Still Accepting Applications!

Want to Work at The Centre for Women and Trans People?

The Centre for Women and Trans People at U of T practices equity hiring and believes that those on the margins are often in better positions to understand and address how systems of oppression and privilege work and are maintained.

Lived experience is equally if not more valuable than academic and professional experience, and The Centre welcomes and strongly encourages people from marginalized communities and intersecting identities to apply. This includes Indigenous and Two-Spirit people, Black people, racialized/people of colour, poor and working class people and those on social assistance, Muslims, Jewish people of colour, women, femmes, gay, lesbian, bisexual, asexual, and queer people, transgender, transsexual, intersex, genderqueer, non-binary, and non-conforming people, current and/or former sex workers, single parents, members of ethnic minorities, immigrants, disabled/mad identified people, and people from non-academic backgrounds.

We encourage applicants to describe the contributions and experiences they would bring to The Centre in their application and to self identify if they feel comfortable to do so. We commit to maintaining the privacy of those who self identify and will ensure that all information is kept confidential.

Application deadline extended to Friday January 25, 2019 by 11:59 p.m. EST for the following two positions:

Coordinator, Volunteer Management and Peer Support

Coordinator, Financial Administration and Communications

Apply by Sunday, January 13th by 11:59 p.m. EST for the position below:

Student Coordinator, Dr. Chun Resource Library

We’re Hiring!

Want to Work at The Centre for Women and Trans People?

The Centre for Women and Trans People at U of T practices equity hiring and believes that those on the margins are often in better positions to understand and address how systems of oppression and privilege work and are maintained.

Lived experience is equally if not more valuable than academic and professional experience, and The Centre welcomes and strongly encourages people from marginalized communities and intersecting identities to apply. This includes Indigenous and Two-Spirit people, Black people, racialized/people of colour, poor and working class people and those on social assistance, Muslims, Jewish people of colour, women, femmes, gay, lesbian, bisexual, asexual, and queer people, transgender, transsexual, intersex, genderqueer, non-binary, and non-conforming people, current and/or former sex workers, single parents, members of ethnic minorities, immigrants, disabled/mad identified people, and people from non-academic backgrounds.

We encourage applicants to describe the contributions and experiences they would bring to The Centre in their application and to self identify if they feel comfortable to do so. We commit to maintaining the privacy of those who self identify and will ensure that all information is kept confidential.

Current Open Job Positions

Coordinator, Volunteer Management and Peer Support

Coordinator, Financial Administration and Communications

Student Coordinator, Dr. Chun Resource Library

Qtbipoc (W)holistic Mental Health Series

In partnership with the Centre for Women and Trans People (CWTP) and the Ontario Public Interest Research Group (OPIRG) at the University of Toronto, Lukayo Estrella (MSW), presents the following free (w)holistic mental and spiritual health workshops for queer and/or trans folks that are racialized along the lines of Indigenous and/or Black and/or People of Colour (QTBIPOC):

*The Soul Wound (Wed Dec 12, 6-9pm)*

Based on works by Grace Nono, Eduardo Duran, and Renee Linklater, this workshop will explore both Western and non-Western approaches to healing trauma, or “soul wounds”/ “wounds of the spirit”. Lukayo will also be drawing upon their background in peer support, co-counselling, and somatic experiencing trauma counselling, as well as traditional healing practices of Bikol and general Filipino peoples. The goal of this workshop is to explain Western and non-Western approaches to trauma while also focusing on somatic, psychological, and/or spiritual techniques and sources of strength and resilience against the daily effects of colonialism, capitalism, and other forms of oppression. The first hour will be a go around and check in with all participants, creating group guidelines together on healing and sharing space. The second hour will be a discussion and sharing with each other on soul/spirit wounds, where they come from and how colonization / racism / heterosexism / cisgenderism creates and perpetuates them, their effects on our lives, and Western and non-Western approaches to healing. If oppression are personal and systemic demons that are haunting us, then what kind of things do they whisper to us, causing pain and uneasiness? How do they force us to compromise our own values and needs? What are the ways we can build resistance to them and peace for ourselves and loved ones even as they seem to be in every aspect of our lives? The third hour will introduce some techniques folks can practice on their own.

