After 35 groundbreaking years, the longest-running and most influential queer women’s music festival in the world, has entered a historic new chapter. Founder Mariah Hanson has passed the torch to two longtime members of the Dinah family: Bella Barkow, who rose through the ranks as the festival’s Operations Manager, and Los Angeles-based trailblazer Rose Garcia, the real-life inspiration for Papi on The L Word and a cast member of The Real L Word.

For more than three decades, The Dinah has been far more than a festival, it is a global cultural phenomenon. It has helped launch the careers of queer artists, drawn international audiences, and hosted major pop stars including Doechii, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Bebe Rexha, Lizzo, and Meghan Trainor. Notably, The Dinah has been running longer than Coachella, while consistently delivering world-class talent and cultural impact.

Its longevity is especially remarkable in today’s political and cultural climate, where women-centered and LGBTQ+ events face increasing challenges and closures. That The Dinah remains independently owned, community-led, and centered on queer women’s visibility speaks to the strength of its leadership and legacy.

The acquisition ensures The Dinah remains independently owned, community-led, and deeply rooted in LGBTQ+ culture, now operating under the marquee of the duo’s newly founded company, BellaRose Productions. The transition signals not only continuity, but a powerful evolution of an institution that has shaped queer women’s space for more than three decades. Few LGBTQ+ events, particularly those centered on queer women, have ever achieved this level of cultural impact, longevity, and commercial success. This sale stands as a pivotal moment in LGBTQ+ history and culture.

With this historic transition, The Dinah remains firmly in the LGBTQ+ community and Dinah family’s hands. Garcia and Barkow bring complementary strengths to the role, along with an insider’s understanding of what has made The Dinah a trusted and transformative platform for queer women and allies.

The Dinah returns to Palm Springs, California September 30–October 4, 2026

Rose Garcia, the real-life inspiration for the iconic “Papi” on The L Word, combines star power with authenticity and a steadfast commitment to LGBTQ+ visibility. A fan favorite on The Real L Word, she has expertly balanced leading Garcia Real Estate Group with devotion to her family and advocacy within the LGBTQ+ community. As a prominent Latina lesbian entrepreneur, her real estate success has brought her features in Newsweek, BuzzFeed, Bravo’s Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles, and HGTV’s House Hunters. Garcia has also emceed The Dinah and other major queer events, further amplifying her influence. A Stage 3 ovarian cancer survivor now in remission, she steps into this chapter with renewed purpose as co-owner of The Dinah alongside Bella Barkow under their new venture, BellaRose Productions.

With a career spanning Toronto raves to major festivals in Los Angeles, Bella Barkow brings extensive experience in large-scale LGBTQ+ event production. From her early days in West Hollywood nightlife to producing speed-dating events for queer women and managing major festivals including LA Pride and the Outloud Festival, she has established herself as a key figure in California’s queer event scene.  Bella joined The Dinah team in 2018, quickly rising from Pool Party Stage Manager to Operations Manager, and now brings deep operational expertise and an intimate knowledge of the festival’s inner workings.

Together, their leadership promises a thoughtful blend of tradition and innovation, preserving what has made The Dinah mythic for over three decades while infusing it with fresh energy and bold new ideas. That energy is already taking shape. The excitement begins this year with the 35th edition of the festival.

In an era when few queer women-centered events survive, let alone thrive, this milestone moment ensures The Dinah’s story is far from over, it’s only beginning to be written. Stay tuned and visit www.TheDinah.com and follow The Dinah on its social media platforms for ongoing updates, announcements, and exclusive news.

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The FAM Program is a newly-launched network dedicated to building a community of queer entrepreneurs. The FAM targets individuals who might not consider themselves business people—side-hustlers, part-owners, artists—in creative or non-traditional fields. It’s tailored to 2SLGBTQI+ individuals who might experience barriers due to their identity, easing opportunities to access training, seek funding, and expand the queer business network across Canada. Queer entrepreneurs join now under The FAM Program’s free trial, available until March 31, 2026.

