Kathy Thompson
OBCIEP Project Coordinator
Phone Toll Free: 1-888-837-9071
E-mail: kathy@cancersupportnetwork.ca
Website: www.cancersupportnetwork.ca

The Ontario Breast Cancer Information Exchange Partnership (OBCIEP) is hosting the Cancer
Support Network pilot of teleconference and online support groups with other partners that include
the Canadian Cancer Society, the Colorectal Cancer Association of Canada, Lung Cancer Canada,
Ovarian Cancer Canada, Wellspring and the Odette (Sunnybrook) Cancer Centre

National Day Against Homophobia Awareness Breakfast

The Centre would like to invite you to our 4th Annual Awareness Breakfast to observe National Day Against Homophobia, May 17th. This observance has grown tremendously since 2003 when first organized by the Fondation Émergence in Quebec. Last year saw hundreds of events organized in communities across Canada to raise awareness about homophobia. Please visit the official website www.homophobiaday.com for more information.

The Centre’s Awareness Breakfast brings together a mix of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, two-spirit individuals with representatives from community groups and organizations, businesses and levels of government. In the first year, 140 people attended the breakfast. Last year the event sold out at 350 people.

The overarching theme for the Day this year is ‘healthcare’. The goal is to combat homophobia, transphobia and heterosexism in all aspects of the healthcare system; to raise awareness about the specific health needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, two-spirit communities and individuals; and to support the development of educational tools and work toward their full integration into healthcare curricula.

The Centre is delighted to partner once again with Vancity to bring the Awareness Breakfast to our communities. We are also pleased this year to have Hospital Employee’s Union as a community supporter. In addition, community sponsors include BC Cancer Agency, BC Cancer Foundation, BC Centre for Disease Control, BC Nurses Union, Fondation Emergence, Gay & Lesbian Educators of BC, Gayway, Gay & Lesbian Business Association, Vancouver Coastal Health, and media sponsor The Georgia Straight.

The 2008 Awareness Breakfast is on Monday, May 12, 8:00 -10:00am at Coast Plaza Hotel, Ballroom, 1763 Comox Street (at Denman). We chose Monday this year so that folks can carry the spirit of the breakfast throughout their week, concluding with the Day itself on Saturday, May 17th. The event will feature a buffet-style breakfast, speakers, door prizes and opportunities to connect with each other.

Ticket Information

Tickets are $20 ($7.50 students/seniors/underemployed) and available at Little Sisters Bookstore, 1238 Davie Street, Vancouver. You may also request tickets by completing the attached ticket order form. Ticket forms must be received with payment by Friday, May 2nd. Tickets went fast last year so please purchase yours early to be part of this important event. Tickets will not be available at the door. Full-price ticket sales are crucial to help make this event self-supporting. Therefore, please note that there are limited tickets available at $7.50

Bring a Colleague Challenge!

This year we are encouraging folks to bring along a colleague to the breakfast who may not have attended previously. This helps ensure that our network of allies continues to grow each year! And of course, remember to share this invitation with your family, friends, and neighbours as well. NDAH Breakfast Ticket Order Form

We hope you are able to join us at the Awareness Breakfast as a public testament of your commitment to ending homophobia, transphobia and heterosexism in healthcare and to building a society in which all Canadians are valued for their unique and rich identities and contributions. If you would like additional information, please do not hesitate to contact me at The Centre at 604 684-6548 or email educationoutreach@lgtbcentrevancouver.com

This group is offered through Prism Alcohol & Drug Services, which offers free
individual, couples and family counselling, as well as groups,
specifically for LGBTQ people in Vancouver. The general phone number
for Prism is 604-658-1214.
Golden Oldies is a group for older LGBT adults (55+ -ish) who are
dealing with substance use issues. We meet on Wednesdays starting at
12:15 pm through to 1:45 pm, at the Generations Project office located
at 1033 Davie Street, Suite 610. We have been meeting since October,
and have a wonderful core group of members from diverse backgrounds.
Over that hour and a half, we have a lot of laughs, share life’s highs
and lows, discuss strategies for dealing with substance use and the
rest of life, and enjoy snacks and beverages. New members are always
very welcome, so if you think this might be for you or someone you
know, please feel free to call Ema or Al at 604-714-3480 to join up.

Contact:
Al Zwiers, MSW, RSW
Counsellor – Addiction Services

Three Bridges Community Health Centre
301-1290 Hornby Street
Vancouver, BC, Canada
V6Z 1W2
tel. 604.714.3480
fax. 604.714.3481
email. al.zwiers@vch.ca

Family members and supporters of persons with mental illness sometimes feel isolated and disconnected with services, and can benefit from peer support. LGTB families may be reluctant to access resources, fearing discrimination. ‘Family member’ in this context means our kinds of families – ex-partners, old friends, room-mates, lovers as well as siblings, cousins, parents, wives and husbands.