*Protect Your Energy (Wed Dec 19, 6-9pm)*

_Prerequisite: The Soul Wound Workshop_
This workshop is a sequel to The Soul Wound workshop, with the first hour for check-in and guidelines, and the last hour for techniques. However, in the second hour we delve into the concept that “anxiety” and “depression” can also be a form of energy that gets trapped inside us, thus causing harm to our body and spirit. What are the ways these energies enter or grows inside of us? How does this energy get trapped? How do we release it without causing further harm and distress to ourselves and others? The goal of this workshop is to focus on somatic, psychological, and/or spiritual techniques and strategies of grounding and mindfulness that builds on folks’ already existing strengths and practices.

*Registration Process:*

Please email lukayo.estrella AT gmail DOT com using the subject title “Soul Wound Workshop Registration” with the following information by Friday, November 30th, 2018:
– your name
– do you identify as queer and/or trans?
– do you identify as Indigenous (to this land) and/or Black and/or a Person of Colour?
– why you’re interested in the workshop series
– dietary restrictions
– your access needs
We can still accept late registrations, but we cannot guarantee that your access needs will be met the later you apply. The workshops will be capped at 20 people, due to space restrictions.

*Accessibility Notes*

The CWTP is fully wheelchair accessible and we strive for a scent-free environment. There is one gender neutral and accessible bathroom around the corner. The OPIRG Toronto office can be left open to be used as a chill out space if needed. Tokens, ASL interpretation, and food will be provided. The venue is near the intersection of College and Spadina, and can be accessed using the 510 streetcar or the 506 streetcar/bus. For parking, if you cannot find street parking, you can park at the McLennan Physical Laboratories parking lot on Russell Street for a flat rate of $10 for the evening, or at the Kensington Medical Building Parking Lot on 340 College Street West for $4 on the surface or $5 underground.

*Note on Land, Space & Institutions*

Lukayo seeks to uphold the Two Row Wampum Treaty and Dish With One Spoon Treaty as they are not indigenous to these lands and hold Canadian citizenship. As such, it is not enough to acknowledge that we are on the lands of the Haudenosaunee, Anishinabe (Mississaugas of New Credit and Anishinabek), Wyandot, and Tionontati, but also be in active reparations for previous violations of those Treaties under the Canadian government. Indigenous folks will be centred in this discussion as knowledge keepers of their own traditions, and money will be donated to Indigenous causes or individual Indigenous participants as scholarships to attend if requested. In addition, the decision to have the event at the University of Toronto was for ease of access in regards to ASL interpretation funding, centralized location, elevators, ramps, automatic doors, gender neutral and accessible washroom, and transit. However it is also understood that non-profit and academic institutions continue to perpetuate various forms of colonization and oppression on QTBIPOC, and folks may not feel comfortable or safe to attend due to this. If this is the case for you, please contact Lukayo and they can arrange a free teaching or workshop at your living space, work space, or community space that would be safer for you and/or your people.

*Note on Privacy/Confidentiality & Community Conflict*

The guest list for the event is private in case folks do not want to out themselves as trans and/or queer, however, I cannot guarantee that your attendance to the event will not show up in other people’s Facebook feeds if you click interested or attending. Secondly, if you’re concerned that an ex, person who has harmed/abused you, or person you’re in conflict with will attend the workshop, please email lukayo.estrella AT gmail DOT com and we can chat about ways to support your safety. If needed, we can do individual one-on-one teachings.

*About Lukayo:*

A wordslinger and healer from the Bikol diaspora, Lukayo is based on the territories of the Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee, and Wyandot, and currently resides and travels between the cities of Toronto and Ottawa, Canada. When not daydreaming of starting a school for land defenders and priestesses, Lukayo is probably playing Dungeons & Dragons or cuddling their four-legged feline child, Anino. Check out Lukayo.com to know more.

Partial or full proceeds of all of Lukayo’s workshops go to grassroots collectives that support Pilipino/Pilipinx liberation, Indigenous sovereignty (in recognition of the territory and land), and Black liberation (in recognition of the historical and ongoing roots of spoken word and many forms of healing in Black culture). If you’d like to know specifically which groups are being donated to, please ask me.

If you are not a QTBIPOC and want to support this work, especially for Lukayo to work with folks that cannot attend workshops at the University of Toronto downtown campus, please donate to www.patreon.com/lukayo. Diyos Mabalos!

A Very Merry Queer-mas – Clothing Swap Party

OPIRG Toronto and the Centre for Women and Trans People at the University of Toronto are hosting an end of year clothing swap party for 2SLGBTQIAA folks (allies are welcome too!). Come join us for a laid back evening of socializing, food and fashion!

