Being Better Allies: Five Things We Do, To Do Better
It has always been clear that certain sub-populations of young people are overrepresented in the youth homelessness population. The prejudice and discrimination placed on the minorities of the world, often make those same subgroups the majority in our field of work. In honour of Pride Month, we’re taken a look at our organization’s diversity and inclusion efforts.
Pride Month, which began with The Stonewall Riots in June of 1969, celebrates and commemorates the LGBTQ2S+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, two-spirit, plus) community and its historic figures.
Homelessness has been present in the lives of so many historic figures within the gay rights movement. Explore last year’s Pride Month Blog Post to learn more.
Five Things We Do To Be Better Allies…
1. Inclusive Programming
We recently welcomed a new LGBTQ2S+ inclusive, pleasure-positive and body-positive Safer Sex Workshop, hosted by ACCKWA.
ACCKWA (The AIDS Committee Of Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo & Area) is working toward a future where new HIV, Hepatitis C, and sexually transmitted or blood-borne infections are rare in Waterloo Region. They strive to ensure people living with HIV feel that maintaining health, well-being and full community participation are achievable, realistic goals.
The workshop focuses on the autonomy of different sexual activities without assuming gender; sharing risk-reduction strategies, and education surrounding practical skills like communicating with partners, expressing and respecting boundaries, negotiating for safer sex practices, and the importance of regular STI testing.
2. Diversity Training
Our Host Homes program recently partnered with SPECTRUM to provide LGBTQ2S+ training to our Host Homes team, through their Rainbow Diversity Program.
SPECTRUM’s Rainbow Diversity Training is a service that helps organizations along the path toward becoming more equitable and accessible to persons of all sexual and gender diversities, both to clients and employees of the organization. The training covers topics around gender, sexuality, the challenges LGBTQ2S+ youth face and how to be a better ally.
Host Homes and Family Reconnect work collaboratively under the Prevention & Diversion umbrella here at oneROOF Youth Services, to prevent youth from entering the shelter system and divert them away from the cycle of homelessness. The purpose of Host Homes is to prevent youth (ages 16-25) from entering into the cycle of homelessness. Youth who are referred to our organization are assessed for potential participation in this program. Once accepted, they are matched with a Host Home Provider.
We strongly believe that the number one cause of youth homelessness is breakdown of the family. Whether it's abuse within the household, homophobia/transphobia, miss-education surrounding addiction, etc., young people are being mistreated and/or misunderstood by the adults in their lives. Providing education surrounding things like LGBTQ2S+ identities is one of the ways we can safeguard our young people.
Back in the fall, our Host Homes Department partnered with local queer organization, SPECTRUM to provide training for our staff and Host Home Providers; ensuring the homes our young people are placed in (and the staff assisting them) are safe and accessible to persons of all sexual and gender diversities.
3. Intentional Partnerships
We believe that actions speak louder than words! We strive to partner with organizations that value equality and inclusivity.
This year, we partnered with Sexfluent, a new youth-driven platform aimed at preventing HIV and other sexually transmitted infections among young people by empowering youth to take ownership of their sexual health.
Sexfluent is a division of The Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research (CANFAR), which aims to "end Canada’s HIV epidemic by leading national strategies to increase prevention, testing, treatment and linkage to care," and to end HIV stigma.
In honour of #WorldMentalHealthDay, an expert from our Mental Health & Addictions Department appeared on the popular Instagram account @sexfluent.ca, answering public questions from young peeople. Together, we opened up the conversation around youth mental health, in an inclusive and youth-specific way.
We hope to continue to create meaningful connections with like-minded organizations in efforts to raise awareness for issues pertaining to youth homelessness, including the overrepresentation of queer young people within the homeless population. Hear from our Mental Health & Addictions Department in CANFAR's latest #AskSexfluent Instagram series, here.
4. Inclusive Protocols
We strive to ensure our protocol, for both staff and the youth we serve, is accommodating to all identities.
At oneROOF Youth Services, we don’t just accept difference — we celebrate it, support it, and thrive on it! Our email sign-offs and identification badges display preferred pronouns, allowing staff the opportunity to share how they would like to be referred to. This effort promotes respectful communication between staff, as well as in conversation with our donors, supporters, and collaborators online. In-person, the choice to list self-identifiers (such as first names and pronouns) on badges makes it easier for staff and youth to connect.
In addition, we do our best to keep our youth in-take process as gender inclusive as possible. As an organization often serving minors, we encourage the youth we serve to be as transparent as possible during their intake process, so we know how to best serve them in the case of an emergency or medical situation. Our forms and documents contain various gender identification options (including those outside of the binary) and allow youth to indicate whether they are cisgender or transgender.
5. Promoting Education
One of oneROOF Youth Services’ main mission statements is, “to educate the public regarding homelessness, street life and related issues.” This education and prevention component is provided by way of community forums, public speaking engagements, media relations and the distribution of relevant research. Our website, monthly newsletter, blog, and social media presence not only share news about all things oneROOF Youth Services, but also afford us the opportunity to share our knowledge and gain new understanding.
Last June, we were inspired to take a closer look at two sub-populations, overrepresented in the youth homelessness community: Indigenous young people and LGBTQ2S+ youth. In a blog post, we shared facts and statistics related to experiences of queer youth homelessness, the origins of Pride Month and LGBTQ2S+ history, as well as the intersectionality of things like race, gender identity, sexual orientation, neurodivergence, and more.
We strive to create an accepting and safe environment for youth experiencing homelessness, including the sub-populations within. Every day we hear the stories of these individuals and strive to better understand the undeniable prejudice and discrimination so clearly present and at play in their lives.
Please take a moment to explore the links below and join us in bettering ourselves through education and understanding.
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What does LGBTQ2s+ mean? Read Now.
What are pronouns and how do I use them? Find Out.
Struggling Parent? Here’s all you need to know about your LGBTQ2s+ child: Click Here.
Language is Important! For basic LGBTQ2s+ terms, Click Here.
Gender vs. Sexuality. What’s the difference? Find Out.
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Two Spirits, One Voice. What does it mean to be Two Spirit? Watch Now.
Useful TikToks from local, LGBTQ2S+ inclusive organizations Sexfluent. Watch Now.
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Need help coming out? Get Help.
Find local, trans-friendly bathrooms with TransNAV GPS Directory
Events happening in Waterloo Region this June. Explore Now.
Find trans, non-binary & genderfluid peer support through Trans Lifeline (Available 7 days a week, 5pm-1am EST)
For other LGBTQ2S+ Crisis Resources: Click Here.
Youth homelessness is not just an issue for the people in this sector, it’s a broader community issue. For decades, research has indicated that LGBTQ2S+ youth are disproportionately represented among youth experiencing homelessness in Canada. While the evolution of LGBTQ2S+ rights in recent years is undeniable, there are many hurdles left to cross.
Parents and educators can make a difference by educating themselves on the issues facing today's youth, and taking the time to educate others. We always recommend talking to the young people in your life about the realities of homelessness and why it happens, always making sure to emphasize the humanity of those experiencing it.