Sexual &amp; Gender Diversity Office

LGBTQ

Pride

St. George campus

The University of Toronto kicked off Pride Month celebrations on its three campuses Thursday with flag raising ceremonies and associated events.

As the Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education (KPE) prepared for its annual flag-raising on the St. George campus, Ivan Canete thought back to when Toronto hosted WorldPride back in 2014 – in particular, the flags that lined Bloor Street.

The event prompted the assistant manager of merchandise, apparel and ticketing sales for the KPE’s sport and recreation department to suggest a flag at Varsity Stadium. So, Beth Ali, U of T’s director of athletics and physical activity, tasked him with developing an accompanying ceremony.

“I drafted a modest model and we held the inaugural ceremony in 2016,” Canete said. “We added the Trans flag in 2017 and transitioned to the Progress Pride flag – which includes black and brown stripes to represent marginalized LGBTQ+ communities of colour, along with the colours pink, light blue and white, which are used on the transgender Pride flag.

(photo by Polina Teif)

KPE’s annual event, hosted in collaboration with the Sexual & Gender Diversity Office, takes place alongside similar ceremonies at U of T Mississauga and U of T Scarborough, as well as other Pride-related events at the university throughout the month.

At U of T Mississauga, the Pride Month launch barbecue and flag-raising opened with a performance by Danielle Migwans, an Indigenous drummer from M'Chigeeng First Nation and the community of Wikwemikong.

For the first time on the campus, U of T Mississauga is displaying a 2-Spirit flag alongside the More Colour, More Pride flag.

(Photo by Angelia Meffe)

Professor Nicholas Rule, incoming vice-principal, academic and dean, said the chance to speak at the U of T Mississauga’s kickoff event was meaningful in multiple ways.

“As someone who identifies as part of the 2SLGBTQ+ community, [I] recognize that in many parts of the world – including in my own place of origin in the U.S. – issues such as anti-Trans bills and attacks on gender-affirming care continue to be pervasive,” he told a crowd gathered in front of the U of T Mississauga Student Centre.

“Many people are suffering, dying and fighting for rights of equality – something that a lot of us in Canada take for granted. But today I want to focus on the positive by reflecting on how fortunate we all are to be able to gather here on this beautiful campus – on a beautiful day, in the spirit of comradeship – to commemorate and honour this month.”

(photo by Don Campbell)

At U of T Scarborough, the More Colour, More Pride flags were raised for the fifth year in a row.

“By raising this flag, we honour the experiences and resiliency of gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans and queer people and the experiences of Black, Indigenous and racialized people in the 2SLGBTQ+ community. Additionally, we raise the Trans Pride flag to represent 2-spirit, trans, non-binary and gender non-conforming people,” said Nadia Rosemond, U of T Scarborough’s assistant dean, co-curricular programs and student leadership, during her opening remarks.

“I want to pause and express gratitude and love to our 2SLGBTQ+ students, staff, faculty and librarians at UTSC. I don’t know how often you hear or feel this outside the month of June, but I want you to know that you belong here. You are welcomed here.”

The ceremony was followed by a courtyard celebration in front of the Arts and Administration Building with snacks, a unique floral mural marking Pride Month and a welcome table set up by the Positive Space Committee.

(photo by Don Campbell)

Back at the Varsity Stadium event, Sport and Recreation aquatics instructor Alex Jung was selected as the KPE staff guest of honour for his dedication to improving trans pool hours and launching upcoming trans swim lessons.

“As we swim through eliminationist policy and transgender athlete bans, I look to the spaces we trans folk grow for us,” Jung said. “I’m excited for more of us to be in the pool, comfortable in our own skin and in the water.”

Allison Burgess, U of T’s acting executive director of equity, diversity and inclusion, reminded guests that June is also National Indigenous History Month and said raising the Progress flag should be viewed both as a gesture of support for 2SLGBTQ+ communities and a stand against all oppression.

“All of this might feel like ancient history – but we know that, sadly, the fight for equity is not over,” said Burgess, adding that Pride is a time to celebrate the invaluable contributions of 2SLGBTQ+ members of the U of T community and get involved in Pride Month initiatives across the three campuses.

“Simply being here today to help us raise the Pride flag is a political act, but I hope this won’t be the only action you take during Pride Month.”

U of T expands support for trans and nonbinary employees with $10,000 gender affirmation benefit

Christopher.Sorensen — Mon, 24 Oct 2022 13:22:35 +0000

U of T expands support for trans and nonbinary employees with $10,000 gender affirmation benefit

Christopher.Sorensen Mon, 10/24/2022 - 09:22

Cutline

(Photo by Polina Teif)

Alexander Nathan

Topic

Staff

In what is an important step for the health and well-being of the trans and nonbinary community, the University of Toronto recently adopted gender affirmation care benefits coverage for both non-unionized employees and staff who are members of the United Steelworkers Union.

Through benefits provider Green Shield Canada, U of T now offers a $10,000 lifetime gender affirmation benefit. This additional coverage, which took effect July 1, comes two years after Green Shield worked with U of T’s Sexual & Gender Diversity Office to co-ordinate community outreach and consultation on how best to provide gender affirming care to its plan members.

Allison Burgess, director of the Sexual & Gender Diversity Office, recently spoke to U of T News about the evolution of this benefits coverage and how the addition may impact members of U of T’s trans and nonbinary community.

What is gender affirmation coverage?

Gender-affirming care, as defined by the World Health Organization, includes a range of interventions – be they social, behavioural, psychological or medical – that are designed to support or affirm an individual’s gender identity when that may conflict or not align with the gender assigned at birth. These interventions can be quite expensive depending on what range of care is accessed.

While some elements, such as hormone care, have been covered by our benefits packages in the past, many other medical procedures, surgeries or items have not been covered. The expansion of gender-affirming coverage means that employees have access to financial support for what isn’t covered by OHIP and, ultimately, this means that our employees and/or their eligible dependents can access care that they may not have been able to otherwise.

Does this coverage fill a lot of gaps?

Yes, the coverage does fill a lot of the gaps that were previously not covered under our benefits plan.