Find a new sweater and a new friend! Folks are encouraged to bring any clean good condition clothing items they no longer want or use to add to the swap pile. Any left over items will be added to the OPIRG “Free Market” at the end of the night. The “Free Market” is a literal market where everything is free. Its geared towards low income and marginalized students so your left overs are sure to go to someone in need

Vegan and Gluten Free options will be available. TTC tokens available upon request

The CWTP and OPIRG are accessible spaces. There is a ramp with powered entrance at the rear of the North Borden building (on the Bancroft entrance). Theres an accessible washroom on the 1st and 2nd floor (there is an elevator near next to the rear entrance). We ask that folks please arrive scent free out of respect for those with scent based allergies and intolerances.

If you have any questions regarding accessibility or the event itself please feel free to get in touch with us at:

opirg.toronto AT gmail DOT com
coordinator.cwtp AT gmail DOT com

When: Monday, December 10, 2018. 4 PM – 7 PM
Where: OPIRG Toronto
563 Spadina Ave, Room 101, Toronto, Ontario M5S 2J7

Christmas Culture Takeover: Unpacking the Personal and Political

The Holidays are complicated.

Many of us enjoy the break after exams to relax, spend time with loved ones and engage in the Holiday spirit. However, for many others, the Holidays can increase stress and depression levels. Engaging with family and our faith/spiritual communities can be difficult – they may trigger us, impose certain practices upon us or may reinforce feelings that we do not belong. Feelings of alienation can arise at the dinner table and at church.

Apart from the practical complexities of the Holidays, we are also faced with confronting the systems of oppressions that have constructed the holiday season. “The Holidays” as we know them today have become pawns of capitalism and white supremacy. The day after Thanksgiving, stores start rolling out their sales for the holiday season. And until Christmas even, people end spending up an immense amount of cash on parties, gifts, food and decorations – and corporations end up reaping the benefits.

Not to mention, “Christmas culture” starts taking over schools, workplaces, community spaces, media, public discourse all across North America. Some people from faith/spiritual communities who do not celebrate Christmas may end up feeling alienated while others learn to participate in the holiday culture. In this way, the state works to homogenize and assimilate us into “Western culture”.

How do we navigate society’s the secularization of Christmas and the West, yet the continued dominance of Christian tradition in Western society? How is this culture nostalgic of colonial, white supremacist and missionary histories in North America? How might we navigate this while also finding Christianity and the holidays are a source of comfort, liberation and faith for us? How might we find safety for ourselves in the Holidays?

Join us at ROARS this week in talking about our feelings about the holidays, creating a safety plan and unpacking holiday culture.

When: Monday, December 3rd, 2018. 4 PM – 6 PM
Where: 563 Spadina Avenue. Room 100. North Borden Building

***

ROARS is a student-led peer support group that provides a safe(r) space for self-identified women, trans, two-spirited, and gender non-binary/non-conforming people to discuss, critically analyze, and take action on issues of sexism, misogyny, racism, transphobia, homophobia, biphobia, xenophobia, ageism, ableism, classism, White supremacy, colonialism, and settler colonialism, in relation to our lived experiences within religious institutions and spiritual journeys. This is a space to examine the impact of oppressive -isms and reclaim your own spirituality.

ROARS is a collaborative initiative between the Multifaith Centre for Spiritual Study & Practice and the Centre for Women & Trans People at the University of Toronto.

Neglection and Elections

The 2018 Provincial and Municipal elections have come and gone— but who has been put in charge? And by whom? Do the people representing us really advocate for our well-being? In only a few months we’ve seen conservative action reduce investment in our social welfare programs, suggest bringing back harmful and ineffective gun violence prevention strategies, and enact “free speech” policies across post-secondary campuses. Municipally, long-standing incumbents ran and won in Toronto’s most working class and racialized communities, forming a homogenous City Council that does not look like Toronto. How do we understand politics when people who do not look like us are advocating for a future and policies that will work against us?

How have recent political events influenced your faith and spiritual communities? How do politicians and political parties use and manipulate our communities for their own gain? How are discourses of “civic engagement” promoted in harmful ways? How do we navigate the ongoing rise of social conservatism within our communities? Is electoral politics a viable way for us to seek “representation” and resist against injustice? How do we collectivize to resist a government that denies our humanity while declaring our citizenry, and demands our faithful support but dismisses our bodies and spirituality?

