L'Asterisk

L'astérisk project managers are the employees coordinating some activities, using, and maintaining l'astérisk. They facilitate sharing resources, best practices, and collaborations between the Colocs and local community groups working on projects and services for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth.

The Coalition of LGBTQ+ youth groups is the organization that coordinates the l'astérisk project. Its mission is to offer resources that facilitates collaboration between Quebec LGBTQ+ youth groups and to raise awareness about the realities and struggles of LGBTQ+ youth.

L'astérisk aims to offer 2SLGBTQIA+ youth:

A space in the village dedicated to their resources and activities.

A welcoming safe(r) space where they can meet other 2SLGBTQIA+ youth in a community of respect and learning.

Opportunities to share community tools, initiatives and support with other 2SLGBTQIA+ youth.

A collaborative workspace for the Roomate-organisations and our partners offering services to 2SLGBTQIA+ youth that includes these youth in the decision making.

L'astérisk's history L'astérisk was founded after years of advocacy by 2SLGBTQIA+ youth combined with collaboration between LGBTQ+ youth groups and public and community actors dedicated to developing resources for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth. Spring 2007: After being kicked out of a restaurant in the Village they were used to meeting in because they weren't consuming enough, a group of 2SLGBTQIA+ youth put together a committee to advocate for an accessible space to 2SLGBTQIA+ youth in the Village. Winter 2007-2008: Four consultation groups are organized where 2SLGBTQIA+ youth can name their needs in a safe(r) space. Summer 2009: Twelve LGBTQ+ youth groups walk together during the Montreal Pride parade to express their need for a safe(r) space in the Village. June 2010: The project receives its first grant from the Youth Forum of the Island of Montreal. The Forum meets various partners (Project 10, Gai Écoute, GRIS-Montréal, the QC LGBT Council and the Council for Social Diversity of the City of Montreal) to draft an action plan (adopted September 2011). March 2012: The grant is given to the Coalition of LGBTQ+ youth groups (formerly, the Montreal Coalition against homophobia). July 2012: The first employee coordinating the project is hired. Summer 2013: The team moves into 1575 Atateken street (formerly, Amherst street). The youth committee is formed and names the space "l'astérisk". The name l'astérisk is a reference to the symbol (*) often used to express inclusion and the plurality of diversity. L'astérisk is a contraction of the word in french and in english to emphasis the bilingualism of the space. On August 17 2013, l'astérisk opens. On September 17 2014, we celebrate l'astérisk's first birthday and the official inauguration. Spring 2015: After the announcement of the closure of the Quebec government's Regional Youth Forum, the Coalition expresses their fear for the l'astérisk project which depends on the Youth Forum of the Island of Montreal to survive. A committee is formed by the Coalition and Jeunesse Lambda to save l'astérisk. Community and private partners, including Manon Massé, the representative of Sainte-Marie-Saint-Jacque in the national assembly, take part in a committee to advocate for and raise awareness about the importance of l'astérisk. Winter 2015: The first grant from the Youth Secretariat is received which offers relief to the l'astérisk team who had been working in survival mode. An agreement, part of the 2016-2021 youth action strategy, is signed to ensure the sustainability of the project. November 2016: AlterHéros becomes l'astérisk's third Roomate joining Project 10 and Jeunesse Lambda. Winter 2016-2017: The Coalition recieves a grant for the Youth Secretariat making it possible to hire a project manager and to free the Roomates from the space's rent fees.

Alterheros

Q & A LGBTQ+ Resources

AlterHéros is a community committed to fighting prejudice and demystifying sexual diversity and gender plurality. Its services are offered to 2SLGBTQIA+ youth or in questioning from 14 to 30 years.

The LGBT+Leadership Fund

The LGBT+ Leadership Fund is a new project that aims to provide funds and support for projects of a maximum duration of 3 months by/for young LGBTQIA2S+ between the ages of 14 and 35 that align with Asterisk's objectives

Jeunesse Lambda is a group facilitating discussions, activities & workshops by and for 2SLGBTQIA+ and questionning youth (14 to 25 years-old).

L'Asterisk roommates and grant

At L'Asterisk there are a couple of organizations who work at the space and provide resources ,gender gear and more at the space.

