In the ‘universe’ of cis-heteronormative systems, queering of care is essential to disrupt gender binary, patriarchy and cisnormativity. Still, this needs to go further to accommodate LGBTQ+ refugees and newcomers for whom navigating Canadian systems is often highly challenging. Having faced different forms of torture and trauma, they face new and at times life-crushing challenges during their resettlement. These include being new to Canada, being displaced, using English (or French) as second languages, stigmas around accent and names, anti-Black racism, transphobia, homophobia, poverty, lack of access to housing and employment. This workshop will a) situate LGBTQ+ forced migration within colonial and neocolonial contexts, b) outline resettlement stressors faced by LGBTQ+ newcomers and c) provide some hands-on tips to work with LGBTQ+ newcomers. Two LGBTQ+ newcomers will share their stories of resettlement. A couple of case scenarios will be used to engage with the audience.

RSVP is required.
This event will take place on Zoom.
ASL will be provided at every workshop by Phoenix The Fire @phoenixthefire1111

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Ranjith Kulatilake has been working with LGBTQ+ refugees and newcomers for more than a decade. Currently he coordinates The Neighbourhood Group Community Services’ Rainbow Connect resettlement support program. Ranjith received the 2021 City of Toronto Access, Equity and Human Rights Pride award and the 2014 United Way Toronto award for Innovation and Creativity for his work. He holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in social work, and is a PhD student in social work at York University. Ranjith is an advisory committee member of the Positive Spaces Initiatives at Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants (OCASI) and was a member of the 2SLGBTQ+ Community Advisory Body of the City of Toronto from November 2020 to November 2022.