Appointment of Members to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Two-Spirit (LGBTQ2S+) Advisory Committee

Considered

• 2020-11-06 · Civic Appointments Committee · adopted

  Decision as filed

  The Civic Appointments Committee recommends that: 1. City Council appoint the following individuals to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Two-Spirit (LGBTQ2S+) Advisory Committee, at pleasure of Council, for a term of office ending on November 14, 2022 or until their mandate is completed, whichever comes first: JC Elijah (Eli) Bawuah Monica Forrester Ashante Fray Susan Gapka Berkha Gupta Jad Jaber Ranjith Kulatilake leZlie lee kam Laura McPhie Samantha Peters Terrence Rodriguez Lori Ross Jennifer White 2.

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  City Council direct that the balance of confidential information contained in Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (October 29, 2020) from the Chief People Officer remain confidential as it relates to personal matters about identifiable individuals being considered for appointment to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Two-Spirit (LGBTQ2S+) Advisory Committee.

  Clerk’s note

  Candidates' biographies: JC Elijah (Eli) Bawuah JC Elijah (Eli) M. Bawuah (He/Him) is an Afro-Asian queer Urban Planner with multi-disciplinary experience gained by working in a spectrum of city and community-building roles. Taking an equitable and intersectional approach, he has facilitated engagement as well as community-oriented programs centering the lived experiences and voices of Toronto's diverse urban stakeholders, while fostering collaborative environments that generate values of reciprocity and mutual respect.

