Resource: The Positive Spaces Initiative (videos)

The Positive Spaces Initiative (PSI), now in its third phase, is part of the Creating Safe and Positive Space for LGBTQ Newcomers Initiative. This project is funded by the Government of Canada through Citizenship and Immigration Canada and runs in Ontario.

The main objective of this project is to support the immigrant and refugee serving sector to more effectively serve LGBTQ (Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and/or questioning) newcomers.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered (LGBT) individuals are an integral, though often invisible, part of immigrant and refugee communities. Immigrant and refugee-serving organizations have an obligation and responsibility to provide relevant, effective and appropriate services for these immigrants and refugees who are often marginalized within multiple communities.

The project says:

One of the most common misconceptions we heard throughout our provincial consultations was that LGBTQ newcomers do not exist, and there is therefore no need for LGBTQ-inclusive settlement services. From others, we were told there is little understanding about how settlement issues are experienced differently by LGBTQ newcomers. Finally, we heard that queer colleagues working in the settlement sector do not feel safe or fully supported in their workplaces. The invisibility and silencing of LGBTQ peoples daily lived experience was further bolstered by very little formal documentation of LGBTQ newcomers and settlement service providers in Ontario. It was in this context that the need for this research emerged.

Main activities to achieve the project’s objective include:

• Conduct regional and provincial consultations
• Provide sector wide training and information sessions
• Promotion of settlement services to LGBTQ newcomers
• Enhance the anti-oppression strategies within the sector, in partnership with other organizations
• To work with community partners and others to collect resources, information and tools to be included on settlement.org and etablissement.org
• Identification of safe, positive and welcoming spaces for LGBTQ newcomers

The project is now running facilitator lead training that addresses all components of service delivery within the Settlement Services for the  Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans., Queer/Questioning (LGBTQ) communities. It has also created E-Learning Modules, information and fact sheets.

Videos made by PSI









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