Ashtonbee conflict coach creates forum for queer health issues
Despite a turnout of only two people, those who attended the LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered, Queer) health talk at the Ashtonbee student centre on April 13 walked away feeling satisfied.
The event, which is held once a year, welcomes students and their friends and/or significant others to have conversations about health issues. This is the third year Centennial has hosted the LGBTQ health talk.
Harold Tan is a conflict coach at Centennial and he hosted the event.
“I think they found it very useful and informative,” Tan said. “Our purpose is to allow students to ask whatever questions they wanted. They were engaged and we were happy about that and at the same time we always hope for more.”
This type of event ensures that all students have a chance to talk about sensitive topics.
Phyllis Waugh, a member of the community outreach team for Rainbow Health Ontario, was present for the discussion.
Waugh says that there aren’t many jurisdictions in the world where people can go to get information and resources like the one hosted at Centennial.
According to Tan, getting students and their friends to this event is something that requires more involvement from the students.
“I think what we would like to see is more student led outreach,” Tan said. “We can poster, we can try to advertise, but the reality is that if you want to get people involved you have to have students who are willing to take the time and make the personal connections and that’s how word of mouth gets spread.”
Waugh says that if students realize the benefits of these discussions, they might create more awareness.
“There is still a lot of stigma, there is a lot of homophobia in society … there is still a lot of work to be done, but things have changed a huge amount just in the past ten years,” Waugh said.
