights Code. Over the course of the next year, grade 7 and 8 students at City View Alternative School in
Toronto’s west end fought for, and won the right to create a multi-stall, all- gender washroom in their
school. This workshop gives participants an overview of the process, the challenges that we faced and
how, following our all- gender washroom success, we went on to fight for the creation of all- gender cabins
on our year- end overnight trip. Walk away with the tools you need to make it happen at your school!
Goals/Buts: To engage participants in the legal context provided by Bill 13 and Bill 33, that set the stage
for opening all gender washrooms in our schools. To learn from City View's experience opening a multistall all gender washroom and discuss successes and challenges. To encourage further systemic change
by sharing our most recent initiative: all gender cabins on school overnight trips.
Presenter/Présentateur: David Stocker
Bio: City View Alternative School students practice linking the Ontario curriculum with social justice
content and activism. They are encouraged to be leaders and activists within the school community, as
well as the local and global community. Our presenters today are members of the school's QSA club and
regularly present at conferences for students, teachers and principals.
Time/Temps: 2:30-3:30
Title/Titre: Working with Trans* Youth and Their Parents
Description: At Central Toronto Youth Services we have come to realize that the trans* youth we work
with need more then the supports we provide them while they are in our office – they also need us to
assist their parents/caregivers to be more accepting and affirming of their gender identities. Research in
recent years has clearly demonstrated that trans* youth do markedly better in a range social and
emotional health domains (better mental health, less suicidality, less drug use, etc.) with the strong
support of their parents (TransPulse 2012, National Transgender Discrimination Survey, 2011). In this
workshop you will learn a) about the impacts of transphobia and transmisogyny on trans youth and their
families, b) CTYS’s services for trans youth and their families and c) some valuable resources that you
might offer the parents of your trans* students in order to help them to be more accepting and supportive,
nd
including the recently published 2 edition of our Families in TRANSition guide.
Goals/Buts:
1. Learn about the impacts of transphobia and transmisogyny on trans* youth and their families –
including the mental health impacts for trans youth
2.
Learn about Central Toronto Youth Services’ individual counselling, parent support, family therapy
and group work approaches to working with trans* youth and their families.
3.
Learn tools for assisting parents of trans youth to become more supportive of their adolescents.
Presenter/Présentateur: Lindsay Elin
Bio: Lindsay Elin, MSW, RSW is an individual and family therapist with an interest in attachment and
healthy relationships in LGBTQ communities. She currently works in the Pride and Prejudice (LGBTQ)
Program at Central Toronto Youth Services, where she specializes in working with trans* youth and their
families, and facilitates groups for parents of trans* youth. She also has a small private practice in
Toronto.
Presenter/Présentateur: LeeAndra Miller
Bio: LeeAndra Miller has more than 20 years’ experience as a psychotherapist specializing in arts based
therapy. LeeAndra works at Central Toronto Youth Services in the Pride & Prejudice Program since 2001,
providing individual counselling and facilitating groups for Transgender youth. LeeAndra’s expertise is in
providing positive and affirming psychotherapy for Transgender youth, adults and their families. LeeAndra has a
Master’s degree and is a Registered Psychotherapist.
Time/Temps: 2:30-3:30
Title/Titre: Promoting Positive Mental Health & Safety in Schools for Trans, Intersex, and Two-Spirit
Youth
Description: A Toronto trans activist & a recently-retired psychotherapist will provide an overview of the
mental health, problematic substance use, familial, school-based, psychosocial, legal and socioeconomic
issues, as well as the challenges for trans, genderqueer, intersex & two-spirit students, and the recent
amendments to the Ontario Human Rights Code; and further, to suggest strategies on how to be an
effective ally (guidelines for principals, teachers & guidance counsellors).
