Providing safe spaces for Humber College’s 2SLGBTQIA+ community

After a nationwide anti-LGBTQ+ walk on September 20, students and community members have been feeling uneasy. Humber College is reminding students about the safe space offered by their LGBTQ+ Resource Centre.

The walk that took place was led by far-right, conservative and anti-trans groups against teaching 2SLGBTQIA+ content in schools.

The outside of the Student Welcome and Resource Centre at Lakeshore campus. Photo credit: Carolyn Burgos Cando

Stephanie Lamy, a gender queer aromantic-asexual, says they have been able to get to know the staff at the resource centre, and they have all been able to provide a welcoming environment for themselves and for the people walking in.

“It’s been nice to come in either on my own or as a group. Everyone is welcome and it’s just a nice and great space. I’ve been hanging out here more this semester than I ever have,” Lamy says.

As being part of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community is being more widely accepted, regardless of the anti-LGBTQ+ protests, the LGBTQ+ Resource Centre has seen more participation this year alone than they have in previous years.

Bronwyn Keith, a bisexual woman who is a work study student at the resource centre, says the centre has been making sure they are providing a safe space to their community.

The resource centre ensures they are staying open during hours of operation and they have set rules and guidelines to be respectful during these sensitive times, Keith says.

“This is a place to come in and help people wind down and a place that caters to the community and their needs,” Keith says.

The centre is consistently showing their support and to their community with various events they hold. At the march, there were counterprotests, and some staff members were able to go to the protest. “I know it was a bit scary [for the staff] to be there, but it was also very empowering to see how many people were there to show support,” Keith says.

Sign from outside of the LGBTQ+ Resource Centre. Photo credit: Carolyn Burgos Cando

The next event which is open to the 2SLGBTQIA+ community at Humber and their allies, can take part in tote bag decorating October 6, 2023 from 1 P.M. to 3 P.M.. They ask for everyone to be respectful of the community space and resources during these events. Skedline reporters Danielle Monterroso and Aswin Nair covered the plant pot painting event that happened earlier this semester, which can be watched here.

The Humber Lakeshore LGBTQ+ Resource Centre can be found in the Student Welcome and Resource Centre building in room 211.