The Lesbian Gay Bi Trans Youth Line (LGBT YouthLine, "YouthLine"), founded in 1994,[1] is a peer support organization for LGBT youth across the province of Ontario. Although originally known for their phone support line,[2][3] the organization also offers online chat, SMS and e-mail support services, as well as promoting and supporting other events and programs for 2SLGBTQ+ youth.

In 2011 the YouthLine, in conjunction with Toronto City Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam, created an award, named in memory of Toronto artist Will Munro, to honour LGBT youth involved in community arts projects in Ontario.[4]

Toronto Catholic District School Board

In January 2021, YouthLine denounced the Toronto Catholic District School Board's decision to suddenly remove the service from their online mental health resource list for students. The removal was called "homophobic, transphobic, and racist."[5][6][7]

According to the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, Joseph Volpe, a former Liberal MP, published articles under his Italian-Canadian newspaper company, Corriere, with a number of homophobic comments and he called for the removal of the YouthLine's services. In May 2022, YouthLine and the other defendants won and all of Volpe's charges against them were dropped.[8]

See: TCDSB, Controversies, Elimination of LGBTQ+ Online Support

Awards

In 2019, the LGBT Youth Line marked a significant milestone, celebrating its 25th anniversary alongside the vibrant Youth Awards Gala. The event brought together steadfast friends, supporters, and generous donors, embodying a quarter-century of unwavering dedication to supporting and honoring 2SLGBTQ youth throughout Ontario.[9]

2019 Trans activism: Far Johnstone BIPOC activism: Aanya Wood Queer activism: Tamar Brannigan Academics: James Schlonies Arts & Culture: Dinaly Tran Social & Health Services: Iehente FooteSocial Justice & Community Empowerment: Beze Gray

2017 Andrea Bermudez Jalisa Luces-Mendes RJ Jones Nora Melody Williams Camryn Harlick Akia Munga Cassandra Myers Lyra Evans Commendations: warner schaettgen

2016 Queer Activism – Tatiana Ferguson Trans Activism – Aédan D. Charest BIPOC Activism – Adam Lake Secondary Academic Environment – Emma Antoine Allan Post-Secondary Academic Environment – Sabrina Scott Social and Health Services – Sage Lovell Arts and Culture – Krafty Queers Social Justice and Community Empowerment – ODE: Remembered Voices Commendations: Elijah Koleszar-Green,Shane Camastro

2012 rio rodrigez Brenda Smith Spencer Sawyer Arthur Peltier Cast of “Interrogation” directed by Chris Rabideau Michael Lyons Gabe Holt Lali Mohamed ILL NANA/DiverseCity

2011 Toronto Kiki Ballroom Alliance Nedal Sulaiman Compass Drop-In Group Morgan Page Jake McPhee Beckie Lindsay Peter Gindl Ricky Rodrigues Alvaro Orozco

2009 Claro Cosco Andrew Abbott Kim Crosby YL Love Sudbury Committee Youth Members Joey Wright Natalia Eileen Adamo Ruggiero Jestina Hafermehl

2008 If I Only Knew Calvin Neufeld Adam Wheeler Nicholas Dodds Vincent Bolt Angela “Ice” Musceo Luka Sidaravicius

2007 Donovan Caesar Jerry Lee Leonardo Zuniga Steph Cook TJ Naven Westmount GSA

2006 Alex Chunaco Alix Mukonambi Brian McCurdy Christopher Hayden Fenelon Falls GSA Ilanit Goren Jade Hines Jeremy Dias Jessica Mykel O’Hara Trans Youth Ottawa

2005 Alex Rowlson Annanda DeSilva Brescia Reid Brian Lawson Carmen Yanziello Don Latondress Evan Smith Gem Butler Hannah Taylor Nathaniel Christopher Ryan G. Hinds

2004 Amanda Gregory Andrea Gate Brian Konik Chris Siegel Holden Keyes Inside Out Queer Youth Digital Video Project Madison Matti Charlton Patrick Jang Ryan Campbell Syrus Ware

2001 Christina Strang Gen Storm Michael Pihach David Valle Jeff Peters Queer Asian Youth – Florence Heung Iona Ng Jason Lem Kenny Khoo Rita Chan Ruthann Lee Sheng Wang,

2000 Anne-Marie Estrada Jordana Edelist Josh Stevenson Mohammed Khan Nadia Bello Ryan Handy Sara Bruntz Triange Program Pride Prom Committee

1998 Alison Dover Andy Inkster Fruit Loopz Jennifer Miller John Forget PAYSO Shawn Fowler Tami McDonald

1997 Andrew Boxer CTYS’s LGBT Program Donnarama Emmy Pantin Florencia Berinstein Juana Berinstein Sara Bannerman TEACH Triangle Program Tyler Faubert Vashti Campbell

1996 Ailsa Craig Akhaji Zakiya Aysa September CALYPSO Kristyn Wong-Tam Shawn Matthew The Other Young Lives 2 Conference Tim Guimond

References

  1. ^ Johnson, Aidan (6 June 1996). "Cutting off youth phone line was shortsighted". Hamilton Spectator. Retrieved 26 December 2010. But when the Gay Lesbian Bisexual Youth Line plugged in its phones in 1994 the situation began to look up...
  2. ^ Simpson, Kate (14 December 2009). "Last-minute gift ideas: Holiday donations". Xtra!. Retrieved 26 December 2010.
  3. ^ Keung, Nicholas (5 April 2008). "Childless, giving and gay". Toronto Star. Retrieved 26 December 2010.
  4. ^ (2010). "The Spirit of Will Munro Award Archived July 14, 2010, at the Wayback Machine", Youthline.ca. Retrieved February 1, 2011.
  5. ^ "Toronto Catholic school board to review decision to remove LGBTQ+ support line resource after backlash". thestar.com. 2021-01-12. Retrieved 2021-01-13.
  6. ^ "TCDSB under fire for eliminating LGBTQ2 online resources". Global News. Retrieved 2021-01-13.
  7. ^ "Public Statement (January 11, 2021)". LGBT Youth Line. Retrieved 2021-01-13.
  8. ^ "Volpe v. Wong-Tam, 2022 ONSC 3106 (CanLII)". 2022-05-26.
  9. ^ "LGBT Youth Line Awards". LGBTYouthLine. 2023-10-13. Retrieved 2023-10-13.

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