Awareness, SPECTRUM News

National AccessAbility Week

National AccessAbility Week (NAAW) takes place from May 26th to June 1st, 2024. We’d like to take this opportunity to share some of the work Spectrum has done to become more accessible over the past several months.

  1. One of the three Strategic Priorities in our 2024-2027 Strategic Plan is Accessibility and Inclusion in Programs and Personnel: Spectrum is committed to continuing our journey to becoming a more inclusive, equitable, and accessible organization that is welcoming and relevant to members of all 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. We will create programs and recruit personnel using an anti-oppressive and intersectional framework. We will prioritize accessibility, inclusivity, equity, and well-being – celebrating and affirming our diverse community.
  2. We worked with INNoVa to conduct an accessibility audit of our physical space and the building we are in. This audit resulted in a report with many recommendations that we have already begun to explore.
  3. We worked with Accessibrand to conduct an accessibility audit of our website. This audit resulted in a report with many recommendations that we have already begun to explore. Watch for updates that will improve the accessibility of our site over the coming months.

We’re also pleased to share that the City of Cambridge is hosting a series of webinars on dismantling ableism in the community, healthcare, and education. The webinars will feature presentations from local organizations, service providers and individuals with lived experience. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about best practices and tools on how we can create a welcoming and inclusive community.

  • Tuesday, May 28, 2024: Dismantling Ableism in the Community (Fun)
  • Wednesday, May 29, 2024: Dismantling Ableism in Healthcare
  • Thursday, May 30, 2024: Dismantling Ableism in Education

For more information and to register, visit Cambridge.ca/accessibility

You can also visit the Canadian Council on Rehabilitation and Work (CCRW) for resources and ideas for observing NAAW in a meaningful way.

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SPECTRUM News

Re-Launch of TransNAV GPS Directory

March 31st is the International Day of Transgender Visibility. International Transgender Day of Visibility is an annual event occurring on March 31 dedicated to celebrating transgender people and raising awareness of discrimination faced by transgender people worldwide, as well as a celebration of their contributions to society. This year, we are excited to announce the re-launch of our TransNAV GPS Directory!

Originally launched in the summer of 2021, TransNAV GPS is an online directory designed to help local trans folks find service providers in a variety of areas, such as: medical, mental health, employment, legal, housing, social organizations and personal care.

Funding from the LGBTQ2+ Community Capacity Fund extension allowed us to contract with Melissa Paige Kennedy, the originator of the project, to revisit the directory and make it more user friendly. The re-launched directory currently includes more than 160 listings in various categories. It is now possible for organizations to create an account for the directory where they can create and manage their own listing.

If you represent an organization that serves transgender people in Waterloo Region we encourage you to visit the “Dashboard” tab on TransNAV GPS to create your account!

Spectrum is grateful for the support of Women And Gender Equality Canada (WAGE) who administered the LGBTQ2+ Community Capacity Fund extension.

Visit TransNAV GPS

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SPECTRUM News

Seeking volunteers to be interviewed for a video about lived 2SLGBTQ+ experiences

SPECTRUM is working to become a safer and more relevant space for Black, Indigenous, and racialized 2SLGBTQ+ people. One of the projects we are working on is creating a series of short educational videos that explore the intersections of 2SLGBTQ+ and Black, Indigenous, and racialized people. 

We are seeking approximately 12 volunteers who are willing to be interviewed on video to share their lived experience as Black, Indigenous, and racialized 2SLGBTQ+ people. The interviews will be wide-ranging and topics may include Two-Spirit and Indigiqueer identities, anti-racism, white supremacy, colonization, history, coming out, intersectionality, homo/bi/transphobia, and more. Here is an example of a previous video we created about race and intersectionality.

The content will be used for a variety of purposes including use in our Rainbow Diversity Training sessions, and for sharing on social media and our website. We hope that it will be shared outside our community as well and that other organizations and individuals will use these videos to learn and improve.

  • Each interview will take approximately 60-90 minutes.
  • Interviewees will need to sign a waiver giving SPECTRUM permission to use the video content.
  • Interviewees need to be aged 18+.
  • Interviewees need to be residents (or former residents) of Waterloo Region (Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge and the townships).
  • Interviewees will receive an honorarium of $100 as thanks for their participation.
  • Filming will take place at Skylight Productions 900 Guelph St Suite 306, Kitchener, ON N2H 5Z6
  • Filming will take place in the afternoons/evenings of October 13th, and 14th, and during the day on Saturday October 15th. You will need to be available on one of those dates.

