Centre for Sexuality

Being an engaged bystander can help everyone have a safer Stampede. Every July, the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth comes to Calgary. In addition to the rodeo, Stampede offers live music, exclusive parties and concerts, pancake breakfasts and arts and cultural experiences. It's a boot-stomping good time, but as with any event of this size, especially ones that involve alcohol, the risk of sexual assault and harassment increases. The Calgary Stampede is an event for everyone. To ensure everyone has a great time, we must all share the collective responsibility to look after one another. “If we want to attend an event or space where we can have fun, then that means we have to show up for each other,” says Dori Palmiere, the Training Centre and Community Engagement Teams Manager at the Centre for Sexuality. “We are responsible for ourselves and others to create safer communities.” One way to help ensure you, your friends and those around you enjoy a safe Stampede is to be an engaged bystander. Being an engaged bystander means that when you see a person experiencing harassment or harm, you do something about it. Pay attention to your surroundings. Notice if someone has had too much to drink. Offer some water to someone who has been in the heat too long. Don’t be afraid to be active when you notice someone being harmed. “In these types of venues, it seems to be an instinct for people to just keep walking, or where they think it’s not really their business,” says Pam Krause, the CEO of the Centre for Sexuality. “If you see something, say something. Then, you’re not just letting it go because that is a fundamental problem in our society.” Speaking up, providing care and extending support invites others to do the same, which ultimately creates healthier communities and safer spaces. To become more aware and active this Stampede, familiarize yourself with the 5Ds of an engaged bystander: Direct, Distract, Delay, Delegate and Document. You can decide which of the 5 Ds works best for you. For example, some people are comfortable directly intervening while others may prefer to delegate. No matter what intervention you decide, doing something is better than nothing. Keep reading at https://lnkd.in/gg33Ybwb to learn specific ways you can be an engaged bystander and look out for others.

Apply by July 12! We're hiring for a Training Centre Facilitator on a one-year contract term. Visit bit.ly/c4scareers to learn more.

True allyship goes beyond Pride Month. In June of 1969, the New York police raided the Stonewall Inn, a known gathering place for members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community. That night, the patrons fought back, sparking the Stonewall Riots, which would become the catalyst for the gay rights movement. One year later, on the anniversary of the riots, the first Pride Parade took place in commemoration of the uprising and the fight for equal rights has remained strong since. Today, we highlight Pride for the entirety of June, and it has evolved into celebrating a resilient community and a period to outwardly champion and support the 2SLBGTQ+ community While we’ve come a long way since 1969, there is still a need for allyship and demonstrated support of the 2SLGBTQ+ community beyond the month of June, too. Being an ally is a lifelong process of celebrating and supporting 2SLGBTQ+ people. It’s more than showing up for an annual parade; it’s about allyship, advocacy and action every day. Read more about how to be an active, visible ally throughout the year with our latest blog post: https://lnkd.in/gFhYbJbX

We're still processing and thinking about everything we learned at our Allyship in Practice event with United Way of Calgary! ⁠ After our panelists shared their experiences and answered questions about what true allyship means to them, event participants were given the opportunity to write down steps they plan to take to be stronger allies to marginalized communities.⁠ ⁠ Allyship isn't a rubber stamp to achieve and then move on! It's a never-ending process of listening and learning and a commitment that must be continuously renewed.⁠ Centre for Sexuality offers training for professionals in all sectors to create safer, more inclusive environments for all. To learn more, visit https://lnkd.in/gZWaqViM.

One more week to apply to facilitate a workshop at this year's Camp fYrefly! Visit https://lnkd.in/gfUHsHWD for more information.

We're recruiting for volunteers!⁠ ⁠ Volunteers are a huge part of what keeps the Centre running. From representing us at events to helping create a welcoming environment for clients and the public, volunteering is a great way to make a difference in the community and gain valuable experience.⁠ ⁠ Visit https://lnkd.in/gThsQVGm to learn more about available roles and to apply.

Create safer spaces for patrons and colleagues alike this Stampede season with our Safer Establishments training!⁠ ⁠ Developed for staff and management who work in bars, music venues, festivals and other hospitality environments, our Safer Establishments training examines how venues can empower their staff to be engaged bystanders.⁠ ⁠ Learn the root causes of sexual violence, addresses common myths and misconceptions around sexual violence and examine consent, policies and legal obligations to address sexual harassment.⁠ ⁠ Participants leave this training with a deeper understanding of the role engaged bystanders play in the community, as well as practical tools for creating safer environments. Visit https://lnkd.in/ggD_y33p to learn more.

We're hiring for two consultant positions to support our Indigenous Relationship and Sexual Health Education programming strategy!⁠ ⁠ These are part-time (up to 16 hours per week) contract roles ending in March 2025.⁠ ⁠ Visit https://bit.ly/c4scareers to learn more and apply. Applications close on May 24!

Our amazing Girls Program Facilitator Neelam is leaving her role, which means we're looking for someone with a background in child and youth studies, education, public health or social work to take on this important position!⁠ ⁠ Our Girls Program builds foundational sexual health knowledge, social-emotional skills, and capacities necessary to overcome girl-specific challenges to achieve current and future well-being. Neelam had the following to share about her experience working in this program:⁠ ⁠ “As a child of immigrants, raised in a Muslim household, my access to sexual health education was limited which impacted the ways in which I viewed and experienced the world. Working at the Centre for Sexuality ignited my passion for advocacy and for the sexual and reproductive rights of all people. It has been an honour and a privilege to be able to leave a spark of change in the lives of young girls through Girls Program, as well as learn more about myself as a person and a professional. Every day was filled with hope, love, community and safety. This program is something I wish I had when I was a young girl. ⁠ ⁠ "If you are someone who is passionate about sexual and reproductive health advocacy, mental health and inspiring change in the lives of youth, then this is the perfect position for you!⁠ ⁠ "Being a Girls Program Facilitator has been one of the most heartwarming positions I’ve had the privilege of holding and I am excited for whoever takes this role up next to continue the legacy of inspiring these young girls!⁠ ⁠ "Girls Program has changed my life and not only do I hope it continues to change the lives of the youth in our communities but I also hope it instills positive change in you!”⁠ ⁠ Visit bit.ly/c4scareers for more information on this role and our other open positions.

Thank you to the team at Luna Child and Youth Advocacy Centre for organizing this day and including us!