April 11 Now What Affirming Dinner and Panel: Meet the panel - Part 2

On April 11th we are excited to host an Affirming Dinner and Panel. This gathering is an all ages open invitation to LGBTQIA+ individuals, their families, friends, and support networks to share a meal, connect, and reflect on the joys and challenges of allyship. Our panel will explore the importance of ongoing support and the impact of having strong allies in the next steps to fostering inclusive communities. Come celebrate what we've built together and be inspired to continue the journey!

This is a safe space, come as you are, all are welcome.

You can learn more and register for the event here.

We have a great panel of experts that will be speaking at the event. We would like to introduce you to three of them this week.

Speaker Bio’s - Batch 2

Tina Que she/her- Rainbow Elders Society :

Since I was a teen, there was always a leaning toward feminine dress. After a lifetime ebbs and flows of who I truly was, I revealed my true self to the world on April 4, 2022. There was a lot of speculating about how people would react but it has been a very positive experience.

Once I was out of the closet, I didn't want to create another by living in seclusion so I have lived a very public life testing boundaries of society. I have always tried living the life that paves a path for both myself and those that follow. If I can be a positive experience to those I meet, I can give those that follow a chance at the same positive experience.

I have found that there are many allies out there. Most of them want to know more about me but also what they hear and don't understand. I endeavour to create a safe space for allies to ask questions. Education and safe spaces are key to gaining allies. I have been there for others at Hillhurst United, Wolseley Canada and Rainbow Elders Society of Calgary but also my day to day dealings with people I meet.

Sydney Fleury they/them-Skipping Stone:

Sydney (they/them) is a non-binary, Queer, Metis individual who is honored to live, work, and play on Treaty 7 Territory. They are a recent graduate of the Social Work program at Bow Valley College, and they currently work within both the Community and Learning Teams at Skipping Stone Foundation. Working from a person-centered, empathetic, and trauma-informed lens; Sydney is always eager to share knowledge, and walk alongside the journey of the folks that they support - through direct work with Skipping Stone’s clients, and education in the broader community. Skipping Stone Foundation offers a welcoming, positive, and judgement-free space for anyone - of all ages - who identifies as trans, transgender, non-binary, or gender diverse, as well as those questioning, exploring or looking to affirming their gender identity or expression.

Our unique comprehensive care model focuses on supporting people as the whole, healthy, wonderful humans they are and connecting trans and gender diverse youth, adults and families to the supports and services they need and deserve and has attracted national and international attention and acclaim.

Through a client-centred, collaborative approach, we empower individuals to achieve their goals by assembling a support team tailored specifically to them. These teams might include community team members, peer mentors and coaches, social workers, mental health and health care professionals, or more. Skipping Stone is committed to supporting the transgender and gender-diverse community in Alberta with Empowerment, Support, and Love.

Nolan Hill (he/him) - The Centre for Sexuality

Nolan E. Hill (he/him) is a Training Centre Facilitator at the Centre for Sexuality. In this role, he facilitates professional development workshops for a variety of professionals around topics related to sexual health and sexuality. He brings background in queer health, HIV, and 2SLGBTQ+ community development to his role. He is passionate about health justice and ensuring queer and trans voices are amplified in the health system. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Women’s Studies from the University of Calgary. 

You can learn more about our Affirming Ministry here.