Here is the link to the Library’s 2SLGBTQ+ content collection. The collection is continuously updated!
Embedded Files
The TDSB GSA Network is a space for 2SLGBTQIAP+ students, staff, and their allies in the TDSB to find community and resources.
Statement Ahead of Planned Demonstrations (September 2023)
“We want to make it unequivocally clear that TDSB stands with our trans, Two-Spirit and non-binary students, staff and families, and we support everyone's human rights and expression of gender. Harassment, discrimination and hate have no place in TDSB.”
Reaffirming TDSB Support of 2SLGBTQ+ Communities (June 2023)
“TDSB must and will continue to engage and welcome diverse gender identities and, to support the protection and promotion of the human rights of 2SLGBTQ+ students and staff in all schools and workplaces.”
How do I start a GSA?
How do I start a GSA?
In Ontario, every student has a right to a GSA in their school and school boards are required to support students in establishing GSAs. In the past, homophobic administrators in Ontario have told students they cannot call their group a Gay-Straight Alliance. The Accepting Schools Act protects students’ choice to name their GSA themselves. Students who would like to start a GSA at their elementary, middle, or secondary school should contact their school principal or the TDSB’s Gender-Based Violence Prevention office.
Policies to Support Equity work and Elementary GSA's to support students
Policies to Support Equity work and Elementary GSA's to support students
It is recognized and acknowledged that many members of the TDSB community continue to experience exclusion and marginalization, including racism, anti-Indigenous racism, anti-Black racism, ableism, sexism, transphobia & cissexism (discrimination and prejudice on the basis of gender identity), homophobia, and other forms of marginalization and prejudice. TDSB recognizes that sustained measures, both proactive and reactive, are required to eradicate discrimination and to ensure that all members of the TDSB community are included, welcomed, and feel valued in all TDSB environments.
P.065 Bullying Prevention & Intervention Policy 4.6. Student Engagement
(a) Students will have the opportunity to participate in gender-based peer education programs that examine the roots of gender-based violence and its impact on females and males, healthy relationships and equality among marginalized groups.
(b) Issues related to gender-based violence such as healthy relationships, sexuality, gender stereotyping and homophobia shall be integrated and reinforced in subjects across the curriculum.
(c) Primary prevention programs for students in elementary and secondary schools shall be designed to be comprehensive, coordinated, sequential, developmental, and that create both an awareness of, and a framework for dealing with, gender-based harassment and violence.
Bill 13 Accepting Schools Act
One of the main goals of the Accepting Schools Act is to: (a.1) promote a positive school climate that is inclusive and accepting of all pupils, including pupils of any race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, family status or disability;
300.0.1 To create schools in Ontario that are safe, inclusive and accepting of all pupils. 2. To encourage a positive school climate and prevent inappropriate behaviour, including bullying, sexual assault, gender-based violence and incidents based on homophobia, transphobia or biphobia.
10. A new section 303.1 requires boards to support pupils who want to establish and lead activities or organizations that promote a safe and inclusive learning environment, the acceptance of and respect for others and the creation of a positive school climate.
The section prohibits boards and principals from refusing the use of the name gay-straight alliance or a similar name for certain organizations. The section also provides that the name of any activity or organization must be consistent with the promotion of a positive school climate that is inclusive and accepting of all pupils.
Boards/Principals can not refuse the name Gay Straight Alliance if the students have requested it.
Boards/Principals are not required to establish an activity unless at least one student has requested it.
Naming Your GSA
Naming Your GSA
It's great to have students name the club themselves to give them autonomy. Some GSA's are calling themselves EnVision after the TDSB EnVision Conference. Some go by the name ERGSA which stands for Equal Rights Gender and Sexuality Alliance. Some GSA's come up with other creative names so that students do not have to out themselves to join.
Part of TDSB’s core values is affirming and making ALL students feel included
As per the TDSB Equity Policy (P037) and the Ontario Human Rights Code, we need to ensure that fairness, equity, diversity, acceptance, inclusion and the elimination of all forms of discrimination are honoured and respected.
Cultivating 2SLGBTQ+ Joy and Engagement Panel with Dani Harris, LeRoi Newbold, and Stella Kim as part of TDSB Pride 2023
Cultivating 2SLGBTQ+ Joy and Engagement Panel with Dani Harris, LeRoi Newbold, and Stella Kim as part of TDSB Pride 2023
Tuesday June 20 at 1pm for Grades 7-12
Tuesday June 20 at 1pm for Grades 7-12
Queer in Politics Panel with former Premiere Kathleen Wynne, Councilor Chris Moise, and MPP Terence Kernaghan (NDP) moderated by Marsh Paryani as part of TDSB Pride 2023
Queer in Politics Panel with former Premiere Kathleen Wynne, Councilor Chris Moise, and MPP Terence Kernaghan (NDP) moderated by Marsh Paryani as part of TDSB Pride 2023
Tuesday June 13 at 4:00 pm - click the link below to view a recording of this incredible interview!