The Canadian Queer Chamber of Commerce (CQCC) has announced the launch of The FAM Program (The FAM), dedicated exclusively to empowering 2SLGBTQI+ business owners and entrepreneurs nationwide. Available to any member of the 2SLGBTQI+ community who owns 1 to 100 percent of their business, The FAM Program is a national professional network that strengthens queer entrepreneurship with vibrant community support, opening doors to capital and fundraising. The FAM members enjoy access to resources and events across Canada, including networking opportunities, practical resources, workshops, and high-visibility spotlight opportunities.

Despite progress, the queer business community continues to face significant barriers, making it difficult to access capital and other support. The FAM Program eases the path to growing, starting, or scaling a business, no matter the size. The program welcomes queer-identifying entrepreneurs and business owners, from side-hustlers to consultants to established business leaders. The business does not need to be queer-focused to be a member.

“The goal of The FAM Program is to increase the visibility of 2SLGBTQI+ businesses and to create a strong community of professionals that may have faced challenges because of their identity,” says Sarah Evalina, CQCC’s Chief Operating Officer. “These businesses bring so much to the larger communities. By connecting these queer professionals through The FAM Program, we can strengthen these individual ventures that are driving economic growth in markets across Canada.”

Benefits of the FAM Program include:
● Exclusive invitations to CQCC networking events that help entrepreneurs build meaningful connections and expand their business community.
● Access to a national Community Hub, offering opportunities to meet, collaborate, and learn from other queer entrepreneurs and supportive organizations across Canada.
● Industry-focused workshops designed to boost sales, increase referrals, and strengthen essential business skills.
● High-visibility spotlight opportunities that elevate entrepreneurs on a national stage, introducing FAM members to new customers, fellow business owners, and corporate partners committed to supporting queer-owned businesses.

The FAM Program fills the gaps for queer entrepreneurs. Says Elaine Kwok, of Go Banana!, a Toronto marketing and design agency, “The FAM can help us be part of a thriving business community. That means helping us meet potential clients and partners, providing educational and practical resources, and even lobbying for government support for small businesses.”

There are over 100,000 queer-owned businesses in Canada, which employ over 435,000 Canadians. These businesses contribute significantly to Canada’s economy, generating $22 billion in economic activity. Queer business owners can engage with the program at queerchamber.ca/FAM. The FAM Program is free to join until March 31st, 2026.

The Canadian Queer Chamber of Commerce is Canada’s leading advocate for queer-owned businesses and 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneurs. Through networking, education, suppliers’ certification, and advocacy, CQCC works to ensure queer businesses and allies thrive and continue contributing to a strong, inclusive national economy. Founded in 2003, CQCC represents more than 100,000 2SLGBTQI+-owned businesses, contributing over $22 billion in economic activity and employing more than 435,000 Canadians. In 2023, the Government of Canada selected CQCC to administer the world’s first $25 million 2SLGBTQI+ Entrepreneurship Program, further expanding support for queer entrepreneurs across the country.

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“Our queer elders have lived through generations of change, from societal rejection to hard-won rights, yet their stories remain underrepresented,” said executive producer Michelle Mama. “Queer people age with different challenges. In creating this documentary, we are honouring their experiences, struggles, and joys while amplifying their voices for future generations.”

“At its core, Queer Elders Project is about the importance of connection – across generations, geographies, and personal histories,” said producer Hannah Donegan. “Despite the adversity they’ve faced, our subjects remind us that life doesn’t stop surprising you, and that new experiences, relationships, and moments of joy can emerge at any stage of life.” Director Maya Bastian added, “This film is an opportunity to challenge stereotypes about aging, particularly within the 2SLGBTQ+ community. These are powerful, beautiful stories of survival and joy that deserve to be told.”

Spanning the course of a year, the documentary will intimately follow four remarkable working-class queer and trans seniors from diverse backgrounds across North America. Navigating the challenges of health, personal expression, and affordability, they find balance in the joy of community, resilient spirits, and the hope that even in life’s final act, there’s always something to look forward to. Filmed over four seasons in Charlottesville, Virginia; Fargo, North Dakota; and Toronto and Thunder Bay, Ontario, the documentary will premiere on TVO in spring 2027 following a 2026 festival run.

