Press

ODLAN in the Media

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.

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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.

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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.

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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. 

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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.


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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.

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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).

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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. 


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