2024 letter to GSAs

Dear Gay/Straight Alliance Sponsors,

I am writing you today from the Elderberries, Nova Scotia’s 2SLGBTQIA+ “elder states person” speakers group.

One of the services we make available is providing panels of speakers and outreach to NS youth about our lived experience, answering questions they may have about coming out, what life is like as an adult 2SLGBTQIA+ person, and the history of 2SLGBTQIA+ people from a personal perspective. If your GSA would like to arrange a panel discussion or if your school has a Pride Day or Wellness event and wants a representative from the Elderberries to speak you can contact us at:

 AtlanticCanadaElderberries@gmail.com

I would also like to share with you some other resources that might be of use to teachers:

To include 2SLGBTQIA+ content in your course work:

https://unerased.org/

This service provides course modules to teachers that integrate directly into approved curricula. Please contact Deb or Danny directly through the website and they can help you to integrate 2SLGBTQIA+ content into your classroom. This is a service independent of the Elderberries.

A simple timeline of Canadian 2SLGBTQIA+ history:

https://www.queerevents.ca/queer-history/canadian-history-timeline

This is a simple overview of historical Canadian events. This is a service independent of the Elderberries.

Extensive stories and archives of Maritime events

https://gay.hfxns.org/FrontPage

This is free service providing a broad overview of events and people who shaped the 2SLGBTQIA+ experience in Nova Scotia, the Maritimes and Canada in general. Many of the stories are reported by the people who lived them. This is a service independent of the Elderberries.

Pride Resources:

https://www.halifaxpride.com/nsresources

This is a list of support services, most of which are free to access for 2SLGBTQIA+ people or their allies. Pride is an independent group from the Elderberries. Many of the services listed are for HRM.

Youth Group:

https://youthproject.ns.ca/education/

This group also provides panels to youth to discuss issues around the 2SLGBTQIA+ experience. They also provide services in some areas like drop-ins, several outside of HRM. They are an independent group from the Elderberries.

Help/helplines:

https://www.youtube.com/user/itgetsbetterproject

The ItGetsBetterProject was started by sex columnist Dan Savage and his husband Terry to provide a better narrative to kids struggling with 2SLGBTQIA+ issues. It provides hundreds of online videos from real people who discuss their journeys in a frank and accessible way. The group is sponsored by Google and is not associated with the Elderberries.

https://www.youthline.ca/our-programs/peer-support/

This group provides text and chat based services to youth questioning or concerned about 2SLGBTQIA+ issues. It is open from 4pm-9:30pm EST. It is not affiliated with the Elderberries.

https://itgetsbettercanada.org/get-help/

This webpage provides a comprehensive list of helplines and groups for kids in crisis. It is independent of the Elderberries.

LGBT Youth Helpline: call 1-800-268-9688 or text 647-694-4275

This is a free helpline based in Ontario providing peer-based support for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth. It is not associated with the Elderberries.

Trans Lifeline: call 1-877-330-6366

This is a service run by and for Trans people to provide help navigating issues related to the Trans experience. It is independent of the Elderberries.