Events to Engage LGBTIQ* Refugees in Canada

The IDAHOT day will be organized by several organizations. Rainbow Refugee is an organization founded in 2000, Rainbow Refugee Committee (RRC) is a Vancouver based community group that supports and advocates with people seeking refugee protection because of persecution based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or HIV status. Rainbow Refugee Committee engages in outreach, advocacy and public education on QLGBT/HIV+ refugee issues. RRC is member driven and all volunteer.
•    RRC also provides information to asylum seekers outside Canada
•    RRC is a sister organization of LEGIT: Canadian Immigration for same-sex partners
•    Other support groups for lesbian, gay, transgender, bisexual &/or HIV+ asylum seekers and refugee claimants are beginning in Toronto, Montreal and other cities across Canada.

Rainbow Refugee is organizing an cultural event and panel discussion about LGBTIQ* refugees in Canada. The performance will be held reflecting refugee LGBTIQ person and his/her life during their process with Immigration Canada and societal acceptance. At the same time personal stories will be shared from refugees who are already accepted to stay and have status as Conventional Refugee or Protected persons.

Gay & Grey: A breakfast conversation on LGBTQ communities and aging

The International Day Against Homophobia (IDAH) Breakfast is hosted annually by QMUNITY, BC’s Queer Resource Centre. Presented by Vancity, IDAH brings together over 500 engaged citizens from government, industry, and the social profit sector for a morning of inspiring speakers and important conversations. All proceeds directly support QMUNITY’s programs and services: in 2013, raised over $45,000 of much-needed funds at the sold-out event.

In 2014 – the 10th anniversary of the breakfast and the 35th anniversary of QMUNITY – we lead public dialogue on Gay & Grey: a conversation over breakfast about what it means to be LGBTQ, out, and aging.

Anticipating another sold-out year, a limited number of early-bird tickets are now available at idah2014.eventbrite.ca.

QMUNITY is BC’s Queer Resource Centre. Its team of skilled professionals reaches over 35,000 people annually, enriching the lives of BC’s queer communities by delivering strong programs, education and training on queer issues, and advocacy on the issues that matter most in our communities.

@QMUNITY on twitter // facebook.com/qmunity

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