For example, OHIP recently added coverage for top (or “chest”) surgery, but only the surgery itself is covered – not chest contouring, even though that is a very common need.

Then there are many, many other kinds of surgeries, supports and devices that are needed that have not been covered. Green Shield’s offering also includes reimbursement for core surgeries not covered by provincial or territorial coverage – services that assist in the physical alignment of the individual’s transitioned gender, and surgical enhancement of the individual’s features that follows their accepted gender ideal (examples include vocal surgery, chest contouring/breast construction, laser hair removal, and nose surgery).

The range of care that each individual needs is so vast that for some, this could cover everything while for others it will not, but $10,000 have a really positive financial impact.

Overall, this is a really big improvement. Does it cover everything? No. Some items such as shapewear are not considered medical items and are traditionally sold in sex toy stores or other non-medical settings. Or sometimes an item might not be medical grade, even though it serves the person’s needs in terms of gender affirmation. This is not about Green Shield not wanting to cover the costs for the items, but rather reflects a systemic limitation within our health-care and insurance systems more generally.

We know there is always more to do, but this is a truly significant change and step forward in terms of being able to affirm our trans and nonbinary staff.

What did people do prior to this coverage? Why is it so important?

In the past, people paid out of pocket or they simply didn’t have access to the care. I’ve seen lots of people doing fundraisers for surgeries. Some have also fought for coverage. They’ve argued for items to be covered by a Healthcare Spending Account, for example. But having to make a case for this is a lot of exhausting work.

When someone has to argue for things that are essential – things that are critical to the core parts of who they are and that can significantly impact their experiences of navigating through the world and coming to work – it can be an extraordinary burden. There are corners of the medical profession that are thinking about how to do better with trans-affirming care, but so many of our institutions are steeped in a gender binary. There are multiple layers of institutional and historic transphobia that play out in these individualized moments of an employee seeking the care they need for themselves or their family.

What consultation was undertaken before this change occurred?

In 2019 Ian MacEachern, director of benefits, pension and payroll, the Benefits team and I completed a landscape assessment to see what was available. I knew that a framework for trans-affirming care existed but did not see a lot of companies offering it.

That summer we were contacted by individuals from Green Shield Canada who were deeply committed to adding trans-affirming care to their coverage. They were trying to figure out how to get it done and wanted community feedback on what needed to be included to make the coverage meaningful. So, in collaboration with Queer U of T Employees (QUTE), we sent a call out to our community and the Sexual & Gender Diversity Office facilitated three focus group sessions: one for trans and nonbinary employees and faculty; one for employees and faculty with trans and nonbinary dependents (children, partners etc.); and a third for both.

Green Shield Canada asked a series of questions about the gaps in services, what was needed, how people felt about their interactions with Green Shield and any issues that had surfaced relating to gender – and so on. Their goal was to improve both what they offered and their service orientation.

The staff at Green Shield were incredibly grateful for the feedback they received from the U of T community. These sessions set them up for success by giving them a significantly more informed perspective and allowed them to relay people’s real stories and make a convincing case for change. The staff at Green Shield have told me directly how deeply grateful they are to all those who participated in that consultation.

Where should employees go to find out more information about this?

For specifics around your coverage, it’s best to contact Green Shield. For questions about or challenges with seeking gender-affirming care, any member of the U of T community is always welcome to reach out to the Sexual & Gender Diversity Office. While we don’t administer this coverage, we’re always happy to help investigate and hopefully resolve any concerns, systemic or otherwise, related to gender or sexuality. We’re here to support our community and recognize that even with this tremendous change, there is still more work to do. We look forward to hearing feedback on this care and learning whether it is meeting our community’s needs.

U of T accepts all recommendations of sexual violence and sexual harassment policy review

Christopher.Sorensen — Fri, 15 Jul 2022 20:25:29 +0000

U of T accepts all recommendations of sexual violence and sexual harassment policy review

Christopher.Sorensen Fri, 07/15/2022 - 16:25

Cutline

(Photo by Daria Perevezentsev)

Patricia Lonergan

Topic

Sexual Violence Prevention & Support Centre

Kelly Hannah-Moffat

Cheryl Regehr

Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing

Meric Gertler

The University of Toronto is taking steps to boost its supports for those affected by sexual violence or harassment, address barriers to reporting and take a leadership role within the university sector to address sexual violence and sexual harassment in academia.

The changes respond to recommendations made in the final report of U of T’s sexual violence and sexual harassment policy review, which was released Friday. The university has indicated in its response to the report that it has accepted all 12 of the report’s recommendations and will begin to implement them immediately.

Co-chaired by Professor Linda Johnston, dean of the Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, and Allison Burgess, director of the Sexual & Gender Diversity Office, the review involved extensive consultation with students, staff, faculty and librarians over the course of almost half a year.

“In our conversations and consultations, we heard a great deal of appreciation for the work that is both historic and ongoing in the area of sexual harassment and sexual violence,” says Johnston. “We also heard frustrations and calls for the university to do better when it comes to fostering a culture of consent, accountability and respect.”

Burgess adds that the review’s call to action aligns with U of T’s mission to foster an academic community in which every member may thrive.

"The recommendations outlined in the report are offered with the sincere hope that the university can enhance those supports, improve processes and policies, and build a community of care on our campuses,” Burgess adds. “We have an institutional obligation to ensure that members of our community affected by sexual violence and harassment receive necessary supports so that they, too, may flourish.”

Carried out every three years, the review looks for ways to improve the current Policy on Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment and strengthen supports and services. As part of this year’s review, the co-chairs facilitated a total of 54 consultation sessions across the three campuses. They also received responses through an online form and formal submissions from student groups.

President Meric Gertler says he is grateful to those who participated in the review process and shared their experiences.

“U of T is committed to building the best systems and practices to protect all members of our community from sexual violence and sexual harassment, to support survivors and ensure that the university is safe for learning, research and other activities,” he says.

“I commend the authors of the final report for their clear and thorough discussion of complex and challenging issues. I look forward to seeing their important recommendations implemented across the university’s three campuses.”

