Queer + Trans History Canada

Public Workshops: 2 hours

Private Workshops: Customizable length

Queer + Trans History Canada

This workshop will take you through the highlights of Canada’s history, including milestone moments during each decade!  We will journey from  the 1950s, when homosexuality was considered to be a “curable illness” to today, given in bite-sized pieces. Did you know that Quebec was the 2nd place in the world to provide human rights protections? Or that the Canadian Navy’s 1st kiss was on BC soil? We will see just how far our laws and media have come in regards to 2SLGBTQIA+ consideration. We will also highlight some of the rights and protections we are still fighting for today! We welcome you to join us in learning more about queer and trans history.

Harmony Bongat was the lead researcher for these two workshops with help from Heather McCain.

Gratitude also to Jordan Lelievre, our amazing volunteer.

Image Descriptions: Facilitators Harmony Bongat and Heather McCain

Facilitators:

Heather McCain (they/them) is Executive Director of Creating Accessible Neighbourhoods, a non-profit they founded in 2005. Heather is also a Crip Doula. This is a Disability Justice term for someone who helps disabled people navigate our complex systems, providing resources, support, and building community.

Heather’s own experiences with multiple types of disabilities, inaccessibility, and ableism led them to become a well-known and respected advocate, speaker, educator, and activist. Heather recognizes that those within the disability community have intersecting identities and, as a disabled, neurodivergent, trans, queer person, they work hard to ensure a multitude of voices and experiences inform their work. Heather is committed to centering decolonialization, using an intersectional lens and disability justice framework, and engaging in cross-movement organizing.

Harmony Bongat (she/her) became involved with Creating Accessible Neighbourhoods after attending Chronically Queer, a support group CAN facilitates for 2SLGBTQIA+ folk with chronic health conditions. Harmony is a disability justice advocate and educator. Harmony’s experiences as a disabled person with multiple intersecting identities informs her work. Harmony is passionate about disability awareness, queer + trans history, and sharing her lived experience to further conversation about meeting the needs of disabled people, building community, and empowering those currently pushed to the margins. Harmony is the key researcher for the Queer + Trans workshops and the timeline for Vancouver Pride Society.