Pivot aims to disrupt the status quo, shake up the establishment, and be a catalyst for change in your community. While being empowered with skills, connections, and resources, participants will also get the chance to advocate for real-world change in health systems.
It sounds like a big challenge to accomplish over a period of seven months, but there’s nothing to be afraid of. Russell (he/him) reviews his experience below, and discusses how the program was an opportunity for him to grow and lead change for his community.
Q: One of the major priorities of the Pivot program is to create a safe, inclusive and non-sexualized space for queer and trans folks to connect. In what ways has the program helped you connect with your community?
The program provided a space for queer people to come together to address problems that impact our community. Creating space for people from all over the rainbow to come together gave us agency over circumstances that often felt beyond our control.
Q: In the Pivot program, people can expect to build their advocacy skills, which can be applied through the planning and execution of a community project. What was your biggest take-away from your experience?
We all have big ideas for how to change the system to reflect our needs as queer people - but we can't boil the ocean. We all know that there is a lot that needs to be updated. The challenge is setting ourselves up for sustainable success.
Q: Anyone who is considering joining this program has a ton to offer, regardless of what sort of experience they already have. What are some of the things other folks with you in Pivot brought to the program?
Don't underestimate the power of just showing up. All of the experiences and thoughts you have for improving queer health are valuable - even if you are just silently visible for someone else in the room so that they know that they aren't alone.
Q: Any last words to those who are thinking about signing up?
I was nervous when I signed up for Pivot last year, given that it was run by the Edmonton Men's Health Collective. As a gender diverse person, I wasn't sure if this would be a space where I would be wanted or heard. It turns out, the name of the collective did not do justice in representing the vast diversity of queer people committed to improving the health of our community.
Pivot starts its latest program this September, running for seven months. Participants will gain practical skills in the areas of media relations, digital advocacy, and policy advocacy, and will also learn from and build connections with local activists and community organizations doing work in this area. At the end of the program, they’ll get the chance to work with community partners and receiving funding opportunities for their own advocacy project!
Pivot kicks off with online capacity-building sessions and activities that will take place over the course of two weekends (October 16 and 17, 23 and 24). To learn more or sign up for the program, click here!