The group is an online bulletin board, that is only visible to registered group members, open 24 hours a day. It’s moderated, and you don’t have to use your real name to increase your privacy. It’s meant to be a safe place to discuss the challenges, experiences, questions and successes that go with supporting someone with a mental illness.

The project is looking for volunteer LGTB family members/supporters who are willing to participate in the online group over the first two months, in order to get it established. Volunteer commitment would involve logging in to the group every couple of days at their convenience and initiating or participating in discussion. Participants are welcome to use their real name or a pseudonym and can live anywhere in BC.

Information on resources available to help people caring for a partner, friend or other family member with a mental illness will be provided as well.

For more information, please contect the project coordinator at psychosis@bcss.org  or register on the system at www.support.bcss.org Note, the group has just been launched, so there might not be much discussion yet, but you can help out by initiating a topic or responding to one to get things started. There are also some good resources already posted in the group space. The coordinator is an out lesbian and can help refer people to lesbian and LGTB friendly resources.

Information on services for family members is available at the BCSS Website at www.bcss.org 

Funding for this project was provided by BC Partners for Mental Health and Addictions Information

“Issues specific to the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, two-spirit and queer people affect their alcohol and drug use,” said Devon MacFarlane a  Community Developer, Prism Alcohol + Drug Services. “We’ve tailored our program offerings to meet their needs, after talking with this community.

According to lesbian staff member Stacey Boon, who facilitates the women’s (lesbian/bi/queer) group for Prism, specific resources for lesbians with addictions are important because there are barriers that prevent lesbians from getting the help we need. These barriers can include “fear of past discrimination and homophobia”, addictions staff who “believe that therapy can cure homosexuality or gender identity issues” and staff who are “antagonistic” to lesbian and queer clients,  says Boon.

Boon notes that “there is little known about women and addictions in general. A lot of the research on addictions has been done with men, and the results are just extrapolated (or assumed to apply) to women. Similarly, research on gay men and addictions has been extrapolated to lesbian women.” According to Boon, “generally speaking, research indicates that queer people may be heavier users of substances than the general population. In earlier research, lesbians have been identified as heavier users of alcohol. This is questionable though, because older studies have been beset with methodological problems. It is probably safe to say that in addition to the other risk factors (i.e. biological and genetic), the psychological effects of homophobia and heterosexism (both internal and external) might put queer clients at greater risk to use substances. ”

In addition to homophobia and heterosexim, sexism also takes it’s toll on lesbians. Boon notes that just being women in a society where we are second class citizens provides lesbians with issues. “Women who seek treatment present in treatment with more shame, because there is additional stigma for women who abuse substances. It is more unnacceptable for women to abuse substances.” She points out that “women more often come into treatment with histories of violence and abuse because women are more likely to have experienced abuse of various kinds.”

Prism Alcohol + Drug Services will be rolled out over several years. Immediately, services will include one-on-one, couple, and family alcohol and drug counselling, support groups and a men’s methamphetamine program. In addition to the lesbian/bi/queer women’s group, lesbian counsellors are available to provide individual, couple and family counselling to lesbian clients. Counselling services will be provided by lesbian/bi/gay/trans counsellors along with straight allies, but clients will be able to be matched to a counsellor of their orientation or gender identity.

Prism Alcohol + Drug Services are accessible through community health centres in neighbourhoods across the city, including the West End, Commercial Drive, Main Street, South Vancouver, Joyce-Collingwood, and the Downtown Eastside.

Lesbian Health Links:

• Information on the PRISM Program: http://www.vch.ca/prism/
• Lesbian health information: http://www.vch.ca/women/sex/lesbian.htm

The Vancouver Dyke March and Festival Society (VDMFS) is a grassroots, non-profit, volunteer-driven organization which, with energy, love and purpose, plans and produces the annual Dyke March and Festival event.

The VDMFS hosts a variety of community-based fundraising events year-round and aspires to act as a resource and inspiration through visibility, education, outreach and action.
The Dyke March and Festival are a proud statement and celebration, increasing the presence and visibility of queer women, their families and supporters, during Pride Week in Vancouver.

The Dyke March is participatory, recognizable, inclusive, accessible, and empowering, and strives to grow in numbers and representation each year.

The Festival is a free, fun, safe, celebratory, all-ages gathering of diverse queer women, performers, and allies, from within and beyond Vancouver.

When: Saturday August 4, 2007

MARCH
12:00pm
McSpadden Park – Victoria Dr. and McSpadden (at 4th)

FREE FESTIVAL TO FOLLOW
1:00pm
Grandview Park

Information: http://www.vancouverdykemarch.com/

Pictures from the 2007 Dyke March: http://www.flickr.com/photos/fionab/sets/72157601442608634/

NSSB is having a Pride Dance on Saturday August 4, at Let’s Dance Studio, the night before  Pride Parade.  A first for NSSB! Tickets will be on sale at Little sisters shortly, $8 – $12 sliding scale, as usual.   Save this date!