Produced by Gay Agenda, the film is directed by Maya Bastian (Tigress) and produced by Hannah Donegan (The Loneliest Race), with Michelle Mama (Summer Qamp) serving as executive producer.The film was produced with the support of TVO, Knowledge Network, and the Canada Media Fund.

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Ontario findings highlight:

• Greater access to specialist and gender-affirming providers compared to other provinces

• Continued dissatisfaction with mental health services

• High levels of stigma experienced in mainstream healthcare settings

• Rural communities facing compounded barriers despite provincial resources

Even in Canada’s most service-rich province, the data shows that systemic inequities remain deeply embedded.

In response to the findings, Pink Triangle Press has launched Script, a new digital platform providing credible, community-informed 2SLGBTQIA+ health reporting, designed to close critical gaps in queer and trans health information.

Based on a cross-sectional survey of more than 2,100 respondents nationwide, half of whom identify as 2SLGBTQIA+, the study found that 2SLGBTQIA+ communities experience poorer health outcomes, reduced access to care, and higher levels of discrimination than non-2SLGBTQIA+ Canadians. Funded by Women and Gender Equality Canada (WAGE) with research conducted by Environics Research, the Pink Triangle Press Pink Paper examines disparities across health outcomes, access to services, quality of care, and experiences of stigma within Canada’s healthcare system.

Key findings from the 2025 Pink Paper on Health include:

• Health disparities: 40% of 2SLGBTQIA+ respondents reported significantly higher rates of cancer, mental health conditions, anxiety, depression, and other chronic illnesses – nearly double the rate reported by non-2SLGBTQIA+ respondents (20%).
• Quality of life: 2SLGBTQIA+ populations report lower Quality of Life scores, with the widest gap in psychological well-being (61% vs. 69% for non-2SLGBTQIA+).
• Access to care: Mental health care and gender-affirming services were identified as the most important yet least accessible and least satisfactory services, with satisfaction below 30% for 2SLGBTQIA+ respondents.
• Discrimination: Many respondents, most acutely Two-Spirit (77%), reported experiencing discrimination in healthcare settings, leading some to conceal their identity or delay care.
• Barriers and mistrust: Inconsistent service and limited access to affirming care led to delayed treatment and greater reliance on online health resources, with 56% of 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals turning to online platforms compared to 40% of cisgender and heterosexual respondents.

The report identifies gaps in healthcare provider training, access to inclusive services and culturally safe care as contributing factors to these disparities. It includes recommendations intended to support policymakers, healthcare providers and educators in improving health equity for 2SLGBTQIA+ people in Canada.

As part of its long-standing mission to serve the 2SLGBTQIA+ community with trusted, independent journalism for more than 50 years, Pink Triangle Press launched Script, a one-stop editorial destination for credible, community-informed 2SLGBTQIA+ health reporting. The platform is supported by three tailored health newsletters: Dose, which delivers targeted health information for queer men; Vital, focused on essential health information for queer women; and Signal, providing credible, affirming health coverage created by and for trans and gender-diverse communities. Script and its newsletters are published in both English and French. More information is available at www.script.health.

The full 2025 Pink Paper on Health is available at www.pinkpaper.ca.

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LGBTQ+ people face unequal treatment across different human societies. Several concomitant factors can contribute to this discrimination at various levels of society, resulting in diminished living conditions. In a study to be published in the journal Nature Human Behaviour, researchers from the CNRS and UNAIDS establish a link between LGBT-phobia and unfavourable socio-economic conditions. This outcome was achieved by analysing how prejudice manifests itself at institutional, community³ and family levels.

Based on the results of the Global LGBTQ+ Happiness Survey – an international survey conducted in 153 countries, gathering data from 82,354 participants – conducted in partnership with UNAIDS and the LGBT Foundation, this study characterises LGBT-phobia within institutions, communities and families. It reveals that family rejection is the most damaging form of LGBT-phobia on the well-being of those affected. The authors also show a link between LGBT-phobia rejection and unfavourable socio-economic status: the more economically precarious a person is, the greater the rejection they experience, and vice versa. This correlation is accentuated in countries with the greatest economic inequalities.

