Lumsden High School hosts Gay-Straight Alliance Student Summit
High school students from the Prairie Valley School Division gathered in Lumsden to build and support the LGBTQ2S+ community with the third annual Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) Student Summit.
Paula Dvernichuk is a teacher at Lumsden High School and said over 100 students participated in the summit.
"We have about 120 participants here at the school and we are doing different sessions on what GSA is like the history of queer, what it was like to grow up in a queer in a small town,” said Dvernichuk. “We did some arts and crafts and we had some queer literature while just trying to celebrate our LGBTQ2S+ kids.”
Cas is one of the student leaders for the event and one of the speakers, he says its taken time to become comfortable talking about his story.
"The main reason that I always tell people is that so people can kind of understand that specifically regarding like LGBTQ2S+ mental health, they are not just numbers, they are actual people,” said Cas.
Cas adds there is no better feeling than providing a safe space.
"I think part of the mission for me anyway has always been ensuring people have a safe space to be,” said Cas. “I can't describe the feeling of being in a room with a bunch of other people that are exactly like you.”
Ashlynn Brooks and AJ Angell traveled from Milestone Sk. to Saturday’s event and are motivated by Cas’ story.
"I can relate to their stories like what I'm going through and like being non-binary and deciding which pronouns I want,” said Angell. “Which sexuality goes along with it makes me feel more comfortable.”
Providing a safe space for the students to be themselves was a goal for Dvernichuk.
"The excitement Saturday morning of the kids just being themselves,” said Dvernichuk. “Asking questions like, I can use my real pronouns, or I can, use my real name, I can wear what I want, and be who I want.”
Dvernichuk adds that smaller communities are improving when it comes to accepting the LGBTQ2S+ community.
"I think as more and more communities understand that these kids are here and that more LGBTQ2S+ community is in the small towns, it's only going to get better and better for these kids and it's only going to get better for the community,” said Dvernichuk.
Organizers are hoping that the summit spreads to other schools within the division in the future.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.