LET’S Founder-Executive Director was contacted by Salal (Sexual Violence Support Centre), a returning client for whom we provide Disability Awareness workshops. They asked us to join a Meaningful Inclusion Project panel entitled Neurodiversity & Consent.
Recording
The recording is available on the SalalSVSC YouTube page.
About the Project
Over the last six years, Salal’s Meaningful Inclusion Project has consisted of working closely with trans survivors, partner organizations, and queer and trans community to develop pathways for inclusion within the anti-violence sector.
As part of Salal’s Meaningful Inclusion Project, a six-year project wrapping up this March, in which Salal is finalizing a best practices blueprint for trans-affirming sexual assault services, Salal is planning a few more panels to be streamed on Salal’s social media. One significant finding of the project has been around the overlap of queer and neurodivergent communities, and the need for community conversation and service provider knowledge around neurodivergency and consent. This panel will be for a general audience, and we expect that it will be viewed initially by queer and trans people who follow Salal’s socials, but is also likely to be viewed into the future by service providers.
Moderated by Felix Gilliland (they/them) with the brilliant panelists: Heather McCain (they/them), Keitu Malatsi (she/her), and Erinn Doncaster (they/them), this discussion dives deeper into the realities of neurodiverse people, communication styles, and the different ways in which we can honour bodily autonomy for the people in our lives.
About Salal
We are a feminist, anti-oppressive, decolonizing sexual violence support centre operating on unceded Coast Salish Territories. We provide support services to survivors of sexualized violence who have shared experiences of gender marginalization: cis and trans women, Two-Spirit, trans and/or non-binary people. We advocate for social and systemic change through education, outreach and activism.
Panelists
Erinn Doncaster (they/them) is a queer trauma therapist based in the unceded traditional territory of the K’ómoks First Nation on Vancouver Island. Erinn’s interest in the neurobiology of attachment and trauma began 15 years ago in their previous career as a doula, and has only deepened since then. Erinn brings warmth, humour, and honesty to their approach, along with an enduring belief in the inherent worth of all human beings. When they’re not wearing their trauma therapist hat, Erinn co-directs a queer choir, and enjoys exploring the beautiful corner of the world they get to call home.
Keitu Malatsi (she/her) is a Black Queer Facilitator and Researcher from South Africa. Currently the Education Coordinator at QMUNITY, Keitu is committed to fostering the connection to community and transformative learning for QTBIPOC people. With over 4 years of experience in Education and community programs, her work is led by the desire to see beautiful radically safer futures for her communities. When she’s not in curriculum development mode, you will find her reading or listening to a podcast
Heather McCain (they/them) is Executive Director of Live Educate Transform Society (LET’S), a non-profit they founded in 2005. Heather’s own experiences as an asexual, disabled, neurodivergent, queer, trans person led them to become a well-known and respected advocate, educator, and speaker. Heather is proudest to be called a Crip Doula. This is a community given Disability Justice term for someone who helps disabled people navigate our complex systems, providing resources, support, and building community. This title was gifted by community members who have felt the positive effects of Heather’s work.