Tuesday June 13 at 4:00 pm - click the link below to view a recording of this incredible interview!
Special thanks to D.A. Rainbow Club Raise Your Flag for this amazing slide deck of 2SLGTBQ+ Role Models
Special thanks to D.A. Rainbow Club Raise Your Flag for this amazing slide deck of 2SLGTBQ+ Role Models
Syrus Marcus Ware, Janelle Niles, and animator Rhael McGregor
Syrus Marcus Ware, Janelle Niles, and animator Rhael McGregor
These Pride Announcements created by GSA students with their advisors include information to share with students in classrooms as great discussion starters. Can be read by GSA student leaders on the morning announcements during Pride Month. Please note: If GSA students are not comfortable reading over the announcements a queer staff member or ally could read them. They have been split up throughout the month of June on this calendar.
These Pride Announcements created by GSA students with their advisors include information to share with students in classrooms as great discussion starters. Can be read by GSA student leaders on the morning announcements during Pride Month. Please note: If GSA students are not comfortable reading over the announcements a queer staff member or ally could read them. They have been split up throughout the month of June on this calendar.
Topics included:
Topics included:
- History of Pride
- Teaching about identities/pronouns
- Introductions to Organizations that Support the 2SLGBTQIA+ Community
- Spotlight on Two-Spirit, Indigiqueer, and LGBTQ+ identifying musicians, artists, authors, activists, and advocates
- Global diversity of Queer identities, gender-diverse cultures, traditions, and histories
Thanks to students at Avondale for this Pride Deck calendar with slides for each day of June that students made last year. They have given permission to share. It's full of affirmations, information, and is full of joy!
Thanks to students at Avondale for this Pride Deck calendar with slides for each day of June that students made last year. They have given permission to share. It's full of affirmations, information, and is full of joy!
“THERE’S NO GENDER EQUALITY WITHOUT TRANS WOMEN”: NATIONAL COALITION OF COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS
“THERE’S NO GENDER EQUALITY WITHOUT TRANS WOMEN”: NATIONAL COALITION OF COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS
After completing a TDSB Elementary GSA Survey Admin/Staff responded that in order to create a GSA they needed:
After completing a TDSB Elementary GSA Survey Admin/Staff responded that in order to create a GSA they needed:
More resources
Events
Speakers
Resources specific for kindergarten, primary, junior and intermediate levels would be extremely helpful
Posters
Funds to get t-shirts printed,
Release time to organize meetings between Ilana/Avi (GBVP) and students
It would be so amazing to create a shared folder in google drive where teachers from different schools could share activities in plans from their GSA.
When having many students participate was the overall culture and climate of the school, in years where students felt more accepted there was higher enrollment.
Our GSA did some work on school culture, but it needs to be a whole school endeavor, not just expecting a GSA to change school climate.
Support as we are in the beginning stages of creating a group
Professional Learning for all staff
Differentiated professional learning for staff advisors for GSA
In-Person P-Flag presentations for students
A resource person to come to the school and help us to initiate this program.
FAQs
Flags, pins,
Even with our current GSA, resources and ideas are always welcome.
Sharing with us and taking a moment to review the resources available would be great and this way the GSA can also find ways to connect with the whole school population.
Would like resources for discussion ideas/programming or a handbook. A budget would also help.
Funding for presentations and to make a safe space. We operated this year and had presentations from different organizations. It took a lot of time to find them - a list of accepted presenters would be helpful (also keep in mind that fees for presentations can be prohibitive). Ideas are always appreciated.
School council buy-in; staff buy-in so that there can be a teacher lead
Best practice Ideas, resources
Workshop on how to address incidents of hate towards students who identify as LGBTQ2S+
Resources for teachers to use in the classroom to educate about the intersectionality of students' identities
Connect with other educators who have started GSAs in their schools (e.g., what would it look like? What are some events that were planned during the school year?)
Resources and ideas... ideas of what a meeting is like...
More crafting/art supplies etc would be appreciated
More resources and presentations for the parent community to support a GSA in the school.
Support in getting one started with staff and student involvement
Details about how to start a GSA at my school
A guide on how you approach it to start it and them move forward with it. We need one on our school.
Prerecorded, high energy sessions that could be shown defining terms, etc.
