Conference Schedule and Overview

About the Senior Pride Network

The Senior Pride Network is an association of individuals, organizations and community groups with a focus on health and social services, that share an interest and commitment to expanding programs and services for older lesbian, gay, bisexual, transand queer people in the City of Toronto and throughout Canada.

The Network meets quarterly to share experiences and to work collaboratively on activities and projects designed to enhance services for older LGBTQ people.

Our Mission

The Senior Pride Network is committed to promoting appropriate services and a positive, caring environment for older lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and queer people in Toronto and throughout Canada.

Our Vision

The Senior Pride Network envisions a series of communities of older lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, transsexual, intersexed and 2-spirited people that are affirming, supportive and healthy.

Our History

The Senior Pride Network began in 2002 as a group of representatives of service provider organizations including faith groups who were interested in expanding and improving programs and services for older LGBTQ people.

The group started by organizing forums ("Healthy Aging for Older LGBTT People" and "Dreaming Community: Making It Happen"), developing a brochure listing members and the services they provide, developing a brochure on End of Life Things Older LGBTT People Need to Prepare For and a visibility poster about Older LGBTT People being part of every community. The Network formalized itself at a day long planning meeting in 2005 from which came Terms of Reference including boundaries, membership criteria, objectives and committee structure.

The Network hosted its first conference in 2006. The event was planned for 50 to 70 people and attracted 150. Since that time the Network has hosted 3 conferences, trained and supported service providers across the province and is planning to host its largest conference yet in November.

Contact Information:

Heather Bain - Older LGBT Community Service Coordinator, The 519(416) 355-6787, HBain@The519.orgSeniorPrideNetwork.com | the519.org

Conference Schedule

Monday, November 28Activism & Building LGBTQ Community

Registration and Morning Refreshments

8:30 AM – 9:00 AMKeynote: Rinaldo WalcottAssociate Professor and Chair, Department of Sociology and Equity Studies, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto

This presentation will discuss what it means for a generation of LGBT people whose activism produced the current moment of rights and how aging complicates issues related to sex, sexuality and the closet. In the post-rights era sex and sexuality might be settled for some queers but what happens when aging is added to the dynamic. In this presentation we will think about how aging might be the final frontier for making queer lives livable in North America.

9:05 AM – 9:25 AMPanel Discussion: The History of LGBT Rights and ResistanceModerator Anna Willats leads a discussion among Anna Travers (Rainbow Health Ontario), Rupert Raj (Sherbourne Health Centre), Tim McCaskell, Lali Mohamed, and Makeda Slivera

Discussions on activism and movements in communities of colour, women’s communities, HIV/AIDS communities, & trans communities, and the impact of early and recent activism on today’s youth.

9:25 AM – 11:00 AMConcurrent Workshop Session AWorkshop descriptions below

11:15 AM – 12:15 PMLunch BreakLunch provided by FABARNAK Restaurant and Catering, a social enterprise of The 519

12:15 PM – 1:15 PMConcurrent Workshop Session BWorkshop descriptions below

1:15 PM – 2:45 PMConcurrent Workshop Session CWorkshop descriptions below

3:00 PM – 4:30 PMConference Reception

4:30 PM – 6:30 PM

Community FairThe community fair features displays and information from local community groups, agencies, and projects that engage older LGBT adults. Staff from the programs and projects will be available to answer questions.

12:30 PM – 6:30 PM

Conference Schedule

Tuesday, November 29Activism & Building LGBTQ Community

Registration and Morning Refreshments

9:00 AM – 9:30 AMOpening Remarks: Maura LawlessExecutive Director, The 519

9:30 AM – 9:45 AMKeynote: Camille OrridgeChief Executive Office of the Toronto Central Local Health Integrated Network

Healthcare is not prepared to address sexuality in an ageing population.  Camille will explore how we can inspire a culture change in healthcare so that we can be better prepared for an ageing LGBT population.

9:45 AM – 10:30 AMConcurrent Workshop Session DWorkshop descriptions below

10:45 AM – 12:15 PMLunch BreakLunch provided by FABARNAK Restaurant and Catering, a social enterprise of The 519

12:15 PM – 1:15 PMConcurrent Workshop Session EWorkshop descriptions below

1:15 PM – 2:45 PMConcurrent Workshop Session FWorkshop descriptions below

3:00 PM – 4:30 PM

Community FairThe community fair features displays and information from local community groups, agencies, and projects that engage older LGBT adults. Staff from the programs and projects will be available to answer questions.

12:30 PM – 4:30 PM

Concurrent Workshops

SESSION A

Creating Space for Bisexual CommunitiesPresenters: Cheryl Dobinson & Barb Crisp

Why is it important to create spaces that include bisexual communities? What are the unique issues, experiences and needs of bisexuals? What about for older bi people? This interactive workshop will explore these questions and more, providing participants with insights and practical tips for creating bi inclusive spaces within the older LGBTQ community.

Self-Care for activists Presenter: Alec Butler

In this interactive workshop Alec will share his techniques for self-care and circle participants will be encouraged to share their self-care techniques. Alec will be smudging participants during this workshop.

Rise of the Silver Surfer: Making the Most of Social MediaPresenter: Barry Waite

Contrary to popular belief, social media isn’t just for teens and twenty-somethings. In fact, 50-plussers are the faster growing demographic on Facebook and other social media platforms. In this interactive workshop, find out how to engage, connect and empower your life using social media.

SESSION B

Accessing the Human Rights TribunalPresenters: Howard Shulman (The 519) and guest

Filing a complaint with the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario can be a confusing trip through a bureaucratic maze. This workshop will focus on how to navigate through the new system, what to do and what to avoid.

