ODLAN in the Media
Xtra*
Exploring digital platforms that empower 2SLGBTQIA+ voices to confront hate and racism
It is just a first step, but a new feasibility study has examined what would be some of the challenges and barriers to creating an online tool where anti-2SLGBTQIA+ hate can be reported without engaging with the police.
Released this fall, the Reporting Anti-2SLGBTQIA+ Online Hate: A Feasibility Study was created by the Ontario Digital Literacy and Access Network (ODLAN) and Wisdom2Action Consulting Ltd., as part of their work on the development and implementation of a project entitled Digital Resilience: Addressing the Rise of Transphobic Online Hate through Community-Based Research
Xtra*
Ensuring 2SLGBTQIA+ voices can be heard and empowered in a digital world
When it comes to ensuring that its staff, participating volunteers and advisory council members across Canada can fully participate in the work it is doing, and benefit from its resources, the Ontario Digital Literacy and Access Network (ODLAN) created an innovative tech subsidy program.
“Removing barriers can be like life and death when it comes to being able to find community, and I don’t know if that is how the members of our advisory council feel, but anything we can do to remove the barriers, so someone can access our space, is great,” said Kerry Duncan, a project coordinator with ODLAN.
York University – Centre for Feminist Research
Challenging the Digital Divide in the 2SLGBTQIA+ Community: An Interview with Stephanie Jonsson
Stephanie, you are the co-founder of the Ontario Digital Literacy and Access Network (ODLAN). ODLAN is a non-profit that aims to remove digital literacy and access barriers. Can you share the story behind the inception of your organization and its mission to address digital divides in 2SLGBTQIA+ communities? What inspired you to create this resource directory, advocacy and support services?
My doctoral research is called “Queering the Digital Divide: Contextualizing 2SLGBTQ+ Older Adults’ Experiences with Accessing Remote Service Provisions in Ontario”. During the stay-at-home mandates in Ontario during the pandemic, I turned this research into ODLAN, an action-based initiative.
Spotify Podcast – Alright, Now What?
Rainbow Organizations Facing Hate
With Stephanie Jonsson at Ontario Digital Literacy and Access Network (ODLAN). Organizations working on gender justice, feminist, and 2SLGBTQIA+ issues are subject to online attacks intended to delegitimize and devalue their efforts. Employees who deal with these attacks have little protection. Their mental health is impacted, and their time and resources are wasted. They’re likely to have to leave digital spaces rather than stay and contend with the onslaught.
The Conversation
Queerphobic hate is on the rise, and LGBTQ+ communities in Canada need more support
In the past few years, people who identify as LGBTQ+ have been facing increasing harm and discrimination. Canada is not insulated from growing anti-queer and anti-trans sentiment.
The Saskatchewan government recently passed a controversial bill that requires students to get their parents’ permission to change their pronouns in school. Critics have called the bill a “humiliation” for the province and experts have warned that it could further endanger at-risk youth.
YWCA Canada
We Can’t Stop All the Bigots and Trolls: Protecting 2SLGBTQIA+ organizations from Online Hate
The COVID-19 pandemic moved much of our everyday lives online. Everything from healthcare to education to entertainment to socializing now operated through a screen and we continue to operate in a heavily digitized world. Many 2SLGBTQIA+ organizations moved their services online at this time and while internet-based programming comes with many advantages for accessibility and visibility, there are still many risks for queer communities online.
Toronto Star
Toronto seniors get help bridging the digital divide
“Seniors experience technophobia” and it’s worse for queer seniors and those in long-term care.
York University
York graduate students receive grant to curate digital literacy resources for queer seniors
Two York graduate students are leading a new project that aims to improve access to digital resources to better serve 2SLGBTQIA+ seniors in Canada.
Spotify Podcast – Sexuality Studies Spotlight
From Undergrad to Ph.D.: Sexuality Studies Research and Community work with 2S-LGBTQ+ Older Adults with Stephanie Jonsson and Keely O’Brien S2Ep5
In this week’s episode, Keely is joined by Stephanie Jonsson, a former sexuality studies undergraduate and current Ph.D Candidate in the York Gender, Feminist, and Women’s Studies Department. They chat about Steph’s experience at York and her research with 2S-LGBTQ+ older adults and their experiences with remote services during the pandemic. They also discuss Steph’s work founding the Ontario Digital Literacy and Access Network (ODLAN).
York University
LA&PS PhD Candidate Stephanie Jonsson: The Ontario Digital Literacy and Access Network (ODLAN)
Stephanie Jonsson is a PhD Candidate in Gender, Feminist, and Women’s studies at York University, where her research focuses on the intersections of aging, queerness, and new technologies.