While many of the recommendations will be enacted swiftly, others will require appropriate consultation and thoughtful planning.

To help co-ordinate and manage the various aspects of the reporting process under the Policy on Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment, the university will prioritize hiring new case managers. These case managers will be responsible for taking reports, tracking the progress of reports through the process, and communicating relevant university decisions to participants. This will allow the staff at the Sexual Violence Prevention & Support (SVPS) Centre responsible for supporting survivors to better focus on trauma-informed support and will also assist the university with its commitment to moving reports through in a timely manner.

The university will also increase counselling supports in partnership with U of T’s existing Health & Wellness offices, as well as community-based organizations that offer longer-term, culturally specific and after-hours counselling and support.

Meanwhile, the Student’s Guide to the Policy on Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment will be simplified to increase its clarity and ease of use, and a companion guide will be created for faculty, librarians and staff.

Steps have also been taken to broaden education on sexual violence and sexual harassment, a common theme found throughout the report. The SVPS centre recently hired an assistant director of education and communication who will oversee the centre’s tri-campus educational curriculum.

“We are continuously looking for ways to improve our policies, reduce barriers to reporting and strengthen our supports,” says Cheryl Regehr, vice-president and provost. “The actions we are taking on these recommendations reflect our ongoing commitment to prevent sexual violence and promote a culture where any member from our community who has experienced sexual violence or harassment feels safe and supported sharing their experiences.”

To increase institutional accountability, the university will provide more detailed annual reporting on sexual violence and sexual harassment beginning next year. The reporting will be readily accessible to the public but will still protect the privacy of all those involved.

“I’d like to thank all the members across the tri-campus community who provided feedback during this process,” says Kelly Hannah-Moffat, vice-president of people strategy, equity and culture. “It can be incredibly challenging to engage in these discussions.

“I can see how your participation and insights have enriched the recommendations thoughtfully proposed by the co-chairs. Based on the recommendations of the review, we will continue to improve not only our processes but also how we educate and train our community about sexual violence prevention and supports.”

The university is also establishing guidelines and processes to share information with other institutions to help address sexual violence and harassment within academia.

In 2021, U of T signed on to the principles of the Association of American Universities (AAU), which recommend that, when considering whether to hire a faculty member, institutions contact prior employers to determine if the faculty member has been found to have engaged in sexual harassment or misconduct while at that institution. The university is committed to developing processes to implement this recommendation in the 2022-23 academic year.

U of T will also bring the AAU recommendation forward to various post-secondary organizations with which it is affiliated and will consult with international groups and peer institutions about how to expand the recommendation more broadly within the sector.

Work has already begun on new policy language in line with those changes recommended in the report. All proposed changes to the policy will go through U of T’s governance process this November and December. Members of the community will have an opportunity to provide additional feedback in September and October via the university’s consultation website.

The Sexual Violence Prevention & Support Centre serves students, staff, and faculty at the University of Toronto who have been affected by sexual violence and harassment.

If you are in crisis or immediate danger, call 911.

Consultations are available by phone, e-mail, in-person, and video conferencing. Email svpscentre@utoronto.ca or call 416-978-2266 to set up an appointment.

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault or harassment, 24/7 crisis support is also available from these community resources.

U of T raises Progress Pride flag to mark the beginning of Pride Month

Christopher.Sorensen — Wed, 01 Jun 2022 19:56:14 +0000

U of T raises Progress Pride flag to mark the beginning of Pride Month

Christopher.Sorensen Wed, 06/01/2022 - 15:56

Cutline

The Progress Pride flag flies over Varsity Stadium on the St. George campus to mark the start of Pride Month (photo by Seyran Mammadov)

Jelena Damjanovic

Topic

LGBTQ

Pride

St. George

Anti-Racism & Cultural Diversity Office

The clouds cleared just in time for the beginning of Pride month celebrations at the University of Toronto this week.

The university marked the occasion with a flag raising at Varsity Stadium that was hosted by the Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education (KPE) in collaboration with the Sexual & Gender Diversity Office (SGDO).

Flags were also raised at U of T Mississauga and U of T Scarborough.

At St. George, Caroline Fusco, an associate professor at KPE specializing in social justice and equity issues in sport, kicked off the ceremony by sharing what the flag raising meant to her, an Irish-Catholic member of the LGBTQ community who grew up in Northern Ireland during the Troubles.

“When I represented Ireland in international field hockey, I never got to stand under the Irish tricolour, the national flag of Ireland, because the governing body of Northern Ireland hockey wanted the Irish team to stand under a politically neutral flag,” she said. “And when I came out as a member of the LGBTQ community in Ireland, there was no flag to celebrate my identification.”

In fact, she said the first Pride flag was raised on a government building in Northern Ireland only a few years ago, and that while there have been hostile responses to Pride flags in Ireland over the years, the post office recently produced two special edition rainbow stamps with all proceeds from sales of the stamps going to LGBT Ireland.

“So, flags have stories and we have memories of them,” Fusco said.

This year, the university raised the Progress Pride flag for the first time. The flag was designed in 2018 by Daniel Quasar, who added a five-colored chevron to the classic Rainbow Flag, which is widely recognized as the symbol of the 2SLGBTQ+ communities, to place a greater emphasis on inclusion and progression.

The flag includes black and brown stripes to represent marginalized 2SLGBTQ+ communities – the black stripe doubly representing community members lost to HIV/AIDS and those currently living with AIDS – along with the colours pink, light blue and white, which are used on the Transgender Pride flag.

A flag-raising event at Varsity Stadium was hosted by the Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education in collaboration with the Sexual & Gender Diversity Office (photo by Seyran Mammadov)

Fusco said that recognizing Pride month also means recognizing that June 1st is the beginning of Indigenous History Month and emphasized that fighting for LGBTQ rights also means fighting for an end to all oppression.

“Our presence here at this flag raising is a dismantling of sorts, a disorientation and reorientation of our thinking – a provocation to look up at the progress flag and encounter the world differently,” she said.