This week at ROARS we discuss the relationship between politicians, political parties, and politics in context with our “otherness.”

When: Monday, November 19, 2018. 4 PM – 6 PM
Where: 563 Spadina Avenue. Room 100. North Borden Building

***

ROARS is a student-led peer support group that provides a safe(r) space for self-identified women, trans, two-spirited, and gender non-binary/non-conforming people to discuss, critically analyze, and take action on issues of sexism, misogyny, racism, transphobia, homophobia, biphobia, xenophobia, ageism, ableism, classism, White supremacy, colonialism, and settler colonialism, in relation to our lived experiences within religious institutions and spiritual journeys. This is a space to examine the impact of oppressive -isms and reclaim your own spirituality.

ROARS is a collaborative initiative between the Multifaith Centre for Spiritual Study & Practice and the Centre for Women & Trans People at the University of Toronto.

CWTP Open House! Free Food and Raffle Prizes!

Drop by any time during our Open House: check out the Centre, make art, eat yummy snacks, brainstorm ideas and connect with friendly folks. There will be button making and colouring pages on BIPOC activisms, intersectional feminism, and consent. +++ Free raffle prizes!

When: Sep 26, 2018, 1 PM – 5 PM
Where: 563 Spadina Ave Room 100, Toronto, Ontario M5S2J7. Ramp access via Bancroft Ave.

Free Event! Snacks including vegan & gluten-free options.

Family-friendly event – kids are welcome! Wheelchair accessible building and space. Accessible and all-gender washroom located on the same floor as the event room. Please arrive fragrance-free if possible. For access needs please contact coordinator.cwtp AT utoronto DOT ca.

Get a personalized tour of the Centre. Learn more about ongoing and upcoming programs and events.

Interested in volunteering? Getting involved with The Spice: Community Cooking or The Dr. Chun Resource Library? Helping to maintain the drop-in space? Outreach & promotions? Starting a peer support group? CWTP projects and initiatives centre the leadership, experiences and perspectives of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, people of colour) & 2SQTNBIA (Two-Spirit, queer, trans, non-binary, intersex and asexual) folks. Join us!

—-

This event is part of Queer Orientation Week at U of T:
http://sgdo.utoronto.ca/programs/queer-orientation/
https://www.facebook.com/events/291170675006022/

Fall 2018 Newsletter

Check out the latest Centre newsletter

If you haven’t yet, sign up for our monthly newsletter on the events page.

Resisting Oppression and Reclaiming Spirituality (ROARS): Ally or Accomplice?

Resisting Oppression and Reclaiming Spirituality (ROARS) presents: Ally or Accomplice?

When: 6-8 pm, October 26, 2017
Where: Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (Room 5250)
252 Bloor St W, Toronto, ON M5S 1V6

RSVP: multi.faith AT utoronto DOT ca

FB Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1772562576369553/?active_tab=about#

It was wonderful seeing everyone at our meet and greet last week! Our second event of the term will be about performative vs substantive allyship. Discourse surrounding allyship oftentimes seem to be white-centered. In this session we hope to explore inter-POC allyship and what that looks like. We would like to discuss the question “what can I do to be an ally?” and how to reframe the question so that it is more helpful rather than potentially harmful. This session will also explore “ally” vs “accomplice” and whether there are tangible differences between the two terms. Along with a light dinner, we will also have a cookie decorating station, so come though if you would like some ally cookies!

Resisting Oppression and Reclaiming Spirituality (ROARS) is a student-led peer support group that provides a safe(r) space for self-identified women, trans, Two-Spirit, and gender non-binary/non-conforming people to discuss, critically analyze, and take action on issues of sexism, misogyny, racism, transphobia, homophobia, biphobia, xenophobia, ageism, ableism, classism, White supremacy, colonialism, and settler colonialism, in relation to our lived experiences within religious institutions and spiritual journeys.

This is a space to examine the impact of oppressive -isms and
reclaim y/our spirituality.

Access Info:
Free event! Wheelchair accessible building and room. Accessible, single-user, all-gender washroom located on the same floor as the event room. Light dinner including vegan & gluten-free options. Limited TTC tokens available, upon request. Please arrive fragrance-free if possible. For access needs please contact: roarsuoft AT gmail DOT com

Roars is a collaborative initiative between the Multifaith Centre for Spiritual Study & Practice and the Centre for Women and Trans People at the University of Toronto.

