Affirmation Counts: YMCA Pride 2016 Speaker Series

Creating inclusive spaces for gender and sexual diversity

The YMCA of Greater Toronto is guided by values that influence our actions and decisions: caring, honesty, inclusiveness, respect, health and responsibility. We are also guided by a commitment to create inclusive and diverse spaces where everyone feels welcomed and appreciated.

Sexual orientation is one area the YMCA of Greater Toronto focuses on to create diverse, inclusive and healthy environments.

Affirmation Counts

Research shows gender affirmation, where a person receives social recognition for their gender identity and expression is important to engagement, health, mental well-being and community building; being able to live in one’s felt gender—in the gender that feels most authentic is positively linked with better health.

We recognize and value diversity and social inclusion as underpinnings of what we stand for and what we do. The recent opening of YMCA Sprott House – Walmer Rd. Centre is just one example of that belief. The 25-bed transitional housing program for LGBTQ2SA homeless youth in Toronto is the largest of its kind and one of only a handful across the country.

The YMCA acknowledges that people identify in a variety of ways, including within the following acronym LGBTQ2SA (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Two-Spirited, Ally) as well as straight. People may also not identify within any of the above.

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For this year’s Pride celebrations, the YMCA will be hosting a Speaker Series: “Affirmation Counts: Creating Inclusive Spaces for Gender and Sexual Diversity”.

We invite you to join us at this Speaker Series, and learn more about the importance of creating inclusive spaces for gender and sexual diversity. All are welcome to attend and there is no cost (see below for date and location details - there are 7 different sessions offered in the series).

All of us can have a significant impact on the health and well-being of LGBTQ2SA youth, adults, and gender diverse children and families. Learn more  at one of the events below.

YMCA Pride 2016 Speaker Series Events

 

June 1: 12 -1 pm at Oshawa Mary St. YMCA (99 Mary St. N Oshawa)

June 7: 12-1 pm at North York Dufferin St. YMCA (200-4580 Dufferin St. at Finch Ave., North York)

June 9: 12-1 pm at Richmond Hill Bayview YMCA (12-10610 Bayview Ave., Richmond Hill)

June 14: 11 am-12 pm at Toronto Yonge St. YMCA (300-2200 Yonge St., Toronto)

June 23: 12-1 pm at Toronto Scarborough Town Centre YMCA (230 Town Centre Court, Scarborough - near Scarborough Town Centre Mall)

June 29: 5:30-7 pm at Toronto Central YMCA (20 Grosvenor St., Toronto, just north of College Subway)

July 12: 12-1 pm at Mississauga City Centre YMCA (800-151 City Centre Drive near Square One)