Professor Gretchen Kerr, dean of KPE, spoke of the faculty’s strong history of leadership in the areas of equity and inclusion in sport, recreation and academics.

“In collaboration with SGDO, KPE has expanded training, programs and events to empower and include the 2SLGBTQ+ communities,” Kerr said. “These range from initiatives such as the Athlete Ally, a Varsity Blues program committed to ending homophobia and transphobia in sport, to the Sport & Rec diversity and equity team, a student-led group that organizes inclusive events throughout the year such as the trans-positive swim time at the Athletic Centre.”

Kerr also said the faculty has world-renowned researchers in the areas of equity and social justice who conduct research that informs its academic, sport and recreation programs.

“The act of raising the flag is another strong signal of our faculty’s and U of T’s continued support for the 2SLGBTQ+ communities,” she said. “Not only does this event signify the beginning of Pride Month, it also shows our dedication to promoting equity, diversity and inclusion at all levels – in research, education and our broad spectrum of Sport & Rec programs and student-driven initiatives.”

The Progress Pride flag is raised at U of T Mississauga (photo by Nick Iwanyshyn)

Professor Kelly Hannah-Moffat, U of T’s vice-president of people strategy, equity and culture, said that raising the Progress Pride flag to mark Pride is especially important within the context of renewed and ongoing efforts at the university to address racism and faith-based discrimination.

The Progress Pride flag is raised at U of T Scarborough.

Moffat reflected on the history and successes of the fight for equity, saying Pride is a time to recognize the invaluable contributions that 2SLGBTQ+ members of the U of T community have made – and continue to make – to research and teaching, campus life, services and operations, and across all disciplines.

She encouraged members of the U of T community to extend their celebration, advocacy and learning beyond Pride Month, noting that ceremonies such as this one serve to celebrate hard-fought progress and as a reminder that our work is never finished.

Last to speak was Raiya Thomure, who is graduating with a bachelor of kinesiology degree.

“It means so much to be able to be up here, taking up space as a queer member of the student body in KPE,” said Thomure, who identifies as a queer, non-binary, Muslim Arab. “As a queer Muslim, I am often tasked with explaining my connection to the faith or my embracing of queerness, but queer and trans* people should not be tasked with the sanitization or suppression of our identities for the comfort of others.

"The Progress Pride flag rejects this status quo.”

Thomure brought attention to Indigenous communities, saying that inclusion of two-spirit/queer Indigenous Peoples needs to be backed up by inclusion of Indigenous knowledge. They also spoke about the importance of not ignoring gender-based violence against trans* athletes.

Thomure did a self-directed research study in their third year at KPE. They investigated online social media abuse towards a trans woman power-lifter and interviewed five different trans* athletes for their fourth year project. Each had experienced transphobic violence in their current or previous places of sport.

They and four other students, athletes and alumni of KPE – Val Gerlings, D Bell, Matt Dans and Katie Pajor – were guests of honour at the event and were applauded for work that positively impacts 2SLGBTQ+ peoples’ access, participation and inclusion at the university and beyond.

U of T celebrates Black History Month with virtual film screenings, discussions and other events

mattimar — Tue, 01 Feb 2022 20:05:10 +0000

U of T celebrates Black History Month with virtual film screenings, discussions and other events

mattimar Tue, 02/01/2022 - 15:05

Cutline

Six-time Olympic medalist Andre De Grasse will be the guest of honour at U of T's Black History Month Luncheon, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary on Feb. 28 (photo by Lui Siu Wai/Xinhua via Getty Images)

Mariam Matti

Topic

City & Culture

Institute of Health Policy Management and Evaluation

Black

Black History Month

Dalla Lana School of Public Health

Entrepreneurship

Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work

Faculty of Arts & Science

John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture

Faculty of Music

Hart House

Ontario Institute for Studies in Education

St. George

Women and Gender Studies

From film screenings to conferences and thought-provoking discussions, the University of Toronto community is celebrating Black History Month with virtual events across the three campuses.

Events are scheduled for every week in February and will culminate on Feb. 28 with U of T’s Black History Month Luncheon, which is celebrating its 20^th anniversary and features six-time Olympic medalist Andre De Grasse.

Here’s a snapshot of what’s taking place at U of T and beyond this month:

Jan. 30 – Feb. 2

BE-STEMM 2020

The Canadian Black Scientists Network is holding the first annual conference for Black Excellence in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine/Health. With local host U of T Scarborough, the four-day virtual event will feature academic programming, leadership summits, a career fair, panels and talks meant to support Black Canadians in STEMM.

Feb. 2

What Makes Us Human? AI, Spirituality and Race

Join Rhonda McEwen, U of T Mississauga’s vice-principal, academic and dean and professor at the Institute of Communication, Culture, Information and Technology, Suzanne van Geuns, PhD candidate in the department for the study of religion in the Faculty of Arts & Science, and others for a conversation about AI, spirituality and race. The virtual event, presented by Hart House, the Centre for Student Engagement and the Multi-Faith Centre, will be moderated by Efosa Obano, program manager for the Black Founders Network at U of T’s Entrepreneurship Centre. 6 – 8 p.m. ET

Feb. 3

Black Queer Students on: Mental Health

The Sexual & Gender Diversity Office is hosting an open discussion about mental health for Black students. Centering around Black queer voices, the virtual event will feature Carae Henry, community assistant with U of T Mississauga Residence and Equity Outreach Network and co-founder of Prism, a QTBIPOC group, and U of T Scarborough student Mi(chelle) Yvonne Carter, who is the president of the Sexual Diversity Studies Student Union. 3 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. ET

Feb. 3

Fireside Chat: Celebrating Black Excellence and Authors

A webinar hosted by the Dalla Lana School of Public Health will launch with a performance from award-winning poet Amoya Ree. The virtual event will then move to a conversation between moderator Beverley Essue, associate professor of global health in the Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation and Dexter Voisin of Case Western Reserve University and former dean of the Factor-Inwentash School of Social Work, about their personal journeys and themes impacting Black cultures, communities and experiences. 6:30 – 8 p.m. ET