LGBT Newcomers & RefugeesPresenters: El-Farouk Khaki and guest

Financial considerations in later life – Panel DiscussionModerator: Mario Tsokas, Presenters: Terry McCullum (LOFT), Jill McNall (HALCO), Mary Ann Stoddard

The panelists will cover supportive housing options for older LGBT adults, government sources of income (including Old Age Security/Allowance/Guaranteed Income Supplement, and social assistance), employment and retirement, and Canadian Pensions

Exploring the Art and Practice of Memoir Writing Presenters: Karine Silverwoman (Sherbourne Health Centre) and author Elspeth Cameron

This interactive workshop will explore ways in which older LGBT people can be involved in their own memoir writing. Elspeth Cameron will talk about the process of writing her memoir with no previous experience, as well as read sections of her book. A question and answer period will follow. Karine Silverwoman will follow with a series of creative writing exercises to encourage older LGBT people to begin the process of telling your own story. No writing experience necessary.

SESSION C

Planning Ahead: Powers of Attorney, Wills and Legal CapacityPresenter: John Nelson (HALCO)

This workshop will cover Powers of Attorney for Personal Care and for Property, “Living Wills”, discussion about legal capacity regarding decision making, what can happen if you have not appointed someone in a Power of Attorney and limited discussion about wills and what can happen if you die without a will.

THE GOLDEN YEARS: Building Bridges – Community Connections for Older Trans PeoplePresenters: Rupert Raj (Sherbourne Health Centre) and Susan Gapka

An interactive workshop for older trans people, which will encourage participants towards self-empowerment, networking, bridge-building, community connections, and effective strategizing around hopeful quality of life for our “golden years” as we examine our needs as older trans women and men, available clinical and community resources for seniors, and existing gaps.

Building Organizational Capacity - Panel DiscussionModerator: Jillian Watkins, Presenters: Sarah Singh (SPRINT), Jacquie Buncel (Sunshine Centres for Seniors), Anthony Mohamed (St. Michael’s Hospital), Greg O’Grady and Ken Miller (True Davidson Acres)

This panel will focus on the experiences and lessons learned when creating older LGBT-inclusive programs and policies in social service agencies.

SESSION D

Accessing Healthcare - Panel DiscussionModerator: Anthony Mohamed (St. Michael’s Hospital), Presenters: Samir Sinha (Mount Sinai and the Iniversity Health Network Hospitals), Michael Saunders (City of Toronto- Long-Term Care Homes and Services Division), Shoshana Pellman, Diane Charter

This panel will highlight the experience of accessing health care as an older LGBT person, from both a community member perspective as well as the perspective of health care services.

Perceptions in the media of being LGBTQ and agingPresenters: John Thornton (PINK CARP)

This highly interactive, multimedia workshop will introduce attendees to some of the challenges that older LGBTQ people face, one of them being the misguided stereo types that the media sometimes perpetuates. Lots of room will be made for dialogue between the presenter and the attendees.

Loss and Resilience in Aging LGBTQ communitiesPresenter: Sheila Berry

This workshop begins with a brief presentation on Single and Multiple Loss Theory followed by a discussion of how grief for a “queer” person is often not socially supported and how this affects the grieving process. The presenter and those attending will explore ways to engage in conversations that open themselves to the ‘other’. This is an interactive session, with options for action and small groups.

SESSION E

Mental Health & Advocacy - Panel DiscussionModerator: Mario Tsokas, Presenters: Jim Cullen (The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Rainbow Services, Addiction Program), Helen Swan (COPA), Carlos Rivas (Family Service Toronto), Sydney Tam

This panel will explore mental health and additions in older LGBTQ communities. Topics include substance abuse in older LGBT communities from both a clinical and community perspective, aging as a trans person, as well as the impact of internalizing negative misconceptions about aging and being LGBTQ.

AGING with HIV: Changes in Perceptions Presenters: Robin Rhodes (The AIDS Committee of Toronto ACT) and Michael Blair (Fife House

Foundation)

The first half of this workshop will review the history of AIDS as well as cover HIV and multiple losses, planning for a future, support needs and the importance of community keeping active and resilient. The second half will provide an overview of the Toronto HIV/AIDS Network and its’ Housing Working Group. Focus will be on the Housing Working Groups’ success in service innovation and cross-sector collaboration on gaps in services for people living with HIV/AIDS. Information about a recent initiative on HIV, aging, accelerated aging, complex care, and cognition will also be presented.

LBQT Women’s Sexuality WorkshopPresenter: Felice Shays

The assumptions about age and sex are enough to make you crazy, dry and limp. And if you’re LGBTQ? Forget it.  This workshop promises to make you laugh and maybe squirm as Felice shares sexual and sensual information as well as techniques for life-experienced queers who want more and better sex with themselves and their lovers.

SESSION F

Il Nana Dance Collective Workshop

BGT Men’s Sexuality Workshop

Making Space for Relationships and Sexuality in Social Service AgenciesPresenter: Paula David

This Workshop will consider the current attitudes, practices and realities regarding safe and welcoming spaces for the LGBTQ community in Ontario’s long term care facilities. What is happening now and what needs changing? Feedback from educators and practitioners will be presented and participants will be invited to contribute ideas and suggestions to promote positive change.

Building Health Care Capacity – Panel DiscussionModerators: Bev Lepischak (Sherbourne Health Centre), Presenters: Michael Saunders (City of Toronto- Long-Term Care Homes and Services Division), Devan Nambiar (Rainbow health Ontario), Alan Li (Committee for Accessible AIDS Treatment )

In this panel, community members and service providers will share personal experiences and program initiatives that aim to build safe and accessible spaces for older LGBT communities in health care settings.