New and Returning Programs for 2024

It’s already May 2024 and we have lots on the go.

This month, we wanted to share everything we’re working on at the moment. We’ve also included information about several community supports and events we think you’ll find interesting.

There’s a lot of information in this month’s newsletter. You can check out the summary below to see a quick overview of all of the programs, and then read on for more details about anything that catches your interest.

Summary of Programs & Events

Sharing Nights

• Transitions (Adult)

• FamilyTransitions (formerly Parents' Sharing Night)

• Young Adults

• Parents of Young Children

• Teens & Tweens

Crafting, Reading, and Games Nights

• Book Clubs (Youth and Adult)

• Rainbow Knots Yarn Group

• Board Game Night

Community Programs & Resources

• DCHC - Gender Journeys

• DCHC - Colours Youth Group 

• DCHC - Gender Affirming Chats

• DCHC - FamilyTRANSformations

• ACDR - Safe Spaces

• ACDR - MSM

Pflag DR Volunteer Opportunities

• There are many volunteer opportunities available. Please see below or our website if you are interested.

More Upcoming Events

• Camp Rainbow Phoenix - Call for Volunteers

• Oshawa Little Theatre - The Prom - May 9-19, 2024

• International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia

  • Uxbridge Township a flag raising at Township Offices 9AM on May 17th

Past Events

• Frisbee Golf Fundraiser

• Watch our social media for pictures of these events

PRIDE Month - June 2024

• Pride Durham - June 2, 2024 in Ajax

• North Durham Pride

  • Scugog PRIDE - JUNE 8, 2024

  • BROCK PRIDE - JULY 13, 2024

  • UXBRIDGE PRIDE - AUGUST 10, 2024

• Youth Pride Durham - June 22 in Whitby

• Queer Disco - June 21, 2024 7-11pm, at Cork & Bean, Oshawa

• Pride Toronto - Festival Weekend, June 28th to June 30th, 2024

• Watch our social media for other events

Sharing Nights

If you’re looking for a way to connect and find support, consider joining us for one of our peer-facilitated sharing nights. We host virtual and in-person programs.

Transitions (Adult)

The transitions group offers a social space for trans & questioning folks aged 16 and older. Transitions runs a monthly virtual meeting and a monthly in-person meeting. There is also a Discord server for Transitions members to further find/build their community.

Join Transitions: Please use this link to contact the Transitions team. You can also connect with the Transitions team at transitions@pflagdurhamregion.com.

FamilyTransitions (formerly Parents’ Sharing Night)

Our sharing group for parents, guardians, and caregivers of trans and non-binary youth and adult children runs on the first Wednesday of each month.

Join FamilyTransitions: Please use the following Zoom link to join our next FamilyTransitions meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86957068465

Sharing Night, North Durham

If you live in North Durham, join us via Zoom on the third Thursday of every month to connect with the North Durham Sharing Night group.

Join Sharing Night North Durham: Please contact us at inquiries@pflagdurhamregion.com to request the Zoom link to our next meeting.

Young Adults - Now Running Online (In Person coming soon)

If you are between 18 and 29 years old and looking to connect with others, join us via Zoom on Sundays bi-weekly (May 5), always welcoming new folks to join!

Join pflag YA: Please contact us https://tinyurl.com/5dkncm85 to get added to the pflag YA list and get the Zoom link.

Parents of Young Children - COMING SOON

We are currently developing a new program for parents of young children. If you’re interested in this program, please sign up here to get more information when it becomes available.

Teens & Tweens - RETURNING SOON

Our Teens & Tweens group for 10 to 14 year olds who want to get to know their 2SLGBTQI peers, have a safe space to be themselves, and have fun playing games and doing activities will be returning! If you’re interested in this program, please sign up here to get more information when it becomes available.

Crafting, Reading, and Games Nights!

We’re planning several ways to have fun, connect, and learn something new for 2024. If you’d like to join a book club, create fibre arts with us, or get together for a games night, you can use the links below to sign up to receive details as information becomes available for these new programs.

Book Club - COMING SOON

We are planning two book clubs - One for youth 14-17 and one for adults 18+. If you’re interested in this program, please sign up here to get more information when it becomes available.

Rainbow Knots Yarn Group - COMING SOON

If you’d like to join us for knitting, crocheting, needlepoint, cross-stitch, macramé, and sewing - Embark on a creative journey with our upcoming Rainbow Knots Yarn Group in 2024! Sign up here to be added to the mailing list for this group. All abilities of knotters welcome!

Board Game Night - COMING SOON

Planning is underway for board game night in 2024, and you can be part of the fun! If you would like to be contacted once we know more, please fill out this form.

Community Programs & Resources

While we make changes and develop new programs, please explore some of the resources our community partners are offering for youth and family supports.

DCHC - Gender Journeys

The 9-week Gender Journeys program is a place to explore your gender and connect with others who are also on a gender journey. It is a peer-facilitated program for ages 10-14 and 15+.

