NOTE: The fourth circle has been rescheduled for March 14th. We hope to see you there! Register here.
The next step in our community engagement project is to host four community circles In January 2023. The community circles will each have a different focus and are intended to be organic and open ended conversations with our community to reflect on pressing and relevant topics relevant to Black, Indigenous, and racialized 2SLGTBQIA+ people. These community circles will be a meaningful step for Spectrum to address our lack of affirming actions towards Black, Indigenous, and racialized members of 2SLGTBQIA+ communities.
All four circles will be happening virtually on Zoom.
Circle #1: Tuesday January 10, 2023 7-9pm virtual
- We would like to discuss Spectrum’s past and hear about any historical harms that may have been done.
- We would like to get opinions on the survey that is currently open and do some reflection on the survey results.
- We’d like to hear more from Black, Indigenous, and racialized 2SLGBTQIA+ people about your personal experiences.
- We’d like to hear which programs, services, and community members are having a positive impact today.
Circle #2: Tuesday January 17, 2023 7-9pm virtual
- We’d like to discuss queerphobia in our schools, and issues being brought to school boards.
- We’d like to hear about how best to engage with Black, Indigenous, and racialized families with 2SLGBTQIA+ children and youth.
- We’d like to discuss the impact of the police force on Black, Indigenous, and racialized queer people in our community.
- We’d like to discuss anti-oppressive and queer affirming workplace strategies.
- We’d like to hear which programs, services, and community members are having a positive impact today.
Circle #3: Tuesday January 24, 2023 7-9pm virtual
- We’d like to discuss housing insecurities.
- We’d like to discuss addiction and safe consumption.
- We’d like to discuss equitable access to healthcare.
- We’d like to hear which programs, services, and community members are having a positive impact today.
Circle #4: Tuesday January 31, 2023 7-9pm virtual
- We’d like to discuss white supremacy in our community and issues like the removal of the Daughters of the Empire statue.
- We’d like to discuss supporting queer-run Indigenous organizations.
- We’d like to hear which programs, services, and community members are having a positive impact today.
These topics are not exhaustive and they may evolve based on feedback we receive in the surveys or based on how the conversation in the circles flows.
If there are any topics not listed that you would like to especially discuss or if there are any concerns please contact info@ourspectrum.com. The community circles will be co-facilitated by Spectrum’s community engagement coordinator Om Prajapati and Aashay Dalvi. The Executive Director of Spectrum, Scott Williams, will be present in an observational role. These circles are intended to be safe spaces for Black, Indigenous, and racialized 2SLGBTQIA+ people to share their honest thoughts and feelings.
To be a part of the community circles and/or be kept up to date on the progress of this work, please provide your email address here.
If you haven’t had a chance to complete our survey, we’d appreciate hearing your thoughts here.
Please save the dates!
Circle #1: Tuesday January 10, 2023 7-9pm virtual
Circle #2: Tuesday January 17, 2023 7-9pm virtual
Circle #3: Tuesday January 24, 2023 7-9pm virtual
Circle #4: Tuesday January 31, 2023 7-9pm virtual