The results highlight the need to consider these distinct vulnerabilities when developing public policies aimed at combating discrimination against LGBTQ+ people. In a global context where inclusion policies are regularly questioned, LGBT-phobia poses a significant risk to the well-being and mental health of the communities concerned. This study is the first part of a research programme aimed at analysing how the deterioration of well-being can impact a person’s ability to cope with social risks, such as an increase in unsafe sexual practices and the spread of sexually transmitted diseases.

Happiness and quality of life are both essential to people’s wellbeing. Yet, in too many countries LGBTI are seriously compromised due to the stigma, discrimination, violence and even the criminalisation they are facing. Excess mental stress affects their health, welfare and prosperity. This marginalisation that the LGBT community is facing creates further economic inequalities and barriers to accessing health services, including HIV services.

LGBT people face inequalities of standards of living, health, and because of homophobia, face additional discrimination in education, workplace, and a variety of institutional, governmental, and societal. Levels of abuse and the burdens of those play out in overall well being. The happiness study measures this variance across many variables.

In the field of development well being for LGBT is often measured in terms of violence, legal status, and health–particularly HIV.  Mental health and happiness are often overlooked categories which may play important roles in total wellbeing–including economic and health.

In Africa, Asia, Latin America, evidence on just how much stigma, discrimination, social and economic inequalities affect the quality of life of LGBTI people is, however, scant. In order to fill that knowledge gap, a survey is being shared with LGBTI people around the world.

Mental well-being is often thought as on an individual layer, however a variety of societal attitudes and structures reflection homophobia can place an emotional toll on LGBT. This study is to exam the mental well being of LGBT persons across the global landscape to compare over-all happiness and help create impact to improve the lives of LGBT. LGBT adolescents have the highest rate of suicide attempts, which scientific research indicates is likened to homophobic atitudes and herosexist discrinimination.

This innovative study aims to get a wide picture of the issues that affect the lives of LGBTI people worldwide, covers socio-economic status, outness, social network, happiness, quality of sexual life. It also informs on LGBT’s daily stigma and discrimination in the streets, in health-care services and the workplace.

”We want to immerse in what makes the real life of LGBTI community in different parts of the world. Therefore undertaking a web-based survey with behavioural economics came up naturally. This type of approach is very much in line with the way LGBTI community is connected nowadays and creates a large reach with a rich data set” said Erik Lamontagne, Senior Economist at UNAIDS.

The LGBT Foundation is leading on promoting the survey, in partnership with UNAIDS regional and country offices, NGOs, voluntary and community organisations. The scale of the survey is ambitious, aiming to reach up to 27 million LGBTI people. With at least 18 languages, the survey will cover the lived experiences of LGBTI people in a wide range of countries and from diverse cultures, including Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, English, Farsi, French, Gujarati, Hindi, Japanese, Marathi, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Thai, Turkish, Ukrainian, and Urdu languages.

“Examining LGBT happiness and often lack of, is critical to eliminate disparities, including health as well as the relationship between underlying conditions and individual choices.  Advancements to LGBT wellbeing around the world are not equal and nor permanent. In order to improve health, we need to focus on addressing the conditions at large faced by LGBT. We want progress in lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex health and well-being. We want it now and having the right data is the only way to measure the success being made and when it is not. This is a large initiative, where LGBTI people can build the knowledge to empower and advocate, with an ultimate goal of eliminating stigma and discrimination against LGBT people,” said Sean Howell, CEO  of the LGBT Foundation.

This survey has been developed by a partnership lead by  the LGBT Foundation, The United Nations (UNAIDS), the Universities of Aix-Marseille and Minnesota, as well as LGBT community partners, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, and the World Health Organization.

