and speaking of the power of women of colour for community building...

I am still reeling from the Shades of Power dinner last night. The event was a volunteer-organized fundraiser to raise awareness about women of colour's mental health. Funds were raised to support Across Boundaries, a mental health centre providing support to people of colour in the GTA.

I was moved and inspired by the courage and energy of the women of colour who performed, shared experiences and organized the event. The speaker and performers' words reflected the painful realities of the health inequities experienced by women of colour in Ontario and beyond -- the impacts of racialized and gendered violence, migration, racism, displacement, isolation, navigating the mental health system, housing, legal system, mothering and family relationships, what it means and takes to feel good and beautiful as a woman of colour -- and the beauty and joy of the support systems of community, friends and family.

This event was organized through the initiative, passion and energy of volunteer Mya Vijendran. Thank you, Mya, for this incredible event!
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This bridge called my back: A retro look at women of color and power

An interesting essay about the vital importance and power of women of colour for social justice by Nisha Agarwal, Director of the Health Justice Program at New York Lawyers for the Public Interest:

http://www.race-talk.org/?p=1771
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CBC news (Jan 4/10) - US lifts travel ban on HIV+ individuals

http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2010/01/04/hiv-aids-travel-ban.html

HIV travel ban lifted in U.S.
Last Updated: Monday, January 4, 2010 | 12:13 PM ET CBC News

Canadians with HIV/AIDS are allowed to visit the United States as of Monday, after the U.S. lifted its 22-year ban against foreigners infected with the virus.

Since 1987, the ban had restricted people who are HIV positive from immigrating to or visiting the U.S.

At the time, little was known about how HIV was transmitted, and some American politicians believed they could stop the virus from spreading in the U.S. by keeping foreigners with AIDS out of the country.

Washington, D.C., is hosting the 2012 International AIDS Conference * an event made possible with the removal of the ban, U.S. President Barack Obama's administration said.

An estimated 65,000 Canadians were HIV positive in 2008, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada.
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SURVEY - Health Communities Ontario

Please forward this to anyone that might be interested in participating in this survey. If you have already received a similar message please do not complete the survey again and accept our apology for cross-postings.

The Ontario Ministry of Health Promotion offers capacity building services to organizations and groups that are interested in acquiring training and supports services for the Healthy Communities Ontario.

The Healthy Communities Ontario approach includes six priority areas of focus. These include:

• Physical Activity, Sport & Recreation
• Healthy Eating
• Tobacco Use/ Exposure
• Injury Prevention
• Mental Health
• Substance and Alcohol Misuse

The Ministry of Health Promotion would like your help to plan their services to respond effectively to the needs of organizations and groups that are interested in participating in Healthy Communities Ontario. If you belong to an organization or group that may be eligible and interested in applying to Healthy Communities Ontario, please take 15 minutes of your time to respond to the survey. Your responses will be confidential and reported anonymously. Copies of the report will be available on request by contacting lorna[at]ohcc-ccso.ca .

Please complete this survey by January 15, 2010.

For more information on the Healthy Communities Ontario approach and the Healthy Communities Fund visit the Ontario Ministry of Health Promotion online at http://www.mhp.gov.on.ca/english/healthy_communities/default.asp

If you have any questions about the questionnaire, please contact Lorna Heidenheim, Executive Director, Ontario Healthy Communities Coalition by email at: lorna[at]ohcc-ccso.ca or by telephone at 416-408-4841 or 1-800-766-3418, ext. 4 or Laura King Hahn, Program Coordinator, Ministry of Health Promotion by email at: laura.king-hahn[at]ontario.ca or by telephone at 416-314-5514.

Please click here to open the survey.
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SURVEY - Invisible Chronic Illness - Lesbian and bisexual women and Trans people

The purpose of this survey is to gather information regarding the challenges faced by lesbian, bisexual and queer women, and transgendered and transsexual people who live with invisible chronic illnesses. You do not have to have a formal medical diagnosis to fill out this survey. However, you must have an invisible chronic physical condition. Invisible chronic illnesses (ICIs) share a number of characteristics regardless of diagnosis. Some of these characteristics are: non-observable symptoms (i.e. pain, fatigue, cognitive difficulty), some symptoms are immeasurable, sometimes people appear well, and the illness has periods of exacerbation and remission.

