Hello Everyone,

Are you an active Queer Ontario member? Or, would you like to participate more in our meetings and online discussions?

Queer Ontario has been using the Ustream audiostream and chatroom technology to make our meetings accessible to individuals unable to attend in-person in Toronto. This technology is not working well for us, so we are looking for a better alternative. In particular, we’re looking for a technology that allows every participant to contribute directly to the discussion, not rely on another person to relay what they say.

Before we choose a new technology, we need to make sure it meets everyone’s needs. Please fill out this short survey:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1dbYdp8KdjvF-WQ-Tx13CyravStobijx4tCoHT3C7PtI/viewform

It would be lovely if you can respond by Wednesday July 17, since we will be discussing technology options at Thursday’s general meeting. If you respond by July 24, your needs will be considered in our final analysis.

If you have any difficulty filling out the survey, please contact alana.boltwood@gmail.com to provide your input by chat or telephone.

Thank you,
Alana Boltwood
Member at Large on behalf of the Steering Committee
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Just like last year, Queer Ontario is planning on participating in a number of Pride-affiliated events in Toronto, plus the second annual unaffiliated Night March. Below is a list of the Toronto events we are planning to attend, with details on how we will be participating.
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If you are interested in joining us for any of them, by all means let us know! You can email A.J. Lowik at info@queerontario.org to let us know which actions you are interested in. Otherwise, you are welcome to scout us out and say hello!
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We look forward to hearing back from many of you!
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A.J. Lowik
On behalf of the Queer Ontario Steering Committee

1. The unaffiliated Night March on Monday, June 24th

For information about the Night March, click here.
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Event details: March begins at 9:00 pm from Cawthra Square park
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How we will participate: We will have a marching contingent, which will march behind the Queer Ontario banner.

— We will meet in George Hislop Park at 7:30 p.m.
— Estimated time requirement is one hour (waiting time plus marching time).
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3. The Dyke March on Saturday, June 29th
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Event details: 1:00 PM Line-Up at Church and Hayden Streets /March at 2:00 pm /Rally in Allen Gardens at 3:00 PM.
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How we will be participate: We will gather a group of supporters to cheer from the sidelines, with our banner, at the north-west corner of Yonge and Wellesley.

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We are pleased to announce the 2013 release of the Queer Ontario Pressing Issues Survey, which we will be using to get a sense of the pressing issues affecting LGBTQ* people across the province; and to compare the 2013 issues with the issues that were provided in 2012.
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This will serve a number of key research functions, not the least of which is the consideration of the input of the over 200 individuals who have joined our network since the fall of last year; and the identification of ‘continuing’ issues vs. issues that were included because of their ‘hot topic’ status.
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If you have any questions whatsoever, do not hesitate to contact us at info@queerontario.org. We will be more than happy to answer them!
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Looking forward to serving you better,
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The Queer Ontario Steering Committee
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Website: www.queerontario.org
Email: info@queerontario.org
Facebook: Queer Ontario
Twitter: @queerontario
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About the Survey
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The survey itself consists of five questions, which should take approximately 3-10 minutes to answer. Online and Word (.doc) versions, in both English and French, can be found here: http://queerontario.org/surveys/pressing-issues-survey

Queer Ontario recognizes the need for accessible information, including having documents available in languages other than English. We have reproduced the survey in French, upon request. Queer Ontario will make every effort to provide translations of our documents, upon request, and when possible, based on the availability of volunteers to do the translation and ensure that it is accurate.
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* Note:  For the purposes of this survey, ‘LGBTQ’ will refer to individuals who are marginalized because of their sex, gender, and/or sexuality. This includes, but is not limited to: individuals who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, transsexual, transgender, genderqueer, agender, two-spirited, cross-dressing, intersexed, neutrois, asexual, pansexual, polyamorous, kinky, and/or nudist. This survey is also open to allies who can assist us in our work.
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We know that forms of oppression based on sex, gender, and/or sexuality cannot be seen in isolation from other forms of oppression, so we encourage their joint articulation as well.
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