FOR YOUTH
BY YOUTH
WHO
WE ARE
Make it Wright is a newly formed group, that was created immediately following the We Care Share Event 2017 (http://www.wecaregreybruce.ca/). Two individuals led a workshop for LGBTQ+ Youth during that event. It was the feedback and survey results from that workshop that it became clear that LGBTQ+ Youth do not feel supported within the Grey Bruce Area.
According to the statistics from the survey we conducted after the We Care Share workshop, 50% of students that identify as LGBTQ+ do not feel safe coming out at school. We know through the nationwide research that 74% of transgender students and 55 % of LGB youth report being verbally harassed about their gender or sexual identity. 21% of LGB youth report being physically harassed or assaulted because of their orientation. 37% of Trans-youth report being physically harassed or assaulted due to their gender expression. 49% of Trans youth reported being sexually assaulted as result of their gender expression.
We are youth led group that offers everything that are youth are needing in our community.
“For Youth, By Youth”.
Mission: To build an inclusive and engaged community, with a keen focus on education on LGBTQ+ Youth topics.
Mandate: Educational LGBTQ+ Workshops within the Grey Bruce Communities to harbour a greater understanding of diversity and everyday life of LGBTQ+ Youth to create a safer community.
Vision: Make it Wright’s vision is to become known for building an inclusive & engaged community for LGBTQ+ youth in the Grey Bruce Area.
Our objective is to arrange regular visits (semi-annual) with local schools and agencies to present our workshops, which will educate community members on how to better support the LGBTQ+ Youth within the Grey Bruce community. In addition, we also endeavour work in conjunction with already established relationships within agencies within the Blue Water District School Board, e.g. Let’s Talk (CMHA), Generous Spaces, and Gay Straight Alliances (GSA). In alignment with the Education Amendment Act (Keeping Our Kids Safe at School), if there is not a GSA in place, our organization would be fundamental in the implementation of such an alliance through resources, data, and support.
OUR
SERVICES
PROFESSIONAL WORKSHOPS
We provide 1 - 2 hour informational workshops to educate those working in the professional sectors that offer services to LGBTQ+ youth and their families.
SCHOOL WORKSHOPS
We provide workshops for
schools to educate and provide information and resources to students about LGBTQ+ issues and support.
OUTREACH
Once a month, we go to
various locations in the Grey Bruce area to speak with GSAs (Gay Straight Student Alliances) to discuss issues those Alliances are facing and work out solutions.
FACTS
14*
LGBTQ youth face approximately 14 times the risk of suicide and substance abuse than heterosexual peers
77%*
77% of trans respondents in an Ontario-based survey had seriously considered suicide and 45% had attempted suicide
10%**
Almost 10% of LGBTQ students reported having heard homophobic comments from teachers daily or weekly (17% of trans students; 10% of female sexual minority students; and 8% of male sexual minority students).
80%**
80% of LGBTQ students from schools with anti-homophobia policies reported never having been physically harassed versus only 67% of LGBTQ students from schools without anti-homophobia policies.
**source: https://egale.ca/every-class/
HELPFUL LINKS
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Generous Space Ministries (our mentors!)
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Canadian Mental Health Association Grey Bruce
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Rainbow Health Ontario
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LGBT Youth Line (Youth Line offers confidential and non-judgemental peer support through telephone, text and chat services. Get in touch with a peer support volunteer from Sunday to Friday, 4:00PM to 9:30 PM.)
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ARCH Guelph
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Egale Canada Human Rights Trust
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PFLAG Canada