Goals: 1) To inform participants about the mental health, family, school, psychosocial, legal and
socioeconomic issues, as well as the challenges for Trans, Genderqueer, Intersex & Two-Spirit students,
and the recent amendments to the Ontario Human Rights Code; 2) Suggest strategies on how to be an
effective ally (guidelines for principals, teachers and guidance counsellors).
Presenter/Présentateur: R.R.
Bio: R.R. is a 63-year-old, Canadian Eurasian, pansexual, trans man, who’s been a trailblazing trans
activist throughout Canada and the USA since he transitioned in 1971. Mr. R. is a Gender Specialist and
recently-retired registered psychotherapist, and since 2000, has been counselling transsexual,
transgender, genderqueer, gender non-conforming, intersex, two-spirit and queer adults and youth and
their loved ones. Operating out of his private practice (www.RRconsulting.ca), he also offers consultation
services and professional training workshops to health care and social service providers, researchers,
educators, human resources managers, lawyers and policy makers. R. co-edited (with Prof. Dan Irving)
the 2014 groundbreaking anthology, Trans Activism in Canada: A Reader (published by Canadian
Scholars’ Press: www.cspi.org) and is soon hoping to publish (with Prof. Trish Salah) his international
trans poetry anthology, and later, his autobiography with Transgress Press.
Time/Temps: 2:30-3:30
Title/Titre: Creating Safer Spaces in the Moment – Responding to Student Disclosures and Addressing
Homophobic and Transphobic Comments from Students, Fellow Teachers and Administrators
Description: This workshop will be highly participatory, drawing on participants’ knowledge and collective
wisdom, as well as the latest research findings. The ultimate goal of the workshop is to help participants
develop a language to respond to LGTBQ-related issues within their school as they arise within
interpersonal interactions. This workshop will share the importance of a whole school approach that
involves creating change through relationships within the school environment and working on multiple
levels within the school system.
Goals/Buts: Participants will have the opportunity to share their experiences with students disclosing their
gender and sexual identity and/or disclosing experiences of homophobic/transphobic bullying. Together
we will discuss ways to respond to student disclosures to create the most safe and therapeutic space
possible within the context of the student-teacher relationship. Participants will also have the opportunity
to discuss times when they have witnessed homophobic/transphobic comments being made about a
student by another student, fellow teacher or administrator. Drawing upon recommendations from the
latest research and participant wisdom, we will brainstorm ways to respond in each of these situations in
order to help the student feel supported and create a more positive school culture for LGTBQ students.
Participants will have the option to take home a number of tools created by PREVNet, including the
Bullying Prevention and Intervention in the School Environment: Fact sheets and Tools document.
Presenter/Présentateur: Julia Riddell
Bio: Julia Riddell is a doctoral student in Clinical Developmental Psychology at York University. She
works under the supervision of Dr. Debra Pepler, one of the founders and scientific co-directors of the
Promoting Relationships and Eliminating Violence Network (PREVNet). Julia’s research is done in
collaboration with interventions for marginalized populations, including Indigenous communities, northern
Canadian youth, LGTBQ youth and youth struggling with mental health and addiction. She does
supervised clinical work with children, youth and families with a focus on helping them develop healthier
relationships.
Time/Temps: 2:30-3:30
Title/Titre: Leading the Way: Working with LGBTQ Athletes and Coaches
Description:
There are a number of initiatives underway in Canada designed to make sport more
welcoming to those who are LGBT. One of the resources highlighted will be Leading the Way: Working
with LGBT Athletes and Coaches developed by the Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women
in Sport an Physical Activity (CAAWS). Designed for coaches and based on the experiences of LGBT
and non-LGBT athletes and coaches in Canada, Leading the Way provides practical information to
coaches about their role in creating positives spaces in sport.
Goals/Buts: To provide information on existing Canadian resources, initiatives and good practices for
creating positive spaces in sport (and phys. ed.) in schools.
