OLDER LESBIAN RESOURCES

COMMUNITY RESOURCES

We'll try to keep this resource as up to date as possible. If you know of other good resources - particularly those in and around the Greater Toronto Area and for lesbians 50+ - please send them to ferdagirlz@yahoo.ca along with a brief description of what they are and perhaps why you like them. Thanks.

RESOURCE AREAS:

Social Activities
Online Resources
Outdoors / B&B
Our creative selves
Health & Sexuality
Spirituality
Living Accommodation
Advocacy

Social Activities

*FiftyPlus dinners (Toronto) - About 25-50 women over 50 years of age usually attend FiftyPlus bi-monthly restaurant dinners. The cost is approx. $15 for a full dinner, with a sliding scale for those short of cash. And sometimes we arrange smaller events for FiftyPlus members. We're a friendly bunch, so why not join us? To be added to our mailing list or for more information, contact Pat at fiftyplusto@yahoo.ca

*GUSHING GRANNIES (Toronto) - Who else but another grandmother could deal with all that gushing? We meet every other month at a local restaurant for dinner and there are periodic weekends away to which partners, friends-of-grannies and grannie-wannabees are welcome. Open to any lesbian, bi or trans woman. For more information, e-mail nancyemkin@sympatico.ca

*M.A.D. FOR DANCING - for women who love to dance, but never do because it's too loud and it starts too late, these dances for Middle Aged Dykes (M.A.D.) are held three times a year, attracting anywhere from 200 to 400 lesbians. All proceeds go back to the LGBTT community. Contact Jane Rounthwaite at 416-486-1548 or email janerounthwaite@sympatico.ca

*SHARON FLANNIGAN has been running periodic "reunion" dances for a few years. The focus is the community of gay women club goers from the Penthouse in the 60's through the Fly by Night, the Chez, Flannigan's, The Rose, etc. To be added to her mailing list, contact mimirs@rogers.com

*WOMEN FOR RECREATION, INFORMATION AND BUSINESS (WRIB) provides a safe environment to enjoy a wide variety of activities in and around Toronto. Their events attract many middle aged and older dykes - http://www.wrib.ca

*THE 519's LGBT SENIORS RESOURCE CENTRE - Drop in to meet other older lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and trans folks at The 519 Community Centre on Church Street any Monday from 1-6pm. Discussions, movies, speakers, light refreshments. Strategize, access the internet and help build a stronger, more supportive community. Contact: Dick Moore at 416-392-6878 x 118 / senior@the519.org or go to http://www.the519.org

*SUNSHINE CENTRE FOR SENIORS welcomes all LGBTT 50+ seniors, as well as friends and family, to daytime activities at their wonderfully comfortable, wheelchair-accessible "resort" on Ward's Island (Toronto Island). Hang out with friends and enjoy the great outdoors! Then, in winter take part in daytime activities at their facility at Church and Bloor Streets. For more information, call (416) 924-3979 or (416) 203-3371 or visit their website at sunshinecentres@on.aibn.com.

*LAWN BOWLING (Toronto) - Join a group of FiftyPlus members at an East York (basically straight but welcoming) bowling club from May until mid-October, then Friday card and games nights during the winter in the club house. For more information about the club, contact FiftyPlus members Mary at moakley@sprint.ca or Sue at sue.e@3web.net

*NOTSO AMAZON SOFTBALL LEAGUE (a.k.a. "the Notso's") - dykes of all ages play softball for friendship and fun. Still going strong after over 20 years! For more information, please e-mail info@notsoamazon.com or call the NASL hotline: 416-925-9872 x2260. - http://www.notsoamazon.com

*AMAZON MOTORCYCLE CLUB (a.k.a. Dykes on Bikes) is a dyke biker group that is open to all queer-friendly women. The Amazons have been leading the Dykes on Bikes contingent of the Pride Parade and the Dyke March since the inception of both events. The Amazons meet at Timothy's on Church St. (at Alexander) every Wednesday night at 6:30 pm during motorcycle season.