There are many ICIs. A few examples are: multiple sclerosis, arthritis, HIV, fibromyalgia, lupus, and irritable bowel syndrome. If you are not sure whether you are living with an ICI we still want to hear from you. Please fill out the survey. There will be room at the end for comments and you can let us know there why you are not sure.You also must reside in Canada since the results of the survey will be used to advocate for change within the Canadian medical system and for community-based services. It does not matter whether you are a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, refugee claimant, temporary worker, or undocumented. As well, you must be at least 18 years old.

This survey is anonymous. You are not requested to provide your name to participate. Any identifying information you provide will be altered to ensure confidentiality. Your privacy will be protected.The results of this survey will be presented at the Rainbow Health Ontario 2010 Conference to raise awareness regarding ICIs and to start a conversation that will lead to change regarding the services needed for lesbian, bisexual, and queer women and trans people living with ICIs. To find out more about Rainbow Health Ontario go to: http://www.rainbowhealthontario.ca/

Additionally, results from this survey may be used for publication to raise awareness and/or advocate for change.
The survey takes between 20 and 30 minutes to fill out. Here is the link:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/icisurvey

The survey will be online until February 21, 2010.

About the researcher
The researcher is Silvana Bazet. This survey was designed by Silvana with the input of a Community Advisory Committee. Silvana is a lesbian and lives with an undiagnosed ICI. She is also a psychotherapist in private practice and Clinical Member of the Ontario Society of Psychotherapists. To find out more about Silvana go to: http://torontopsychotherapy.wordpress.com
Should you have any questions or comments, please contact Silvana at: queericisurvey[at]gmail.com

The survey is also available in Word to be printed and distributed to those who may not have access to a computer. Please contact Silvana to obtain a copy.

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Trainings for Service Providers: Building Capacity in Trans Health Care (Toronto)

Trainings for Service Providers: Building Capacity in Trans Health Care

This two part workshop is intended for physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners and counsellors

1. The Joy of Gender: Understanding Trans Experience

by Hershel T. Russell, MA, Med, Independent Psychotherapist

The workshop will cover the spectrum of gender presentation, gender identity, including the historical and cross-cultural contexts of trans people?s lives. The workshop will build on the physician?s and nurse?s role in providing general and transition-related health care to trans patients.

2. Providing Comprehensive Primary Care for Trans Clients

by Dr. Kate Greenaway and Dr. Ed Kucharski

This workshop will give the participants an introduction to providing specialized primary care to trans clients. Specifically, we will look at starting hormones for gender transition from the evaluation stage to prescribing an initial regimen. The workshop will use a combination of didactic teaching, case studies and group discussion

Date: Thursday, January 21, 2010

Time: 9 am to 1 pm

Location: Sherbourne Health Centre, 333 Sherbourne St, Toronto

Registration Cost: $ 50.00

Includes: Clinical Protocol Guidebook and lunch

Space is limited to a maximum of 15 persons

For further information and payment please contact Devan Nambiar

dnambiar[at]rainbowhealthontario.ca 416-324-4100 ext. 5262

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Among Friends - Free training for service providers who work with newcomers and LGBTQ clients

Among Friends is offering FREE TRAININGS for service providers who work with newcomers
and/or lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer+ (LGBTQ) clients!

An Introduction to Working with LGBTQ Newcomers

Training A: For service providers who work with newcomer clients

Participants will reflect on the complexity of the newcomer experience within an LGBTQ context, learn definitions, acknowledge barriers and identify ways to create more positive spaces.

Select one date: Friday Jan 29, Feb 5, Feb 19 or Feb 26
9:30am to 12pm


Training B: For service providers who work with LGBTQ clients

Participants will understand the LGBTQ experience within an immigrant and refugee context, learn cultural terms, acknowledge barriers and identify ways to create more inclusive spaces.

