Content analyses indicate that youth-serving and settlement organizations in Canada are not doing enough to illustrate their support of LGBTQ2S+ newcomers
In a content analysis conducted by Sulaimon Giwa and Ferzana Chaze focusing on 34 immigrant-serving organizations in Ontario and Newfoundland, it was found that only 9% of the organizations offered specific resources for LGBTQ Newcomers, 15% of the organizations explicitly included LGBTQ individuals in their diversity statements, 2% of organizations clearly illustrated racially diverse individuals who were intended to represent LGBTQ Newcomers and 4% of organizations provided external and additional resources for this demographic.
This, as highlighted in the article, may suggest that these organizations do not have an adequate understanding of the unique needs of the population they serve. Specifically, these organizations do not recognize newcomers as LGBTQ+ individuals who require specific supports and resources to aid with their settlement. At its core, this issue is indicative of the lack of intersectionality among these organizations.
The same can also be said of metropolitan centers. A similar content analysis conducted by Joseph Flett found similar results among youth-serving settlement organizations within urban centers such as Toronto and Vancouver who, despite serving populations that are quite diverse, still do not display enough intersectional support for racially and culturally diverse LGBTQ+ Newcomers.
This is significant as community organizations are an incredibly important resource for LGBTQ Newcomer youth. Research indicates that racialized LGBTQ+ Newcomers often feel hesitant about reaching out to those in their community for support due to hostility towards LGBTQ+ individuals along with reports of experiencing homophobia within schools. Thus, community-based organizations work to support these already marginalized individuals. However, as illustrated, these organizations, despite claiming to be inclusive often fail to provide specific and effective services for the populations they claim to serve.
Despite the results which emerged from these studies, there are a variety of amazing organizations currently offering support to Newcomers who are a part of the LGBTQ2S+ community within our region, the Greater Toronto Area and Canada. We have compiled a list of some of these organizations below and Kind Minds Family Wellness is happy to support any LGBTQ Newcomers in connecting and navigating these resources:
Rainbow Community Council
The Solidarity Alliance is a working subgroup of the Rainbow Community Council (RCC) that formed in recognition of gaps in services and essential resources for LGBTQ+ Newcomers/refugees/immigrants to Waterloo Region. This working group is composed of community members and representatives from agencies who in some capacity work with LGBTQ+ Newcomers.
Find out more here
OK2BME
OK2BME offers a set of supportive services for 2SLGBTQIA+ identified children, teens, adults and their families in the Waterloo Region. The OK2BME program consists of three unique areas including confidential counselling services (in person or online), OK2BME Youth Groups for individuals 12-18, as well as public education, consulting and training around 2SLGBTQIA+ issues.
Find out more here
SPECTRUM
Located in Kitchener, Ontario, SPECTRUM offers more than 20 different groups and activities monthly including Transgender peer support groups, games nights, SPECTRUM Prime for LGBTQ2+ adults 55+, and Rainbow Multicultural Connect.
Find out more here
Access Alliance
Access Alliance celebrates Newcomer LGBTQ+ communities and advocates for equal rights for LGBTQ+ folks across the GTA. They have a variety of services including their LGBTQ+ Newcomer weekly drop-in sessions, LGBTQ+ Newcomer Cooking Together program and one on one counselling services.
Find out more here
Culturally and Racially Specific Services
The Black Queer Youth Initiative (BQY)
The Black Queer Youth Initiative is a safe space for Black, African, Caribbean and multiracial youth, aged 29 and under, who are located in Toronto, Ontario and identify as LGBTQ2S. BQY operates as an anti-oppressive, trans-inclusive, participatory, youth-centred space that is responsive to and defined by the needs of its participants. BQY is predicated on theories of intersectionality, which explores the interdependence between multiple identity categories (e.g., race, ethnicity and sexuality) and social inequities and exclusion (e.g., racism and homophobia).
Find out more here
Salaam Canada
Salaam Canada is a volunteer-run national organizations serving cities such as Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, and Vancouver dedicated to creating a safe space for people who identify as Muslim and LGBTQ+. Salaam offers discussion and support groups, and social spaces while also providing queer Muslim individuals with additional resources regarding settlement services and support for those looking to emigrate to Canada by means other than claiming asylum.
Find out more here
Resources for organizations
Truly Alive Youth and Family Foundation
LGBTQ+ Newcomer Safer Space Strategy
Click here to find out more!
Written by Britney Andrews