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In 2015, Jessie Anderson (he/him), with the support of his community through crowdfunding, established Big Bros Barbershop; a physical space maintained by and for transgender people. This unique barbershop not only offers excellent haircuts but also serves as a resource center for various demographics, including 2STGD+ (two-spirit, transgender, gender diverse) youth, their loved ones, elders of the queer community, allies, and more. Through Jessie’s impressive efforts, a casual and comfortable space has been created where people of all ages can comfortably question their gender identity. Big Bros Barbershop has cultivated a sense of community and connection for everyone who enters its doors. “On a great day at the shop, I’ve got elders and other people with more experiences or different […]

This week, we had the privilege of meeting with Christa Giles (she/her/hers) to talk about her experience working as a recreation programmer for the Vancouver Park Board and her efforts towards queer inclusion within that role. For her, the most healing activities are those focused on leisure and the way recreation can help people bond to one another. Some of the most valuable work she does is providing a safe space for 2-spirit, trans, and gender-diverse youth and adults through events like the weekly 2STGD swim and the queer circus drop-in. The way that she interacts with the various communities she serves is heavily inspired by her experiences working at the Britannia pool. She believes that “we’re not here in […]