Hosted: May 29th, 2021
Facilitator(s): Sydney Brouillard-Coyle (Ney/Nem/Nir), Finn Keesmaat-Walsh (They/Them/He/Him), Irene Moore Davis (She/Her/Hers) and Hana Scorrar (She/Her/Hers)
In this workshop, participants will examine the forms of privilege they experience in day to day life. We will engage in constructive dialogue about privilege, power, and the ways in which queer and trans community members and allies can work together to address the oppression of queer and trans people, particularly those who experience overlapping systems of disadvantage based on race, class, ability, and age. Participants will leave with the tools to dismantle systems of oppression within their daily lives and the capacity to acknowledge their own privilege and serve as effective allies to all members of the queer and trans community. “And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” -Micah 6:8
Hosted: May 29th, 2021
Facilitator(s): Joan Alexander (She/Her/Hers)
Trauma happens in all spaces…including “safe spaces” like faith communities. Trauma is defined as a response to disturbing/devastating events (deep hurts) and manifests in a variety of ways. It affects people physically, emotionally, cognitively, and spiritually. In this workshop we will focus on spiritual trauma, the ways people have been harmed in faith communities, how to live with trauma and its triggers, and what healing may look and feel like. “If one member suffers, all suffer together with it.” (1 Cor. 12:26a)
Hosted: January 16th, 2021
Facilitator(s): Megan Collings-Moore (She/Her/Hers)
As clergy and layfolk, we care for people because we all matter in God's eyes. Good pastoral care always has the same guiding principles. But after almost 15 years of offering pastoral care on campus, at least two-thirds of which has been working with individuals identifying as LGBTQ2S+, there are a few things I wish I had been more aware of when I started. Language, not making assumptions, alienation from family and/or community, statistics about suicide in this population... the list goes on. That doesn't even touch the historical and lived reality that religion has frequently been a source of hatred and hurt. In this workshop, we will have an interactive conversation about what it might look like to offer good pastoral care for LGBTQ2S+ folks.
Hosted: January 16th, 2021
Facilitator(s): John-Paul Markides (He/Him/His)
“Come away with me to a quiet place and rest a while” (Mark 6.31). The holidays are not always an easy time for many people, especially for those in the LGBTQ2+ community. Returning home may mean going back in the closet. How can we seek healthy coping skills in a time of isolation when it can be hard to see a light in the darkness? When home stops being a place of sanctuary? Have you ever felt your faith and your identity put at odds, or even ripped apart?
We will examine ways to deepen our relationship with God; a place of sanctuary for many. If you are someone looking for a light in the dark, or perhaps someone who sees the darkness in another life; join us along this journey of discussion, discovery, and love.
Hosted: November 21st, 2020
Facilitator(s): Kaye Johnson (She/Her/They/Them)
There isn’t anyone who does not live a life of intersectionality. Where it has a different impact is where the intersectionality is inclusive of different areas of marginalization. All too often, areas of intersectionality are ignored or erased. Why are people so often reduced to simple forms? Why did Pink Shirt Day leave out the homophobic bullying that had first sparked the action? Why is it important to specifically recognize that Black Trans Lives Matter?
Participants will explore these and other aspects of intersectionality and how we can honour the diversity within ourselves and each other.
Hosted: November 21st, 2020
Facilitator(s): Lisa Renaud (She/Her/Hers) and Sydney Brouillard-Coyle (Ney/Nem/Nir)
The holidays can prove to be a challenging time for those in the queer and trans* community, particularly those who may be dealing with unsupportive family.
Join Lisa (parent of a transgender teen) and Sydney (a non-binary young adult) to discuss the joys and challenges of coming out with family and friends. We will answer questions and address why having supportive allies is so important for those in the queer and trans* community. Participants will leave feeling equipped to show unconditional love and to be active allies for all queer and trans* loved ones.
Hosted: August 29th, 2020
Facilitator(s): Hana Scorrar (She/Her/Hers)
Queer and Trans* People of Faith is a webinar based around exploring the depth and breadth of the LGBTQ+ community. We will be discussing the need for intersectionality, and examining the breadth of diversity in our community. We will then put our exploration into the Biblical context as we examine texts that speak to the Scriptural understanding of identity.
Hosted: August 29th, 2020
Facilitator(s): Jordan Sandrock (They/Them/Theirs)
Anglican Churches like to say that everyone is welcome. Often, though, we fail to recognize when our church’s context and practices are not affirming for Queer and trans* individuals. Being an affirming church means so much more than allowing same-sex marriages under our roof. With this workshop, we encourage people to approach affirmation with a profound hope: that our churches can be a place where all Christians can come before God and the Body of Christ in the fullness of who God created them to be.
Hosted: August 22nd, 2020
Facilitator(s): Irene Moore Davis (She/Her/Hers) and Sydney Brouillard-Coyle (Ney/Nem/Nir)
This webinar is designed for those who want to become better allies to members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community. The training will include the meaning of allyship, and concrete action steps allies can take to promote a more inclusive and equitable environment in community, workplace, or faith-based settings.
Hosted: August 22nd, 2020
Facilitator(s): Sydney Brouillard-Coyle (Ney/Nem/Nir)
Our understandings of gender identity and sexuality are ever evolving as new terminology is discovered and created. This workshop is designed to explain the different terms in relation to gender identity and sexuality; provide practice scenarios for using neutral pronouns and inclusive language; and a brief overview of queer history in Canada. You will leave with concrete tools for engaging with queer and trans* people in daily life.