Positive Space Initiative, OCASI

PSI is intended to share resources and increase organizational capacity across the sector to more effectively serve LGBTQIA+ immigrants, refugees, and newcomers. The initiative consists of several overlapping components, including a robust Advisory Committee, a diverse Champion program, a living and ever-changing in-person and online curriculum, as well as an active community-grounded approach to create sustainable structures.

The strength of Positive Spaces is in creating an environment which strives to understand the overlapping and intersecting nature of our communities.

The Positive Spaces Initiative is funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

The Positive Spaces Initiative (PSI) was developed by the Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants (OCASI) to share resources and increase organizational capacity across the immigrant- and refugee-serving sector to more effectively serve LGBTQIA+ immigrants, refugees, and newcomers. The initiative is grounded in the understanding that LGBTQIA+ newcomers are often a part of multiple communities, and seek welcoming service regardless of age, race, cultural community, faith or religion, disability, gender, status, etc. The strength of Positive Spaces is in creating an environment which strives to understand the overlapping and intersecting nature of our communities.

Positive Spaces are welcoming environments where Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer, Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, Pansexual, Genderqueer, etc. (LGBTQIA+) immigrants, refugees, and newcomers are able to access culturally inclusive services with dignity and respect, and where service providers can work free from discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. Everyone can work to create Positive Spaces by challenging homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, heterosexism, monosexism, and cissexism.