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Terence Strange and Christopher More had been lovers for many years, but at last Terence could take no more of the mess alcoholism was making of their lives. Where could he find counsel? Surely not in Judith and Gerald, whose once-happy marriage was crumbling, nor in Dominic Perrugio and William More, Christopher’s father, whose doomed relationship seemed a portent of Terence’s future. All their lives were bound together, but Terence had to disentangle himself from the web of hatred and find a way free to love.

Gay, straight, generational – alcoholism and recovery is an American story. This historically important, socially relevant book is now back in print for the first time since 1982.

Praise

“I read A Comfortable Corner more than forty years ago. A friend handed it to me when I was trying to change my life. I bombed through its gleeful coziness and was delightedly puzzled that so much beautiful writing can also deliver a message, because this is a book probably most of all for someone. Well, two someones, those interested in recovery, and those interested in a pitch perfect account of gay life.” –from the new introduction by Eileen Myles, Chelsea Girls: A Novel

“Come for the luscious mandarin prose, stay for the operatic sweep of lives unraveling and rebuilding in this bejeweled time capsule of a novel. Arch, dazzling, glamorously romantic even at its most sensationally lurid, A Comfortable Corner is by turns a bittersweet remembrance of the post-Stonewall/pre-AIDS Seventies, a harrowing account of the berserker ravages of alcohol, a heartfelt narrative of suffering, and the unquenchable human need to love and be loved.” –Paul Russell, The Unreal Life of Sergey Nabokov and Boys of Life

Available from Rebel Satori Press

Vincent Virga  is the author of the first gay gothic romance, Gaywyck (1980) with a happy ending, as well as A Comfortable Corner (1982) and Vadriel Vail (2001). Virga is the only person in NYC publishing who researches, edits, designs, and captions picture inserts for non-fiction books. He also spent over two decades working with the curators at the Library of Congress on 29 books. He is currently experiencing a renaissance with all his fiction returning to print, including two unpublished Gaywyck books completing the Gaywyck Quartet. His life-companion since 1964 is the fellow writer James McCourt. Their papers are held at Yale’s Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library. They live in Manhattan and Ireland.

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The initiative is part of the organization’s larger commitment to create inclusive environments where diversity is not only acknowledged but celebrated. Story of Midtown Toronto® received the Rainbow Registered Accreditation because of its commitment to inclusivity, including:

·       Year-round inclusion: Inclusion at Story of Midtown Toronto is built into everyday experiences. Teams have access to ongoing Belonging initiatives, including a paid volunteer day to support community causes, inclusive visual identifiers like Pride-themed email signatures, and resident communications that reflect a community grounded in respect and belonging.

·       Specific training focused on real-world allyship: Team members at Story of Midtown Toronto® participate in comprehensive training on 2SLGBTQI+ inclusion, pronoun usage, unconscious bias, and inclusive language.

·       A framework that puts people first: Policies at Story of Midtown Toronto don’t just state values, they outline clear steps and expectations for supporting all team members from all diverse backgrounds. These policies are reviewed annually and backed by mandatory employee acknowledgment, creating consistency across the team and reinforcing a culture of accountability and care.

Story of Midtown Toronto is a landmark addition to the Toronto rental market, redefining purpose-built rental living with a focus on elevated lifestyle, value-added services, and holistic well-being. Now open, this property aims to become the premier rental residence of choice in Midtown Toronto, offering a lifestyle built around health, wellness, urban connectivity, and inclusive community. Aside from its Rainbow Registration, the building will also include personalized services, perks, and exclusive programming. As part of Hazelview’s commitment to resident wellbeing, residents will also receive complimentary access to Maple Healthcare’s virtual services—including mental health support—and a Peloton membership, offering world-class fitness classes from the comfort of home.

Hazelview Properties is also in the process of receiving the Rainbow Registered accreditation for its corporate offices and select properties within its Toronto/GTA portfolio as part of the organization’s larger commitment to create inclusive environments where diversity is not only acknowledged but celebrated.

What Does it Mean to be Rainbow Registered?

