ALBERTA 2S/LGBTQ+ CONNECTIONS

Are you a 2S/LGBTQ+ young Albertan (aged 18-29) with a rural background? Do you want to make more connections with other rural 2SLGBTQ+ Albertans? Do you want to develop skills around personal wellness, zine-making, and writing? If so, then the Alberta 2S/LGBTQ+ Connections project is for you!

Alberta 2S/LGBTQ+ Connections is a pilot project created in response to the unique challenges faced by young 2S/LGBTQ+ Albertans aged 18-29 with rural backgrounds. Compared to folks in large cities, young people in rural spaces have less access to resources to help them navigate within (or out of) their communities. Furthermore, resources in large cities may not address the specific needs of young people with rural backgrounds.

The Alberta 2S/LGBTQ+ Connections project is designed to address these gaps. The project will help participants improve their personal wellness by developing skills around mental health literacy and creative expression.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Participants of the project will, first, participate in three 90-minute workshops on the weekend of January 8th-9th, 2022. These workshops will help participants develop zine-making, writing, and personal wellness skills. Following the workshops, participants will create their own submissions for a collaborative zine that will be published online and in-print.

The purpose of the zine is to: provide a platform to share stories, anecdotes, advice, and tips for surviving and thriving in rural spaces as young 2S/LGBTQ+ people. While not all submissions will be included in the final zine, we hope that this project will improve all participants’ social connections and well-being.

This project was envisioned by a small group of 2SLGBTQ+ Do You Mind? participants to improve mental health and combat social isolation by connecting 2S/LGBTQ+ young people across Alberta who have rural backgrounds. The purpose of this pilot project is to

• Improve literacy regarding 2S/LGBTQ+ wellness;

• Improve participants’ ability to understand and express their identities, emotions, and experiences and;

• Improve social connections

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?

For this project, we welcome both 2S/LGBTQ+ young Albertans (aged 18-29) who reside outside the major urban centers of Edmonton/Calgary and urban young adults with rural backgrounds.

TIME COMMITMENT

Participants are expected to attend two days of virtual workshops on the weekend of January 8th-9th, 2022. Furthermore, participants will submit their zine creations by January 14th, 2022.

REMUNERATION

An honorarium of $50 will be provided for participants who complete all workshops AND who complete an evaluation survey at the end of workshop delivery. The evaluation survey is designed to help us create better programming in the future.

SIGN-UP

SUBMISSION PORTAL

If you are unable to attend the workshops but wish to submit writing or graphics for the zine, click here.

Please note that not all submissions will make it into the final zine. However, those that do will be provided an honorarium of $50. Submissions will be accepted until January 14th, 2022.

CONTACT US

Have questions or concerns? Contact QC Gu (he/they) at qc.gu@ourhealthyeg.ca.

IN CRISIS?

Please call 9-1-1 if you or someone you know is in danger and needs first responder help. 

National Resources

Trans Lifeline 24/7 National Helpline

1-877-330-6366

Kids Help Phone

Telephone (24/7): 1-800-668-6868

Text “CONNECT” to 686868

Alberta

Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA)

Edmonton Region 24/7 Distress Line

Dial (780) 482-HELP (4357) - Rural Distress Line: 1-800-232-7288

211 Alberta 

A comprehensive information and referral system accessible to all Albertans. 

Dial 2-1-1 anytime or dial 1-888-482-4696 (Toll Free)

ab.211.ca

Alberta Health Services 

A list of services available through Alberta Health Services available here.

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