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  These voices and lived experiences include those from many diverse groups he aims to uplift and represent. Aside from his planning and community engagement roles, Eli is a co-founder and volunteer with the Mentorship Initiative for Indigenous and Planners of Colour (MIIPOC), where he collaborates with a team to build a national network between experienced and emerging planners from BIPOC and various equity-seeking communities. As a member of the LGBTQ2S+ Council Advisory Board, he promises to continue to be held accountable in asking those present to provide space for those missing or often left out of critical conversations. Monica Forrester Monica Forrester (She/Her) is a Trans/2Spirit women of colour living and work in communities services in Toronto for 23yrs. She has worked at The 519 Church Street Community to help create and co-facilitate Trans/2Spirit weekly drop in for low/ at risk community members. She was also the first Trans Peer Outreach Worker hired from the City of Toronto to do outreach to homeless/street active, racialized and marginalized Trans/2Spirit communities. Her work carried on into many other agencies engaging with people experiencing homelessness, addictions, HIV and persons experiencing mental health. She has sat on many boards and committees, in various capacities, including co-chairs and Vice President, to bring an inclusion to Trans/2Spirit people in various communities. Monica has also been a part of the LGBTQ2S+ Police Liaison committee from 2001-2004 to bring representation to most vulnerable community members in the Trans/2Spirit Communities. In 2002 she worked with the City of Toronto to do needs assessment on the accessibility of Trans/2Spirit people access shelters and city run drop in. In 2004 Monica founded Trans Pride Toronto, Transitioning Together non-profit to support Trans/2Spirit folks through outreach, drop in, advocacy and peer counselling. She also facilitate training for service providers on the inclusion/accessibility of Trans/2S people accessing their spaces. Ashante Fray Ashantè Fray (She/Her) is a Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging - Education Specialist and iPride Regional Co-Chair who delivers educational training programs to promote a diverse and inclusive work environment at Indeed - specifically for the LGBTQIA+ employees. She has cultivated her passion for diversity through her lived experiences with an intersectional identity, by deepening relationships and strengthening communication channels within underrepresented communities in the technology industry. In addition to her professional career, Ashantè is the owner of Synchronized Soul. A small business that offers 1:1 coaching and mentoring for clients to become the best versions of who they are. Whether it's in a professional or entrepreneur setting, Ashantè is creating a culture of empathy, understanding, and belonging. Susan Gapka Susan Gapka (she/her/elle) is a founding member and chair of the Toronto Trans Coalition Project which emerged from the advocacy work of the Trans Lobby Group in Ontario Canada. Susan helped lead the Ontario campaign to fund transition related surgeries, helped change the Vital Statistics Act so trans people's legal documents more accurately reflect their lived identity, and successfully campaigned to adopt legislation to amend the Ontario Human Rights Code and Canadian Human Rights Act.-Candidate declares she is a "casual worker" at the 519Community Centre who works only on special projects withoutregular shifts or duties Berkha Gupta Berkha Gupta (They/Them) is a transmasculine queer south asian for whom Tkaronto has been home for over 10 years. They are the Executive Director of the LGBT YouthLine, a youth-led organization providing peer support and leadership opportunities to 2SLGBTQ+ youth across Ontario. Most of their work has been focused on addressing systemic barriers through structural change and education, individual and group capacity-building, and building spaces that are community-led. Berkha also has a keen interest in online digital technologies and the ways in which they can bring communities together. Jad Jaber Jad Jaber (He/Him), Ph. D., is the Founder of Marginalized Majority; A Non-Profit Community-focused organization implementing workshops focused on the psychoemotional health of those carrying the heavier burden of social inequality through creating culturally nuanced safe spaces for LGBTQIA2S+ to connect. Also a Board Director on Toronto's Pride, he has implemented his own workshops at Glad Day library, The 519 Church Street Community Center and ASAAP on "Sensationalizing Queerness" and "Queer Immigrant Re-Generation". Ranjith Kulatilake Ranjith Kulatilake (he/they) left his home country and a university teaching career because of his sexuality. Challenges during his resettlement changed his career path. He studied counselling and worked with LGBTQ+ newcomers at Access Alliance and won the 2014 United Way Toronto Innovation and Creativity Award. He has presented at many venues in Canada and abroad. In 2020 he won the First Prize (undergraduate category) in the annual essay contest of the Canadian Association for Refugee and Forced Migration Studies (CARFMS), as well as the Second Prize in the CASWE-ACFTS student article competition of the Canadian Social Work Review. He holds a BSW (Hons) from York University and is a graduate student in social work at Ryerson University. He coordinates the Rainbow Connect LGBTQ+ newcomer support program at The Neighbourhood Group. leZlie lee kam leZlie lee kam is a world majority, brown, Trini, Carib, Indo, Chinese, callaloo, differently-abled queer DYKE elder, community activist for the past 44 years. She advocates for 2SLGBTQI+ SENIORS and Indigenous, Black, queer, transgender, disabled, intersex people of colour. leZlie lives her life from an anti-oppression, anti-racism, anti-colonialism, intersectional and intergenerational perspective. She is a storyteller, actor and workshop facilitator. She enjoys doubles, dancing, dim sum and a Trini 'lime' any time! leZlie says "my EXISTENCE is my RESISTANCE!" Laura McPhie Aanii, my family comes from the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation and I am humbled to be able to live, work, and play on the land of the Dish With One Spoon Treaty. I identify as Queer or Two-Spirit and go by she/her. Currently, I work with Right To Play to support Indigenous youth and youth workers across Turtle Island through play-based education. Beyond my work, I am a passionate advocate for equity in all our spaces - in living, working, and playing. Samantha Peters Samantha Peters (she/her/hers) is a Black queer lawyer working at the intersection of law, education and policy. She has engaged in work ranging from policy development to legislative research to legal education. Samantha has a strong commitment to, and interest in, law reform initiatives, human rights advocacy, public interest mobilizing, and access to justice. She is also the creator of Black Femme Legal which provides legal information and legal education to Black queer, trans and non-binary workers across Ontario. Terrence Rodriguez Terrence Rodriguez (He/Him) is a Trans FtM, Latin/European, Social Worker, born and raised in the Rexdale/North Etobicoke community. Founder of REX Pride which focuses on working to address the barriers faced by the 2SLGBTQ+ community in Rexdale/North Etobicoke and surrounding areas through a peer youth program, working in 3 local high schools, facilitating community trainings and is on the TPS and TDSB Advisory Committees. Terrence hopes to work with a team of dedicated folks to address and dismantling the systemic barriers in our city by giving voice and addressing the intersectionalities that are prevalent within the community. Lori Ross Dr. Lori Ross is an Associate Professor in the Social and Behavioural Health Sciences Division of the Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, and leader of the Re:searching for LGBTQ Health Team (www.lgbtqhealth.ca). Lori conducts community-based, mixed methods research in partnership with communities that experience marginalization, and particularly LGBTQ2S+ communities. Jennifer White Jennifer White (They/Them) has worked in prevention, education and addictions for the past 20 years Their background is in Social Services and Addiction Care. Jennifer began their employment with YMCA of Greater Toronto in 2001 and has held various positions throughout their employment with YMCA. Currently, they are the General Manager of Youth Outreach and Intervention, managing programs at Vanauley St YMCA that support youth who are at risk of homelessness and/or youth who are homeless and YMCA Sprott House, a transitional shelter for 2SLGBTQ+ youth.

