Choose to be a positive space. positive a be to Choose What side of the door are you on? you are door the of side What
Resources to help you create positive spaces:
Rainbow Health Ontario LGBT Youth Line Settlement.Org A province-wide program A youth-led support line for A collection of resources for that promotes the health of LGBTQIA+ youth (29 and immigrants, refugees, and LGBTQIA+ communities under) across Ontario. newcomers in Ontario. rainbowhealthontario.ca/ youthline.ca settlement.org
It’s Pronounced Metrosexual 211 Ontario Rainbow Railroad A free online resource for Programs, resources, and ser- An organization that provides learning about gender, vices for people who identify support to LGBTQIA+ people sexuality, and social justice. as LGBTQIA+ outside of Canada seeking itspronouncedmetrosexual. 211ontario.ca/211-topics/ asylum. com/ lgbtq/ rainbowrailroad.ca
Trans PULSE The African and Carribbean The Positive Spaces Initiative A community based research Council on HIV/AIDS in Ontario Resources, training, and project with information and (ACCHO) events to support LGBTQIA+ resources to support trans Education, advocacy, newcomers in Ontario. people in Ontario. support, and leadership positivespaces.ca transpulseproject.ca in response to HIV/AIDS in African, Carribbean, and Black communities. accho.ca What is a positive space? Positive Spaces are welcoming environments where LGBTQIA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, questioning, intersex, asexual, etc.) folks are able to access culturally inclusive services with dignity and respect, and where service providers can work free from discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. Everyone can work to create Positive Spaces by challenging homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, heterosexism, monosexism, and cissexism. What do opening doors have to do with positive spaces? It is important for us to understand the barriers facing LGBTQIA+ immigrants and refugees, and actively take steps to remove those barriers. Positive spaces are not possible unless we collectively practice intentional empathy in how we provide service. This means that we have a responsibility to try and understand the people on the otherside of the door, and to welcome and make space for them. A positive space is one that adopts an open-door approach to service provision.
How can I practice an open-door approach?
Pay attention to your Use meaningful signage. Be accountable to the body language. Take Displaying LGBTQIA+ community you serve. responsibility for the materials empowers Strive to meet your environment you create people to access mandate to provide when people come to information without accessible services access your services. having to disclose their through appropriate Open body language sexual orientation or referrals and responsible is key to ensuring gender identity. However, follow-up. Even if your an experience of if your workplace is not organization is limited comfort and safety. An equipped to effectively in how it can support understanding of open serve LGBTQIA+ people, LGBTQIA+ immigrants body language might you could be putting and refugees, it is still be different from person them at risk by misleading important to work to person. Be aware them into disclosing collaboratively with of the unique ways in information about their other service providers which body language is identity when the space who can offer additional received, and be willing may not be safe. Signage supports, rather than to adapt. must be reinforced by closing your doors to 12education and policy. 3them.