In this episode, Bex (she/her) is joined by Aislin (she/her) and Stella (she/they) to discuss what queer community means, how to find and build inclusive spaces, and the challenges of representation in the arts and athletics. They share personal stories, insights, and shoutouts to local queer organizations making a difference.

Welcome to the podcast & guest introductions

Aislin & Stella share their personal definitions of community and discuss the importance of safety, belonging, and shared experience.

Acknowledging privilege and the ongoing fight for inclusivity within the community.

The role of queer signifiers in self-expression
 • The importance of visibility and how it impacts self-acceptance
 • Challenges of stereotypes and expectations in queer spaces.

Stella’s journey in queer performance and burlesque
 • Aislin’s experience joining and organizing Queer Run Club
 • How stepping into leadership roles can help build and uplift community


Inclusivity struggles: Are we truly inviting everyone in?
 • Acknowledging gaps in trans and POC representation
 • The responsibility to create intentional, welcoming spaces


Financial barriers for queer artists
 • The decline of accessible media platforms for promotion
 • The importance of sustainable funding & corporate responsibility


Checking in on each other’s well-being
• Showing up for queer events and artists
 • The political climate and its impact on LGBTQ+ rights


• Masque of the Red Death (April 2024) - Upcoming queer performance produced by Saint Stella
• Queer Run Club - Weekly Saturday runs & coffee meetups

• Femme Fatale Toronto - Burlesque troupe showcasing Black and Women of Colour performers

• Sugar Holiday - Toronto-based burlesque performer and producer
• Queer Jock Night
• Queer Mingle Events 
- Black and Indigenous-run meetups for the lesbian, non-binary, trans and queer community

• Rebecca @sexedbeforebed
• Aislin @queerrunclub & @architectaislin
• Stella @saintstella & https://saintstella.com

1 in 5 university-enrolled women will experience attempted or completed rape. Rape is one of the most underreported crimes - 10% are reported.

A world without rape. A world where sexual violence is rare. This is the goal of Sara's work on Flip the Script, a new Canadian sexual assault prevention program for young cis and trans women to assess, acknowledge and act. This episode is a must-listen for every parent and every young woman.

We talked about how the program works and the positive impact it has had so far. We talked about how young women want to have these conversations about setting boundaries, understanding coercion and pondering what pleasure looks like for them.

We also talked about radical self-love and for women, trusting our gut!

Resources We Chatted About

Globe and Mail Article

Draw The Line

Loveisrespect.org

Sexual Assault Centres Near You

Follow Sara's Work

Insta @girls.resist

Twitter @girls_resist

About Flip the Script

Sexual Assault Resistance Education (SARE) Centre

Jessica Ruano is the director of The Ghomeshi Effect, a dance-theatre performance about sexual violence and the legal system in Canada.

This interview stayed with me long after I stopped recording. With the proliferation of #metoo narratives in the media, this conversation is a much-needed dissection of sexual violence from several vantage points. Jessica doesn't give quick and easy answers, instead, she approaches this murky issue meticulously, using stories and research to punctuate her points.

Together, we grappled with these questions and more:

• What kinds of people commit sexual violence?
• Are there good people and bad people?
• Is it possible to reconcile our perception of a "good" person with something horrible they've done?
• Is it possible for someone who has raped someone else to atone for it and/or be forgiven?
• How much do we want to exclude people who have committed such acts and with what goal in mind?
• Can or should a guilty person be brought back into a community?
• Does ostracizing the guilty help the problem?
• How common are false rape accusations, really?
• How can art heal survivors?

Links

The Ghomeshi Effect

Hannah Gadsby's Nanette Trailer

Ottawa Coalition to End Violence Against Women

Intro & Outro Music

The theme song is Rise and Shine by Audiobinger. Edited for time and volume.

A fascinating discussion with Rick Goodwin. Rick is at the forefront of Canadian programming for men who have experienced sexual and/or physical childhood abuse. The statistics and the impact are alarming to say the least. Rick relays two decades of experience in a concise way and we still found time to talk about #metoo, Netflix, the US military and more.

Here's a snap of what you'll learn:

• When men experience trauma, how long do they tend to keep it secret?
• What is emotional integrity and why are more men interested in it now?
• How is #metoo impacting male survivors of sexual violence?
• How do ideas about Western masculinity foster a sense of shame for men?
• How does trauma impact the lives of men and the people around them and what can survivors do to start healing?

Links

Men and Healing

1in6

The Bristlecone Project