NubianImp Projects

I signed a piece of paper the night I went to the public consultation and was sent this update today.

There was survey in WORD format attached to the message. If you want a copy, message me.

Thank you for your attendance and input at the feasibility study Town Hall meeting on November 23 and thank you for offering to help get more input from our various communities.

To date we have heard from over 600 individuals within the communities through 13 focus groups, two town hall meetings and an online survey. Although there has been a fairly broad base of participation, with some common themes emerging so far, we want to enhance the input for phase I and with your help we can get a good sampling of the views and opinions in our communities.

Here are some ways you can help in the coming weeks:

– contact your friends, colleagues and networks and encourage them to complete the online survey by following the links at www.supportthecentre.com

– make it part of your conversations with friends, over coffee or a social evening – then send in the attached paper survey with a summary of your discussions. Let us know if you need paper copies of the survey and we’ll get them to you.

Here is what we have done since the Nov 23 meeting:

– 250 paper copies of the survey were printed and distributed the day after the November 23 meeting

– the online survey timeline has been extended until Dec 20

– 200plus paper surveys hve been distributed through personal contacts from the Nov 23 meeting

- arrangements were made with Xtra West(circulation 30,000) fto include the survey in the December 6 issue for tearout/completion and drop off by any community member.

Further actions may be taken by members of the project steering group at their next meeting on Dec 11.

As the feasibility study continues to March 31, 2007, there will be further opportunities for community consultation based on input form phase 1.

Sincerely,

Betty Baxter, Facilitator, Phase 1

I fucked up and missed the persons of colour meeting on Thursday

*head thump*

I plan on going to the Town Hall this week.

I keep forgetting to post this. We all know how important it is for members of the queer community in the lower mainland to get out and participate in this study.

Now go mark your calendars!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We have the opportunity to tell municipal/provincial and federal governments what we want in a LGTB centre and the opportunity to actually get a new space accessible for ALL, new programming…whatever you can imagine our community needs.

So far less than 1 % of the queer population in the lower mainland has come out to focus groups, a townhall type meeting or filled out the online survey. there are still some focus groups, one more townhall meeting and the online survey for those folks that would rather not go to a meeting. if there isn’t enough input for the feasibilty study it’s very possible we will lose this opportunity forever.

thanks for taking the time,
kc

~~~ -The Centre is conducting a Feasibility Study to determine if Vancouver?s LGTB communities need and have the capacity to develop and maintain a new cultural community centre for the LGTB communities and our allies.

The first part of the study is a broad-based consultation with the communities this fall. The calendar below lists a number of Focus Groups for various population groups within the communities. This is an open process ? anyone can take part!

Call or email The Centre and sign up for a Focus Group to talk about your needs and ideas for a cultural community centre. All groups are trans-inclusive.

There are also two opportunities to come to a public meeting to learn about the study and share your thoughts!

Public Meeting — November 2, 7 pm – Gordon Neighbourhood House

Public Meeting ? November 23, 7 pm ? Aboriginal Friendship Centre

Focus groups ? by pre-registration as space is limited!!
All are welcome to attend the public meetings!!

To register call or email The Centre at 604-684-5307 or executiveassistant@lgtbcentrevancouver.com
October 2006 ?call/email to register
October 25 (Wed) 4:30 ? 6:30pm Focus Group for LGTB youth

October 26 (Thurs) 4:30 ? 6:30pm Focus Group for LGTB and allied health and social service providers and organizations
October 30 (Mon) 6:30 ? 8:30pm Focus Group for gay men

November 2006 ?venues are still being finalized ?call/email to register!
November 2 (Thurs) 2 ? 4 pm – Focus Group for LGTB people living with disabilities and chronic conditions

November 2 (Thurs) 7 ? 9 pm – Town Hall Meeting ? all welcome!!

November 6(Mon) 6:30 ? 8:30 pm – Focus Group for trans communities

November 9 (Thurs) 6:30 ? 8:30 pm – Focus Group for ageing and older LGTB people

November 16 (Thurs) 4:30 ? 6:30pm – Focus Group for two spirited people

November 16 (Thurs) 7 ?9 pm – Focus Group for LGTB people of colour

November 20 (Mon) 6:30 ? 8:30pm – Focus Group for bisexuals

November 23 (Thurs) 7 ? 9 pm – Town Hall Meeting ? all welcome!!

November 30 (Thurs) 6:30 ? 8:30 pm ? Allies of LGTB people

Want to talk to us online?? Go to www.supportthecentre.com and click on the link to get started on our online survey.

The feasibility study is possible due to funding from the City of Vancouver

Folks in Vancouver are starting to make a stink about Pride being trademarked.

OH PUH-LEESE!

If there was enough money or interest in the community to support events like Pride, then they wouldn’t be run by volunteer organizations that have to sell their collective blood so that we have an opportunity to BITCH at them.

The World Wildlife Foundation fought and won against the World Wrestling Federation. A non-profit, run in large part by volunteers, looking to ensure that the organizational reputation they were building was kept intact. There is nothing wrong with that. Nothing at all.

“Pride” is gaining in it’s reputation world-wide. And the organizations that are working hard to ensure that it is not diluted or co-opted deserve respect and not grief. Building a brand takes time and the fact that tourist information from a commercial ally isn’t explicit about the nature doesn’t mean all that much. At least it is being promoted.

The pride organizations world-wide have the right to try to control the reputation they have worked for over the years. There are commercial, individual and organizational opportunists that take advantage of that reputation to produce or host events that run concurrently or consecutively. I think that speaks to the desirability and power of what’s been built. Why can’t we nurture, support and celebrate that instead of getting our knickers in a knot?

“An apple a day…” doesn’t mean that one should haul out the credit card and head down to the computer store. And it’s not “Pride” the concept that is being trademarked but the annual series of similarily-themed events which occur world-wide.

And in any case, isn’t it better that queers own the word? Would it be better if it was owned by a large commercial entity? ‘Cause you know they would be busy suing all of us instead of politely asking us.