Take Care of Yourself

The ALCC has members taking PSA (Peer Support and Advocacy) training at the 2110 Center for Gender Diversity, and one of the workshops was on Self Care in regards to peer support on October 6.

I found this workshop helpful, not just for peer support, but as well for pretty much most things in life.

Self care is essentially being

ALCC On Dr Laurie – Trans Issues (trans? whazzat? my transmission? you talkin’ cars now?!?)

No, not issues related to your cars transmission, but the issues that face those in the trans community, be they crossdresser, transsexual, transgenderist, gender queer, gender fluid, etc.

The show on CJAD on the 11th of May focused on trans issues, and present were Contessa Alura, petal, Vanessa, and Gabrielle from the 211o Gender Advocacy Center.  Dr Laurie already has knowledge of these issues, and that was a great help in the show. 

Starting off was petal, discussing how it is to be a crossdresser, what “drove” him to crossdress, why he does, who knows, and the issues that he faces being a crossdresser.  This was very enlightening to even those of us there. Far too many have misconceptions about those who crossdress, and petal did a great job trying to dispel those myths (ie CD’s are “gay”, they “want to be women full time”, etc etc)

Next was Vanessa (me! lol!), discussing her story, and the issues she faces.  Starting off with how she came out, she talked also about when she knew she was “different”, how she approached this as a youth, how she approached the army in coming out, being assaulted physically simply for being transsexual, why we need legal protection for gender identity, and as well the misconceptions about transsexuals. As well as what a TS can face daily.

Gabrielle talked about the 2110 Center, and touched on the two above issues, adding some very very valid points.  Her expertise was a great help in this show. She also touched on the fact that the 2110 also has a needle exchange and a program for the FTM (Female To Males) that require binders (to hide the breasts). More for sure will be coming on the 2110!!!

All in all a great show! And… if you missed it… it can be heard here! So give it a listen!

Droppin’ on in!

Drop in Day at the ALCC- May Day!

 

What a beautiful day in the neighbourhood… and a great drop in day. Super friendly and great people came by the ALCC to talk and relax. The bake sale to support our Leather Lifestyle friends went well. Contessa Alura made some delicious cupcakes & there were cookies and other treats on hand. In addition, a great ally from the Gender Advocacy 2110 Centre showed up. She was very enthusiastic about our organization, as we are about hers. There will definitely be a great partnership between our centres. A great day all around!

 

– petal