BUILDING QMUNITY REPORT ON COMMUNITY CONSULTATION Mark Winston and Sebastian Merz Centre for Dialogue, Simon Fraser University 1 3000-515 West HastingsCentre for St., Dialogue, Vancouver Simon bc, Fraser v6b University 5k3 Purpose of Document Acknowledgements This report is independently prepared by Simon Mark Winston and Sebastian Merz are the Fraser University’s Centre for Dialogue under primary authors of this report. Nicole Armos the sponsorship of QMUNITY. The purpose is contributed analysis of dialogue notes and to present the full outcomes from the Building materials, Dara Parker provided edits, and QMUNITY Consultation, held between May Gerilee McBride proofread and designed the and August 2015. This publication is intended final draft. to convey the perspectives of participants at the one day Building QMUNITY dialogue, eight The Centre for Dialogue would like to thank all consultation sessions, and an online/paper participants for their time and contributions. A survey. It does not necessarily reflect the opin- special appreciation goes to the facilitators and ions of Simon Fraser University’s Centre for note takers of all the dialogue sessions. We Dialogue or QMUNITY. This report is published would also like to acknowledge all QMUNITY in the Creative Commons (CC BY-ND) and staff and volunteers who supported the con- may be reproduced without modification so sultation process. long as credit is attributed to SFU’s Centre for Dialogue. Any works referring to this material Funding was generously provided by the Van- should cite: SFU’s Centre for Dialogue. (2015). couver Foundation and Vancity through grants Building QMUNITY, Report on Community to QMUNITY. YouthCo and Vancouver Coastal Consultation, retrieved from sfu.ca/dialogue Health provided support for the youth small group dialogue. About Simon Fraser University’s Centre for Dialogue Simon Fraser University’s Centre for Dialogue uses dialogue to generate non-partisan and constructive communication around difficult topics. We partner with government, busi- ness, and community groups to explore critical issues that impact the social, economic, environmental, and cultural well-being of our communities. Find out more at sfu.ca/dialogue 2 Building QMUNITY: Report on Community Consultation CONTENTS Executive Summary .............................................................................4 Building QMUNITY Consultation Dialogue ..............................9 Small Group Consultation Dialogues ...........................................33 Youth ................................................................................................34 QTIPOC ..........................................................................................36 Seniors .............................................................................................38 Trans................................................................................................39 Aboriginal/Two-Spirit ..................................................................... 41 Newcomers and Immigrants .............................................................42 Survey ...................................................................................................45 Conclusions .........................................................................................50 Appendix ..............................................................................................53 Evaluations, Building QMUNITY Consultation Dialogue ...............53 Evaluations, Building QMUNITY Small Group Dialogues ..............54 Centre for Dialogue, Simon Fraser University 3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY SFU’s Centre for Dialogue conducted a com- broadly throughout the LGBTQ community, both munity-wide consultation to identify the through its own programs but also by collaborat- perspectives of LGBTQ communities on ing with and supporting other organizations and QMUNITY’s future roles and its program- allied groups. Many cautioned QMUNITY to not ming priorities. The consultation comprised a overtax its own resources, and envisioned an multi-pronged engagement strategy including important role as the facilitator of connections feedback from community partners, scoping and cooperation between organizations. Creating interviews with stakeholders, a one day com- appropriate, welcoming polices so that commu- munity dialogue, eight small dialogue sessions nity groups have access to the centre was seen with focused LGBTQ communities, and a as a critical component of centre management. survey (online as well as paper-based). The An idea that arose often was that QMUNITY consultation was initiated to provide feedback should play the role of a hub for services, infor- to QMUNITY useful for defining the organiza- mation and connections. Rather than trying to tion’s direction as well as for planning, develop- meet all needs directly, QMUNITY would con- ing and launching a new community centre in nect individuals with other organizations, lobby the West End of Vancouver (funded through a on their behalf and provide direct support in $10 million grant from the city of Vancouver). ensuring safe access to services. The conversations during the full day dialogue There was considerable enthusiasm around and small group sessions revealed significant the physical West End centre, but QMU- excitement about QMUNITY’s future as a NITY was also encouraged to create satellite central place for LGBTQ communities. Many spaces throughout the Lower Mainland and participants expressed the hope that QMU- British Columbia, and to ensure that staffing NITY and its new facility will provide a positive and programming reach outside the West space where all community members can feel End. A related suggestion was that QMUNITY welcome, comfortable and proud. A vision establish a strong virtual presence, and that that resonated with many participants was technology needs for a BC-wide presence be that, in addition to providing services to those considered in the design and function of the with the most urgent needs, QMUNITY will West End Centre. be a place to celebrate the colourful diversity of LGBTQ communities through art and social The most important value highlighted by com- events, building deeper connections internally munity members was creating a community and with non-LGBTQ society. centre inclusive of diverse and fluid gender and sexual identities as well as intersecting QMUNITY was supported as having a central identities such as race, ethnicity, age and role in the new community centre and more physical ability, among others. An inclusive 4 Building QMUNITY: Report on Community Consultation community centre would offer a wide range of The second highest support priority was programming and services, a physically acces- access to services to support youth, marginal- sible and welcoming space and representation ized, vulnerable and underserved populations, of diverse identities through staffing, language particularly meeting the needs of these groups and artwork. that involve food, housing and employability. Programs and activities offering opportunities While inclusion was seen as one of the pre- for socializing were also a central focus. dominant values promoted by QMUNITY, participants in all formats recognized that it Other support services and activities high- can be challenging to achieve given the diverse lighted by participants of the consultation communities that make up the broader LGBTQ process included a dedicated space for art community. There is a tension between and culture to be produced and displayed/per- offering programs focused on narrow inter- formed, and advocacy around issues important est groups and those open to everyone, and to the LGBTQ community. considerable discussion and sensitivity will be required to achieve a balance. Changing demographics suggest that pro- gramming will need to increase to serve a Participants also envisioned a centre that number of groups, particularly seniors, new- provides a safe space for community mem- comers, children and families, Trans individu- bers who may be marginalized elsewhere, als and Aboriginal and Two-Spirit people. The and strongly supported the idea of trauma- idea of mentoring came up repeatedly, with informed practices and programs. Celebration participants suggesting a range of situations and remembrance, a community-engaged that could extend the reach of QMUNITY well leadership and a focus on social and envi- beyond its formal staff. Seniors with youth, ronmental justice were other values that an long-term Canadians with newcomers, those LGBTQ community centre should foster. who came out awhile ago with those just coming out and Trans individuals who have Health related services were the highest prior- transitioned with those contemplating transi- ity cited by community members in terms of tions were just some of the possible mentor- the support they would like to receive through ing relationships identified. a QMUNITY-managed centre, especially for seniors, youth, Trans individuals, immigrants, When asked to prioritize education and taking Aboriginal people and those with disabili- action, participants responded with the gen- ties. Specifically, there was strong support eral guideline that the highest priorities for for expanding free counselling services and QMUNITY should be accessibility, diversity, a health clinic, partnered with appropriate inclusion and reducing isolation. Two sug- organizations. gested taglines describe well the hoped-for Centre for Dialogue, Simon Fraser