*One-stop cyber centre for entertainment, information and interaction geared toward lesbians of all nations - http://www.lesbianation.com

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Online Resources

*LSbn - a website for EVERYthing that's going on in Toronto for dykes of all ages (and you can subscribe to their monthly e-letter) - http://www.lsbntoronto.com

*OWLS - a U.S. older lesbian e-group & chat room - http://www.enchantments.com/birds/

*Cyber network for lesbians in midlife and beyond - http://www.classicdykes.com

*Online groups for lesbians - groups listed alphabetically - http://www.sappho.net/lesbian-lists

*Lesbian guide to the internet - a great resource! - http://www.lesbian.org

*Lesbian Internet Directory: This section of the wwwomen.com directory is focused on websites of interest to lesbians - http://www.wwwomen.com

*CANADIAN LESBIAN & GAY ARCHIVES - Since 1973, the Canadian Lesbian and Gay Archives has been preserving lesbian and gay history from Canada and the world. We gather material on people, organizations, issues and events. - http://www.clga.ca

*COOL WOMEN website with stories about Canadian women (straight and queer) and girls, our history, organizations, news, events, links, resources and lots more. - http://www.coolwomen.ca

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Outdoors / B&B

*WILD WOMEN EXPEDITIONS - outdoor adventure vacations in a relaxed atmosphere - canoe trips, sea-kayaking trips, cycling adventures, retreats and getaways in Northern Ontario. Backpacking and hiking trips from the Rockies to Cape Breton. Exclusively lesbian trips are listed at http://www.wildwomenexp.com/lesbi.html or e-mail Beth beth@wildwomenexp.com

*TWISTED MAGNOLIA B&B - an LGBT friendly B&B in Hamilton/Dundas, Ontario (a one-hour drive from the Canada/U.S. Border - perfect for cross-border marriages with a welcoming Unitarian church nearby). Call 905-304-6130 or email twistedmagnolia@hotmail.com / http://www.bbcanada.com/twistedmagnolia

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Our creative selves

*SINGING OUT! is Toronto's Lesbian and Gay Chorus. Our mandate is to sing fun and empowering music (and we do!). Phone: 416 925-XTRA x2107 - http://www.singingout.com

*IRIS: the Toronto Women's Chorus - Celebrating women's spirit through music. A community of lesbian-positive women who are guided by an eco-feminist vision. Call 416-463-0017.

*TRIANGLE SQUARES is a gay, lesbian, bi and trans square dance club, one of more than 60 GLBT clubs world wide. Email Joanne at hol12jo@idirect.com - http://www.iagsdc.org/trianglesquares

*Queer Women's Writing Group - for women who want constructive feedback about writing projects on which they are working. For more information: e-mail llevprod@yahoo.com - http://www.freewebs.com/qwwg

*Annotated guide to literature by Canadian lesbian and bisexual writers - http://www.canadianlesbianliterature.ca

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Health & Sexuality

*SHERBOURNE HEALTH CENTRE - The Centre is situated in Toronto's Gay Village, so an important part of its mandate is to provide primary care services to the LGBTT community. OUTSIDE THE LINES is an expressive arts group for isolated lesbian, bi and trans women that runs for 12 weeks starting in September, January and April. It’s free and meets Tuesday afternoons from 1-3pm. For information or to register contact Carole Baker at 416-324-4180 / cbaker@sherbourne.on.ca. And their LGBTT program publishes a monthly e-letter - LET'S TALK ABOUT HEALTH; to subscribe, email lgbtt@sherbourne.on.ca - http://www.sherbourne.on.ca

*Canadian Women's Health Network produces health information for lesbians of all ages - http://www.cwhn.ca/resources/faq/lesbian-hc.html

*Support for single LESBIANS WITH CANCER and lesbians with cancer & their partners - meets once a month in downtown Toronto. For information e-mail: jmalexander@sympatico.ca or see the website at http://www.wellspring.ca

*Quality personal care for seniors (at home or in a facility) by a certified Personal Support Worker trained in skin care, bathing, prevention of falls, assisting with mobility, support for people with dementia, St. John's Ambulance Emergency First Aid and CPR. Excellent references. Call or email Carrol Downey at 416-601-9629 / carroled@yahoo.com

*For HOLISTIC WAYS TO TREAT YOUR CAT, go to http://www.holisticat.com and/or sign up for their e-group!

*GOOD FOR HER is Toronto's cozy, comfortable place to find high quality sex toys, books, DVDs, workshops, sensual art and much more - http://www.goodforher.com/

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Spirituality

*Christos Metropolitan Community Church - a Christian church with a ministry by and for the LGBT communities in Toronto and worldwide. - http://www.ChristosMCC.com

*Congregation Keshet Shalom - provides an opportunity for lesbian and gay Jews to interact and express themselves socially, spiritually and culturally. Phone: 416-925-1408

*DHARMA FRIENDS - a gay and lesbian Buddhist meditation group for beginners and experienced meditators - http://www.web.net/~qdharma