Feb. 3

In Conversation with Black Students in Design: Building Black Spaces

A virtual event discussing the role of architecture in building Black spaces will be moderated by Black Students in Design at the John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design. On the panel will be Rashad Shabazz, associate professor at the Arizona State University’s School of Social Transformation, Elizabeth (Dori) Tunstall, dean of design at OCAD University, and Rinaldo Walcott, a professor at U of T’s Women and Gender Studies Institute and at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education. 6:30 – 8 p.m. ET

Feb. 7

Black History Wikipedia Edit-A-Thon Launch

U of T is co-hosting a month-long series of events on the basics of editing Wikipedia and Wikidata entries to improve the quality of Black history pages. The kick-off event will feature moderator Mark Campbell, assistant professor of music and culture at U of T Scarborough, Cheryl Thompson, assistant professor of creative industries at X University, and Collette Murray, a PhD candidate and African-Caribbean arts-based educator at York University. 1 – 2:30 p.m. ET

Feb. 7 – 11

Fourth Annual Diversity & Equity in Wellness and Physical Activity Conference

The virtual conference will host four sessions focused on wellness and physical activity with a lineup of speakers to guide participants through engaging discussions and movement practices.

Feb. 12

Because She Cares Film Launch

The Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work will host a 60-minute screening of Because She Cares, a spoken word film series that documents the experiences of African immigrant women living with HIV. It will be followed by a panel discussion with performers, film artists and African, Caribbean and Black women who work in Ontario AIDS service and allied organizations. 2 – 4 p.m. ET

Feb. 14 and 16

Restore Celebrates – Happy Black Futures Month

Join Yamikani Msosa, facilitator of Restore, for wellness and restoration sessions for Black community members. A session for faculty and staff who identify as members of the Black community will take place on Feb. 14, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET. And on Feb. 16, 12 p.m. – 1 p.m. ET, there is a session for students who identify as members of the Black community.

Feb. 15

Freedom: Spirit and Legacy of Black Music

(Photo by Diana Bentley)

Beau Dixon, award-winning actor, musician, playwright, music director and sound designer, will present a lecture that focuses on the creation and curation of his Stratford Festival production of Freedom: Spirit and Legacy of Black Music. The event is organized by the Faculty of Music and will be streamed on their YouTube channel. 12 p.m. ET

Feb. 16

Black Faculty in Conversation

Six faculty members from U of T’s Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) will gather to discuss the new Centre for Black Studies with moderator Andrew Campbell. The panel features: George Dei and Njoki Wane, both professors in the department of social justice education, Lance McCready, associate professor in the department of leadership, higher and adult education, Rosalind Hampton, assistant professor in the department of social justice education, Whitneé Garrett-Walker, assistant professor in the department of leadership, higher and adult education, and Linda Iwenofu, assistant professor in the department of applied psychology and human development. 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. ET

Feb. 16

It Takes a Riot: Black Histories, Black Futures, and Community Organizing

The Dalla Lana School of Public Health will screen the documentary It Takes a Riot: Race, Rebellion and Reform before joining one of the filmmakers, Simon Black, for a panel discussion on the documentary’s impetus, how it maintained authenticity and other themes in the short film. 6 – 7:30 p.m. ET

Feb. 25

Addressing Anti-Black Racism at the Intersections: Stories, Advocacy and Actions

A keynote presentation by Moya Bailey, associate professor at Northwestern University, and a film screening of HERstory in Black will explore anti-Black racism as it intersects with forms of gender-based discrimination. The virtual event is hosted by the Anti-Racism and Cultural Diversity Office. 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. ET

Feb. 24

Black History Month 2022 with Canute Lawrence and Gayle Gonsalves

Hosted by the Dalla Lana School of Public Health and A Different Booklist Cultural Centre, authors Canute Lawrence and Gayle Gonsalves discuss Lawrence’s book Pathology of a Pandemic. 7 – 8 p.m. ET

Feb. 28

Black History Month Luncheon

(Photo by Lui Siu Wai/Xinhua via Getty Images)

Celebrating its 20^th year, U of T’s Black History Month Luncheon will feature six-time Olympic medalist Andre De Grasse and his mother Beverley DeGrasse. The virtual event will also feature Ontario Poet Laureate Randell Adjei and a special guest appearance by actor Tatyana Ali. 12 – 2 p.m. ET

Feb. 28

Exploring Black and Indigenous Futurisms: Rock as Witness

Quentin VerCetty, Michael Belmore, Karyn Recollet and Audrey Hudson.

Hart House has partnered with the AGO to present a discussion meant to support Afro-Indigenous thinking. The event features Quentin VerCetty, multi-award-winning multidisciplinary storyteller, educator,and Afrofuturist, Michael Belmore, artist and sculptor, Audrey Hudson, chief of education and programming at the AGO, and Karyn Recollet, assistant professor at U of T’s Women and Gender Studies Institute. 6 – 8 p.m. ET

U of T launches review of sexual violence and sexual harassment policy

rahul.kalvapalle — Thu, 07 Oct 2021 19:47:31 +0000

U of T launches review of sexual violence and sexual harassment policy

rahul.kalvapalle Thu, 10/07/2021 - 15:47

Cutline

(Photo by David Lee)

Rahul Kalvapalle

Topic

Sexual Violence Prevention & Support Centre

Sexual Harassment

Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing

Meric Gertler

St. George

The University of Toronto is launching a review of its sexual violence policy, as well as the supports that are available to students and other community members.

Carried out every three years, the review looks for ways to improve the current policy and strengthen supports and services with input from students, staff, faculty and librarians.

The review comes at a time when regulatory amendments by the Ontario government require universities and colleges to update sexual violence and harassment policies. The amendments ensure individuals who report sexual violence do not face action for violations of university policies related to drug and alcohol use at the time the incident took place, and that students who disclose or report sexual violence are not asked irrelevant questions about their sexual history or sexual expression.

Technical changes to reflect the amendments are now proceeding through U of T’s governance process while its more extensive review gets underway.

The university is seeking the views of community members on a range of questions, including topics like how to address concerns of sexual violence or harassment when no formal report has been made.

