The theme of this year’s Safe ’n’ Sound conference reflects what many LGBTQ people want to share.
“Stories” is the concept behind the second annual event, to be held Saturday, March 19 at Eagle Eye Theatre in Squamish.
“People want a safe place to tell their stories,” explains Margo Dent, who has become the group’s part-time executive director.
While the conference will have many events from 1 to 6 p.m., including keynote speaker Conni Smudge and a moderated panel discussion, organizers are being careful to also schedule in times when people can have a chance to share their stories with each other.
“People were saying last year that they needed more time at lunch hour just to talk,” said Dent.
However, Dent and Safe ’n’ Sound board member Trevor Blackman-Wulff both say the first annual conference in 2015 was a “phenomenal success.”
“For the first year, did we knock it out of the park? Absolutely,” said Dent. “Attendees came from as far away as Kamloops and the island, and they were not disappointed they had travelled that distance and incurred hotel costs.”
“It was really beautiful to see,” said Blackman-Wulff. “It’s something I never thought, being raised in Squamish, that I would see it. Something like this would have been amazing when I was growing up here.”
He and Dent both said the conference is focussing on making life better for youth struggling with the challenges of being lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered or queer – or otherwise feeling a little different than others.
Safe ’n’ Sound has also created a discussion group at the Squamish Public Library. Sounding Room, to be held the second Wednesday of every month from 6:30 to 8 p.m., is open to LGBTQ+ individuals and their families. The intent is to provide an opportunity to forge friendships, build community, share resources and talk.
“We’re looking to be that safe zone,” explained Blackman-Wulff. “We don’t want anyone to feel they are on their own, by themselves.”
Youth, parents and others can find support through the group, which began in February and will next be held March 9.
The Sounding Room is an opportunity for people to connect and share their challenges, said Dent. The group may be structured with regular speakers or become an open discussion forum, depending on the wishes of those who attend.
“We are excited,” she said. “What we saw last year is that a lot of people were excited to finally find other people they could share openly with, who mirrored their own experiences.”
Both the new group and the conference will provide safe places where people can talk, the organizers hope.
Many sponsors stepped up to help fund the conference last year, Dent said. “Squamish was very, very generous last year and we are absolutely grateful for that.”
Instead of selling tickets, Safe ’n’ Sound has a suggested $10 donation for those who come to the March 19 conference. “Funding should never be a reason why people don’t participate,” the executive director explained.
The keynote speaker, Smudge, well known in Vancouver as an LGBTQ+ entertainer, has also been generous in reducing her fee to help, she added. Smudge’s onstage performance will include a surprise, Dent said.
Blackman-Wulff also praised the Squamish community for stepping up to help.
“I love that we were so warmly welcomed last year and we can continue our work for the community, for the youth, creating that dialogue,” he said, noting the conference, Sound Room group and planned rainbow crosswalks downtown are all signs that Squamish is becoming more accepting of LGBTQ+ people.
“No one needs to keep their truths to themselves. I know how it feels to grow up that way,” he said, noting that the conversation about being gay here was once a “taboo, shush-shush conversation.”
“In 2016, we have definitely come a long way, but we have a long way to go in terms of meeting everyone’s needs and creating that safe environment.”
For more information, visit www.safensoundsquamish.com.
