Discover Top Posts Tagged with #the 519

!! IT'S HAPPENING !!

On December 13th, I will be attempting to defeat every single boss in Elden Ring.

All of them.

All 238.

in ONE stream.

The 519 is a local charity that has helped out myself and my friends here in Toronto numerous times, and any chance I can take to shine a light on their organization and raise a bit of money for them is the least I could do Donating money isn’t mandatory, however just showing up to the stream and showing your support would mean the world to me~! The 519 - My Twitch

#twitch #charity #the 519 #elden ring #envtuber

"Our need for intimacy doesn't fade as we age." Source: The 519: Space for Change

#lgbt #lgbtq #the 519 #sexuality

The 519 was told in mid-August that the remains of a transgender person had been found in ravine

Toronto's leading LGBT advocacy agency has publicly apologized for its handling of information related to the investigation into the disappearance of Alloura Wells, a transgender woman found dead in a midtown ravine last summer.

The 519, a city-run organization dedicated to the "health, happiness and full participation" of Toronto's LGBT community, posted the contrite message on their website on Thursday.

"We apologize to the community and specifically to the trans community, for the mishandling of information that our staff received from a member of the public," said 519 executive director Maura Lawless, who co-signed the post with David Morris, chair of the agency's management board.

"We recognize the pain this has caused members of the community and our staff. We recognize that the trans community and in particular, trans feminine women of colour and sex workers, face the most significant systemic discrimination, barriers to service, and violence."

http://www.the519.org/programs/youth-action-and-arts-space-10-15-year-olds

Telling your own story is a powerful way to change the world. For six weeks,Soulpepper Theatre Company artists will build safer space and help you find and shape your story, discover and build confidence to share it, and explore the idea that 'existence is resistance'.

#soulpepper theatre company #the 519 #lgbtq youth #arts

The Youth/Elders Project

A collaboration between Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, The 519, and The Senior Pride Network

Directed by Evalyn Parry with LeeLee Davis + Vanessa Dunn

Performers + Creators

Jordan Campbell, Daniel Carter, Brian Cope, Monica Garrido, Genady Gavleshov, Riley Kelk, Bella Larsen, LeZlie Lee Kam, Neila Lem, Lila Pine, Russell Powell, Shauna Sloan + Ty Sloane

Buddies, The 519, and Senior Pride Network want to say a huge thank you and congratulations to everyone who participated in Phase One of The Youth/Elders Project. Our fall workshop series was a huge success, with over 50 participants coming out to learn, share, and explore our queer lives and histories together. From this group, we selected an intergenerational ensemble of 13 people who will be part of the next phase of development and final presentation.

In 2017, we move into the next phase of the project and start gearing up for our mainstage presentation May 31-June 4. And if you can’t wait until then to see what we’re up to, we will be doing a public presentation on our work in progress on February 23 as part of Buddies’ annual Rhubarb Festival.

What is the Youth/Elders Project?

In an exciting new partnership between Buddies, The 519, and the Senior Pride Network, The Youth / Elders Project brings together young and old to create a living document of our personal queer histories. Integrating text, movement, music, and design, a group of queer youth and elders embark on an oral history of queer lives. This intergenerational ensemble will offer a snapshot of queer life as a way to preserve personal histories and engage a new generation with the possibilities of queer identity.

How do I stay informed about this project?

You can join our Youth / Elders Project Facebook group to get the latest info on upcoming events and connect with your fellow participants.

Or, you can email Kate Hazell Specialist, Education and Training with your questions.

What is the schedule of activities?

During Phase 1 of the Project (September – November, 2016) workshops were offered weekly, with Youth meeting on Mondays from 6-9pm at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre and Elders meeting on Saturdays from 2-5pm at The 519. In addition, there were workshops where both groups worked together on Sept 26, Oct 22, Nov 5 & Nov 7.

What happens after that?

Following the fall workshop series, a smaller group of youth and elders (drawn from workshop participants) have been selected to take part in the next phase of the project. This smaller group will create and perform an original piece of theatre on Buddies Mainstage, directed by Evalyn Parry, May 30-Jun 4 2017. Rehearsals will take place on Monday evenings. There will be a three week, full time, paid rehearsal period in May leading up to the production.

The Youth / Elders Project is supported by the Community Collaborations Program at the Canada Council for the Arts

#YouthEldersProject #the 519 #Buddies in Bad Times Theatre

Meet Maura Lawless, the Executive Director of The 519, A City of Toronto agency committed to the health, happiness and full participation of the LGBTQ community! Maura is sharing The Kitten Who Thought He Was A Mouse by Garth Williams.

