TALK TO SOMEONE
Self-advocacy doesn't have to be a one-person mission. Let's assemble your dream team!
WHY IS IT GOOD TO HAVE SOME HELP?
When you self-advocate for your human rights, it can be helpful to have an adult who can support you.
An adult on your team might know more about how schools and school boards work, including how to do things like make a complaint about a human rights issue. An adult might also be able to listen and help you figure out what you need, as well as how you can explain that to someone like your school principal or vice-principal.
You can absolutely self-advocate on your own, or with the support of people who aren’t adults. Gegi also wants to help you have the best chance at success, and we think having at least one supportive adult on your team is a good plan.
WHAT SHOULD I BRING TO MY TEAM?
You've already learned a lot about what you experiencing in Step 1 and Step 2, and it's time to share that.
Once you have figured out who you would like to talk to, bring your team member these things:
- what you have learned about gender expression and gender identity discrimination on Gegi.ca;
- a clear story of what has been happening to you;
- and your school board policies and/or Gegi’s tip sheets (from your school board page in Step 2).
Legal Definitions (Step 1)
Your Story
School Policies (Step 2)
School Policies (Step 2)
WHERE CAN I FIND MY TEAM?
Let's assemble your team! Where should you start?
START WITH SOMEONE YOU KNOW
The best adult to support you while you self-advocate is someone you already know.
We hope that you have a supportive adult in your family, like a parent or guardian, but we know that isn’t true for everyone. If it isn’t your parent or guardian, it might be a teacher, counsellor or other staff member at school. Or, it might be a principal or vice-principal who you know and trust.
If you’ve tried talking to an adult you already know and it hasn’t worked, or if you don’t feel comfortable doing this, you can contact a person at your school board whose job is supporting people in your situation.
1
Your parent or guardian
2
Teacher or staff member
3
Principal or vice-principal
SCHOOL BOARD PERSON
You can contact this person if you don't have an adult at home or at school who you'd like to have on your team.
Get contact info by searching for your school board.
LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS
People and places in your school board's local area
If you’ve tried someone you know, or contacting your school board person, or if you just don’t like those options, check in with a local organization and share what you have learned on Gegi.ca. People there might have experiences like yours, or know people who do. They also might have a space where you can experience the opposite of what you’re going through at school.
FOR YOUTH
YAAHA! – Youth Link
The Triangle Program – Oasis Alternative Secondary School
Supporting Our Youth (SOY) – Sherbourne Health Centre
Stars @ The Studio – Deslile Youth Services
Queer Youth Arts Program – Buddies in Bad Times Theatre
Queer Asian Youth – Asian Community AIDS Services
FOR EVERYONE
Kind Space (Ottawa)
Kind Space is committed to providing Ottawa – located on unceded Algonquin territory, accessible resources, events, social, and educational programming to celebrate and support people of all sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions.
Transparent Hamilton-Niagara
Winnipeg Transgender Support Group
Transceptance – (Drop-in, parent-run, peer-support group for parents of trans children)
Trans* London (Ontario)
Trans Partner Network – Sherbourne Health Centre (8-week social education series)
Timmins Rainbow LGBT Community
Timmins Pride
The T in Thunder Gay
London (Ontario) LGBT Community
Make it Wright
Kincardine Pride
FSO Support Group for Parents and Caregivers of Gender Creative, Trans, Transgender Children, Youth or Young Adults
CMHA Grey Bruce
Bay of Quinte PRIDE
Barrie: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender
Together We Conquer Mountains (T.W.C.M)
Transform Quinte
Trans Lifeline Canada
Trans Lifeline Canada is a trans-led organization that responds to the critical needs of the community with direct service, material support, advocacy, and education.
LGBT Youth Line
LGBT Youth Line is a Queer, Trans, Two-Spirit* youth-led organization that affirms and supports the experiences of youth (29 and under) across Ontario. It does this by providing anonymous peer support and referrals; training youth to provide support to other youth; and providing resources so youth can make informed decisions.
PFLAG Hamilton
York Region GSA North
Trans Partner Network – Sherbourne Health Centre
Transceptance
PFLAG Toronto
Out & Proud Program – Children’s Aid Society of Toronto
ONLINE RESOURCES
Support you can access from anywhere
Lots of organizations offer online support that can be accessed any time, from anywhere. Here are a few of Gegi’s favourites.
The Trevor Project
The Trevor Project is a 24/7 crisis intervention and suicide prevention lifeline for LGBTQ2S+ people under 25.
PFLAG Canada
Canada’s only national organization that helps all Canadians with issues of sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. PFLAG Canada supports, educates, and provides resources to all individuals with questions or concerns, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Native Youth Sexual Health Network
Native Youth Sexual Health Network is an organization by and for Indigenous youth that works across issues of sexual and reproductive health, rights and justice throughout the United States and Canada.
Kids Help Phone
Kids Help Phone is Canada’s only 24/7, national support service. It offers professional counseling, information and referrals, and volunteer-led, text-based support to young people in both English and French. This service is completely confidential. Call: 1-800-668-6868 or text: 686868.