If you are interested in participating please connect with us at info@ourspectrum.com and provide the following:

  1. Name and pronouns
  2. Your age
  3. Film yourself reading the paragraph below 
  4. Attach the video to your email or provide a link where we can download the video from a Dropbox, Google Drive, or similar

Script for Submission Video

SPECTRUM is Waterloo Region’s Rainbow Community Space. Their vision is of an inclusive community where all 2SLGBTQ+ individuals are welcomed, celebrated, and supported as their authentic selves. Space. The final frontier. These are the voyages of the starship Enterprise. Her ongoing mission, to explore strange new worlds, seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no one has gone before. Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers. A peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked.

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WAGE Grant

2021 in Review: We’ve Come So Far…

In January of 2021, SPECTRUM embarked on Project Excelsior, a landmark capacity-expanding project, which was made possible by a generous grant from the LGBTQ2 Community Capacity Fund. This project was envisioned and planned by our former ED, Jim Parrott, and former Trans Services Coordinator Melissa Kennedy, who spearheaded the grant application process to secure a transformational grant of $279,782.

Thanks to that grant, the Project Excelsior team as well as SPECTRUM’s volunteers, Board, and community partners have made incredible strides to expand our ability to affirm and support the well-being of 2SLGBTQ+ people in Waterloo Region.

SPECTRUM Programs

From August 2020 – July 2021, SPECTRUM had:

  • More than 2000 participants across 796 Zoom Sessions, totaling 344,345 minutes of Zoom sessions!
  • An average of 180 Zoom participants each month
  • 270 people participated in our RDT pilot workshops
  • 178 people attended virtual Pride events
  • Through our partnership with OK2BME, 129 counseling sessions were provided for 48 clients between August 2020 and June 2021

In addition, we’ve added seven new programs to our roster, including:

  • A 2SLGBTQ+ Book Club in partnership with Waterloo Public Library
  • A Queer Crafting Circle in partnership with Button Factory Arts
  • A 2SLGBTQ+ Yoga Group in partnership with The Branches
  • A 2SLGBTQ+ Mindful Movement dance therapy group
  • A Social Networking Group for Young 2SLGBTQ+ Adults aged 25-40
  • A 2SLGBTQ+ Youth Peer Support Group for ages 18-25
  • A Transgender Peer Support Group for Cambridge

And we’re not finished yet! We know there is still a need for programming for Black, Indigenous, and racialized people, programming for people with underrepresented genders and orientations, and programming for children, parents, and families. We’re currently working with consultants from local Black and Asian communities to help us understand the needs of those communities and how we can create programming and spaces that are accessible and relevant for them.

New SPECTRUM Resources

The SPECTRUM team has also worked hard to create and launch the following resources for the 2SLGBTQ+ community and their allies in 2021:

And, just wait until we welcome you back to our new physical space which is more than double the size and will be decorated with a mural by Trisha Abe…

We need support to keep going!

We’ve accomplished so much this past year, but there’s so much more than needs to be done! We hope that you’ll include SPECTRUM in your year-end giving to help us continue to keep our doors open and to allow us to provide programs and services that have been life-saving for some members of our community.

Click here to make a donation to SPECTRUM today!

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SPECTRUM News, Volunteers

Seeking volunteers to be interviewed for a video about lived 2SLGBTQ+ experiences

SPECTRUM is seeking approximately 12 volunteers who are willing to be interviewed on video to share their lived experience as 2SLGBTQ+ people. The content will be used for a variety of purposes including use in our 2SLGBTQ+ cultural competency training sessions, and for sharing on social media and our website.

  • Each interview will take approximately 60-90 minutes.
  • Interviewees will need to sign a waiver giving SPECTRUM permission to use the video content.
  • Interviewees need to be aged 18+.
  • Interviewees need to be residents (or former residents) of Waterloo Region (Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge and the townships).
  • Interviewees will receive an honorarium of $100 as thanks for their participation.
  • Filming will take place at Skylight Productions 1440 King St N, St. Jacobs, ON N0B 2N0
  • Filming will take place September 10-12, 2021. You will need to be available on one of those dates.

