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We
serve members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Transsexual,
and Queer (LGBTTQ) communities who are currently parents, their
children, and those who are considering parenthood.
The
families that participate have diverse identities and structures.
This includes lone parent families, as well as those with varied
configurations of mothers and/or fathers. Our families are also
diverse in areas of socio-economic status, culture, national origin,
religion and ethnicity.
LGBTTQ-led
families are in constant need for safe and inclusive programming
that all families with young children need (i.e. parenting classes,
social support, and resources). There are very few early years programmes
that specifically address the needs of people in LGBTTQ communities.
As a consequence, many people feel isolated during the process of
becoming parents as well as while they are parenting.
Because
we are one of the few agencies that offer programmes specifically
for LGBTTQ parents and their children, we find a lot of families
visit us from all over the downtown core, the Greater Toronto Area,
and from outside the GTA. The same goes for students, community
members and professionals seeking advice and information.
The
519's History in the Queer Parenting Movement
Fall
2006 Update: "The New LGBT Parenting Network"
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The
Annual Queer Family Fun Fair - Migrating To Later This Year!
As
many of you know The 519 has been under renovation for some time.
The 519’s programs and services are now in the process of
moving to the new wing and the old building will be closed until
the renovations are complete. This will have an impact on programs
agency-wide.
Given the timing of our current move into the new wing and space
constraints for such a large event, we will be holding The Annual
Queer Family Fun Fair later this year. Stay tuned for details.
Posted: May 6 2008
Special
Fathers Day Event
Convergence:
Launch of Web-stories alongside Celebration of Key Anniversaries
The
Father Visibility Working Group has collected several stories to
increase visibility and a sense of entitlement to parent amongst
gay/bi/queer fathers and prospective fathers. The project springs
from key themes found in the research done by the Gay/Bi/Queer Father’s
Research Cluster of FIRA (Father Involvement Research Alliance –
www.fira.ca). The
stories will go online as part of this public event.
This
year also marks the 5th anniversary of Daddies & Papas 2B (the
family planning course for gay/bi/queer men) and the 30th anniversary
of Gay Fathers of Toronto (the coming-out peer support group for
gay/bi/queer fathers). This event will honour all the graduates,
participants, guests, sponsors and organizers of these two programs.
We
invite you and your families - in celebration of gay/bi/queer/trans
men who are: dads, grand dads, prospective dads, or are in other
fathering/care-giving roles - to come to:
The
Fabulous Fathers’ Day Picnic
Saturday, June 14
10 am to 1 pm
Hosted
by Daddy, Papa & Me, the monthly family resource program for
gay/bi/queer dads at The 519.
Posted: May 6 2008
Family
Pride Weekend
Don’t
forget we’ll be at Family Pride Weekend: June 28th & 29th
at Church Street Public School. Hope to see you there!
Posted: May 6 2008
New
Dates!
The Queer Positive Pre-Natal Class
A
space for people of diverse family structures and identities who
are expecting a newborn, whether through birth, adoption or surrogacy.
Come find out about the stages of birth, creating a birth plan,
life after giving birth, understanding newborns, and much more.
Partners, co-parents and your support people are welcome.
The dates of
the next four sessions of the class are:
Summer '08: June 20,
21, 22
Fall '08: September
12, 13, 14
Winter '09: January 9, 10, 11
Spring '09: April
24, 25, 26
Each
class will be held at the Central YMCA's Family Development Centre
(15 Breadalbane), and will run during the following hours:
Friday: 7 pm to 9:30 pm
Saturday: 10 am to 5 pm
Sunday: 10 am to 5 pm
Pre-registration
through the Front Desk of The 519 is required. Visit us at 519 Church
Street, Toronto, or call 416·392·6874.
Registration: $60 (PWYC).
Posted: May 6 2008
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