*Lesbian-Buddhist E-Sangha - email Candace at candacevan@direcway.com for more information, or click on http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Lesbian-Buddhist-eSangha

*MCCT (Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto) - a joyful, spiritual community of gay positive people committed to being an inclusive, affirmative and caring church. - http://www.mcctoronto.com

*Ontario Vipassana Centre - offers courses in Buddhist Vipassana Meditation in the tradition of Sayagyi U Ba Khin - http://www.ontario-dhamma.org

*Q-Age - a queer spiritual network for women and men. - http://www.come.to/q-age

*RUAH - A Community of Faith - an independent, Creation-theology centred community of faith - http://www.web.net/ruah E-mail: ruah@web.net

*The Church of the Redeemer - a unique, dynamic and welcoming Anglican Christian community - http://www.theredeemer.ca

*Toronto Buddhist Community - TBC is a queer welcoming community of the Theravadan Forest Elders tradition - Sunday meditation and discussion - http://oocities.com/tbctoronto

*Toronto Shambhala Rainbow Meditation Group - all queer folk and friends are welcome for meditation, instruction and discussion of Tibetan Buddhist teachings. - http://www.shambhala.org/center/toronto

*Unitarian Fellowship of Northwest Toronto - a welcoming community of people united by a commitment to freedom of religious expression and acceptance of differences. - http://www.unitarian.homestead.com

*UU Queen Living in Spirit Group - The First Unitarian Congregation of Toronto offers a Queer spiritual growth group called "Living in Spirit" - email: THayla@sympatico.ca

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Living Accommodation

*Vivat's The Bohemian (Toronto) - at 288 King Street East will be Toronto's only condominium for and by gays, lesbians and their friends. First-come first-served reservations are being taken now for a limited time only. Call 647-406-9317 for an appointment to visit the off-site Presentation Centre. For more information: http://www.vivatgroup.com

*St.Anne's Place (Toronto) - rent-geared-to-income, one-bedroom and studio apartments in a beautiful 110 unit building for seniors 60+ in the west end of Toronto. Dining services (with great meals), 24-hour security, laundry facilities, common areas, parking, patio and garden, exercise bikes/area, TV room, many varied social activities, near shopping and TTC. Managed by a very progressive and queer-friendly organization - LOFT Community Services. Call Program Manager Suzanne Crawford if you're interested at 416-536-2761 ext. 224 or go to http://www.loftcs.org - OR contact lesbian resident Heather-Ann Brown at 416-516-5050 / haby@rogers.com

*Fudger House (on Sherbourne in the heart of Gay Village) - one of two public long-term care facilities in Toronto with beds designated for LGBTT folks. Fudger House offers a full range of services including nursing, medicine, food and nutrition, staff education and programs and services (social work, rehabilitation, spiritual and religious care, complementary therapies care, and music and art therapy). If you are interested in taking a guided tour of our home, please call 416-392-5252. - http://www.city.toronto.on.ca/homesfortheaged/fudger.htm

There are several other facilities that accommodate LGBT folks, as well. We'll provide more information later; in the meantime, here are the addresses and contact people:

*Kipling Acres, 2233 Kipling Acres, Toronto, ON, M9W 4L3
Contact person: Bob Petrushewsky (416) 392-2301

*Wellesley Central Place, 160 Wellesley Street, Toronto, ON M4Y 1J2
Contact person: Heather Colyer (416) 929-9385

*Rekai Centre, 345 Sherbourne St., Toronto - (416) 964-1599

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Advocacy

*Senior Pride Network (Toronto) - members comprised of organizations providing services to LGBT seniors - and LGBT individuals themselves (why not join?) - working to improve all areas of our lives - http://www.the519.org/programs/older/seniors_network.pdf

*Coalition for Lesbian and Gay Rights in Ontario (CLGRO) - http://www.web.net/~clgro/frames.htm

*Same Sex Marriage (Canada) - For the latest news on equal marriage for same sex couples, subscribe to the e-letter at samesex@samesexmarriage.ca or visit their website at http://www.samesexmarriage.ca

*EGALE is a national organization that advances equality and justice for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans-identified people and their families across Canada. - http://www.egale.ca/

*Old Lesbians Organizing for Change (OLOC) is an American national organization of regional groups for lesbians 60 and over - http://www.oloc.org

*Lesbian and Gay Aging Issues Network (LGAIN) is a great website for the entire elder LGBTT community (U.S. and Canada) - plus you can subscribe to their very informative e-letter, OUTWORD - http://www.asaging.org/networks/lgain or http://www.asaging.org/networks/LGAIN/online_resources.cfm

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