What Does a Safe Space mean to Me

A video created by SOY H.E.A.T. (Human Rights. Equity. Access. Team)
SOY H.E.A.T. is a program of Supporting Our Youth which runs out of the Sherbourne Health Centre in Toronto.
www.soytoronto....
sherbourne.on.ca/
SOY on twitter / soy_toronto
SOY on facebook / supportingouryouth
SOY H.E.A.T. trains and empowers 2SLGBTTIAQQ youth under 29 to be speakers, ambassadors and positive role models. We work with school and college faculty to identify concrete ways to make their environments safer and more welcoming for LGBT youth and their peers; we talk directly to school assemblies and classes, as well as SOY groups, about our own experiences of handling oppression; and we highlight for service providers, employers and the wider community, the challenges facing 2SLGBTTIAQQ youth and their peers today and what needs to change - starting with them.
“It was empowering. As an educator I felt ‘here’s what I can do, and here’s why I’m doing it’”.
That was the feedback from a Toronto District School Board staff member after a SOY H.E.A.T. presentation.
SOY H.E.A.T. youth come from all walks of life and communities. Our experiences - and our talks and workshops - cover not just homophobia and transphobia, but racism, ableism homelessness, and other forms of oppression. We’re still learning what it means to be resilient and to speak out and stand up for what we believe in, but we know from so many of the people that we’ve spoken to that it’s worth it.
What’s it worth to you?
We believe that it takes a community approach to make life better for queer and trans youth today, and into the future. There are too many at risk right now who need more tangible support from their teachers, employers and peers, and who need to see themselves reflected in young, out, positive role models.
For more info contact John Caffery at [e-mail]
[phone] x 5339