For the purposes of this letter, these terms are defined inclusively as:
Gender Diverse: An umbrella term to describe a person whose gender identity or gender
expression is neither woman nor man. This may include (but is not limited to) people who
identify as Two-Spirit, agender, non-binary, gender fluid, gender non-conforming or intersex.
Woman: A cis or trans woman
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Mokami Status of Women Council (MSWC) wishes to acknowledge Lake Melville Pride Week 2021. We stand in solidarity with our local 2SLGBTQIA+ volunteer group, Safe Alliance as they promote respect, inclusion, diversity and equality in the thoughtful celebrations and activities happening throughout this week.
While we celebrate the contributions of 2SLGBTQIA+ people in our community, we also recognize the intersections of colonialism, racism, violence, classism, ableism and other forms of oppression and how these factors continue to significantly impact the 2SLGBTQIA+ community both on an indivdual and systemic level.
MSWC has long been an ally of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, however, we also realize there is room for growth and action (not only during Pride week, but everyday of the year). In the spirit of the anti-oppression mandate of MSWC, we formally and enthusiastically welcome and affirm the intentional inclusion of support and services at MSWC for trans and gender diverse individuals.
Throughout the next year, we will be working diligently to update MSWC's policies, documentation, resources, programs, advocacy and social media content to properly reflect the inclusive nature that MSWC aims to provide to our community. We also commit to further partnerships with local and provincial 2SLGBTQIA+ organizations. We are devoted to embracing diversity and by making these necessary changes, we hope to create a safer environment for community members and to attract, develop and retain employees/volunteers with diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.
We welcome conversations about this important topic and are open to suggestions on how we can make MSWC a safer and more inclusive space.
Contact:
Stacey Hoffe, BSW, BEd, MEd, RSW
Pronouns: She/Her
Executive Director Mokami Status of Women Council/Women's Centre
P: 709.896.3484 Ext. 202
E: programs@mokamiwomen.ca
About MSWC
Located in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Mokami Status of Women Council is an equity seeking feminist organization that is dedicated to serving the needs of the women and gender diverse people. We acknowledge our home as the traditional and ancestral homelands of the Innu of Nitassinan, the Inuit of Nunatsiavut, and the Inuit of NunatuKavut