Appointment of Members to the Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (2SLGBTQ+) Council Advisory Committee

Considered

• 2023-05-30 · Civic Appointments Committee · adopted

  Decision as filed

  The Civic Appointments Committee recommends that: 1. City Council appoint the following candidates to the Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (2SLGBTQ+) Advisory Committee, at pleasure of Council, for a term of office ending on November 14, 2026, and until successors are appointed: Pink Angel Micah Chu Andre Cooper Jad Jaber Ranjith Kulatilake Kay Mehrizi Lauren Pragg Bamboo Ren Terrence Rodriguez Mark Toffoli Talin Wright Maiesha Zarin 2.

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  City Council waive Section 2.1 of the Public Appointments Policy concerning the residency requirement and appoint Morrigana Townsend, at pleasure of Council, for a term of office ending on November 14, 2026, continuing to serve until a successor is appointed. 3. City Council direct that the balance of Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (May 16, 2023) from the Chief People Officer remain confidential as it relates to personal information about identifiable individuals being considered for appointment to the Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (2SLGBTQ+) Advisory Committee.

  Clerk’s note

  Candidates' biographies: Pink Angel Pink Angel is a retired senior TWOC, born in Mombasa, Kenya and became a displaced person at age 15. In 1972, Angel went to Switzerland where they lived and worked illegally, then came to Canada in 1974 as an engineering student and have been contributing to nation building ever since. She contributes to advocacy in many sectors such as 2SLGBTQIA+ National Housing Solutions with Chief Commissioner, Marie Claude-Landry of the Canadian Human Rights Commission in Ottawa and Federal Housing Author.