“We have a collective responsibility to eliminate sexual harassment and violence in all its forms,” says U of T President Meric Gertler.

“U of T is committed to supporting survivors and will do its part to make the university safe for learning, research and all other activities. This policy review is an opportunity to continue improving the work we do.”

Professor Linda Johnston, dean of the Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, and Allison Burgess, director of the Sexual & Gender Diversity Office, will co-chair the consultation phase, which runs through February 2022. That includes reaching out to student groups and other stakeholder groups for feedback. Review recommendations and any resulting policy changes will be presented to the university’s governing bodies in late spring.

All members of the university community are invited to submit their feedback on the Policy on Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment, the Student’s Companion to the Policy on Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment, and the supports and services available to the U of T community, including the Sexual Violence Prevention & Support Centre, through the consultation website.

“We know this is an important issue for our community, and we want to hear from them,” says Trevor Young, acting vice-president and provost. “We hope that by working together, we can address this critical issue and offer people the services and supports they need.”

Sandy Welsh, U of T’s vice-provost, students, adds that conducting regular reviews of the Policy on Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment is a key part of U of T’s commitment to making our campuses safe and supporting survivors.

“We are always looking for ways to reduce the barriers to disclosing, reporting and accessing supports,” Welsh says.

The tri-campus Sexual Violence Prevention & Support Centre (SVPSC) plays a key role in addressing sexual violence and sexual harassment at U of T – from helping community members access counselling and academic accommodations to referrals and legal and financial aid. It also carries out proactive education and outreach to promote a culture of consent and care.

The SVPSC works with community members affected by sexual violence to support their needs and help them understand their options. That can include guiding and supporting survivors through a robust formal reporting process that may involve an independent internal investigation, disciplinary action and measures to protect complainants.

Established in 2017 as part of the university’s Action Plan on Preventing and Responding to Sexual Violence, the SVPC ensures all members of the U of T community have access to services, supports and accommodations. The centre’s work is heavily informed by community feedback as well as independent initiatives such as the Ontario government’s Student Voices on Sexual Violence survey, which more than 20,000 U of T students participated in.

Any member of the U of T community who discloses an experience of sexual violence to the centre can expect a range of support and services, said Angela Treglia, the centre’s director.

“The Sexual Violence Prevention & Support Centre is the first place to go to receive support services and accommodations related to sexual violence,” Treglia said. “We know that there are a lot of different resources and processes available, and sometimes that can feel overwhelming.

“That’s why we provide a single point of contact to help co-ordinate and manage all the different access points that someone may want to reach out to. Our team helps co-ordinate various supports to address unique needs someone may have.”

Treglia said supports available are trauma-informed and confidential, and the exact nature of services can vary based on what’s most important and helpful to the individual.

In addition to disclosing experiences of sexual violence and seeking supports, individuals who have experienced sexual violence can also choose to file a formal report with the support of the centre.

The reports are submitted to the Office of Safety and High Risk, which carries out assessments and implements fair processes in keeping with the university’s Policy on Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment. At the conclusion of an investigation, relevant decision-makers in university administration can take appropriate action to address the matter – including disciplinary action.

However, the SVPSC does not itself carry out investigations or take disciplinary action.

“Our role, first and foremost, is to provide support,” Treglia said. “That includes helping individuals understand the various steps in the reporting process and connecting them with a front-line worker who can be with them as they go through the process, if they choose to make a report.”

As for the provincial announcement, Treglia said U of T’s policy makes it clear that investigators must act in a timely, fair, impartial and professional manner.

“This means not asking irrelevant questions, such as about one’s sexual history or sexual expression,” she says. “An individual’s sexual history is not an indicator of consent.”

As well, students who bring forward a report won’t be disciplined for violations of university policies related to drug and alcohol use at the time the sexual violence took place.

“We understand that a fear around ‘getting in trouble’ may prevent someone from seeking help or reporting an incident,” Treglia says. “That’s why it’s so important for survivors to know they won’t be subjected to any penalties related to substance use.

“Sexual violence is never a survivor’s fault.”

One of the centre’s key mandates is education. It offers workshops, training modules and educational programs to individuals, student groups, units and departments across U of T’s three campuses.

Many of the workshops focus on themes around consent, rejection resilience and communicating boundaries. “So, understanding our responsibilities related to consent, how we practise consent, what are the challenges to practising consent and how we overcome these,” Treglia said, noting that consent applies not only to intimate sexual contact but also in everyday interactions with friends, colleagues and family.

One of the centre’s most popular workshops is “Skills for Responding to Disclosures of Sexual Violence: Using a Trauma-Informed Approach.” Available to faculty, staff and administrators, the workshop aims to equip people with the knowledge and tools they need to effectively manage a disclosure of sexual assault and support individuals in a non-judgmental manner.

“We know that the way someone responds to an individual disclosing an incident of sexual violence can impact whether the individual feels supported on their path of recovery and healing, or whether they feel like ‘I can’t share or talk about this with anyone ever again,’” says Treglia. “So, we want to make sure that friends, faculty and colleagues in these positions are prepared to receive disclosures and respond to them in a supportive, non-judgmental way.”

The centre also provides training on the university’s sexual violence policy and the reporting process, and runs healing-based and survivor-focused programs that include themes such as self-compassion and intersections between sexual violence and other forms of violence and harm – often in collaboration with other offices across the university.

Much of the centre’s programming was moved online during the pandemic, which has helped improve access.

“Moving forward,” Treglia says, “we’re going to be looking at some sort of hybrid model of providing services and supports to take advantage of what we’ve learned from this experience.”

Treglia says that as the university embarks on another academic year, she wants members of the community to know that we all need to take care of each other and the SVPSC is here for them.

“No one ever deserves to be subjected to sexual violence, sexual harassment or other forms of harm,” she says. “We want you to know that you’re not alone. We’re here for you and we’re here to make sure you get the best support available.”

The Sexual Violence Prevention and Support Centre (SVPSC) serves students, staff, and faculty at the University of Toronto who are affected by sexual violence and harassment.

