Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Advisory Committee
The full agenda, as filed
All 4 items in the clerk’s order. Each carries the city’s own words: the staff recommendation, what the body decided, and its status. Nothing below is written by us.
QS6.1amended
Workplan Development, 2023-2026
Members will complete the work planning process. Staff from the Gender Equity Unit will present on the top three priority areas which will determine the focus of work for the remainder of the Committee's term.
The Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Advisory Committee: 1. Requested the Manager, Gender Equity Unit, People and Equity amend the revised list of priority issues based on the feedback from the Committee so it reads as follows: 1. Housing and Shelters 2. Public Health (Mental Health) 3. Employment, Social Supports & Poverty Reduction 4. Community Safety 5. Seniors in Long-Term Care
QS6.2received
Chapter 510, Holiday Shopping and Tourist Area Exemptions
As directed by City Council, the Economic Development and Culture Division is reviewing the holiday closure requirements for retail businesses in Toronto. Staff will provide an overview of the project and seek relevant feedback from the Committee.
The Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Advisory Committee received the item for information.
QS6.3deferred
Supporting the Capacity of QTBIPOC Non-Profit Founders
Founders often experience, food, financial and housing insecurity while founding the grassroots initiatives that serve their community. It is challenging to find and win grants that cover for the operational and founding teams of non-profits: therefore, community members are forced to operate the organization on a volunteer basis for years. Most grants that are categorized as operational, cover the expenses of consultants, co-creators and other experts in the field, but not the founders or the operational team. Few grants support founders with legal advice, or grant-writing support, or other capacity building for the team members themselves. There is an overreliance on non-profit system were these basic expenses are not even covered Most organizations that already have a high capacity are the ones receiving the funding. For many grassroots initiatives, it is challenging to be part of the ongoing grant cycles. There might be even less funding for the non-profit sector in the future, especially in the nuanced issues that lack representation. It tends to be indigenous folks that create community grassroots projects for indigenous communities: Black folks that create it for their own community and this rationale applies for many other QTBIPOC founders. These individuals are forced to create these initiatives for desperate gaps that their communities are asking for. Less and less folks can create these systems with our current economy. By way of this letter, I am requesting a report that includes: Asking for a review of current funding for 2SLGBTQIA+ Non-profits through the city? What kinds of projects are getting funded? Who are the operational teams running these projects? How are they getting paid? Who are the founders? What other org's have created similar types of research (on the allocation for funding) and how can we benefit from these reports? What types of organizations is the city funding? Is there a centralized place for 2SLGBTQIA+ concerns/ questions regarding funding streams and funding allocation? Creating a GAP analysis to determine where capacity building efforts are needed for QTBIPOC founders? How can we ensure that are dedicated funds for QTBIPOC founders and Non-profit/ grassroots initiatives creators?
The Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Advisory Committee: 1. Deferred consideration of the Item until the next meeting of the Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Advisory Committee.
Staff recommendation as filed
Jad Jaber recommends that the Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Advisory Committee recommends that the Economic and Community Development Committee: 1. Request the Manager, Community Funding Unit, report back to the Committee on the City's current funding for 2SLGBTQIA+ collectives/organizations with the goals of determining how the City can better fund and build the capacities of grassroots QTBIPOC founders and creators.
QS6.4received
Vacancy on Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Advisory Committee
The City Clerk's Office has received notice that Apt'sqi'gnn ᐊᑉᑦ ᔅᑭ ᒃᓐᓐ has resigned from the Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Advisory Committee effective February 4, 2025. We would like to thank Apt'sqi'gnn ᐊᑉᑦ ᔅᑭ ᒃᓐᓐ for their contributions to the Committee.
The Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Advisory Committee received the item for information.