Pride at SLC

Huddles are small groups of 2 to 4 students and a leader who will meet weekly, online or in-person as able. Organized around students’ needs, preferences, and schedules, huddle groups provide a safe and friendly space where individuals can give and receive support. Huddles build resilience and self-determination as students are provided with encouragement, opportunities to reflect, and a weekly check-in. To join a Huddle or for more information, contact SpiritualCare@sl.on.ca

The SLC Alliance is an educational, social, and supportive group for members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and their allies at St. Lawrence College. We are a mix of 2SLGBTQIA+ community members and allies who all have a common goal of making St. Lawrence College a safer place for everyone. We supply a safe space for students and faculty of the College to meet with other members of their community. We supply educational opportunities, social outlets, and support of the natural human need for emotional connection with others. In conjunction with other initiatives of SLC we help to foster a more positive and welcoming atmosphere for all people who learn, live, and work on our campuses.

Are you interested in joining the SLC Alliance or learning more about 2SLGBTQIA+ resources at SLC? Please email pride@sl.on.ca

Positive Space Initiative

The goal of the Positive Space Initiative is to foster a sense of belonging and inclusion of 2SLGBTQIA+ persons in every aspect of campus life by creating opportunities to increase awareness and engagement in our SLC community. 
 
Positive Space Training 
 
Positive Space is a 90-minute information session aimed at developing increased awareness, understanding, and acceptance of the issues of sexual identity and gender diversity at St. Lawrence College. It is available to all students, staff, and faculty. Additionally, it is a volunteer sticker campaign. After the training, Positive Space participants may choose to: 
 
Display a Positive Space signifier:

• A Positive Space signifier identifies the intention to create an accepting and supportive environment with respect to issues of sexual identity and gender diversity.
• Display a Positive Space sticker in a visible place that you have control over, such as your office or workspace or laptop. If you share a workspace, please ensure that your office mate is also a participant in the program before affixing the sticker to the entrance to your shared space. 
• Participants may also add a Positive Space signifier to their email electronic signature.

Be a resource:

• Act in a sensitive and compassionate manner towards the needs of the LGBTQQ2S+ community on campus. 
  Respect the confidentiality of those who contact you.
• Maintain an up-to-date list of community resources.
• Be an empathetic listener but not a counsellor. Know where to refer people who require more assistance.
• Do not condone homophobic, transphobic, or heterosexist actions.
• Be willing to explain to others what the Positive Space Campaign is and consider referring others to participate. 

Positive Space Working Group 
 
Positive Space training is delivered by members of the Positive Space Working Group. This group is comprised of staff members of Student Wellness and Accessibility, Human Resources and Occupational Development, and the School of Contemporary Teaching and Learning who have been trained to deliver the workshop. 
 
How do I participate? 
 
To express your interest in completing Positive Space Training, please email Ashleigh Fortune at afortune@sl.on.ca. 

Self-identify your pronouns using SNAP! Identity Update
SLC ITS launched the SNAP! Identity Update, a quick way to enable your pronouns to be displayed next to your name in the Teams participant list, email, the SLC email address book, and wherever your contact information is shown in Microsoft Office 365.  

Why is it important to self-identify your pronouns and make it visible? Pronouns are used to signify an individual’s gender. Gender is fluid and goes beyond the binary terms of she/her/hers and he/him/his. Various non-binary pronouns are used such as, they/them, xe/xem, ze/zim, and sie/hir. When an individual self-identifies their pronoun, it helps remove the assumption for another person. It also helps to create a more gender-inclusive environment because it normalizes and recognizes assumptions should never be made, no matter how an individual identifies.