Femtl

Trans feminine and trans women organization

An organization providing support to trans feminine women and trans women

Jeunesse Lambda

LGBTQ+ Activities and more

L'Asterisk and Roommates services

In l'astérisk, there is always a collection of diverse pamphlets, zines, resource posters, books, flyers of exciting events or opportunities, etc., that the youth can look through and take copies of when visiting for an activity or an appointment.

Ask your question

Offered by AlterHéros, Ask your question is an online support platform. Professional and peers answer 2SLGBTQIA+ youths' questions about exploring and accepting sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression as well as coming out, dealing with bullying, isolation or suicide prevention, STBBIs (sexually transmissible and blood-borne infections), HIV, and more.

Gender Gear

Jeunesse Lambda
Jeunesse Lambda has a bunch of different articles in the space with various sizes, so you can try them on and see what works for you. Jeunesse Lambda will then fill out a form with you for the gear you want to order.

Jeunesse Lambda orders in bulk every two to three weeks; therefore, we will be able to let you know approximately how long you can expect to wait before receiving your order. A $120 budget per year is allocated to every youth, and payment arrangements can be negotiated (ex: for an article that costs $200, we can cover $120, and the youth covers the remainder).

For all the details, contact Cora (iel/ille/they/them): at admin@jeunesselambda.com

Support
Groups

The youth leadership fund aims to provide funds and support for projects of a maximum duration of 3 months by/for LGBTQIA2S+ youth between 14 and 35 years old that are in line with the objectives of l'Astérisk.

For more information, visit this page.

Neurodiversites

HYBRID

Wednesdays from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm, a discussion evening is organized by the group Neuro/Diversities.

Neuro/Diversities is a project of AlterHéros that aims to create a space for neurodiverse 2SLGBTQIA+ youth ages 14 to 30. It's a space where these youth can discuss their needs and perspectives on their well-being. Here is their webpage to learn more about the program.

Drop in with Jeunesse Lambda

Discussion evenings every Friday.

IN PERSON

Fridays from 6 pm to 9 pm, Jeunesse Lambda facilitates discussion nights where a supper prepared by their welcoming team is served. These discussions are based on subjects encouraging support and breaking the isolation of 2SLGBTQIA+ youth.

Jeunesse Lambda also organizes special events: film projections, cooking workshops, camping, improv nights, video game nights, and more. Check out JL's social media to learn more.

L'Asterisk Space

L'Asterisk is currently not doing any events outside of the roommates. These are the protocols when the Roommates are doing events in the space. Sanitary measures during the pandemic Before and during the activities Do not attend in-person activities if you have symptoms associated with COVID-19 If you have a positive test, wait until you receive negative tests before attending activities in person again No more than 10 people in the space at the same time Washing your hands and filling the form when entering the space Keeping a distance of 2 meters between people Mandatory mask-wearing at all times Mask removal is only allowed if you : If you are eating or drinking (with social distancing) Are outside (in front of the space or in the alley) Have a serious medical reason After each activity The activities coordinators will take care of Surfaces to disinfect : All door handles (including fridge door, cabinets, and any other handles that you touch) Faucets Desks Light switches Dining table Toilet (seat and flush) All chairs that aren’t made with fabric Other tasks : Fill in the statistics sheet Regular cleaning Filing the registration forms In the event of an outbreak As soon as a person who has been in the space reports having had symptoms or a diagnosis : Notify the coordinator in possession of the activity forms. On the same day, this person contacts each participant, volunteer, and employee who has attended the activity. Quickly send a message to the roommate group. The representatives of each organization are then in charge of contacting their respective employees, volunteers, and/or participants who visited the space the 2 days preceding and the 2 days following the specified date. In all communications, specify the date of the possible outbreak and recommend that people get tested.

Around the Center

L'Asterisk is the headquarters where you can find the Jeunesse Lambda and Alter Hero offices and services below

Safer sex and injection material

Safer sex and injection materials are in the cabinet in the bathroom. The cabinet has condoms, dental dams, tampons, pads, lube, fentanyl tests and more

Free clothes

Tons of free clothes are available in a wide range of sizes.Available by appointment

Open Library

A Queer library is avaialble for people to borrow books from at the entrance of L'Asterisk