What is this book about? What do you take away from it?

“This was a book that my dad read to me when I was little. It’s about a kitten who is adopted by a family of mice. “Mickey” the kitten grows up as a mouse and one day discovers he’s actually a cat. As an adopted child, I learned early on what it means to be loved and accepted by my family. I think I learned what it means to belong even if you are different. I think I learned that if we are open to those around us who are in need of family, love, shelter, acceptance…then even through our differences the most wonderful connections can happen (which I guess makes a lot of sense in my job).”

If this book were a time machine where and when would it bring Maura back to?

“Well I guess it would transport me back to when I was little and my dad was alive. He had a bunch of nicknames for me and for years he called me “Minny Miggs” after Mickey Miggs. I actually loved his nicknames for me and now I have special nicknames for all my nieces and nephews – who I adore.”

What are Maura’s favourite kinds of books?

“Ones that extend over generations that are rich with detail – the ones that I never want to end.”

Why is reading important?

“I think reading is important for a million reasons – it helps us to think, to process the way we understand the world, determine ourselves, commonalities differences, our voice. It’s about imagining things we never thought of, escaping, discovering our creativity, connecting with emotions, our courage, our fears. It’s about shutting off the world at times and at other times challenging us to see the world and reflect on where and who we are in it…hmmm maybe a few less meetings and a lot more reading… “

What does Maura hope the next reader gets from this book?

“I hope that the reader, especially if they are adopted, feels as much genuine and unabiding love from their family as I did. When I first came out 30+ years ago it took a few years for my family to accept and understand that part of me but through the process I always felt part of my family. As most LGBTQ people I also formed a chosen family of people who love, accept and get me and I’m equally grateful to them. My mom is my greatest supporter and champions the work we do at The 519 and I am super proud of how far she has come. There are far too many young people who aren’t accepted by their families, especially LGBTQ young people who represent 35% of youth living in the shelter system. I wish that all young queer and trans people had families that welcomed, embraced and loved them for who they are – this world would be a way better place.”

What did Maura write on the book plate?

“Welcome to the Family - We love you with all our hearts!”

Thank you, Maura!

Toronto, drop off your new and gently used kid’s books donations (books for 12 years & under) at these spots during February, and help out The Children's Book Bank in Regent Park!

Photo by Brody White

#agbdTO #A good book drive #toronto #the 519 #children's books #LGBTQ #literacy #books

Share solidarity. It's a good time to be a member. Join. Connect. Share. http://www.the519.org/join

#member #The 519 #The519 #LGBTQ #community centre #Toronto #community engaged

The 519 Education Team Supporting 10,000+ People in 2016 to Create Authentic Spaces

We would like to thank the 10,000+ people who participated in our education and training sessions in 2016. Last year, hundreds of non-profit, public sector and corporate organizations worked with us to advance LGBTQ inclusive spaces where people can be their authentic selves.

The 519 Education and Training team provides organizations with the insight, tools and understanding to create environments that are LGBTQ-inclusive, respectful and welcoming. Our education team advances efforts that promote diversity and inclusion and creates inclusive environments for everyone. We have an amazing team of trainers who bring an incredible breadth of experience, passion and courage to their work.

We support the diversity and inclusion efforts of a wide range of organizations in Toronto, across Ontario and beyond; from retailers and banks; to hospitals and care environments; to shelters and housing organizations; to municipal, provincial and federal government departments and ministries. We share our advocacy work and resources, including our Creating Authentic Spaces / Créer des Milieux Authentiques toolkit and LGBTQ2S Youth Homelessness campaign with partners from across Canada and internationally.

Every day our education team works to ensure LGBTQ people of all ages feel safe to access services and community supports, where queer and trans families are free to define themselves, and where LGBTQ2S young people do not become homeless and have to experience poverty, despair and fear. We work to advance human rights and to ensure legislation is enacted in a way that creates real safety and inclusion for queer and trans people and where no one experiences isolation, violence or discrimination because of who they are.

We are inspired by the conversations that are taking place in the training room and by the growing number of people who are committed to creating spaces that are inclusive of all sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions.

Find out more about how we can help your organization in 2017.

http://www.the519.org/education-training

Book a free consultation to build a custom training program for your team:

Laura Gibbon, Supervisor, Education and Training

416-355-6772 | [email protected]

#Creating Authentic Spaces #the 519