The Luke Sklar Mental Health Initiative Presents: “Understanding Gender Diversity in Children and Adolescents”
With Keynote Speaker Catherine Maser, BScN, MN, NP-Paediatric
and Lived Experience Speaker Gisele Sheer Bloch

This talk, co-sponsored by Women of Holy Blossom, is a both an introductory and practical session … addressing questions about gender diversity in children and adolescents. What does gender diversity mean? What are the key issues for youth and their families?

The goal of the evening? Simply put, it’s to build more understanding, empathy, care, and acceptance. And to reduce the stigma that can lead to feelings of anxiety, depression, low self-esteem and isolation.

We’d love for you to come in person, learn with us, and enjoy refreshments after the program. A live, Zoom webinar link will be available for anyone who cannot attend in person.

Cathy Maser (she/her) is a Nurse Practitioner in the Division of Adolescent Medicine at the Hospital for Sick Children, where she is the team lead of the Transgender Youth Clinic and the Co-Lead for the Adolescent Medicine consultation service. Cathy has over 36 years of experience working with children, youth and their caregivers and her clinical focus is on youth with chronic illness, substance misuse, sexual health, gender identity and minor mood disorders. She has provided gender-affirming care to youth since 2013 and has led the interprofessional team since 2017. She works with Rainbow Health Ontario to develop and deliver training for providers working with trans and gender-diverse youth. She is actively involved in partnerships within the adolescent and transgender care communities. Cathy provides education to schools, parents, health care providers and community agencies on adolescent brain development, mental health, substance use and gender-diverse identities.

Giselle Sheer Bloch is a proud parent and vocal ally of three unique and diverse adult children, two of whom are LGBTQ2S+. She has been a board member of Toronto Pflag since 2015, where she co-facilitates three monthly peer support meetings and lends her experience to helping others navigate their journeys. Giselle also co-facilitates TRANSceptance, a monthly peer support group for parents of transgender individuals. As well, she facilitates the Jewish Rainbow Alliance through JF&CS, a peer support group for parents of LGBTQ2S+ kids. Giselle’s goal is to help keep families together.

If you have a question you’d like addressed by our panelists during the program, in confidence, please see the directions on your registration form.

This program is generously co-sponsored by Women of Holy Blossom and The Luke Sklar Mental Health Initiative.