Policy, Human Rights & Structural Change

Our brief response to the Federal 2SLGBTQI+ Action Plan launched on August 28th, 2022

This document is OCASI-PSI's online submission of its recommendations to Federal LGBTQ2 Action Plan. It was submitted on May 31st, 2021 as part of a larger community consultations undertaken by the Government of Canada. The document highlights 5 issues and priority areas identified by OCASI-PSI that includes: LGBTQIA+ inclusive settlement services; removing barriers to access to identity documents, health care, and other settlement supports; extended access to mental health support; National LGBTQIA+ Francophone Strategy; and dedicated funding for anti-racism related initiatives. 

On Sunday, August 28th, 2022, the Canadian Federal government released its first ever 2SLGBTQI+ Action Plan. Canada now joins Sweden, the UK, Belgium, Malta, Ireland, Norway, Albania, the Netherlands, France, Italy, and Montenegro as countries that have/have had LGBTQI+ Action Plans and Strategies. 

The Plan covers the next 5 years (2022-2027), prioritizes funding 2SLGBTQI+ community groups and organizations and  furthers internal 2SLGBTQI+ priorities through a $100 million commitment. 

Rainbow Railroad’s 2021 Annual Report analyzes the issues being faced by LGBTQI+ people globally through the lens of the data Rainbow Railroad has collected over the course of 2021.

If someone is thinking of coming to Canada and they are a member of the LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender or Queer/Questioning) community, they might have some questions. This page will provide them with some general information and useful links to other websites.

The material on the website is intended to provide only general information to ok2beme's clients and the public. 

In April 2021, the 2SLGBTQQIA+ sub-working group published a national action plan report that advocated for the inclusion of Two-spirit, gender, and sexually diverse Indigenous folks within the MMWIG inquiry. 

This 2022 study is a comparative thematic content analysis of the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care’s (MOHLTC) website and the websites of each of the 14 local health integration networks (LHINs) in 2009 and 2017. It provides a snapshot and evaluation of the amount and type of online content concerning LGBTQ+-specific health needs and determines how well the programs and services aligned with the Ministry’s stated priorities and population health/SDH philosophy. Researchers argue that to promote healthy equity, the MOHLTC needs to acknowledge inequalities and intervene through political and social mechanisms that extend beyond HIV.

This Toronto-based organization “empowers and supports the advancement of Black womxn and survivors of sexual violence.” They’ve started the Love Offering Community Emergency Relief Fund “for Black Womxn (Trans and Cis), Femmes, Non-Binary and Gender-non-Confirming folx' experiencing food and income insecurity and who live within the City of Toronto or Greater Toronto Areas.” Priority is given to Black trans womxn and black 2SLBGTQ+ identifying and your donation helps provide financial support and food support.

Black Femme Legal is a workplace toolkit for Black queer women, femmes and gender diverse folks across the 2SLGBTQI+ spectrum in Ontario needing workplace-related support. 

This research report published by Access Alliance Multicultural Health and Community Services in March 2021 investigates systemic discrimination and barriers that LGBTQ+ newcomer women and other trans and gender non-conforming newcomers in Toronto face at the societal level and within current programs/services. The study evidence suggests how sexual orientation, gender, race and immigration status are relevant predictors of well-being and those who are marginalized by these factors are at higher risk of health inequities. In addition to the full research report you can also access Research Summary  and  Animated Case Stories.