Presenter/Présentateur: Jennifer Birtch Jones
Bio: Jennifer Birch-Jones is an LGBT activist and educator who works to make Canadian sport more
welcoming to those who are LGBT. She was on the Organizing Committee for the first ever Pride House
at the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games hosted by Canada. Jennifer has successfully delivered
CAAWS’ Leading the Way workshop with coaches and administrators at all levels of the Canadian sport
system. She has also been working with the Canadian Centre for Ethics and Sport to develop policy
guidance and best practices on trans inclusion in sport.
Time/Temps: 2:30-3:30
Title/Titre: De-Sexualizing Consent: Consent & The Elementary Student
Description: This workshop is on how to teach young people about consent without a discussion of sex.
We’ll discuss how to frame issues of consent in a non-sexual way that allows young people to understand,
mutual respect, personal boundaries and limitations. From this you can provide young people the
necessary toolbox to start thinking about consent in all situations and contexts. This workshop is
interactive—we don’t stand up hear and talk at you the whole time though, we seek to engage you all in
the discussion and to have you be active participants in your learning. We encourage you to ask
questions, challenge us, and take part in the process.
Goals/Buts: The point of this workshop is to get you thinking about relationships and boundaries and to
teach you how to have a healthy relationship.
Presenter/Présentateur: Jessica Azevedo
Bio: Jessica Azevedo ( a.k.a. Jazevedo)- is a feisty queer-femme feminist and Terceirian- Canadian
(Portuguese-Canadian from the Azores). She is the Conferences Manager at The Canadian Centre for
Gender and Sexuality. Jessica loves being part of this organization because it focuses on combating
transphobia, transmisogyny, homophobia and other forms of oppression. Jessica has an activist
background in queer feminist anti-oppressive education, queer performance, youth subcultural formations,
and youth outreach. She is also currently pursuing a PhD in Sociology and Political Economy at Carleton
University. Jessica is obsessed with her cat, Lona, singing/karaoke, music (both as a listener and creator),
body modifications/body politics, being photographed/selfies, drag/gender-play performing, poetry/creative
writing, glitter, cooking, fresh fruit, and chicken wings.
Time/Temps: 2:30-3:30
Title/Titre: Devenir allié.e aux jeunes francophones LGBTQ
Description: Durant cet atelier interactif, nous discuterons de plusieurs exemples d'injustices auxquelles
font face les élèves francophones LGBTQ et le rôle important que le personnel scolaire peut jouer dans
l’établissement de milieux inclusifs et sécuritaires. Nous explorerons du langage, des concepts et des
outils qui seront utiles pour devenir des allié.e.s aux jeunes LGBTQ.
Goals/Buts: Le but de cet atelier est d’outiller le personnel enseignant dans la création de milieux
scolaires sécuritaires et inclusifs pour les élèves LGBTQ.
Presenter/Présentateur: Alain Saleh
Bio: Alain Saleh envisage un monde où on renforce la capacité de chaque personne de s’exprimer et de
se développer dans toute son individualité et ses nuances. Il est fier de faire partie d’un organisme qui
travaille sans cesse à l’établissement de milieux où chaque personne se sent forte, libre et en sécurité et
capable de s’épanouir pleinement. Après avoir complété un baccalauréat en psychologie et en
bouddhisme, Alain a été attiré par la vision humaniste du COPA fondée sur l’autonomisation et les droits
de la personne. Il anime les programmes de prévention des agressions et est responsable de
communications pour la campagne « Ça commence avec toi. Ça reste avec lui. » qui engage les hommes
à devenir des alliés dans la lutte contre la violence faite aux femmes.