If you would like more info on future events, please subscribe to our newsletter!
https://tinyletter.com/ROARS

 

=========

If you are not yet signed up for the ROARS Newsletter, here is the first issue:
Hello everyone,
Thank you for subscribing to the ROARS (Resisting Oppression and Reclaiming Spirituality) Newsletter and thank you to all who came out to the Meet & Greet. We wanted to be sure that everyone who did come could have access to all of the topics and ideas we discussed, as well as making it available for those who could not make it to the meeting.
We first gathered as a group and created our own list of guidelines: a set of malleable points to keep in mind when interacting with the ROARS space. We came up with 12 in total. They are as follows:

1. Confidentiality: what is said in the space needs to stay in the space
2. Avoid generalizing so as not to speak for other’s experiences/ No assumptions
3. No supremacies: do not let your privilege oppress others
4. Respect when someone is speaking
5. Be mindful of the time and space that you are taking
6. Feel free to check in (or out) whenever you would like
7. Use “I” statements when possible
8. Call people in instead of calling people out
9. Be open to people sharing feelings
10. Be compassionate
11. Be aware of people’s triggers and needs
12. The words we use matter, choose them with care

We realized at the end of this exercise that all of the guidelines would work best if they were operating together at the same time, in a scribble-like manner like so:

Afterwards, we came up with topics we wanted to explore for future sessions. This was a fairly short list, but it was packed with so much rich possibility. If you have any ideas you specifically would like to see form us, send us an email. In the mean time, the next topic will be on allyship!

We will explore what it means to be an ally. Is there a performance aspect to being an ally? What is the difference between being an ally and being in solidarity? Is there one? Discussions of allyship most often centre white-ness and what white people can do for non-white people. We will attempt to move beyond this conversation and ask how marginalized groups themselves can become allies or accomplices.

You know how sometimes people think they deserve a cookie for working against oppression? In good fun, we are planning to have a cookie decorating station for the ally cookies we will freshly bake (or buy from the store, let’s be real). As per request, we will have healthier food options. Gluten-free and vegan choices will be available. So come out to our next session on October 26, 2017 in OISE 252 Bloor St w, M5S1V6, Room 5250.

In the mean time, here are some links for articles you may want to check out that will be relevant to our next session.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/being-a-muslim-ally-1.3851660

http://www.indigenousaction.org/accomplices-not-allies-abolishing-the-ally-industrial-complex/

https://everydayfeminism.com/2013/11/things-allies-need-to-know/

https://everydayfeminism.com/2017/09/ally-means-not-expecting-a-reward/

VIDEO How Latino Anti-Blackness Helped Kill Philando Castile: From Biases to Allyship: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTSlB-JFA28

VIDEO PSA: How To Be An Ally- DON’T: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sOPngK1DSc

Hope to see you soon!

Cookie Exchange & Social: Mon Dec 12, 4:30-6:30PM

LOCATION CHANGE: This event will now be held at SBA, 215 Huron Street, 9th floor. Monday December 12, 4:30-6:30PM

Join Students for Barrier-free Access and the Centre for Women and Trans People at U of T for a cookie exchange and social. This will be a relaxed and fun evening of cookie decorating, button-making, and socializing.

Cookie exchange guide:

A cookie exchange allows participants to bring in a batch of cookies to share with the group (we suggest 6-12), and to take home cookies brought by other participants.

We ask that, when possible, people bring between 6-12 cookies to share at the cookie exchange. They can be home baked or store bought. Please bring a list of ingredients for the cookies that you bring to share. Please ensure that all cookies are nut-free. If possible, please bring a container to take your cookies home in. If you can’t bring cookies no problem, we’ll have extra to share 🙂

Please let us know if you have any allergies.

Free! Everyone welcome! We will have tea, coffee, and a cookie decorating station set up!

Date Monday December 12, 2016
Time: 4:30pm-6:30pm
Location: SBA Centre, 215 Huron Street, Suite 924 on the 9th floor.

This is an anti-racist, anti-ableist, queer and trans positive and family friendly space.

Accessible, single-user all-gender washroom located on the same floor as the event space.

***Contact Nadia at sba.advocacycoordinator AT gmail DOT com with information about allergies, access needs, or any other questions/concerns.***

FB Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/381760692168792