Rainbow Registered is an accreditation program run by Canada’s 2SLGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce (CGLCC). The accreditation program grants a time-limited recognition to businesses and organizations for demonstrating compliance with the quality standard. Accredited businesses are deemed market-ready for the 2SLGBTQI+ customer and given the right to be associated with the program’s prestigious Rainbow Registered designation.

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The launch of the Access Plan marks a milestone for the City, demonstrating its commitment to safety and access for Two-Spirit, Trans and Non-Binary (2SNTB) Torontonians. Research from Trans PULSE Canada and other health surveys show that trans and non-binary youth experience disparities across every major health and social indicator compared, including a greater risk of suicide. Many gender-diverse youth experience violence and rejection at home, and a significant number of these individuals avoid a range of community spaces for fear of harassment or harm.

Between 2024 and 2027, 56 commitments will be implemented across six areas including housing and employment, wellbeing supports, community safety interventions and gender-inclusive improvements to data practices. Priority actions include enhancements to employment supports, training for City staff, gender-inclusive washroom and changeroom facilities, and access to housing development opportunities for organizations that serve 2STNB youth.

The Plan was informed by research into health and social challenges faced by 2STNB youth and comprehensive engagement with hundreds of Toronto’s diverse 2STNB youth, their advocates and community partners. More information on the Access Plan is available on the City’s website.

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Today, the Honourable Rechie Valdez, Minister of Small Business, the Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages, and Darrell Schuurman, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Canada’s 2SLGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce (CGLCC), announced the organizations selected to operate the 2SLGBTQI+ Entrepreneurship Program’s Knowledge Hub and to deliver the program’s Ecosystem Fund.

The $8 million Ecosystem Fund supports non-profit ecosystem organizations serving 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneurs. The fund will help recipient organizations offer programs and resources to support these entrepreneurs, raise awareness of the challenges they face to improve support and services, and cultivate a more cohesive network of 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneurs and ecosystem organizations.

The CGLCC has selected the first 17 organizations to deliver the Ecosystem Fund across Canada:

• 2 Spirits in Motion Society (national)
• Access Alliance Multicultural Health and Community Services, in partnership with UPlift Black (Ontario)
• Alberta LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce (Alberta)
• Banff Pride Society, in partnership with Bow Valley Chamber of Commerce (Alberta)
• Chroma NB, in partnership with Envision Saint John and Fusion Saint John (New Brunswick)
• Comité FrancoQueer de l’Ouest, in partnership with Société de développement économique de la Colombie-Britannique, Parallèle Alberta, Chambre de commerce LGBT du Québec, and Les Chevronné.e.s. (Western Canada)
• Community Futures British Columbia, in partnership with myCEO (British Columbia)
• Evol, in partnership with Fondation Émergence (Quebec)
• FrancoQueer, in partnership with Impact ON, and Fédération des aînés et des retraités francophones de l’Ontario (Ontario)
• Les Chevronné.e.s (Quebec)
• Pictou County Partnership, in partnership with Pictou County Pride (Nova Scotia)
• QueerTech (national)
• SASKQUEER Entrepreneurs + Professionals (Saskatchewan)
• Social Entrepreneurship Enclave (Manitoba)
• Sovereign Seeds (national)
• Spindle Films Foundation (national)
• The Old School House Arts Centre, in partnership with Creative Coast BC, 4VI, and the Aunty Collective (British Columbia)

The organization selected to operate the Knowledge Hub is the Fyrefly Institute for Gender and Sexual Diversity, in partnership with the eHUB Entrepreneurship Centre, at the University of Alberta in Edmonton. The Fyrefly Institute will receive $3 million to build a national research network focused on collecting data to create a clearer picture of the entrepreneurship landscape for the 2SLGBTQI+ community, and on developing best practices and tools to benefit 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneurs.

Building a more inclusive economy means building a stronger economy. The 2SLGBTQI+ Entrepreneurship Program builds on the federal government’s inclusive entrepreneurship investments that already include targeted entrepreneurship programs for women, Black, youth and Indigenous business owners. Making sure that people from all backgrounds have the opportunity to pursue entrepreneurship is essential to building a competitive economy that will create good, middle-class jobs for Canadians across the country.