The interviews will be wide-ranging, covering things like coming out stories, homo/bi/transphobia, Pride celebrations, chosen family and friends, 2SLGBTQ+ pop culture, intersectionality, etc. We plan to use clips from the interviews as examples in our training and education programs and to share on social media to help the broader community understand the experiences and needs of 2SLGBTQ+ people in Waterloo Region.

If you are interested in participating please connect with us at info@ourspectrum.com and provide the following:

  1. Name and pronouns
  2. Your age
  3. Film yourself reading the paragraph below 
  4. Attach the video to your email or provide a link where we can download the video from a Dropbox, Google Drive, or similar

Script for Submission Video

SPECTRUM is Waterloo Region’s Rainbow Community Space. Their vision is of an inclusive community where all LGBTQ2+ individuals are welcomed, celebrated, and supported as their authentic selves. Space. The final frontier. These are the voyages of the starship Enterprise. Her ongoing mission, to explore strange new worlds, seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no one has gone before. Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers. A peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked.

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SPECTRUM News, WAGE Grant

Introducing the New SPECTRUM!

Thanks to a generous grant from the LGBTQ2 Community Capacity Fund that has allowed us to engage in a year-long capacity-building project, SPECTRUM has been able to complete a re-brand that speaks to some of the changes we’ve made to the organization this year and the direction we are working towards.

Meet our new logo!

SPECTRUM’s new logo

Our Project Excelsior team worked with The Public studio, a community-centered, social justice design studio, to develop a new logo and brand standards. The new logo speaks to the way SPECTRUM provides 2SLGBTQ+ communities with a space for refuge, which in turn, leads to both personal and political growth, to challenging  conversations, and, with time, a more joyful world.  

In the new logo, we see the idea of “space” and “refuge” represented by a rainbow form. As letterforms move toward this space, we see them coming to life. We are introduced to a sense of playfulness,  optimism, joy, and resiliency. This concept also allows space to explore the  dichotomies in this work, namely, the joyful, playful, unapologetic ways  of being within the space, alongside the professionalism needed to speak truth to power and advocate on behalf of our communities in the more public sphere. 

The goal was to prioritize the concepts of potentiality, transformation, protection, and growth. We explore the rainbow as a visual cue for both safety and refuge (internal) and celebration and joy (outward). 

The colours we chose and the number of “bars” in the rainbow are intentional. In moving away from the “standard” six colours of the Pride flag, we leave room for places of growth, alternative understandings of who’s included here, and attention to the roots of queer liberation and where these movements come from. In the colour palette, we have colours that still run adjacent to the six-colour flag, as well as warm browns and pinks that aren’t necessarily desaturated versions of the other colours, but are colours in their own right. 

We are very grateful to have had the opportunity to work with The Public on this re-brand. Their team spent a lot of time getting to know SPECTRUM and its people, the ways we work, our history, and our future goals. We believe the new logo does an excellent job of identifying SPECTRUM as an organization.

As we move forward, we’d also like to reflect on our history and thank Eric Chengyang, Thane Robyn, and the late Thom Ryan who created the previous versions of our logo. Eric Chengyang designed our first logo back in February 2013. In September 2015, the logo was cleaned up by Thane Robyn, who separated the textual sub-title of our name (part of our full legal name) from the graphic itself. In June 2016, Thom Ryan modified the image still further by changing the cursive subtitle to a san-serif all-caps version for readability.

Previous versions of SPECTRUM’s logo

We’ve also launched a new website!

We are also excited to be launching our new website designed by our Marketing & Development Coordinator, Ash Kreider. The new site was designed with care taken to respond to feedback that SPECTRUM has received over the last year or so, including thoughts shared by the community in various surveys and focus groups we conducted earlier this year. The new site is accessible, easy to navigate, faster to load, and is designed to reflect the new brand standards created by The Public.

We already have a list of additional changes in the works. These will be implemented throughout the rest of the year. We hope you’ll enjoy using the new site and celebrating our new brand identity with us.

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Research, Survey

Perception of LGBTQ2+ people in Waterloo Region: SPECTRUM’s survey results

Perception of LGBTQ2+ people in Waterloo Region: SPECTRUM’s survey results

One of the key accountabilities defined in Project Excelsior’s WAGE Grant funding application was to conduct community surveys both of LGBTQ2+ people and non-LGBTQ2+ people in Waterloo Region. In conducting a survey of non-LGBTQ2+ people in Waterloo Region, the goal was to better understand community perceptions of LGBTQ2+ people, knowledge gaps, and what support we can provide to non-LGBTQ2+ people looking to become better allies.

