At CAS of Toronto we celebrate the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and transsexual (LGBT) communities in order to educate and create a safe and welcoming environment for our clients and workers who are a part of these communities. (more…)
At CAS of Toronto we celebrate the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and transsexual (LGBT) communities in order to educate and create a safe and welcoming environment for our clients and workers who are a part of these communities. (more…)
The Out and Proud Program enables the Children’s Aid Society of Toronto (CAS of Toronto) to ensure that its services are open, inclusive, safe, affirming and positive for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual, transgender, two-spirit, intersex, gender non-conforming, queer and questioning (LGBTQ) children and youth served by CAS of Toronto, as well as LGBTQ families, employees, volunteers and care providers.
We celebrate diverse sexual orientations and gender identities/expressions.
We assist CAS of Toronto to provide an environment that is free from homophobia, heterosexism, rigid gender expectations and transphobia.
Since 1994, CAS of Toronto has worked hard to be a positive space for LGBTQ people and has been a leader in child welfare in developing related policies, practices, guidelines and training. In 1995, CAS of Toronto published a ground-breaking report, We Are Your Children Too: Accessible Child Welfare Services for Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Youth. In 1994, we adopted policies supporting same-sex fostering and adoption. Now that discrimination in adoption on the basis of sexual orientation is prohibited, we are delighted to match many children to LGBTQ families every year.
Later in 1995, CAS of Toronto adopted a policy on Accessible Services for Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Youth to ensure that services for LGB youth are inclusive, safe and equitable. In 2008, CAS of Toronto updated and included gender identity and expression in our policy renamed Equitable Child Welfare Services Relating to Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity/Expression. We have developed Practice Guidelines for Sexual Orientation Equity, , which are available for a nominal cost. We are currently developing Practice Guidelines for Gender Inclusion.
Information and Resources
Definitions of Terminology
Symbols of PRIDE
Fact Sheet
Coming Out
When Someone Comes Out to You
Myths and Stereotypes Debunked
Risks, Challenges and Survival Techniques
What a LGBTQ Affirmative Practice Looks Like
Strategies to Make Your Workplace and Residential Settings Welcoming to LGBTQ People
LGBTQ Youth Resources Across Ontario
LGBTQ Positive Faith Groups and Places of Worship
Supportive Strategies for Serving Young People Who Don’t Conform to Gender Stereotypes
Backgrounder on Gender Diversity
Board Governance Policy on Services Relating to Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity/Expression
Helpful Links
Lesbian, Gay, Bi Trans Youth Line (Toll-free, anonymous, peer support phone line)
Supporting Our Youth (SOY) - Programs for LGBTQ youth
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (Addiction support for LGBTQ parents or parents to be)
P-FLAG - Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays including Bi and Trans peer support network
Many more helpful sites….click here for our Links page
Contact Us
outandproud@TorontoCAS.ca
The following are publications available for purchase. We are currently
developing an ordering system. Please contact the Out and Proud
Program for more information.