Select one date: Friday Jan 29, Feb 5, Feb 19 or Feb 26
2:00pm to 4:30pm

We encourage your front-line, management, executive, board and volunteer staff to attend.

Trainings will be held at Access Alliance

340 College Street, Suite 500 (near College & Spadina)

Spaces are limited. Please register in advance with Aamer at amongfriends[at]accessalliance.ca or call 416-324-8677 ext 309

Can*t come to us? Let us come to you!!

Among Friends can offer these FREE trainings at your workplace.

Among Friends is a collaborative project between Access Alliance Multicultural Health and Community Services, The 519 Church Street Community Centre and CultureLink. The project aims to provide resources and support to service providers in Toronto in becoming more LGBTQ newcomer positive and to increase volunteer opportunities for LGBTQ newcomers.

Funded by The Ontario Trillium Foundation
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CALL OUT - Bodies of Dissent Transform Conference - March 12-14, 2010 (Peterborough, ON)

Bodies of Dissent: Transform
March 12-14, Peterborough, ON

Transmission, the organizers of last year's Bodies of Dissent: TransAccess
conference, invite trans and gender variant communities, individuals and
allies to submit proposals for workshops and presentations of various
forms for the upcoming Trans conference. Bodies of Dissent: TransForm will
be focused on developing strategies and networks to change individuals,
communities, organizations and systems. We are issuing a call to action to
unite to build communities of empowerment and change.

Please send a proposal outlining the nature of your workshop, presentation
or creative project specifying the topic or focus, as well as any
materials and/or accommodations required. Workshops, presentation, films
and creative projects will be happening during March 12th and 13th,
accompanied by performances in the evenings. Interested performers are
also encouraged to contact us.

E-mail bodiesofdissent@gmail.com with Proposals, Ideas, Questions

** Proposals are due Monday, January 18th **
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Calgary Herald (Nov 8/09) - Aboriginal transplant rates show 'two tiers' to health-care system: experts

MOOSE FACTORY, Ont. — Peter Nakogee knows the chances are not good for aboriginals seeking transplants in Canada, but the gregarious father of four has reason to celebrate.

The former mayor of a small Cree community on James Bay has finally made it onto a national waiting list. As of this week, Nakogee is in line for a new kidney that could not only transform his life, but show it’s possible to overcome what some consider a racial divide in Canada’s health-care system.

The disparities in the medical treatment received by First Nations people compared to other Canadians have attracted growing national and international attention. The latest study says aboriginal people are only one-third as likely to get a kidney transplant as Caucasian Canadians, even though they have more than twice the rate of kidney failure.

Full article at: http://www.calgaryherald.com/health/Aboriginal+transplant+rates+show+tiers+health+care+system+experts/2199807/story.html
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BBC News - Call for more ethnic data: Health experts have said more information is needed about ethnic minority groups in Scotland

Article in today's BBC news regarding the need for better data about the health of racialized communities in Scotland.

The article refers to a new report called Health in Our Multi-Ethnic Scotland: http://www.healthscotland.com/documents/3768.aspx

BBC News (9 Nov/09) - Call for more ethnic health data: Health experts have said more information is needed about ethnic minority groups in Scotland

Health experts have said more information is needed about ethnic minority groups in Scotland.
A report has identified five priorities including recording the ethnic identity of every person registered with the health service.

It said the authorities know little about the health of ethnic minority groups north of the border.

This is largely because ethnicity is not recorded on death certificates and rarely on NHS records, it said.

The report said: "Only 15% of hospital admission records and 18% of cancer registration data currently have an ethnic code."

The report, Health in our Multi-ethnic Scotland, also said some of the recent findings also indicated that the health of ethnic minority groups is often better than that of the majority white Scottish population.

But it said action was required to tackle higher rates of coronary artery disease and diabetes amongst South Asian people compared to the general population.

The article can be read at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/8349583.stm

The report is at: http://www.healthscotland.com/documents/3768.aspx

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