• 2020-11-25 · Toronto City Council · adopted

  Clerk’s note

  Appointees' biographies: JC Elijah (Eli) Bawuah JC Elijah (Eli) M. Bawuah (He/Him) is an Afro-Asian queer Urban Planner with multi-disciplinary experience gained by working in a spectrum of city and community-building roles. Taking an equitable and intersectional approach, he has facilitated engagement as well as community-oriented programs centering the lived experiences and voices of Toronto's diverse urban stakeholders, while fostering collaborative environments that generate values of reciprocity and mutual respect.

  Show the rest of Clerk’s note, 8,792 more characters as filed

  These voices and lived experiences include those from many diverse groups he aims to uplift and represent. Aside from his planning and community engagement roles, Eli is a co-founder and volunteer with the Mentorship Initiative for Indigenous and Planners of Colour (MIIPOC), where he collaborates with a team to build a national network between experienced and emerging planners from BIPOC and various equity-seeking communities. As a member of the LGBTQ2S+ Council Advisory Board, he promises to continue to be held accountable in asking those present to provide space for those missing or often left out of critical conversations. Monica Forrester Monica Forrester (She/Her) is a Trans/2Spirit women of colour living and work in communities services in Toronto for 23yrs. She has worked at The 519 Church Street Community to help create and co-facilitate Trans/2Spirit weekly drop in for low/ at risk community members. She was also the first Trans Peer Outreach Worker hired from the City of Toronto to do outreach to homeless/street active, racialized and marginalized Trans/2Spirit communities. Her work carried on into many other agencies engaging with people experiencing homelessness, addictions, HIV and persons experiencing mental health. She has sat on many boards and committees, in various capacities, including co-chairs and Vice President, to bring an inclusion to Trans/2Spirit people in various communities. Monica has also been a part of the LGBTQ2S+ Police Liaison committee from 2001-2004 to bring representation to most vulnerable community members in the Trans/2Spirit Communities. In 2002 she worked with the City of Toronto to do needs assessment on the accessibility of Trans/2Spirit people access shelters and city run drop in. In 2004 Monica founded Trans Pride Toronto, Transitioning Together non-profit to support Trans/2Spirit folks through outreach, drop in, advocacy and peer counselling. She also facilitate training for service providers on the inclusion/accessibility of Trans/2S people accessing their spaces. Ashante Fray Ashantè Fray (She/Her) is a Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging - Education Specialist and iPride Regional Co-Chair who delivers educational training programs to promote a diverse and inclusive work environment at Indeed - specifically for the LGBTQIA+ employees. She has cultivated her passion for diversity through her lived experiences with an intersectional identity, by deepening relationships and strengthening communication channels within underrepresented communities in the technology industry. In addition to her professional career, Ashantè is the owner of Synchronized Soul. A small business that offers 1:1 coaching and mentoring for clients to become the best versions of who they are. Whether it's in a professional or entrepreneur setting, Ashantè is creating a culture of empathy, understanding, and belonging. Susan Gapka Susan Gapka (she/her/elle) is a founding member and chair of the Toronto Trans Coalition Project which emerged from the advocacy work of the Trans Lobby Group in Ontario Canada. Susan helped lead the Ontario campaign to fund transition related surgeries, helped change the Vital Statistics Act so trans people's legal documents more accurately reflect their lived identity, and successfully campaigned to adopt legislation to amend the Ontario Human Rights Code and Canadian Human Rights Act.