Timmins Pride seeks solutions for lack of 2SLGBTQ+ supports
It's the time of year to celebrate the 2SLGBTQ+ community, though Fierte Timmins Pride feels it's also an important time to look for solutions to the lack of support services in the city.
For group president Matt Villeneuve, that effort starts with hearing from the local community about what's missing.
"At this moment, we're trying to figure out exactly what the gaps are, so that we can fill them," Villeneuve said. "And if there's already a service taking place, we'll make sure to highlight it so that we are able to promote it."
The group received $125,000 from the federal agency Women and Gender Equality Canada to conduct a needs assessment study.
That involves a recently-launched online survey, as well as a town hall, focus groups and community interviews to be conducted in the coming months.
Share their experiences
Group officials said all members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community are welcome to share their experiences, concerns and suggestions, whether or not they still live in Timmins.
"We're looking at folks who have moved away as a result of not having access," said the group's treasurer, Julie Demarchi.
"The older 2SLGBTQ+ community that maybe have had to live a little more of a closeted life. We need these voices to be heard."
In the past, Villeneuve said people have expressed issues with getting transgender-inclusive medical care. Others have sought supports for dealing with problems at home, work or school related to their gender or sexual orientation, he said.
He and Demarchi said Timmins Pride tries to facilitate education, training and some level of support as much as it can with a volunteer team.
Not their expertise
But they said that's not their expertise. The group was founded to organize events and facilitate discussion, not provide specialized services.
This is why they are hoping the information collected from the study can build a solid case for government funding to create a dedicated social services organization that can address the needs of the 2SLGBTQ+ community.
"Timmins Pride is committed to seeing this happen because we see the injustices and the lack of supports," Demarchi said.
It's an ambitious effort, she said, but one that she feels can become a reality as long as the whole community speaks out.
The more people who voice their thoughts, Demarchi said, the stronger position the group will be in to request funding.
"This is such an important piece right now, we need folks to come forward."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Former Air Canada employees among suspects identified in gold heist at Pearson airport: police
Police say one former and one current employee of Air Canada are among the nine suspects that are facing charges in connection with the gold heist at Pearson International Airport last year.
'$6.66 per day': Advocacy groups disheartened by funding in budget for disability benefit
Advocacy groups across Canada are expressing widespread disappointment about the amount of funding earmarked in the 2024 federal budget for the long-awaited Canada Disability Benefit.
BREAKING Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter banned from NBA
Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter has been handed a lifetime ban from The National Basketball Association (NBA) following an investigation which found he disclosed confidential information to sports bettors, the league says.
Earthquake jolts southern Japan
An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.4 hit southern Japan late on Wednesday, said the Japan Meteorological Agency, without issuing a tsunami warning.
MPs summon ArriveCan contractor to the House to be admonished in rare parliamentary display
Enacting an extraordinarily rarely used parliamentary power, MPs have summoned an ArriveCan contractor to appear before the House of Commons on Wednesday afternoon to be admonished publicly for failing to answer their questions.
opinion Don Martin: Gusher of Liberal spending won't put out the fire in this dumpster
A Hail Mary rehash of the greatest hits from the Trudeau government’s three-week travelling pony-show, the 2024 federal budget takes aim at reversing the party’s popularity plunge in the under-40 set, writes political columnist Don Martin. But will it work before the next election?
Gas prices across Ontario expected to climb to levels not seen since 2022, analyst says
Ontario is going to see a big jump at the pumps later this week as gas prices in the province hit levels not seen in nearly two years, according to one industry analyst.
Ancient skeletons unearthed in France reveal Mafia-style killings
More than 5,500 years ago, two women were tied up and probably buried alive in a ritual sacrifice, using a form of torture associated today with the Italian Mafia, according to an analysis of skeletons discovered at an archeological site in southwest France.
Paul McCartney and John Lennon’s sons have released a single together
A new Lennon and McCartney collaboration is the last thing anybody expected.