The Rainbow Coalition of Yellowknife has received $304,925 through the LGBTQ2 Capacity Building Fund to extend services and support to 2SLGBTQIA+ youth across the NWT.
The funds will go to the Coalition’s Growing Rainbow programing, creating new workshops, training and resources for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth, their families and their allies, as well as launching an online store and a social media campaign.
Moving forward, the Coalition is seeking to better support youth in the other 32 communities in the NWT that do not have the same access to resources and community support as YK.
Chelsea Thacker, Executive Director says they will seek collaboration with Indigenous organizations, fellow youth-serving organizations, and Gender & Sexuality Alliance clubs in schools across the territory to develop a platform that will support 2SLGBTQIA+ youth in remote communities.
“2SLGBTQIA+ youth deserve to feel safe, supported and empowered to live their truth, and communities need the tools to make that happen,” she adds.
The Coalition plans to hire contractors to develop new materials about the various gender identities and sexual orientations that exist within the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
The organization was one of 76 across the country to receive a grant from Women & Gender Equality Canada.
