DoM 2SLGBTQ+ Think Tank

The Department of Medicine 2SLGBTQ+ Think Tank is a grass roots group of Queer identifying group of faculty and learners who are passionate about Diversity, Inclusion and visibility within the department. We advise the Chair of the Department of Medicine and Vice-Chair, Culture & Inclusion on issues of importance to the 2SLGBTQ+ communities and organize initiatives to advance the visibility, advocacy and inclusion of our communities within the Department. We welcome your input and suggestions. Please contact us:

2SLGBTQ+ Think Tank Co-Chairs:

Tehmina Ahmad: tehmina.ahmad@mail.utoronto.ca

Laura Targownik: laura.targownik@utoronto.ca

Andriy Katyukha: a.katyukha@mail.utoronto.ca

Click here for profiles of all of the DoM's 2SLGBTQ+ Ambassadors

"Be the ambassador for what you stand for" - Nisha Moodley

Background:

It is a central mandate for the University of Toronto’s Department of Medicine (DOM) to be committed to promoting and advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion within the workplace. In an effort to better support and increase the visibility of our Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning and 2 Spirit (2SLGBTQ+) faculty, learners, interprofessional colleagues and patients, the Mentorship, Equity, and Diversity (MED) committee of the DOM formed an 2SLGBTQ+ 'think thank' to advise on matters relating to and promote initiatives to support its 2SLGBTQ+ community.

Role:

• To serve as a resource and liaison representative for 2SLGBTQ+ faculty, learners within the DOM training sites in order to promote a workplace which fosters equity and collegiality, and,
• To serve 2SLGBTQ+ patients by advocating for workplace policies within our training sites that reduce institutionalized stigma

Responsibilities:

• To be identified on DOM and hospital web pages and be available as a resource for 2SLGBTQ+ faculty, learners and interprofessional colleagues
• To lead and develop 2SLGBTQ+ mentorship opportunities both between peers and residents
• To advise the DOM 2SLGBTQ+ ‘think tank’ and MED committee on issues impacting 2SLGBTQ+ members
• To be aware of, and where relevant, disseminate information on initiatives of the MED committee and LGBTQ2S ‘think tank’
• To support 2SLGBTQ+ initiatives, including but not limited to:
  • Providing resources, ideas and information;
  • Guidance on project/initiative implementation;
  • Help with recruitment of presenters/speakers to generate improved 2SLGBTQ+ house staff experiences
• To be aware of and liaise with Equity, Diversity and Inclusion initiatives among our hospital and clinical sites
• Seek opportunities for collaboration with DOM provincially and nationally to engage in advocacy, foster networking experiences and leadership development for staff and residents

Term:

• We will aim to identify one or (preferably) more faculty ambassador from each of our training sites as well as a number of residents across our programs and training years.
• The position of 2SLGBTQ+ ambassador is unpaid
• There is no fixed term limit on the position. The interest in continuing to serve in this role will be assessed annually

Last revised: May 26, 2020

DOM LGBTQ2S Ambassadors

As with so many things, our plans for 2020-21 have had to adapt to the tremendous disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic. We are working on a number of 'low key' virtual initiatives but look forward to being able to get together again for in-person networking events which circumstances allow. Some of the things we are working on:

• Formal launch of our LGBTQ2S ambassador program this June
• June 25: A Virtual Meet and Greet for all incoming residents and fellows who identify as LGBTQ2S+
• LBGTQ2S awareness information will be included on all DOM orientation events (PGY1, PGY4, and new faculty) for the 2020-21 academic year
• Virtual LGBTQ2S movie screening and discussion

• University of Toronto Sexual & Gender Diversity Office
• Faculty of Medicine Office of Inclusion and Diversity
• Sherbourne Health LGBTQ Health
• Rainbow Health Toronto
• American Civil Liberties Union's Map of Attacks on LGBTQ Rights in U.S. State Legislatures