Celebrating Victoria Pride Week in Greater Victoria
Happy Pride Week in Greater Victoria! While this week is a time of celebration, it is also a reminder to carry forward this support year-round. Our board, honorary governors and staff are proud allies of the 2SLGBTQIA+ communities and recognize the need to listen, learn and grow in our work and lives.
Greater Victoria was identified as the most gender-diverse urban centre in Canada (see page 13 of Victoria’s 2022 Vital Signs magazine) with 0.75% of residents identifying as Transgender and Non-Binary in the 2021 census. As a result, there are many wonderful 2SLGBTQIA+ initiatives, organizations, and individuals making a difference in our community, including the 5 below:
Gender Generations Project: creative retreats intergenerational support network
The Gender Generations Project, a recipient of the Community Grants Program, is an intergenerational collective that supports gender-diverse youth through connections and creations. Trans, Non-Binary, and Two-Spirit youth ages 5-18 are invited to join arts-based retreats led by gender-diverse mentors.
The weekend retreats provide participants with an intergenerational support network of and role models while encouraging development in leadership and project management. Through storytelling, writing, art, and performance, the Gender Generations Project empowers participants to learn, grow, and socialize within their own community.
The Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria (ICA) Support for 2SLGBTQIA+ Newcomers
The Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria (ICA) is the largest Resettlement Assistance Program service provider on Vancouver Island and the lead Private Sponsorship of Refugees program. They provide many supports to newcomers that address housing, healthcare, employment, and English language courses. They also play a key role in welcoming 2SLGBTQIA+ newcomers and helping them navigate their new home. In addition to the services they provide, ICA developed a directory listing a collection of community resources for their 2SLGBTQIA+ clients.
ICA hosts a support group called the Q+ Crew for 2SLGBTQIA+ newcomers, refugees, and racialized Canadians aged 18-30. Robin McGeough, gender equity and sexual diversity co-ordinator at ICA, explains in the latest Vital People article on the Times Colonist that “immigrants are at an intersection between their culture and sexual identity. ‘They may be queer but when they get here, they only see white queer people. The program allows them to connect with others, to have conversations, to engage and build connections,’ says McGeough.”
Victoria Youth Clinic: Foundry Victoria supports 2SLGBTQIA+ patients
The Victoria Youth Clinic – Foundry Victoria provides free integrated and comprehensive health care services for youth aged 12 to 24 years in a youth-friendly, non-judgmental, and safe environment. Their services include mental health support, primary care, care for substance use disorders, social services, employment and education support as well as youth and family peer support.
With over 35% of their clients and lots of staff members identifying as 2SLGBTQIA+, they are aware of and support the specific needs faced by this community. They provide gender-affirming care, sexual health services, mental health support, and navigation support for youth, including those seeking to transition their gender socially and legally. They also provide family support including connecting families with resources, counselling, and peer support. Their Youth Workers, Case Managers, Peer Support workers, and other members of their care team regularly assist with resource navigation, housing supports, and income assistance applications. Foundry Victoria staff provide a safe space for everyone no matter where they come from and meet people where they are at in their life journey.
Sam Peters, left, gender-affirming-apparel consultant, with Island Sexual Health executive director Bobbi Turner Williams in front of a selection of clothing for transgender adults and youth. ADRIAN LAM, TIMES COLONIST.
Island Sexual Health Gender-Affirming Apparel Program
As 2023 grant recipients of the Fund for Gender Equality, the Island Sexual Health Society expanded their program that provides transgender adults and youth access to gender-affirming apparel for free or at a reduced cost. Offered in their community health centre store, clients can select from a variety of apparel with the help of a consultant. In the first 5 months of 2022 alone, there were 100 fittings for clients of all ages, backgrounds and experiences
Click here to read the full Vital People story on the Times Colonist.
Vital People: Trans Voice Coach
A Saanich woman is helping transgender people all over the world find their voice. Jess Gibbard, owner of Trans Voice Coach, volunteers her time to help others find a voice that feels more comfortable. Voice coaching can be expensive and the wait time for government support is long. Drawing on voice resonance techniques and her experience as a musician, Jess now teaches voice feminization, masculinization, and androgynization. In addition to volunteering her time to support her students with gender-affirming voice lessons, she is also studying to become a Speech Language Pathologist.
Check out her segment on Vital People with Tess van Straaten on CHEK News below.