If you are in crisis or immediate danger, call 911.

Consultations are available by phone, e-mail, and video conferencing. Email svpscentre@utoronto.ca or call 416-978-2266 to set up an appointment.

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault or harassment, 24/7 crisis support is also available from these community resources.

Reflection and celebration: June events mark Pride, Indigenous history and convocation

rahul.kalvapalle — Tue, 01 Jun 2021 17:10:32 +0000

Reflection and celebration: June events mark Pride, Indigenous history and convocation

rahul.kalvapalle Tue, 06/01/2021 - 13:10

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Flags fly at half-mast in remembrance of the 215 children who died at a former B.C. residential school; dancing is on the agenda at a June 19 virtual pow wow; U of T's virtual convocation airs on June 23 (photos by Makeda Marc-Ali, Hannah James & UTSC)

Topic

The event – hosted by U of T’s Sexual & Gender Diversity Office, Hart House, First Nations House, Office of Indigenous Initiatives and the U of T Mississauga Indigenous Centre – takes place from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on June 22. Registration is free.

June is among the most eventful months at the University of Toronto, with myriad opportunities for students, faculty and staff to express solidarity, build awareness and celebrate life-changing educational milestones.

U of T's virtual spring convocation takes place on June 23 this year. It will be book-ended by events that promote inclusion of people with disabilities and celebrate and advocate for LGBTQ+ communities. The month is also a time when the history, heritage and contributions of Indigenous Peoples are commemorated through National Indigenous History Month as well as National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21.

This year, with events being reinvented and moved to virtual spaces, there are more opportunities than ever to participate in some of the most important and highly anticipated events of the year.

Here’s a snapshot of the notable events taking place virtually across U of T in June:

May 31 – June 4

National AccessAbility Week: Reframing Disability, Embracing Difference

Each day from May 31 to June 4, the AODA (Accessibility for Ontarians With Disabilities) Office in U of T’s Division of Human Resources & Equity, as well as its partners, will host events and discussions aimed at commemorating the contributions of Canadians with disabilities, celebrating those working to foster greater inclusion and inspiring action on accessibility.

From inclusive curriculum design to accessibility in health-care settings and peer support networks for university employees with disabilities, the National AccessAbility Week sessions will explore a number of ways to eliminate barriers to accessibility, reframe disability and elevate intentional inclusivity.

All events will feature American Sign Language and live captions.

June 1

Pride and Trans Flag Raising

The first day of June sees U of T kick off Pride month with the official raising of the Pride and Trans Flag at virtual events hosted by all three campuses – the first of a broad range of virtual events celebrating diverse LGBTQ+ communities.

By raising these flags, the U of T community signals its commitment to representation and inclusion of LGBTQ+ across the university.

U of T Mississauga’s virtual flag raising ceremony will include remarks from Vice-President and Principal Alexandra Gillespie and a talk by Professor Elspeth Brown on the history of LGBTQ+ communities in Mississauga. U of T Scarborough’s flag-raising will kick off a month of Pride events around the theme of “Love is Here,” which seeks to embrace a diversity of sexualities and ethnicities while celebrating our differences.

June 3

Annual Rainbow Tie Celebration: Moving Forward Together

U of T Scarborough’s Positive Space Committee invites you to connect with the campus’s vibrant LGBTQ+ community at the Annual Rainbow Tie Celebration: Moving Forward Together.

The virtual celebration will include a number of special guests including Canada’s Drag Race winner Priyanka, musician, writer and artist Vivek Shraya, comedian Monica Garrido and writer/performer Heath Salazar.

June 16

U of T Pride Pitch

LGBTQ+ students and entrepreneurs can showcase their innovative business ideas and potentially share in $5,000 in prizes at the second annual U of T Pride Pitch.

Organized by U of T Mississauga’s Positive Space Committee in partnership with the ICUBE accelerator program, U of T Pride Pitch will also feature a keynote from Martha Chaves, a Nicaraguan-Canadian and LGBTQ comedian, actor, activist and playwright.

June 17

Display Your Pride

Use colours, creativity and your personal flair to showcase what your Pride looks like at the annual “Display Your Pride” event organized by U of T’s Positive Space Campaign.

Whether it’s decorating your room, office or student space, creating a piece of art or designing a virtual background, this is your chance to visually celebrate Pride and support LGBTQ-affirming spaces on all three campuses – and share your creation with the world using the #DisplayYourPride hashtag.

If you’re looking for inspiration, ideas and tips on how to create physical or virtual crafts, you can take part in a trio of sessions ahead of the event:

Zoom Pride Backgrounds – June 8, 3 p.m.
Hand crafts – June 11, 11 a.m.
Macrame – June 14, 2 p.m.

This is the seventh consecutive year that U of T’s Positive Space Campaign will participate in “Display Your Pride” alongside Ryerson University, York University, Humber College and OCAD University.

June 19-27

Virtual Pride & Remembrance Run

For the past 25 years, the Pride & Remembrance Run has raised funds for organizations providing cultural programming and health and wellness support for the LGBTQ+ community.

This year’s Virtual Pride & Remembrance Run will be held virtually from June 19 to June 27, with U of T staff able to register to take part in the interactive virtual run as part of a university team led by the Sexual & Gender Diversity Office and team captain Mark Seymour.

June 19

Honouring our Students Pow Wow

The Indigenous Studies Students' Union will be hosting this virtual pow wow on June 19, an event that will include dancing, drumming, teachings, contests, giveaways and more.

Held on the YouTube Premieres platform, the fifth annual Honouring Our Students Pow Wow will feature head dancers John Hupfield and Cedar Smoke, special guests and Elders.

June 21

National Indigenous Peoples Day

The city of Toronto is planning a virtual celebration of National Indigenous Peoples Day, which recognizes the cultural significance of First Nations, Inuit and Métis. Details to come.