In part thanks to the assistance of community partners and stakeholders, SPECTRUM received 367 qualifying responses to our survey – which was more than double the response that we got to our Spring LGBTQ2+ Community Survey. A huge thank you to everyone who either completed the survey or helped promote it!

One of the things we heard during the survey process was that there was interest in the outcome, so now that the analysis of the results is complete SPECTRUM is making a report summarizing the survey results available.

Click here for a summary report that presents the most notable findings.

Click here for a full research summary that includes open-ended response data.

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SPECTRUM News

SPECTRUM Waterloo Opportunity – Call for an Advisor/Sensitivity Reader

SPECTRUM Waterloo Opportunity – Call for an Advisor/Sensitivity Reader 

The Opportunity

SPECTRUM recognizes that the organization has work to do to ensure that its programs and services are accessible and relevant to all members of the community. This work will include audits of our existing programs and services, the development of new programs, development of evaluations and outcomes for programs and services, consultations and training in anti-racism, inclusion, and accessibility.

SPECTRUM is seeking a sensitivity reader to assist in the creation of a Request for Proposal. The RFP will enable the organization to hire an Indigenous consultant and a Black consultant for internal review of its programs and policies.

Scope:

Completion of the Request for Proposal must take no longer than two weeks, approximately 5-8 hours. Work will be done collaboratively over 2-4 sittings via Zoom. Compensation: CAD 200 in total.

Disclaimer:

Those involved in this work are ineligible to apply for the consultancy role when the RFP is released.

Job Overview:

  • Co-create a draft Request for Proposal through the lens of Indigenous and Black community needs, ensuring there are nobarriers to employment
  • Communicate recommendations to SPECTRUM promptly
  • Work from home, flexible hours

Requirements:

  • Lived experience or extensive knowledge of the LGBTQ2+ community
  • Experienced copy editor and proofreader
  • Detail-driven; self-directed
  • Able to make an impact within a cooperative team environment
  • A skilled, written, and verbal communicator with the ability to convey ideas in a clear andconcise manner

About SPECTRUM

SPECTRUM is Waterloo Region’s first-ever LGBTQ2+ / Rainbow community space! SPECTRUM is an organization that serves, affirms, and supports the well-being of LGBTQ2+ individuals in Waterloo Region and the broader community through peer support, community partnerships, education and training, resources, and events.

To apply:

Submit a resume via email to Kristy Skelton by the end of the day, May 30, 2021

Acting Executive Director
Kristy Skelton
info@ourspectrum.com

Thank you for your interest in SPECTRUM! Should your skills and experience match the requirements for the role, you will be contacted in a timely manner.

Follow us on: Twitter @our_SPECTRUM, Facebook @SpectrumCommunitySpace, Instagram @spectrumwaterlooregion, Linkedin at SPECTRUM Waterloo Region.

SPECTRUM Waterloo is committed to creating a culture of diversity and belonging. We appreciate all who apply.

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SPECTRUM News

LGBTQ2+ Community Capacity Fund News Release

Investing in LGBTQ2 Communities: Minister Bardish Chagger Highlights LGBTQ2 Community Capacity Fund Recipient in Waterloo Region

From: Canadian Heritage

News release

WATERLOO, Ontario, March 31, 2021

The Government of Canada is working to support LGBTQ2 organizations and the critical work they do to create a more equitable and consciously more inclusive Canada. The government is fully committed to building a society where everyone has an equal opportunity to be their true authentic selves. That’s why, on February 11, 2021, we announced 76 recipients of the first ever LGBTQ2 Community Capacity Fund.

The Honourable Bardish Chagger, Minister of Diversity and Inclusion and Youth, and Member of Parliament (Waterloo), met with representatives of SPECTRUM Waterloo Region’s Rainbow Community Space today. The organization recently received $279,782 from the LGBTQ2 Community Capacity Fund to support its community-building efforts.

Led by SPECTRUM Waterloo Region’s Rainbow Community Space, this project will strengthen the organization’s capacity by improving board governance, developing a strategic plan, and focusing on sustainability, succession, and financial planning. The project will also make better use of evidence, data, information, and knowledge sources through an environmental scan that assesses community needs. On top of that, it will help build capacity by offering skills training as well as sensitivity training opportunities.