Not So Strictly Ballroom’s Pride Dance – Saturday August 4
Dance with Pride – the night before the Parade – at NSSB’s Pride Dance
Let’s Dance Studio, 927 Granville St., 2nd Floor
Tickets $8 – $12 sliding scale at Little Sisters (also available from Gay or Trevor) or reserve at notsostrictly@hotmail.com
DJ/host: Murray Schellenberg
Dance to Swing, Salsa, Ballroom, Latin music. Bring along a friernd! Introduce them to the NSSB community.
Cash bar, snacks, mini dance lesson at 8:30 pm, show case dancing.
Save this date! Come out for a fun evening!!

One of “Top 100 of Canada’s Most Powerful Women” to Address GLBA Forum Luncheon  

Hear Doreen McKenzie-Sanders, voted in 2004 as one of the “Top 100 of Canada’s Most Powerful Women”, speak on overcoming obstacles and attaining goals on Tuesday, June 26, 2007 Named, in 2004, in the “Top 100 of Canada’s Most Powerful Women”, she is a champion for talented, accomplished career women. Born in Vancouver, Doreen has had a long career in business publishing as writer, editor, publisher and professor of journalism, particularly at the Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario. Most significantly, Doreen is founder and executive director of Women in the Lead Inc., a national organization that publishes a bilingual directory and online subscriber database listing the resumes of more than 600 distinguished Canadian women. This project was started 10 years ago when she returned to Vancouver to “retire”. She is publisher and editor of three editions of Women in the Lead/Femmes de Tete (2002, 2004, 2006). She has received numerous awards for her “distinguished service to journalism,” the most recent accolades include the Peak Award – Association of Women in Finance (2007) and the Governor General’s Award in Commemoration of the Person’s Case (2006).

After 65 years of working in the business world, Doreen McKenzie-Sanders is still learning about what it takes to succeed. However, along the treacherous road to success, she has learned of few of life’s lessons which might be of value to you. Doreen’s experiences, many of them humorous, will benefit both men and women personally and your organization generally.

Plan to attend on Tuesday June 26 at the Bistro in the Hotel Sylvia. Doors open at 11.30 to socialize, then a few words at noon and lunch. Our guest speaker will then address the crowd at 12.30 for about 20 to 25 minutes with time for a few minutes of questions allowing those that need to be, to be out by 1PM. $15/person (cash preferred) with a $5 optional donation to The GLBA Foundation. Please advise Barry at the GLBA office no later than Monday (June 22) morning you plan on attending so arrangements can be made with the Sylvia for adequate seating for this event. www.glba.org

Hello there all you wonderful women It’s almost here. North America’s largest dragon boat festival, Alcan Dragon Boat Festival (www.adbf.com), is poised to begin and Vancouver’s only lesbian dragon boat team, Sisters in Sync, is pumped and ready to go.

Many of you have been watching this team develop since last fall and some of you may have only just heard of us through recent media attention (if you have not caught it there are links to a couple of stories about the team below, and be sure to grab the latest issue of Xtra West in which we are featured) … well this weekend it all comes together.

The Sisters have been training hard. We’ve performed very well in three regattas and now we are going up against some very stiff competition. We could really use your help. We need to hear all the screaming queer cheers you can muster as we surge down the race course on False Creek this weekend. Sisters in Sync will be racing in the womens’ division which is being staged in the mornings. Our first race is at 8:22 a.m. Saturday morning. Our next race will be sometime around noon. We will not know exactly which races we will be in until we see how we place in the first race. On Sunday we will again race at approximately 8:00 a.m. and then the finals will be at noon. If we really out-do ourselves and place in the top nine teams in the womens’ division we could end up in the Womens’ Guts and Glory race Sunday afternoon (to be run some time between 2:00 and 3:00 p.m.).

The Guts and Glory race is an all out 2000 metre race between the top teams. It is thrilling to watch and completely exhausting to paddle. This year admission for the Alcan Dragon Boat Festival is completely free, there will be live music performances, lots of delicious food as you walk along the Silk Road, thousands of buff athletes to check out, and thrilling races to watch. Why not make this a weekend to remember? Come on out to cheer on a wonderful team, learn about an amazing sport, meet lots of new people and take in all that is the wonder of the Alcan Dragon Boat Festival. Hope to see you there. Paddles up! Jennifer – Sisters in Sync team captain — Sisters in Sync – Vancouver’s only lesbian dragon boat team Lesbian Quarterly story http://www.lesbianquarterly.com/2007/05/29/sisters-in-synch-lesbian-dragonboat-team/  Vancouver Sun story http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/westcoastlife/story.html?id=b6664de3-77b6-4e3e-b527-8bd524945fdb&k=9255