Gender Equality Coalition of Ontario

October Newsletter 2025

National Coming Out Day

October 11

For a lot of people, coming out doesn’t just happen once. A lot of folks find themselves coming out at different times to different people: with a few friends online, with trusted family members, or just one person in their life.

After thinking it through, you may decide to be out to yourself, but not to anyone else — and that’s okay. Many people choose not to come out to others for different reasons. You are valid and deserve support no matter what.

Get Support

National Persons Day

October 18

This day in history marks the day in 1929 when (some) women were included in the legal definition of the word "Persons."

Before this, the British North American Act contained either "Person," when referring to multiple people, and the word "He," when referring to an individual. Many people used the literal word "He," to mean only men could be considered a person. The nature of the Act thus restricted women from government.

Learn More

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What's New with GECO

Before anything else, we'd like to take a moment to thank all of our GECO and Rainbow Connections members, Board Members, volunteers, students, and staff. Without your dedication, compassion, and hard work, we wouldn't exist. It isn't always easy, but together we can bring about positive change for our community!

On that note, we have so many fun, interesting, and important events coming up in October!

First, we're excited to announce that we are hosting a three-part monthly speaker's series. The first takes place on October 1 and the topic is "ConnectHER: Women in Skilled Trades." We can't wait to hear the wisdom shared from our three speakers. This is a free, online event. Details below.

Our next big event is our Annual General Meeting! It will be held on Wednesday, October 15. You can expect a Mix & Mingle with snacks, Activation Stations, and our recap of the year with Gender Equality Coalition of Ontario. We'll also vote on upcoming Board members. Register for this free event on EventBrite.

Lastly, we're looking to expand our Rainbow Connections volunteer crew! (Except we call them VolunQueers.) Volunteering with Rainbow Connections is a meaningful way to create a positive impact on Trans and Queer youth in the community. We're currently looking for 1 VolunQueer Host for Young Adult Social, 2 VolunQueer Hosts for Queer Qlub, and 1 VolunQueer for a bi-weekly snack pick-up. Interested? Visit our Rainbow Connections VolunQueer page!

Meet the Team!

Say "Hello!" to Murphy-Issac Boyse (he/they)

Rainbow Connections Title: Project Manager

VolunQueer Since: The founding in 2023

Other Volunteer Experience: Trained Peer Supporter, 8 years of volunteering with The New Mentality

Why Rainbow Connections? Having grown up in a very small rural hamlet, I know how it feels to be a Queer (or Questioning) youth with limited access to safe/supportive spaces. I was fortunate enough to have access to a Queer youth peer support group during my high-school years, where we were supported in exploring topics such as mental wellness, consent, and self advocacy. Many Queer young people are not surrounded by Community, much less by Intergenerational Community, with Queer adults who can show them a healthy future IS possible. Being aware of the impact these experiences have had on my life, I am driven to provide a similar experience for Queer youth today.

Fun Facts About Murphy-Issac: Murphy-Issac is accompanied by their Service Dog Bluejay, an honorary member of the Rainbow Connections hosting team. Murphy-Issac is also a passionate accessibility advocate, who enjoys practicing ASL to improve their own and others' access to communication.

Resource of the Month

National Women's History Month

October is Women’s History Month in Canada, a time to celebrate the women and girls from our past and our present, who are contributing to a better, more inclusive Canada.

Women’s History Month is also an opportunity to reflect on the work still ahead to remove barriers so everyone can participate fully in Canada’s social, cultural, and economic life. Click the button below to read a timeline of Women in Canadian History.

Celebrating the women who have made an impact in Canada

Women of Impact in Canada is an online gallery dedicated to women's achievements, featuring profiles of courageous women who have made an impact in politics, the arts and sciences, and countless other fields. By sharing their stories, we can cement their place in history and inspire others to follow in their footsteps.

Learn More

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Upcoming Events

Speaker's Series: ConnectHER - Women in Skilled Trades

Wednesday, Oct. 1 @ 7PM

Free online event

Gender Equality Coalition of Ontario is excited to present the first of three speaker's series on October 1. This month’s topic is “ConnectHER: Women in Skilled Trades” and features 4 experts in their fields.

Our Speakers:

Jim Wilkes
Tracey Whiteye
Aliesha Powless
Dani Bartlett (Moderator)

Annual General Meeting

Wednesday, Oct. 15 @ 6PM

Fleetway (The Spare Room), London, ON

It's almost that time of year!

Gender Equality Coalition of Ontario is required, by law, to hold an Annual General Meeting to review financial statements and vote for Board Members.

Enjoy a Mix & Mingle with snacks and Activation Tables. We are excited to review 2024 with you!

Queer Halloween

Friday, Oct. 31, 6-9 PM

Free, All-Ages Event

The CASO Station, 750 Talbot St, St Thomas

Do you have plans for Halloween? Why not join Rainbow Connections for an all-ages Halloween Party!

We're having:

Costumer contests (for individuals and groups)
Pumpkin carving
Dancing
Snacks & soft beverages

This is a sober/substance-free event

Get your FREE tickets on EventBrite!

Get Tickets Now

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GECO Projects

Are you a

Queer or Trans youth living in rural Southwestern Ontario?

Do you know

someone who is?

Connect with Us

Rainbow Connections

October 2025 Events for Youth:

Oct 7: QQ - Ren Faire

Oct 14: QQ, YAS - Potato Potluck Thanksgiving

Oct 21: QQ - Spooky Movie Night

Oct 28: QQ - Werewolf

Rainbow Connections is a GECO program in partnership with Rainbow Optimists and funded by United Way. This program creates two safe community space for Trans and Queer youth: Queer Qlub for those ages 12-18 and Young Adult Club for those 19-30.

Visit our Website

We're looking for new VolunQueers!

Do you have a passion for fostering safe and inclusive spaces for Trans and Queer Youth? Are you interested in giving a couple of hours per week in the evening to spend time with and host space for youth and young adults in the St Thomas, Ontario area? Join our team! We're looking for 3 Hosts and 1 person for a periodic snack pick-up. Want to learn more about the roles available or want to express your interest? Visit our website!

Find Out More!

ConnectHER

Our Executive Director, Dani Bartlett, represented us at Tradeswomen Build Nations 2025, the largest gathering of women in the skilled trades!

Dani proudly shared the ConnectHER Yearbook and our Anti-Sexist Toolkit, showcasing the powerful stories, strategies, and solidarity that tradeswomen in Canada are building together.

We’re incredibly proud of Dani’s leadership and inspired by the energy of this conference. Tradeswomen from across North America are breaking barriers, sparking systemic change, and proving every day that the trades belong to all of us.

The future of work is inclusive, and we’re building it together.