How to change or add your pronouns to your name at SLC:

• Visit snap.slc.me
• Fill in your information
• Check box – “Show Pronouns in Display” and click “Update”

• HIV/AIDS Regional Services (HARS) – providing education and support programs around HIV/AIDS plus as well as some Hepatitis C services. Includes a Youth Outreach program for LGBTQ+ youth under 19.
• Ontario Aboriginal HIV/AIDS Strategy (OAHAS) - 613.548.6078, kingstonstrategy@bellnet.ca - 844a Princess Street - OAHAS provides free, confidential information, education, services to urban and rural Aboriginal people who are living with, at risk for, or affected by HIV/AIDS. Services are client-centered and culturally based.
• Coming Out, Living After – www.comingoutlivingafter.yolasite.com - a queer community discussion group for all members of the Kingston community.
• Sexual Health Resource Centre – http://shrckingston.org/ - confidential, non-judgmental, sex positive, pro-choice, queer positive, non-heterosexist and feminist information and referral service for questions regarding sex, sexuality and sexual health.
• Education on Queer Issues Project - 613.533.2725
• Out/In Kingston – www.outin.ca - an event portal for LGBTQ+ events in Kingston. Website also features a comprehensive resource listing.
• Kingston Pride www.kingstonpride.ca - The LGBT Pride Committee meets throughout the year and is always looking for volunteers.
• Kingston Reelout queer Video + film Festival - www.reelout.com - Kingston's annual queer film festival features queer-themed films from around the world, panel discussion, receptions and social events. It is typically held in January and February.
• Queers at Queens
• PFLAG Canada, Kingston Chapter – www.pflagcanada.ca - a national charitable organization that speaks for a more accepting Canadian society by providing support, education and resources to all people who wish to grow in their understanding of sexual and gender diversity.
• TransFamily Kingston – www.transfamilykingston.com - a community of support for trans folk, family, and friends. Website also features a comprehensive resource listing.
• Transgender Health Clinic - located at the Kingston Community Health Centres at 263 Weller Avenue. To learn more or book an appointment, contact the clinic by email at transhealth@kchc.ca or by phone at 613.542.2949 ext. 1166.
  Referrals can also be made through KCHC to the following 2 clinics:
  - Queen's Family Health Team (QFHT) - runs a gender-diversity clinic one half-day per week.
  - Kingston Health Sciences Centre (KHSC) - runs one half-day per month.

• LGBT2SQ Social Gathering – www.seawayvalleychc.ca/lgbt2sq monthly gathering for LGBT2SQ community members and family/allies. Provides a safe environment for support, education and resources.
• PFLAG Canada, Cornwall Chapter – https://pflagcanada.ca/pflag-chapters/ontario/ - offers local, practical, and emotional peer-to-peer family support for individuals and their loved ones challenged by gender/sexual identity and gender expression. Supports, educates and provides resources to anyone with questions or concerns.

• Good2Talk – a free, confidential and anonymous helpline providing professional counselling and information and referrals for mental health, addictions and well-being to post-secondary students in Ontario, 24/7/365. Phone: 1.866.925.5454 or dial 2-1-1 and ask to be connected with Good2Talk. https://good2talk.ca/
• Rainbow Health Ontario – www.rainbowhealthontario.ca -working to improve the health and well-being of LGBTQ people in Ontario, and to increase access to competent and LGBTQ friendly health care services across the province.
• Lesbian Gay Bi Trans Youth Line – www.youthline.ca - confidential, non-judgmental, and informed LGBTTQQ2SI peer support. Phone: 1.800.268.9688. Text: 647.694.4275.

• International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association - ilga.org
• Trans Life Line – www.translifeline.org - providing culturally competent services to Trans and gender nonconforming people in crisis. Phone: 877.330.6366
• AVEN – www.asexuality.org - the world's largest online asexual community as well as a large archive of resources on asexuality.

• LGBTQ+ Resource Guide for Substance Use Disorders - https://addiction-counselor.org/lgbtq-resource/

• SLC Student Code of Conduct
• Workplace Discrimination and Bullying 
• Preventing discrimination based on Gender Identity and Gender Expression – OHRC 
• Preventing Sexual and gender-based harassment - OHRC 
• Complaints Policy