AUNDECK OMNI KANING—Mnaamodzawin Health Services Inc. provides a wealth of activities and programs designed to support 2SLBGTQ+ youth and adults, including workshops, drop-in groups, advocacy, arts programming, sports and recreational activities. Their staff provides consultations, referrals, collaboration with other service providers, counseling and discussions on health and hormones, dealing with discrimination, and negotiating relationships, among a host of other topics.
In addition to their ongoing support for the 2SLGBTQ+ community, the Sex and Gender Diversity Program offers a monthly support group for the parents and caregivers of 2SLGBTQ+ youth and young adults. The sessions take place on the last Tuesday of each month, and are open to all communities, Island-wide. The purpose of these sessions is to help parents and caregivers to understand the diverse gender identities, sexual orientations and appropriate language of these communities. They help parents and caregivers to support their children with effective strategies in dealing with gender identity and sexual orientation. The sessions are led by mental health counselors, and they provide parents and caregivers with resources on Manitoulin, and most importantly, they assist families in building healthy relationships with their children.
“Since March 2020, Mnaamodzawin has hosted an annual conference aimed at 2SLGBTQ+ individuals, families and allies, and as a direct result of feedback received at our 2023 conference, this past October, we put together the Support Group for Parents and Caregivers of 2SLGBTQ+ Children/Youth,” Leslie Tipper said. Ms. Tipper is Mnaamodzawin Health Services’ 2SLGBTQ2+ activities coordinator. “It can be challenging to accept, affirm, and support your child/youth’s expression of sexuality or gender identity and you don’t have to do it alone,” Ms. Tipper added. She went on to explain that the Sex and Gender Diversity Program, with its inception in May 2023, became the catalyst for Pride Manitoulin with Mnaamodzawin Health Services as benefactor.
“This year’s Pride Weekend will be held the second weekend in August 2024, with many fun, educational, and exciting events planned. As mentioned, the program also plans an annual 2SLGBTQ+ conference with special guests full of information and inspiration, presenting on a variety of topics. The 2024 2SLGBTQ2+ conference will be held on Saturday, March 23 at the Manitoulin Hotel and Conference Center,” the Activities Coordinator said.
Stay up to date on their activities and events by checking out the Mnaamodzawin Facebook page, or better yet, join the group Manitoulin 2SLGBTQ+ Activities and Events on Facebook. You can contact Leslie Tipper directly at 705-368-2182 ext. 247 or email her at leslie.tipper@Mnaamodzawin.com. She will provide you with all the information you need for every member of the family and can even connect you with a Two Spirit Knowledge Keeper.
