Timmins Pride working to make city more 2SLGBTQ+ friendly
Pride Month ends Thursday and while Timmins Pride wasn't able to hold a celebratory event, due to a lack of volunteers, president Matthieu Villeneuve said things are looking brighter.
He said the group is seeing more volunteer interest now, and will even hire a staff coordinator in the coming weeks to help plan events and begin addressing systemic gaps in services for local 2SLGBTQ+ people.
"There is a lack in mental health services, trans support, either with mental health support, medical support or even transitioning, in-school support, as well," said Villeneuve,
His comment echoes the findings of its recent needs assessment study.
"We're always having to forward everybody down south for services."
Timmins Pride published a 'Needs Assessment' report earlier this year, highlighting the programs and services that the 2SLGBTQ+ community wish existed in the north, and the quality of existing services.
Just over a third of respondents reported having to travel outside of the region to get access to services.
Villeneuve said supports for transgender people, particularly gender reassignment surgery, are either non-existent or very difficult to find in the north, and often result in searching for help in southern Ontario.
"Which is such a horrible thing to do, we should really be able to do that up here," Villeneuve said.
Most people in Timmins' 2SLGBTQ+ community reported negative or lacklustre experiences with existing services in the city.
For mental health services, people reported feeling uncomfortable being completely vulnerable with staff, and wished service providers were more open and supportive.
The study calls for local mental health services to be better trained to deal with 2SLGBTQ+ people, and for all local organizations to review policies to best serve the community.
The Canadian Mental Health Association Cochrane-Timiskaming branch's communications specialist Krista Green said staff undergo sensitivity training and are encouraged to seek further education.
"We've ensured that all of our staff have LGBT2SQ cultural safety awareness training, and we've made sure we are able to provide that equitable, accessible care," said Green.
"Anything that's going to help with cultural safety, cultural awareness, within our agency, is strongly encouraged."
Green said the 2SLGBTQ+ community is more likely to experience anxiety, depression, PTSD, phobias and addictions issues, and that the CMHA aims to be sensitive in addressing those challenges.
Some things Villeneuve would like to see come to Timmins are more inclusive spaces and a transgender medical facility.
His vision is to one day establish a 2SLGBTQ+ community centre, or hub that can offer all of the services that have been lacking in the city.
Villeneuve said the community simply wants to feel welcome and supported in the north, and that most northerners appear to empathize with that.
"A lot of the general community understands that there's a need for it, compared to where it is in larger centres, but when it comes to getting the information out, that's where Pride comes in," he said.
Most of the local 2SLGBTQ+ feel disconnected from each other, according to Timmins Pride's study, and Villeneuve said an annual Pride event plays a large role in building that community spirit.
He said he hopes reviving the event in Timmins for the first time in years this September will help the community feel they are seen and heard.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.