2SLGBTQIA+ Learning Journey

Alphabet Soup: Queerness at the Kitchen Table

AN E-LEARNING SERIES EXPLORING 2SLGBTQIA+ DISCRIMINATION, COMMUNITY, HISTORY, AND HOPE ACROSS NOVA SCOTIA.

Each series and each session will have a different learning theme. These sessions are designed to enhance personal reflection and to open a dialogue on how to implement change in our organizations. We encourage organizations to have both their staff and board members engage. Ideally, participants will learn progressively throughout multiple series to build their knowledge. 

Hosting team:

About the Cape Breton Youth Project:

The Cape Breton Youth Project Society is dedicated to providing support and services to youth, 25 and under, around issues of sexual orientation and gender identity. The Youth Project provides a variety of programs and services including support groups, referrals, supportive counselling, a resource library, educational workshops, social activities. The Youth Project is committed to providing leadership opportunities to lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, transgender and ally youth. The Youth Project promotes and nurtures an environment that is appreciative of youth from all races, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, abilities and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Welcome to the kitchen table! The first series of this learning journey “Invitation to Unlearn” is a 5-part webinar series aimed at providing a foundational understanding of queer experiences across Nova Scotia historically and in this moment. How have things changed from then until now? What myths are we still holding as a society? What does coming out look like in 2023? How do we recognize the multiple identities and lived experiences of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community?

Series 1 will set the context for the following learning journeys, as we listen and engage with diverse voices from Nova Scotia’s 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Each session will focus on a different learning topic highlighting a panel of storytellers who will share their experiences with the audience.

Hosted by Madonna Doucette (she/her) of the Cape Breton Youth Project and moderated by Alexandra Theroux from IONS, the session format will include a knowledge, content portion followed by a storytelling panel and break out sessions as applicable. Participants will have an opportunity to engage with the speakers through a Q&A will period.

Words Matter: Becoming Your Authentic Self

Feb 7th , 2023 – 1:30-3:30

Unlearning of binary biases of gender and sexual identities and experiences begins with words; words that can harm, words that can communicate diversity and solidarity, and words that can heal. In this first session in the Invitation to Unlearn series, three storytellers from the Cape Breton Youth Project team will share how words have shaped their journey of becoming their authentic selves.

Speakers:

Jay Denny (she/they/nekm)
Mikmaq multifacted artist, CBU student and mental health advocate

Bradley Murphy (he/him)
Community Educator – Cape Breton Youth Project

Sefin Stefura (he/him)
Community Educator – Cape Breton Youth Project

Love and Family

THIS SESSION WAS RECORDED ON  TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14th, 2023

Speakers:

Luna LeFort (she/her)
Queer Presenter and Educator

Zailynne Durante (she/they)

Queer AND…(Intersectionality)

THIS SESSION WAS RECORDED ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21st, 2023

Speakers:

Suzi Oram-Aylward (she/they)
Safe Space Coordinator, Northside Rising & Visual Artist

Tyler Colburne (he/him)
Queer Settler, social worker, and Executive Director

Carmel Farahbakhsh (they/them)
Executive Director, Youth Project

Chris Cochrane (she/her)

Finding Yourself and Coming Out

THIS SESSION WAS RECORDED ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28th, 2023

Speakers:

Suzi Oram-Aylward (she/they)
Safe Space Coordinator, Northside Rising

Jason Spurrell (they/them) aka Rouge Fatale (she/her)
Drag Performer

Bradley Murphy (he/him)
Community Educator, Cape Breton Youth Project

Rae Paul (they/them)
BIPOC Community Engagement Coordinator, Social Worker Candidate

Sefin Stefura (he/him)
Community Educator, Cape Breton Youth Project

Queer Community, Then and Now

THIS SESSION WAS RECORDED ON TUESDAY, MARCH 7th, 2023

Speakers:

Madeline Yakimchuk (they/them)
Intergenerational Outreach Worker, Cape Breton Youth Project

Veronica Merryfield (she/her)

Rebecca Rose (she/her)
Author – Before the Parade

Leykey Beals (they/them)
Web Designer, Educator, Advocate

RESOURCES

• Compassionate Resources – Alphabet Soup: 2SLGBTQIA+ Learning Journey