June 22

U of T Pride Concert featuring Jeremy Dutcher

Take in a special live-streamed concert by Juno Award-winning singer-songwriter Jeremy Dutcher, a classically trained operatic tenor and composer whose music is deeply influenced by his roots in the Wolastoq First Nation. His debut album “Wolastoqiyik Lintuwakonawa” involved rearranging wax cylinder field recordings from his community dating back to the early 1900s.

In addition to showcasing his distinct musical style, Dutcher will also engage with the audience through a live Q&A.

The concert will be preceded by an opening performance by Nenookasi, an afro-Indigenous two-spirit queer wife, mother of three and artist-activist who draws on music and mixed media for the causes of Black, Indigenous, and 2SLGBTQI+ rights.

June 23

Convocation

Celebrate the hard work and accomplishments of U of T’s Class of 2021! This year’s virtual spring convocation ceremony will air on June 23 at 12 p.m. More than 15,500 students from 105 different countries will have their degrees conferred in absentia, with parchments mailed out around the world.

Graduating students can showcase their pride by renting optional gowns and hoods, while friends and family can purchase grad gifts at the U of T Bookstore. Customized Zoom backgrounds, GIPHY stickers and Instagram activities are also available to use for everyone tuning into the celebrations. Use the hashtag #UofTGrad21 to share your moments on social media.

June 24

Indigenous Toronto: Stories that Carry this Place

A panel discussion hosted by the Toronto Public Library will bring together contributors to the newly released book, Indigenous Toronto: Stories that Carry this Place, an anthology that explores the impact of Indigenous cultural continuity and settler colonialism on Toronto.

Panelists, who will include Chef Johl Whiteduck, visual artist Philip Cote, author and playwright Drew Hayden Taylor and creative director Denise Bolduc, will share their perspectives on how 12,000 years of continued Indigenous presence and nationhood.

June 26

Black Grad celebration

U of T’s Black graduating students will be honoured and recognized at the fifth annual tri-campus Black Graduation event. The student-run celebration is hosted by the U of T Black Students’ Association and takes place at 12 p.m. on June 26.

Due to overwhelming interest, two extra rounds of registration were added for students keen to take part in Black Grad 2021, with the final round ending on June 10. Students who register by the deadline will receive a Kente stole to showcase pride in their identities and academic accomplishments.

In a celebration of Pride and inclusion, U of T raises flags above Varsity Stadium

Christopher.Sorensen — Thu, 04 Jun 2020 16:36:23 +0000

In a celebration of Pride and inclusion, U of T raises flags above Varsity Stadium

Christopher.Sorensen Thu, 06/04/2020 - 12:36

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The Trans Flag, Canadian flag and new "More Colour, More Pride" flag fly above Varsity Stadium (photo by Jill Clark)

Jelena Damjanovic

Topic

Diversity and Inclusion

Equity

Pride

Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy

Varsity

When the Pride and trans flags were raised this week at the University of Toronto’s Varsity Stadium on St. George campus, there was no cheering audience to mark the occasion. Due to COVID-19, all public gatherings have been cancelled until further notice. But the empty stands weren’t the only thing that was different about the event this year: The Pride flag had black and brown added to its colour palette.

“The addition of the black and brown stripes serves to highlight the importance of representation and inclusion of queer, trans, Black, Indigenous and people of colour (QTBIPOC) communities and is a sign of U of T’s commitment to being intentionally inclusive,” says David Pereira, director of U of T’s Sexual & Gender Diversity Office.

“The newly added black and brown stripes are a visible symbol of the importance of including more voices and experiences in the LGBTQ2S+ community.”

The ‘More Colour; More Pride’ flag was designed in 2017 by Philadelphia’s Office of LGBT Affairs, which worked with the advertising agency Tierney on an inclusivity campaign. The added black and brown stripes were meant to address issues of racism and exclusion in Philadelphia’s gay neighbourhood, but the new symbol quickly raised the attention of communities of colour globally.

“Raising the ‘More Colour; More Pride’ flag along with the Trans Flag at U of T’s Varsity Stadium is a testament to our faculty’s commitment to the LGBTQ2S+ community and our ongoing work towards greater representation and inclusion of queer, trans, Black, Indigenous and people of colour,” says Robin Waley, assistant manager of co-curricular diversity and equity at U of T’s Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education (KPE).

“Through U of T Sport & Rec programs like the Diversity in Motion Conference, Black Excellence Kiki Ball and Move with Pride workshop series, we provide students with intersectional learning opportunities from the diversity of experiences that exist within the LGBTQ2S+ community.”

Professor Ira Jacobs, dean of KPE, says he regrets that the U of T community wasn’t able to come together this year to celebrate the raising of the flags in person.

“I enjoyed watching it on video with the rest of our supportive community,” he says. “It was a proud reminder of our faculty’s and university’s dedication to promoting equity, diversity and inclusion at all levels, not only in research and education, but also in our broad spectrum of co-curricular physical activity and sport programs.”

Reflecting on the protests against anti-Black racism and racial violence that have swept across the United States and countries around the world, Jacobs affirmed the faculty’s solidarity with the Black community.

“I am proud to be the dean of a faculty that intentionally embeds equity, diversity and inclusion awareness within its curriculum, and within the framework of sport and recreation opportunities for all U of T students,” says Jacobs, adding the faculty recently produced its first equity report to highlight its efforts to uphold these values.

“We know that sport and recreation are not immune to racism. But we also know that sport can be a powerful platform for positive individual, social, political and collective development.

“As a faculty, we are dedicated to studying, researching and advocating for physical activity and sport, not only because they are vital to personal health, but because they are so important to societal health.”

U of T Pride Flag Raising 2020 from UofT Kinesiology & Phys Ed on Vimeo.

Convocation, Remembrance Day and Hart House’s centennial celebrations: Check out these November events

noreen.rasbach — Fri, 01 Nov 2019 04:00:00 +0000

Convocation, Remembrance Day and Hart House’s centennial celebrations: Check out these November events

noreen.rasbach Fri, 11/01/2019 - 00:00

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(photo by Lisa Lightbourn)

Tom Yun

Topic

City & Culture

Convocation 2019

Hart House

Innis

Innis College

John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture

OISE

Remembrance Day

Rotman School of Management