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  Micah Chu Micah Chu (he/they) is a queer artist who has spent his life working with people from all walks of life. They have put their focus on uplifting and advocating for queer youth, after spending much of his professional life within youth-focused non-profit organizations. Currently, he serves as a facilitator with Story Planet, an organization that brings free storytelling and arts programming to underserved children in the TDSB. Andre Cooper Hailing from the biggest little dot in the world, Jamaica, Andre is a Development and Communications Specialist with a specific focus on equity, inclusion, and social justice. His background spans areas including human rights, LGBTQ+ rights, youth development, and people living with HIV/AIDS. Andre (He/Him/His) serves as the Executive Director at Equitable Action for Change - combating anti-racism. Andre tells stories on serious issues in relatable and digestible ways for a variety of audiences. Jad Jaber Jad Jaber (They/Them), Ph.D., a post-Doctorate researcher, is the Founder of Marginalized Majority; a Non-Profit community-based organization implementing programs focused on the individual, community health and healing of 2SLGBTQIA+ equity-deserving groups. The organization has serviced nearly 10,000 individuals since the pandemic and has partnered up with the biggest Canadian organizations, including a yearly in-person weekly program at the 519. Ranjith Kulatilake Ranjith Kulatilake has been working with LGBTQ+ refugees for more than a decade. For his work Ranjith received the 2021 City of Toronto Access, Equity and Human Rights Pride Award and the 2014 United Way Toronto Award for Innovation and Creativity. He is an advisory committee member of the Positive Spaces Initiatives at Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants (OCASI). He holds Bachelor's and Master's degrees in social work. Ranjith is also a PhD student in social work at York University. Kay Mehrizi Kay Mehrizi (she/her) is a lesbian, neurodivergent, immigrant woman of colour with over fifteen years of experience in the field of mental health & legal support, predominantly working with women and gender queer members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community with experiences of violence. She is a mental health educator, trauma counselling specialist, policy advisor, and DEIA consultant. Lauren Pragg Lauren Pragg is a second-generation, Indo-Caribbean queer, trans non-binary person who lives in Scarborough. They have worked for over 15 years with a diverse array of non-profit organizations, such as Planned Parenthood Toronto, YWCA Toronto, and Youth & Philanthropy Initiative Canada. Lauren is currently the Interim Executive Director at LGBT YouthLine. Lauren holds an MA degree in Social & Political Thought from York University, and they are currently an MSW student at Laurier University. Bamboo Ren Bamboo Ren is a social science researcher with a decade of experience in research, evaluation, and data analysis. She is skilled in research design and implementation. Before moving to Canada, she worked at universities in Hong Kong, where she managed research projects, supervised junior researchers and designed innovative curriculums. Her research interests include social mobility and stratification, gender and EDI. She is now working at Skills for Change as Supervisor, Research and Evaluation. Terrence Rodriguez A Trans FtM, Latinx/European, Social Worker, born and raised in the Rexdale/North Etobicoke community. Founder of REX Pride, who has worked in the sector for over 15 years, 11 of which has focused on working to address the barriers faced by the 2SLGBTQ+ community in the community through a youth peer support program, working in 3 local high schools, facilitating community trainings, member of the TPS & TDSB Advisory Committees, helped to develop the TPS GDTI training and COVID support/outreach. Mark Toffoli Mark Toffoli (he/him) is a gay man who is an elder (67 years old) who has served his community during the outbreak of HIV/AIDS as a volunteer and advocate. He was a public health nurse at the City of Toronto for 26 years. He became homeless at 16 when his parents found out he is queer. He is now retired and married to his husband of 28 years and has a large circle of 2SLGBTQ+ friends. Morrigana Townsend Morrigana Townsend is a woman of strength who has walked through fire most of her life to find her place in the world. A survivor, an activist, a speaker, a healer, and a teacher, she has fought through adversity to stand in her power as a bi-pan woman, a culturally proud woman, and an ally to all who identify with a female energy. Morrigana has raised her own children to be proud of their diversity and to serve their communities with their privilege. Talin Wright Talin (xe/xem/xer) is an agender queer Jamaican migrant. Xe works in roles that exemplify xer ability to share resources and provide support, particularly for queer and trans folks of color. Talin's background in spiritual and mental service work has allowed xem the opportunity to learn with the communities xe serves and put that knowledge into practice every day. Maiesha Zarin Maiesha Zarin (they/them) is a creative powerhouse who sits on the intersections of being nonbinary, lesbian, Bangladeshi and Muslim. As an artist and community event coordinator, Maiesha values anti-oppressive frameworks, people-driven environments and diverse communication methods. An undergrad bachelors in film production led Maiesha to work on many sets with many hats. Maiesha aims to unite communities through equitable, accessible and creative initiatives.

• 2023-06-14 · Toronto City Council · adopted

  Clerk’s note

  Candidates' biographies: Pink Angel Pink Angel is a retired senior Transgender Woman Of Color, born in Mombasa, Kenya and became a displaced person at age 15. In 1972, Angel went to Switzerland where they lived and worked illegally, then came to Canada in 1974 as an engineering student and have been contributing to nation building ever since. She contributes to advocacy in many sectors such as 2SLGBTQIA+ National Housing Solutions with Chief Commissioner, Marie Claude-Landry of the Canadian Human Rights Commission in Ottawa and Federal Housing Author.

