CRUISElab

03/04/2025

Applications are open for Cohort 6.0 of the Investigaytors program with UofT's CRUISElab!

The Investigaytors is a free, volunteer-based research training program for young gay, bi, q***r, trans, 2-Spirit men and nonbinary folks (ages 18-29) in Toronto. We’d love your support in spreading the word to potential participants!

The Investigaytors provides hands-on experience in q***r men’s health research, with Cohort 6.0 focusing on survey data collection at Pride events across Ontario. This is a fantastic opportunity for young q***r folks to build research skills, connect with community leaders & mentors, and contribute to meaningful 2SLGBTQIA+ health research—no prior research experience required!

Details:
· Weekly in-person meetings on Tuesday evenings, 6-8pm (March–August 2025) at UofT’s Factor-Inwentash School of Social Work
· Food/dinner and Presto fare are provided
· Applications are open now and close March 11!

Here is a link directly to the application form: https://forms.gle/hUJ9vLJ6Z1YSApYi7

We’d truly appreciate it if you could share this opportunity within your networks. If you have any questions, feel free to our Program Coordinator, Eric Van Giessen at e.vangiessen@utoronto.ca

11/25/2024

Apply now 💼 Part-Time Employment Opportunity: Program Coordinator for the Investigaytors program with CRUISElab!

Apply at the link below. This posting will close on November 29.

The Investigaytors is a community health leadership program that equips young q***r, trans, non-binary and Two-Spirit people with the social connections, health knowledge, and community-based research skills they need to be health leaders in their communities.

The Program Coordinator will be responsible for coordinating all administrative aspects of the Investigaytors project including meeting logistics, literature review, and assisting with the development of the curriculum.

Program Coordinator, CRUISElab (80% FTE, 2 Year TERM)

10/08/2024

🎧 Check out a new interview with Dr Verne Ross, M.S.W., Ph.D., a graduate of FIFSW, discussing social work and two-spirit people!

Dr. Verne Ross shares his courageous journey through the educational systems and his social work journey with host January Rogers. He also talks about the these he developed titled The Voices and Stories of Two Spirit People with the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education.

03/18/2024

Come out to the Faculty of Social Work OR join virtually on March 26th for ADVOCACY AND ALLYSHIP, a presentation by Fae Johnstone, MSW!

Trans people, trans healthcare, trans rights, trans kids, are being targeted by hate movements that spread misinformation and fear. It is vital, now more than ever, for cisgender q***rs to stand in solidarity with the trans community, as this ultimately affects ALL of us, directly or indirectly. How can we best advocate for trans rights?

TIME: March 26th at 5:30 PM
LOCATION: Faculty of Social Work (room 422)

The event will be hybrid! Please register at the link in our bio if you wish to attend virtually!

Fae is the Executive Director of Wisdom2Action, a progressive consulting firm and social enterprise, as well as the (part-time) Executive Director of the Society of Q***r Momentum - a 2SLGBTQIA+ advocacy nonprofit. She is a prominent advocate for q***r and trans rights and a recurring voice in Canadian news on 2SLGBTQIA+ issues. She was the Grand Marshal of the Ottawa Capital Pride Parade in 2023, and recipient of the Young 2SLGBTQIA+ Entrepreneur of the Year award from Canada’s 2SLGBTQIA+ Chamber of Commerce, also in 2023. She’s also on a chocolate bar.

https://utoronto.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZctce6rqDIuHdOrGmMl_N2x8HI54kRHN3mw #/registration

10/05/2023

5 days until THRIVING TOGETHER: Cultivating Mental Wellness for Q***r Communities Post-Pandemic (with Dr Cornel Grey)!

Join us at HQ Toronto for this special event on October 10th, 6 - 7:30 PM.

Register for the event IN PERSON:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe5Qojeq2RzArrBPKggs_OyGHherod9-ICXGKjwszgheRjb4Q/viewform?pli=1

Register ON ZOOM:
https://utoronto.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZclfumhpz4vGNDMrjI2C3g7WNkqI6m0-oxy #/registration

09/29/2023

Join the Toronto/Ottawa cohort of the on October 10th from 6PM-7:30PM as we explore the impacts of COVID-19 on 2S/LGBTQ+ mental health, and share strategies to foster resilience and support within our communities.

The event will be accessible in person at HQ Toronto and online (via Zoom) and will include a presentation from Dr. Cornel Grey, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Gender, Sexuality and Women's Studies at Western University. He recently completed a Postdoctoral Fellowship at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health where he examined the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the social and s*xual lives of gay, bis*xual, and q***r men.

To hear more about Cornel’s work and about the Toronto/Ottawa Investigaytors' findings related to the impacts of COVID-19 on the meant health of 2S/LGBTQ+ communities, register for the event at the link below.

Date: Tuesday October 10
Time: 6:00 - 7:30 PM
Location: HQ Toronto (790 Bay St)

LINK: https://utoronto.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZclfumhpz4vGNDMrjI2C3g7WNkqI6m0-oxy #/registration

09/29/2023

The CRUISElab would like to congratulate and welcome Elle Nardi into her new position at the lab as Investigaytors Assistant Coordinator!

Elle (she/her) works at the lab through U of T’s work study program. She joined the CRUISElab in 2022. Elle is a third-year undergrad student majoring in Literature and Critical Theory. She is interested in many different aspects of social work and health, specifically trans health issues, and hopes to apply these interests by working with the lab to support the trans community. Elle is also a research assistant at CRUISElab, running the lab’s social media and website, in addition to working with the Investigaytors. Outside of school, she plays the piano, is obsessed with Taylor Swift, and is writing her first novel.

08/30/2023

Dr. David Brennan spoke to CityNews Toronto on Canada's LGBTQ+ travel advisory for the US, and the risk of similar policies being adopted here. "There are considerations in various places across [Canada] about turning the tide back against LGBTQ+ people."

Global Affairs Canada is warning 2SLGBTQ+ travellers that they may face discrimination in some parts of the US. Erica Natividad with why advocates say even though it’s a positive move, Canada is not immune to what’s happening down south.

06/01/2023

happy pride!!

06/01/2023

The Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work at U of Toronto is hiring a Director of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. Please help us to spread the word!

Director, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

05/25/2023

Prior to our program break, the Investigaytors cohort 5 met with participatory social artist, Melanie Schambach (IG: ), to create the pieces of art that would become their knowledge product and reflect their research journey so far. The participatory art process was guided by the themes that shaped the Investigaytors' research such as loneliness, social isolation, and community disconnect as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on mental health (specifically in relation to 2SLGBTQ+ communities). Prior to the art-making, the Investigaytors looked at data related to these themes and talked about what they saw with each other and the Mentorship team. The collage features collectively-written haikus, outlines of the Investigaytors in various poses, drawn art, and individual photo collages.

The Investigaytors returned on May 23. Cohort 5.5 is now in progress!

05/03/2023

The Canadian government just announced $2.8 million in funding to support the Investigaytors program. Join the program today and discover the q***r world of mental health research for young GBT2Q men in Ontario!

Cohort 5.5 starts May 16. Apply now at the link below!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeWFC6G1aZJe5wxvPlPrOIcDQ87tXeiIuQ8OMzVznJ8T5CbNg/viewform