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected all Canadians and certain segments disproportionately, including LGBTQ2 communities. Through the $20-million LGBTQ2 Community Capacity Fund, the Government of Canada recognizes that the work of these organizations is critical for better social, health, and economic outcomes in LGBTQ2 communities, which is why the important work that LGBTQ2 organizations do deserves targeted investments to ensure the sustainability of these communities. See the full list of supported organizations.

Quotes

“The LGBTQ2 Community Capacity Fund helps advance equity for LGBTQ2 communities by supporting organizations across the country in building new tools, enhancing collaboration, and strengthening organizational development at the local level. The Government of Canada is committed to working with LGBTQ2 individuals and community-led organizations from coast to coast to coast to combat discrimination in all its forms. By supporting projects like SPECTRUM Waterloo Region’s Rainbow Community Space, we are working to build back an even better and consciously more inclusive Canada where everyone can be their true authentic selves.”

—The Honourable Bardish Chagger, Minister of Diversity and Inclusion and Youth, and Member of Parliament (Waterloo)

“SPECTRUM is one of 76 organizations that has received capacity building support from the first federal investment in the LGBTQ2 fund. By supplementing existing funds, this will create jobs, improve the quality of life and increase equity for LGBTQ2 Canadians. The Government of Canada proudly supports the work of these essential organizations. Congratulations to all involved.”

—The Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development

“I am proud of the work that SPECTRUM does to support the LGBTQ2+ community in Waterloo Region. They are a valuable resource in our community. I am happy that they have received this funding to support the expansion of their social programs and web presence. The Community Capacity Fund was created to support organizations like this who are making a difference in communities across Canada.”

—Tim Louis, Member of Parliament (Kitchener–Conestoga)

“SPECTRUM is a welcome and important presence in our community for our LGBTQ2+ neighbours. I am pleased that the Community Capacity Fund will help SPECTRUM expand its presence, build its capacity, and continue to foster a safe space. We must continue to support, affirm, and celebrate the LGBTQ+ community and I look forward to working with the staff and volunteers at SPECTRUM as they develop new initiatives and partnerships. “

—Raj Saini, Member of Parliament (Kitchener Centre)

“SPECTRUM is grateful for the LGBTQ2 Community Capacity Fund and thanks the Government of Canada for its generous support in helping us build a larger and more stable organization that can better serve LGBTQ2+ people in Waterloo Region. Our new staff team has already done some excellent work in building up our capacity and we look forward to sharing updates about our progress throughout the year.”

—Cait Glasson, Board President, SPECTRUM Waterloo Region’s Rainbow Community Space

Quick facts

  • The LGBTQ2 Community Capacity Fund call for proposals ran from on March 5, 2020 to May 14, 2020.
  • On February 11, 2021, Minister Chagger and Minister Monsef announced $15 million for 76 LGBTQ2 Community Capacity Fund projects across Canada.
  • As part of the COVID-19 response, the Government of Canada is investing $350 million in the Emergency Community Support Fund to support charities and non-profit organizations requiring financial assistance to address the impact of the pandemic.
  • In addition to the $20 million investment in Budget 2019 to support capacity building and community-level work by Canadian LGBTQ2 organizations, the Government of Canada has also made the following investments:
    • Global Affairs Canada announced more than $30 million to improve socioeconomic outcomes for LGBTQ2 people in developing countries;
    • The Federal Tourism Growth Strategy includes major investments in Pride events across Canada;
    • Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada announced increased support for LGBTQI refugees fleeing violence and persecution through the Rainbow Refugee Assistance Partnership; and;
    • Canadian Heritage has committed $2 million over two years under the Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage program for Pride and LGBTQ2 events.
  • On November 27, 2020, as a first step towards the first ever Federal LGBTQ2 Action Plan, Minister Bardish Chagger announced the launch of the public engagement process. Various engagement activities help the Government of Canada better understand the daily realities and experiences of LGBTQ2 people in Canada in areas such as employment, healthcare, housing and homelessness, and safety.

Related products

Associated links

Contacts

For more information (media only), please contact:

Emelyana Titarenko
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Diversity and Inclusion and Youth
emelyana.titarenko@canada.ca

Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
pch.media-media.pch@canada.ca

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