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  Micah Chu Micah Chu (he/they) is a queer artist who has spent his life working with people from all walks of life. They have put their focus on uplifting and advocating for queer youth, after spending much of his professional life within youth-focused non-profit organizations. Currently, he serves as a facilitator with Story Planet, an organization that brings free storytelling and arts programming to underserved children in the Toronto District School Board. Andre Cooper Hailing from the biggest little dot in the world, Jamaica, Andre is a Development and Communications Specialist with a specific focus on equity, inclusion, and social justice. His background spans areas including human rights, LGBTQ+ rights, youth development, and people living with HIV/AIDS. Andre (He/Him/His) serves as the Executive Director at Equitable Action for Change - combating anti-racism. Andre tells stories on serious issues in relatable and digestible ways for a variety of audiences. Jad Jaber Jad Jaber (They/Them), Ph.D., a post-Doctorate researcher, is the Founder of Marginalized Majority; a Non-Profit community-based organization implementing programs focused on the individual, community health and healing of 2SLGBTQIA+ equity-deserving groups. The organization has serviced nearly 10,000 individuals since the pandemic and has partnered up with the biggest Canadian organizations, including a yearly in-person weekly program at the 519. Ranjith Kulatilake Ranjith Kulatilake has been working with LGBTQ+ refugees for more than a decade. For his work Ranjith received the 2021 City of Toronto Access, Equity and Human Rights Pride Award and the 2014 United Way Toronto Award for Innovation and Creativity. He is an advisory committee member of the Positive Spaces Initiatives at Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants. He holds Bachelor's and Master's degrees in social work. Ranjith is also a PhD student in social work at York University. Kay Mehrizi Kay Mehrizi (she/her) is a lesbian, neurodivergent, immigrant woman of colour with over fifteen years of experience in the field of mental health and legal support, predominantly working with women and gender queer members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community with experiences of violence. She is a mental health educator, trauma counselling specialist, policy advisor, and DEIA consultant. Lauren Pragg Lauren Pragg is a second-generation, Indo-Caribbean queer, trans non-binary person who lives in Scarborough. They have worked for over 15 years with a diverse array of non-profit organizations, such as Planned Parenthood Toronto, YWCA Toronto, and Youth and Philanthropy Initiative Canada. Lauren is currently the Interim Executive Director at LGBT YouthLine. Lauren holds an MA degree in Social and Political Thought from York University, and they are currently an MSW student at Laurier University. Bamboo Ren Bamboo Ren is a social science researcher with a decade of experience in research, evaluation, and data analysis. She is skilled in research design and implementation. Before moving to Canada, she worked at universities in Hong Kong, where she managed research projects, supervised junior researchers and designed innovative curriculums. Her research interests include social mobility and stratification, gender and EDI. She is now working at Skills for Change as Supervisor, Research and Evaluation. Terrence Rodriguez A Trans female-to-male, Latinx/European, Social Worker, born and raised in the Rexdale/North Etobicoke community. Founder of REX Pride, who has worked in the sector for over 15 years, 11 of which has focused on working to address the barriers faced by the 2SLGBTQ+ community in the community through a youth peer support program, working in 3 local high schools, facilitating community trainings, member of the Toronto Police Service and Toronto District School Board Advisory Committees, helped to develop the Toronto Police Service Gender Diverse and Trans Inclusion training and COVID support/outreach. Mark Toffoli Mark Toffoli (he/him) is a gay man who is an elder (67 years old) who has served his community during the outbreak of HIV/AIDS as a volunteer and advocate. He was a public health nurse at the City of Toronto for 26 years. He became homeless at 16 when his parents found out he is queer. He is now retired and married to his husband of 28 years and has a large circle of 2SLGBTQ+ friends. Morrigana Townsend Morrigana Townsend is a woman of strength who has walked through fire most of her life to find her place in the world. A survivor, an activist, a speaker, a healer, and a teacher, she has fought through adversity to stand in her power as a bi-pan woman, a culturally proud woman, and an ally to all who identify with a female energy. Morrigana has raised her own children to be proud of their diversity and to serve their communities with their privilege. Talin Wright Talin (xe/xem/xer) is an agender queer Jamaican migrant. Xe works in roles that exemplify xer ability to share resources and provide support, particularly for queer and trans folks of color. Talin's background in spiritual and mental service work has allowed xem the opportunity to learn with the communities xe serves and put that knowledge into practice every day. Maiesha Zarin Maiesha Zarin (they/them) is a creative powerhouse who sits on the intersections of being nonbinary, lesbian, Bangladeshi and Muslim. As an artist and community event coordinator, Maiesha values anti-oppressive frameworks, people-driven environments and diverse communication methods. An undergrad bachelors in film production led Maiesha to work on many sets with many hats. Maiesha aims to unite communities through equitable, accessible and creative initiatives.