-Candidate declares she is a "casual worker" at the 519Community Centre who works only on special projects withoutregular shifts or duties Berkha Gupta Berkha Gupta (They/Them) is a transmasculine queer south asian for whom Tkaronto has been home for over 10 years. They are the Executive Director of the LGBT YouthLine, a youth-led organization providing peer support and leadership opportunities to 2SLGBTQ+ youth across Ontario. Most of their work has been focused on addressing systemic barriers through structural change and education, individual and group capacity-building, and building spaces that are community-led. Berkha also has a keen interest in online digital technologies and the ways in which they can bring communities together. Jad Jaber Jad Jaber (He/Him), Ph. D., is the Founder of Marginalized Majority; A Non-Profit Community-focused organization implementing workshops focused on the psychoemotional health of those carrying the heavier burden of social inequality through creating culturally nuanced safe spaces for LGBTQIA2S+ to connect. Also a Board Director on Toronto's Pride, he has implemented his own workshops at Glad Day library, The 519 Church Street Community Center and ASAAP on "Sensationalizing Queerness" and "Queer Immigrant Re-Generation". Ranjith Kulatilake Ranjith Kulatilake (he/they) left his home country and a university teaching career because of his sexuality. Challenges during his resettlement changed his career path. He studied counselling and worked with LGBTQ+ newcomers at Access Alliance and won the 2014 United Way Toronto Innovation and Creativity Award. He has presented at many venues in Canada and abroad. In 2020 he won the First Prize (undergraduate category) in the annual essay contest of the Canadian Association for Refugee and Forced Migration Studies (CARFMS), as well as the Second Prize in the CASWE-ACFTS student article competition of the Canadian Social Work Review. He holds a BSW (Hons) from York University and is a graduate student in social work at Ryerson University. He coordinates the Rainbow Connect LGBTQ+ newcomer support program at The Neighbourhood Group. leZlie lee kam leZlie lee kam is a world majority, brown, Trini, Carib, Indo, Chinese, callaloo, differently-abled queer DYKE elder, community activist for the past 44 years. She advocates for 2SLGBTQI+ SENIORS and Indigenous, Black, queer, transgender, disabled, intersex people of colour. leZlie lives her life from an anti-oppression, anti-racism, anti-colonialism, intersectional and intergenerational perspective. She is a storyteller, actor and workshop facilitator. She enjoys doubles, dancing, dim sum and a Trini 'lime' any time! leZlie says "my EXISTENCE is my RESISTANCE!" Laura McPhie Aanii, my family comes from the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation and I am humbled to be able to live, work, and play on the land of the Dish With One Spoon Treaty. I identify as Queer or Two-Spirit and go by she/her. Currently, I work with Right To Play to support Indigenous youth and youth workers across Turtle Island through play-based education. Beyond my work, I am a passionate advocate for equity in all our spaces - in living, working, and playing. Samantha Peters Samantha Peters (she/her/hers) is a Black queer lawyer working at the intersection of law, education and policy. She has engaged in work ranging from policy development to legislative research to legal education. Samantha has a strong commitment to, and interest in, law reform initiatives, human rights advocacy, public interest mobilizing, and access to justice. She is also the creator of Black Femme Legal which provides legal information and legal education to Black queer, trans and non-binary workers across Ontario. Terrence Rodriguez Terrence Rodriguez (He/Him) is a Trans FtM, Latin/European, Social Worker, born and raised in the Rexdale/North Etobicoke community. Founder of REX Pride which focuses on working to address the barriers faced by the 2SLGBTQ+ community in Rexdale/North Etobicoke and surrounding areas through a peer youth program, working in 3 local high schools, facilitating community trainings and is on the TPS and TDSB Advisory Committees. Terrence hopes to work with a team of dedicated folks to address and dismantling the systemic barriers in our city by giving voice and addressing the intersectionalities that are prevalent within the community. Lori Ross Dr. Lori Ross is an Associate Professor in the Social and Behavioural Health Sciences Division of the Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, and leader of the Re:searching for LGBTQ Health Team (www.lgbtqhealth.ca). Lori conducts community-based, mixed methods research in partnership with communities that experience marginalization, and particularly LGBTQ2S+ communities. Jennifer White Jennifer White (They/Them) has worked in prevention, education and addictions for the past 20 years Their background is in Social Services and Addiction Care. Jennifer began their employment with YMCA of Greater Toronto in 2001 and has held various positions throughout their employment with YMCA. Currently, they are the General Manager of Youth Outreach and Intervention, managing programs at Vanauley St YMCA that support youth who are at risk of homelessness and/or youth who are homeless and YMCA Sprott House, a transitional shelter for 2SLGBTQ+ youth.