In response to these needs we have added resources to this site support staff in creating and continuing elementary GSA's across TDSB
In response to these needs we have added resources to this site support staff in creating and continuing elementary GSA's across TDSB
How to start a GSA
How to start a GSA
Students can go to admin to request a GSA with an affirming adult to supervise; if at least one student requests it admin is required to create one (Bill 13; 303.1)
Post on Google Classroom
Post on Google Classroom
Student Survey - survey monkey, google form
Student Survey - survey monkey, google form
Share info with Homeroom Teachers for students to join
Create a GSA contact list by email
Create a GSA contact list by email
Zoom weekly meets for GSA (could be monthly or adapt for your schedule)
Zoom weekly meets for GSA (could be monthly or adapt for your schedule)
Develop fun educational activities for school
Develop fun educational activities for school
Queer friendly games in zoom:
Queer friendly games in zoom:
terminology game
GSA trivia kahoot game
create queer playlists to dance to
movie on zoom
queer poetry
2SLGBT+ Black Joy Book club
create a video about your GSA and share with your school; students can create this and can be animated, included voices or they can act in the video depending on their comfort level and media release forms
create a queer zine and distribute
brainstorm more ideas with your new GSA! Students come up with incredible ideas
Headphones and chat for students who are not out at home or want privacy
Here are some ideas from our students to get you started:
Here are some ideas from our students to get you started:
Celebrate 2SLGBTQ+ POC
Celebrate 2SLGBTQ+ POC
Play 2SLGBTQ+ games and sign up for the pride colouring book: Coloring Book from LGBTQIA2S artsits
Create your own 2SLGBTQ+ POC poster, drawing, video game
Example: make a picture that says "I support my gay cousin"
or take a photo of yourself holding a sign that says "Protect Trans Kids"
or come up with your own idea on how to celebrate diversity
How to start a GSA (Click links below)
How to start a GSA (Click links below)
RESOURCES
RESOURCES
The Parents’ Guide to SOGI in Schools was created in collaboration with educators and parents to address some of the most common questions being asked about SOGI-inclusive education. This five-page document was designed to give parents and caregivers a clearer understanding of what the term ‘SOGI’ means, what SOGI-inclusive education entails, what healthy conversations about SOGI look like at school and at home, and the truth behind some common myths.
The International Partnership for Queer Youth Resilience is a multilingual research partnership designed to understand and support the resilience of LGBTQ+ youth through technology-egnaged research and practcie
Drop your ideas into this shared drive for other GSA's to use ---->
Drop your ideas into this shared drive for other GSA's to use ---->
The 519’s Glossary of Terms, facilitating shared understandings around equity, diversity, inclusion and awareness.
The 519’s Glossary of Terms, facilitating shared understandings around equity, diversity, inclusion and awareness.
"The goal of gegi.ca is to equip all Ontario students and teachers – whether transgender or cisgender – with the tools to advocate for the right to express and live their gender in their own way without experiencing discrimination, harassment or violence, and without being told they have to change.
Recognizing that gender expression and gender identity have been protected grounds in the Ontario Human Rights Code since 2012, gegi.ca indirectly supports schools in learning about how their structures, practices and curricula may have to change."
Families In Transition Guide from Central Toronto Youth Services
Families In Transition Guide from Central Toronto Youth Services
CTYS-FIT-Guide-2020-English-1.pdfEgale Resources
Egale Resources
Tips on Becoming an Affirming Adult
Tips on Becoming an Affirming Adult
Resources from Egale's Awareness Resources
TDSB Board Approved 2SLGBTQ+ Affirming Guest Speakers & Workshops
TDSB Board Approved 2SLGBTQ+ Affirming Guest Speakers & Workshops
ReachOUT is a creative, inclusive and accessible program that supports lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer, questioning, two spirited youth. Grades 1-12
ReachOUT is a creative, inclusive and accessible program that supports lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer, questioning, two spirited youth. Grades 1-12
Toronto Pflag moms provide workshops that begin with the story of their LGBTQ child and their experience at the age of the students in the audience. Grades 2-12
Get REAL Movement Inc. - Building Bridges through Inclusion, Acceptance, and Diversity Get REAL is a Canadian non-profit focused on combating 2SLGBTQ+ discrimination and bullying in schools. Grades 5-12
Programming addresses Black Canadian and Diasporic History; Global histories of Black resistance; and, LGBTQ Black Resistance. Grades 5-12
Workshops and resource materials promote sexual health and healthy relationships, and support students Grades 6-12
Workshops and resource materials promote sexual health and healthy relationships, and support students Grades 6-12
CANVAS Arts Action Programs 2SLGBTQ+ Inclusion and Consent Workshops Interactive, arts-based workshops on 2SLGBTQ+ inclusion, consent, and gender equity engage an anti-oppression framework to support students. Grades 7-12
As a thought leader in equal gender norms, healthy masculinities and gender and social justice, White Ribbon provides age appropriate sessions to students in elementary and secondary schools. Grades 7-12
The CCGSD is offering educational opportunities for students, teachers, and administrators to increase their understanding of their own gender, sexuality, and identities as well as how to honor the gender and sexuality and other diverse identities of other people.
The CCGSD is offering educational opportunities for students, teachers, and administrators to increase their understanding of their own gender, sexuality, and identities as well as how to honor the gender and sexuality and other diverse identities of other people.
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