• There are more than 100,000 2SLGBTQI+-owned and -operated businesses in Canada. They generate over $22 billion in economic activity and employ over 435,000 Canadians.
• The Knowledge Hub and Ecosystem Fund are two key components of the $25 million 2SLGBTQI+ Entrepreneurship Program, which is funded by the federal government and administered by Canada’s 2SLGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce (CGLCC).
• Recipient organizations of the Ecosystem Fund will deliver workshops, one-on-one coaching, and webinars to help 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneurs build their skills; networking and market events to better connect entrepreneurship communities; trade missions to help businesses export and expand into new markets; and educational workshops to help businesses prioritize inclusion and diversity and become Rainbow Registered. One project will also help aspiring Indigenous 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneurs enter the food and agriculture sectors.
• The 17 organizations announced today will receive $5,189,174 of the $8 million available through the Ecosystem Fund. The remaining funding will be delivered to organizations in regions where service gaps still remain to ensure there is equitable support across Canada; these organizations will be announced in the future.
• The CGLCC is a national non-profit organization with a vision to drive 2SLGBTQI+ social change through economic empowerment. Its core mission is to contribute to a thriving and inclusive Canadian economy by promoting economic growth and prosperity for 2SLGBTQI+ businesses, in particular through supplier diversity certification, capacity building and development opportunities, mentorship, and global trade opportunities.
• Launched on August 28, 2022, the Federal 2SLGBTQI+ Action Plan aims to advance rights and equality for Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex people, as well as other sexually and gender diverse people, in Canada.
• The 2SLGBTQI+ Entrepreneurship Program is a $25 million investment that includes the following:
  • The Business Scale-Up program will build the CGLCC’s capacity to help 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneurs across Canada start or grow their businesses through a national mentorship program, improving access to corporate procurement opportunities and helping entrepreneurs and businesses become export ready.
  • The Ecosystem Fund will provide funding to not-for-profit business-support organizations to deliver projects to help entrepreneurs develop their business-planning skills and access entrepreneurial tools and learning resources.
  • The Knowledge Hub will conduct research and collect data to create a clearer picture of the entrepreneurship landscape for the 2SLGBTQI+ community and of the challenges its members face.
• The Women Entrepreneurship Strategy (WES) is a nearly $7 billion investment that includes the following:
  • The Women Entrepreneurship Loan Fund is enabling existing women-focused loan programs to provide additional affordable microloans to women entrepreneurs.
  • The WES Inclusive Women Venture Capital Initiative seeks to broaden access to funding and build a more inclusive venture capital environment for Canadian women.
  • The WES Ecosystem Fund is helping remove barriers to the support networks and deliver the resources that women entrepreneurs need to start up, scale up and access new markets.
  • The Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub has brought together 10 regional hubs, over 300 organizations and thousands of women entrepreneurs to create a more inclusive and supportive environment to grow women’s entrepreneurship in Canada.
• The Black Entrepreneurship Program (BEP) is a partnership between the Government of Canada, Black-led business organizations, post-secondary or other accredited educational institutions, and financial institutions. It has three components:
  • The $100 million BEP Ecosystem Fund provides funding to not-for-profit Black-led organizations across the country to deliver mentorship, business training and financial planning services to businesses. To date, it has funded 43 organizations.
  • The $165 million Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund, delivered by the Federation of African Canadian Economics (FACE), provides loans of up to $250,000 to Black business owners and entrepreneurs.
  • The $5 million Black Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub conducts qualitative and quantitative research and collects data on the state of Black entrepreneurship in Canada to help identify Black entrepreneurs’ barriers to success as well as opportunities for growth. Carleton University and the Dream Legacy Foundation have partnered to establish the Knowledge Hub.

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Don’t miss this powerful tribute to our community’s history and ongoing fight for recognition and care.

Gallery of Memories – Saturday, October 5th (7PM) – Sunday, October 6th (7AM) – Unit 501, 158 Sterling Rd., Toronto 

Learn more HERE

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