About the study
This community study builds on findings from a previously published report called Invisible No More and focuses on understanding 2SLGBTQIA+ experiences in Greater Sudbury and surrounding areas.
The study includes sessions that bring people of different generations together to share experiences, learn from one another, and help turn stories into action to shape a more connected 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
Join a community session
We are inviting you to participate in a session this. They are open to 2SLGBTQIA+ people who are 16 and older living in Greater Sudbury and surrounding areas.
Register for a session:
- July 9, 2026, Espanola Regional Recreation Complex (session in English)
- July 10, 2026, Sudbury Youth Wellness Hub (session in English)
- July 16, 2026, Indigenous Sharing and Learning Centre, Laurentian University (session in English for Indigenous community members only)
- July 17, 2026, Centre de santé communautaire du Grand Sudbury (session in French)
- July 18, 2026, Sudbury Youth Wellness Hub (session in English)
- August 20, 2026, virtual (session in English)
- August 18, 2026, virtual (session in English)
- August 20, 2026, virtual (session in French)
Why participate
The goal of this study is to turn community stories into practical actions that support well-being and belonging. By taking part, you can:
- connect with other 2SLGBTQIA+ people of different ages and backgrounds in Greater Sudbury and surrounding areas
- share and honour your experiences as a 2SLGBTQIA+ person
- help inform programs and services
Participants will receive a $60 to $90 honorarium in appreciation for their time.
What to expect
Sessions are offered on multiple dates and at different locations across Greater Sudbury and surrounding areas. Sessions are available in both English and French. Once registered, participants will meet briefly with a research assistant (by Zoom) to review consent and provide confidential socio-demographic information.
During the session:
- Infographics and story boards with data from a previous study, Invisible No More, will be shared.
- You will be invited to talk, draw, or write your ideas about:
- what is working well for 2SLGBTQIA+ people, including youth and older adults
- what could be improved or changed
- how different generations experience 2SLGBTQIA+ communities
Who is involved
The study is being led by Public Health Sudbury & Districts in partnership with researchers from the University of Toronto.
The lead researcher is Dr. Tin Vo from the BRIDGES Lab | Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work (University of Toronto).
Additional study partners include:
- Sudbury Youth Wellness Hub
- Sudbury Queers United Around Diversity (SQUAD)
- Parkside Pride Alliance
- Maamwizing Indigenous Research Institute
- Women’s Age Lab
- Laurentian University
- Wilfrid Laurier University
- University of Guelph
Privacy
Participation in this study is voluntary. No personally identifying information will be collected during the sessions.
As information will be shared in a group setting, participants are asked to respect the contributions of others and keep any information shared during their session private and confidential. However confidentiality cannot be guaranteed in a group setting.
No video or audio recording will take place. The research team will take written notes to capture general themes only. Notes will not include participant names. Names of agencies or governments, or contextual information related to the experiences of 2SLGBTQIA+ people in Greater Sudbury and surrounding areas may be included.
All study information will be used only for the purposes of this research and will be stored securely. Access will be limited to authorized members of the research team, in accordance with research ethics and institutional policies.
How results will be shared
We will share a short report of the community sessions here once each of these has been completed.
Learn more
Use the links below to learn more information about the study
Questions
If you have questions about the study, you can contact Dr. Vo at tin.vo@utoronto.ca or BRIDGESLabFIFSW@gmail.com.