Happy April Revolutionaries!! I want to start this month’s blog by giving a HUGE shout out to the team at Wellington PS for their work in bringing Stonewall survivor, Martin Boyce to share his story with many GSA leaders from across our District. In a time where the 2SLGBTQ+ community often feels under supported, it is heartwarming to feel the strength and resilience of our community.
Seeing this event actualized reminds me of the importance of radical self love. Those people like Martin Boyce, who protested at Stonewall had a deep and inherent sense of self worth. That night they weren’t asking permission to exist or seeking the most palatable way to be accepted by society. Instead, they demanded respect by standing up for their own dignity. In hosting this event, Wellington’s 2SLGBTQ+ community reminded me of our right to assemble and to claim space from a position of love and worth. I am so thankful to their team for all they did to make this moment of community happen.
I’ve also been inspired to think more deeply about how Revolution Now can function as a vehicle for loving assembly. It is my hope that in 2023 that we can help to facilitate another youth event to celebrate 2SLGBTQ+ leaders and to facilitate joyful time together. If you or people you know are interested in working on making this happen, please contact us through our website.
Additionally, we have recently added an option on our website to DONATE to Revolution Now. Any donations that are made through Revolution Now will be used to put money directly into the hands of young people. Specifically, donations made between now and the end of June, will be put towards cash prizes for our inaugural 2SLGBTQ+ Youth Leadership Awards to be handed out on Spirit Day 2023. We encourage you to consider donating to our leadership awards as a tangible act of allyship as we lead into the Pride season.
Lastly, we are excited to share that we have two other projects actively underway. Firstly, we have partnered for this last week of April with Usborne Books to try and put books in the hands of our friends at Urban Promise Toronto. You can make a direct cash donation or buy books for your own family through this link and a portion of sales will go towards donating books to Urban Promise: https://www.myubah.ca/liloneslibrary/shop/CATALOG.aspx
We are also VERY excited to hear that many schools are currently working to take part in our “Sew What” Challenge. For more information on how to participate in this original art and design project, check out: “Sew What Challenge“ We cannot wait to see the amazing pieces that are created by young people!!!
As always, thank you for the work that you are doing to bring revolutionary change to the spheres that you live in. Know that your love and your effort will be that which defines our time. Keep doing what you do and know that you matter and you are not alone!!
Let’s Go Change The World,
Megan