1. Creating Positive Spaces for LGBTQIA2s+ Newcomers
Building Capacity. Sharing Knowledge. Enriching Experience.

2. OCASI
Is an advocate for the immigrant-serving sector and expert on immigrant and refugee issues.
Was formed in 1978 to act as a collective voice for immigrant-serving agencies and to coordinate response to shared needs and concerns.  
Has a membership of over 233 community-based organizations in the province of Ontario.

3. Positive Spaces Initiative
The Positive Spaces Initiative (PSI)
Emerged from ongoing work and dialogue on effective service provision within the immigrant- and refugee-serving sector in Ontario.
Positive spaces are necessary in order to acknowledge and celebrate the rich gender and sexual diversity that exists within our communities
Goal: To support all arrivals to Canada in achieving their full potential in Canadian society, and to support service providers in serving their clients effectively with dignity and respect.

4.
Financé par :

5. Voices of LGBTQIA+ Newcomers
Before Arrival: 
Canada is seen as:
A safe haven – a place to escape homophobic, transphobic, and heterosexist persecution
A place in which they (LGBTQ+ newcomers) would be able to be themselves in a safe environment.
After Arrival:
Canada is seen as:
Safe place is imagined and dreamed of, yet is often not a reality given their current experiences.
Assumptions about Canada as an open-minded society were challenged after coming to the country.
In consultations for this project, many agencies told OCASI that ‘we don’t have any LGBTQIA+ clients.’ But many LGBTQIA+ newcomers shared their frustration and inability to share this part of who they are within organizations. So they remained invisible.

6. We are individuals with multiple intersecting identities
Because LGBTQIA+ identities can be invisible, we need to commit to maintaining a Positive Space in our environment all the time. It’s not something we pull out of our hat when we realize someone is LGBTQIA+…especially since that realization may never happen until a person feels safe enough to come out.

7. Barriers for LGBTQIA2s+ Newcomers
Resettlement distress, trauma, grief, etc.
Race against time
Strict deadlines of extensive refugee claim documentation
Having to re-live trauma
Lack of / scarce social support networks
Very different ‘Canadian systems’ and expectations
Greater risks - especially if refugee claims failed!
Very limited / no healthcare; confusion around IFH coverage
Being outed during claim process = greater risks if deported
Getting sick - especially mental health issues
Not finding LGBTQIA+ newcomer supportive services
LGBTQIA+ newcomer friendly interpretation services
Primary health care for trans newcomers

8. Positive Spaces Initiative Model
LGBTQIA* Settlement Network
Regional Champions
PSI professional development and
workplace orientation
Roundtable events
Grassroots initiatives, Conferences
Why Does This Work?
Multi faceted approach
Grown over 10 years
Contextual and easily changed to adapt to changing terminology, context, situation, global atmosphere, etc.
Barriers to one aspect can be solved with another.
Partnerships and regular meetings
Liaise with PSI champions to raise awareness about LGBTQIA* newcomers issues
Develop action plans and best practices to better serve LGBTQIA* newcomers
Identifying specific issues affecting LGBTQIA* newcomers
Share resources , expanding PSI network regionally

9. Creating partnerships Bringing LGBTQIA2s+ Newcomers to the table
What is your next step in building sustainable structures for LGBTQIA2s+ Newcomers?
Self-assessment
Being honest about where we are
Creating partnerships
To find contextual solutions
Bringing LGBTQIA2s+ Newcomers to the table
Not about us without us

10. Yara Kodershah ykodershah@ocasi.org
Thank you!
Yara Kodershah
Sizwe Inkingi