Hello Friend,
Yellow Brick House's 44th Birthday
It's our birthday! On June 30th, 1978, Yellow Brick House opened its doors for the first time. Five community members - three social workers, a nurse and a probation officer knew that there needed to be a safe place for women and children fleeing violence.
For the past 44 years, we’ve been doing exactly that - providing a safe place for women and children fleeing violence. Over the years, we’ve been able to expand our services and support even more women and children.
 
Today, Yellow Brick House offers two emergency shelters, a 24/7 crisis support line, extensive community counselling and supportive services which include individual counselling, family court support, group support, transitional housing support program and our public education prevention program.
With your ongoing support we will continue to break the silence and eventually eradicate violence against women and children. Thank you for being our number one supporters!
Community Support
Daryoush and Mona Jahangir from Santori Uniforms wanted to donate to Yellow Brick House after learning where their proceeds were going. Their support will provide Yellow Brick House with the funds needed to keep helping women and children fleeing domestic violence.

Thank you Santori Uniforms!
Wanting to make a difference for women and children fleeing violence, Emma collaborated with her school, St. Mary of the Angels to create handmade jewelry and sell it to her peers at school.

Together, Emma and her school raised $2,300 for Yellow Brick House. 
National Indigenous History Month
June is National Indigenous History Month. It is a time to acknowledge, learn about and appreciate the immeasurable contributions that First Nations, Inuit and Métis have made and continue to make today. It is a time for all Canadians to reflect on the unique histories, sacrifices, cultures, contributions, and strengths of our Indigenous Peoples – because only by understanding our past can we hope to create a brighter future.

Yellow Brick House is committed to learning about Indigenous communities, amplifying Indigenous voices, learning about issues that affect Indigenous families in our community, and advocating for change.

Pride Month
In acknowledgement of Pride Month, Melanie, Yellow Brick House Public Education Coordinator explores the impact of violence on 2SLGBTQ+ individuals and relationships.

Interested in doing a classroom workshop or learning more?
 How prevalent is violence and GBV in the 2SLGBTQ+ community
  • People who identified as a sexual minority are about twice as likely as heterosexual individuals to report experiencing violence by someone they were dating
  • 2SLGBTQ+ individuals experience stalking and harassment at a much higher rate than heterosexual individuals and are also significantly less likely to report this behaviour than cisgender/heterosexual individuals
  • Trans people, especially BIPOC trans women, face extremely high rates of physical and sexual violence, as well as non-physical and relational/social violence
  • Two-Spirit individuals experience disproportionate levels of relationship-based violence due to aspects of their identities and they continue to face sexual and gender discrimination and violence, in addition to racism, but the exact rate of violence is difficult to ascertain
Why is there an increased risk of violence?
Relationship violence in rainbow communities does occur, but it’s often overlooked or misunderstood because of societal heteronormative beliefs and assumptions.

For example, treating sexual orientation and gender identity as a “phase” that someone will “grow out of” is harmful, especially if it’s believed that orientation/identity can be “corrected,” like with conversion therapy.
Heteronormative thinking also equates women as victims and men as perpetrators which can create a barrier to the recognition of abuse. Because the traditional gender role power dynamic doesn’t apply, people in unhealthy rainbow relationships may not recognize what they’re experiencing, and even if they do, the victim may not be able to access services, or may be afraid to. Violence within rainbow relationships could also be viewed as “mutual abuse” – either by the individuals involved or more often the police – which conceals the risks posed by abusive individuals towards their partner.
 What are some examples of GBV in the 2SLGBTQ+ community?
  • Forced public displays of affection in areas that aren’t queer friendly to intimidate or scare a partner, or with the intent of outing the partner
  • Questioning, demeaning, or controlling a partner’s gender identity or sexual orientation
  • Minimizing the abuser’s behaviour by calling it “mutual abuse” or denying that abuse can occur within rainbow relationships
  • Forcing a partner to have unsafe sex, or to have sex in a way that doesn’t conform to their gender identity
  • Denying Two-Spirit individuals from attending Indigenous support groups, community activities, sharing circles, or taking the advice of Elders
What kinds of barriers exist for getting help?
2SLGBTQ+ individuals encounter service and support barriers at a much higher rate than heterosexual and/or cisgender individuals. These experiences are motivated by ignorance, fear, intolerance, or even hatred, and can include:
  • Stigma, shame
  • Invisibility – there is little or no mention of abuse in rainbow communities in general outreach materials
  • Homo/bi/transphobia of service providers
  • A lack of knowledge of queer issues by service providers and/or the use of heteronormative/non-inclusive language and practices
  • Fear that acknowledging or disclosing abuse in a rainbow relationship will weaken the progress that has been made towards equity, that it will tarnish the image of the community or, more worryingly, that it will fuel hate
  • Mistrust or fear of police stemming from the mistreatment of queer and Indigenous people, or a belief that police may not take the crime seriously
  • Shelters are often for cisgender women and children only, so trans women particularly may not be able to access services (YBH policies and practices accept and welcome trans women)
Some 2SLGBTQ+ Supports and Information
Trans Lifeline (1-877-330-6366)
Youthline (1-800-268-9688, or text 647-694-4275)
Gay York Region (a list of services)
 905-709-0900 | supporter@yellowbrickhouse.org www.yellowbrickhouse.org
Crisis & Support Line: 1-800-263-3247