Young, Queer and Homeless in Toronto: Where is the Support?

This is ilona's second short film. It represents
several important findings from her Master's thesis Master's thesis: "Young, Queer and Homeless in Toronto: Where is the Support?".

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• Homelessness
• Youth
• Queer
• Thesis
• Toronto
• Activism
• Human
• Rights
• Homophobia

[jtmanson]

Excellent and well done. This is such an important issue and we need to help our youth.

[rttoronto]

Thank you.

[walkertexasranger33]

@HRTOACTIVIST huh?

[HRTOACTIVIST]

I went to "Central Toronto Youth Services". I went to CTYS seeking counselling. I needed a safe place to talk about my gender identity and my difficulties related to gender identity. David Yehs actions had a negative impact on my mental health. I met with a so-called counsellor. The so-called counsellor's name was David Yeh. He was very unprofessional and abusive. He told me i would never find a doctor that would prescribe me (HRT) hormone replacement therapy.

[HRTOACTIVIST]

I was talking about my experience of transphobia. He told me i had it worse than ANY other transsexual person in Toronto.I actually believed him. I walked out of the centre feeling depressed and believing that I'd never find a doctor to prescribe me Hormonal Replacement Therapy. I actually even thought of suicide. I even started cutting myself. I was very upset at David Yeh. I made a complaint to Executive Director.. (Heather Sproule) but she disregarded my complaints.

[HRTOACTIVIST]

I got to be honest.....when David Yeh told me these negative messages...it really had a negative impact on my mental health at the time...but now...i just think it's kind of funny. How can i have it worse than any other transsexual person if I have a supportive family? I know transsexual people and they are abused from their parents because they are transsexual.

[HRTOACTIVIST]

I know transsexuals and they WISH they were on hormones. It's been about two years later, and I'm doing much better. On November 26, 2009 I got my first prescription for hormonal replacement therapy. My mental health has greatly changes as a result of the hormones. I've stopped thinking of suicide. I've even stopped cutting myself (Thanks god!) and I even have a supportive family. On December 6, 2009 I got my legal name changed. I was so happy when I got my name changed. LOL Life is great! :)

[HRTOACTIVIST]

I guess someone was not happpy about my post on June 12, 2010.

On July 8, 2010: I received this email from Central Toronto Youth Services........

[HRTOACTIVIST]

"Dear Jessica: your “ review “ of Central Toronto Youth Services posted both on Facebook and Google has come to our attention. Please be advised that we consider your comments irresponsible and take particular exception to what you have said about David Yeh. Accordingly we would ask that you remove these postings immediately and, failing that, we will consult with legal counsel regarding an alternative course of action. Heather Sproule Executive Director".

[HRTOACTIVIST]

@herstome5656 True eh? I din't notice that until now. lol

[francispelletier]

Very well done. raises my awareness for sure. What song is playing through the video ?

[herstome5656]

At 3:27 didn't you mean they're homeless due to homophobia