A couple of community presentations are taking place today (Thursday) involving the North Bay Positive Spaces Research Project.

Officials have spent the past year looking at what the local LGBTQ2S+ community needs to receive safe, meaningful and inclusive services in North Bay.

They will be presenting their findings and recommendations at the Grande Event Centre.

One session is from 2 pm to 4:30 pm while the other is from 6 pm to 8:30 pm.

In a release, officials say it’s well documented that LGBTQ2S+ persons experience a myriad of challenges, which are exacerbated by North Bay’s small and rural/isolated location.

They say there are currently no services for LGBTQ2S+ people in North Bay, the North Bay LGBTQ2S+ population has low visibility, few active community groups/hubs, and scarce/inaccessible educational resources.

Officials also say LGBTQ2S+ newcomers/refugees experience additional challenges of language, cultural differences, immigration experiences, and possible trauma.

The North Bay Positive Spaces Research Project has been exploring these challenges over the last 12 months.

As part of the research, information and feedback was gathered from LGBTQ2S+ people living in and/or accessing services in North Bay.

The LGBTQ2S+ community was engaged through an online Community Survey, confidential focus groups, and one-on-one interviews.

Filed under: North Bay Positive Spaces Research Project