For more information: contact anagel@durhamchc.ca or call 905-428-1212 ext. 2239

DCHC - Colours Youth Group

2SLGBTQI Youth in Grade 9 to 12 are invited to join the Colours Program running once a month. The program will be in-person at the DCHC Pickering location and will feature interactive activities!

Food and snacks are available. Registration is required.

To register: contact Sharon at (905) 903-3512 or Alyssa at (905) 723-0036 ext. 3204

DCHC - Gender Affirming Chats

A space where folks that don’t identify with the gender they were assigned at birth or are questioning their gender can connect with each other. This group will alternate between discussion topics, and a social space to play games, do some art and get to know each other.

When? Every other Monday from February 12 to June 17, 2024. Ages 10-15, 6:00 p.m. -7:30 p.m. Ages 16+, 7:30 p.m. -9:00 p.m.

Where? Alternating between in person at DCHC Pickering Site (17-1450 Kingston Rd.) and virtual

To register: Contact Declan to schedule a short intake call. Email gendercare@durhamchc.ca. Call or Text: 905 213 1207

Note: When folks are registered for the group they can pick and choose which sessions they’d like to attend.

Specific dates and links to descriptions of each session can be found here.

DCHC - Family TRANSformations

Family TRANSformations is a support and resource group for parents/caregivers of people who identify as trans, non-binary, or gender-expansive. Registration is required.

For more information, contact Jennifer at 905-428-1212, ext. 2229

ACDR - One Voice

One Voice is a collective created to meet the health and social service gaps experienced by queer and trans people of colour aged 13 to 29.

For more information, contact ​Nathan Rhodes-Truppe, Youth Outreach Coordinator at nathaniel@aidsdurham.com or call 905-576-1445 ext 518

ACDR - MSM

MSM works with and for gay, bi and other men who have sex with men (msm) by providing relevant knowledge, skills, resources, social activities and events as well as promoting community building partnerships.

For more information, contact ​Adrien King, MSM Outreach Coordinator at adrien@aidsdurham.com or call 905-576-1445 ext 512.

Pflag Durham Region Volunteer Opportunities

Join our volunteer team! We have diverse opportunities for those interested in community education, attending flag raisings, answering general inquiry responses, facilitating groups, and more.

If you're interested in volunteering, please take a moment to complete this form and let us know about how you'd like to play a role in our community initiatives.

More Upcoming Events!

There are even more events in the the works for 2024 including Camp Rainbow Phoenix, a Fundraising Gala for Camp Rainbow Phoenix, and more!

Camp Rainbow Phoenix - Volunteers

Camp Rainbow Phoenix has been steadily growing each year since 2010 when the first camp took place. Camp started with just 7 campers, eventually outgrew the 40 beds that were available in the original location, and moved to a new, much larger location. Last year, Camp Rainbow Phoenix hosted 72 youth and had a waitlist just as long.

For our 2024 camp, we will be hosting 2 weeks of camp in Ontario: July 21-26, 2024 and August 18-23, 2024.

Adult Volunteers

As we grow our capacity of campers, we are also in need of a larger team of volunteers. Camp volunteers need to be over the age of 21. We are looking for:

• Adult Mentors

• Mental Health Team Members

• Physical Health Team Members

• Activities specialists (Music, Physical Activity, Outdoor Education, etc)

• Site Setup / Teardown

• Registration Booth

• Shuttle Drivers

• And more!

Out of town volunteers may be provided with transportation / accommodations. There will be an interview process and all volunteers must provide a vulnerable sector reference check prior to attending camp.

If you’re interested in volunteering, please visit the Camp Rainbow Phoenix registration page, click the link to apply to volunteer, and complete the application form.

Oshawa Little Theatre - The Prom

Oshawa Little Theatre’s Youth Group is proud to present The Prom, running from May 9th to 19th.  

The Prom centres around Emma, an Indiana teenager whose prom has been cancelled because she wants to bring her girlfriend as her date. When four eccentric Broadway stars hear that trouble is brewing around a small-town prom, they know that it’s time to put a spotlight on the issue…and themselves. On a mission to transform lives, Broadway’s brassiest join forces with Emma and the town’s citizens and the result is love that brings them all together.

Come out to support live theatre and see our youth performers showcase their incredible talents!

Tickets are available at oshawalittletheatre.com 

Summer Drags On

A Miss Seductions Production: Summer Drags On - June 8th, 2024

An All Ages Show, featuring some of Durham Regions Finest Drag Talent

Hosted by Miss J & Violet Seductions, Tickets are $25 (plus $1.95 handling fee). Doors Open at 7pm, show starts at 8pm!!!

If purchasing in groups larger than the table options, let us know so we can do our best to seat you together

Past Events

Frisbee Golf Fundraiser

Disc Golf was a great success with approximately $2500 raised for pflagDR. Thank you to queer disc golf for the partnership! Special thanks to Andi for all your hard work.

Thank You to April’s Donors:

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