Presenter/Présentateur: Hannah Forman
Bio: Originaire de Toronto, Hannah Forman est diplômée de Reed College à Portland (OR) en 2011, avec
un diplôme en littérature où elle s’est concentrée sur le théâtre politique français et la théorie queer
contemporaine. Hannah a étudié à l'étranger en Bretagne, France pour une année où, en raison de
longues grèves étudiantes, elle a été en mesure d'adhérer à une collective du Théâtre de l’opprimé. Avant
de retourner au Canada, Hannah a travaillé comme animatrice d'ateliers à un YWCA à Oregon, où elle se
concentrait spécifiquement sur les questions LGBTQ. En plus de travailler à COPA, Hannah poursuit
également son diplôme de maîtrise en Éducation en justice sociale et d'études sur la diversité sexuelle à
l'Université de Toronto, OISE. Lorsque Hannah n’est pas au travail ou à l'école, elle organise avec un
group en solidarité avec Black Lives Matter Toronto et Resource Generation - un groupe qui organise les
jeunes qui sont riches ou de familles riches vers la redistribution équitable des terres, de la richesse et du
pouvoir. Hannah est aussi passionné de l'organisation dans la communauté juive LGBTQ à Toronto.
Time/Temps: 2:30-3:30
Title/Titre: Comment rendre nos écoles plus inclusives (panneau)
Description: Une discussion sur les déterminants d'une école inclusive, de la collaboration nécessaire
entre les administrateurs, les éducateurs et les jeunes, et des façons dont nous pouvons affirmer nos
jeunes en tant que des leaders.
Goals/Buts: Discuter des façons dont nous pouvons rendre nos écoles plus inclusives
Presenter/Présentateur: Christopher Karas
Bio: Chris est un défendeur des droits humains, un entrepreneur et un étudiant de la loi. Il a réglé un litige
avec le CSDCCS (son conseil scolaire) à l'âge de 19 ans. Il a voulu former un groupe inclusif et afficher
des affiches de Harvey Milk dans son école. Son école n'a pas permis ceci, ce qui lui a fait sentir que son
école n'était pas inclusive. Chris a aussi inspiré un forum annuel qui aide nos jeunes à former des
Alliances des Genres et de la Sexualité dans leurs écoles pour les qu'elles soient plus inclusives.
Presenter/Présentateur: Kelia Wane
Bio: Née le 18 septembre 1999 à Toronto, elle vient d'une famille d'immigrants (sa mère : le Rwanda; son
père : le Sénégal). Tout au long de sa vie, elle eut la chance de déménager à travers le monde, vivant
dans des endroits comme la ville de Québec, Dakar et Niagara Falls. Justement, c'est durant son séjour
en Afrique, entouré d'une culture plutôt homophobe, qu’elle a commencé à défendre l'égalité des droits
pour tous auprès de ses amis et des membres de sa famille. Présentement, elle est une élève de la 11e
année à l'école secondaire Gaétan-Gervais à Oakville. Elle compte poursuivre ses études
postsecondaires à l'université d'Ottawa en études du conflit et droit humain.
Presenter/Présentateur: Luvoncé Nwaigwe
Presenter/Présentateur: Julie Godin Morrison
Bio: Julie Godin Morrison, M.A., PhD, EAO a travaillé en tant qu’avocate, chercheuse et éducatrice au
Québec et en Ontario, où elle s’est penchée sur les thématiques reliées à l’oppression, aux identités
divergentes et aux voix marginalisées dans le monde juridique, la culture et la littérature. Son poste actuel
au conseil scolaire Viamonde est axé sur l’appui aux écoles sécuritaires et le développement de
meilleures pratiques visant le climat scolaire sain, inclusif et harmonieux. Elle puise dans son expérience
variée et son activisme passionné de justice et d’inclusion afin d’inspirer et de guider différentes
communautés scolaires.
Presenter/Présentateur: Martin Flintoff
Bio: Martin Flintoff, EAO enseigne dans les écoles élémentaires francophones de la région de Toronto
depuis maintenant neuf ans, ayant enseigné autant au primaire qu’au moyen. Tout récemment, il a
accepté le poste d’enseignant-accompagnateur pour les écoles sécuritaires et tolérantes, où son intérêt
pour la justice sociale lui permet d’aider les communautés scolaires à créer des milieux positifs et
accueillants pour tous.