training

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education

education

The CCGSD is committed to building a world without discrimination, built on three pillars: education, research, and advocacy. We believe that education is tied to liberation, and we are committed to playing our part in the movement for a better world. 

Below, you will find the CCGSD’s educational workshops divided according to program. Don’t see what you’re looking for? E-mail our Manager of Programs –we may be able to build something just for you!

To learn more about the principles used in the development of our educational catalogue, view our Mission, Vision, and Values statement.

 [1] United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) The Investment Case for Education and Equity. January 2015.

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education

Popular Workshops

Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE)

  • Grades 7-8, 9-12
  • 60-75 minutes
  • English and French

Our flagship workshop! An introduction to the principles of gender diversity and diverse attraction. This workshop will encourage students to reflect on their own experience of who they are, and how to be respectful to those around them who may be different. It is primarily focused on identifying and avoiding stereotypes, developing confidence in our own diversity, and developing empathy for others.

This workshop is adjusted based on curricular learning objectives for each grade grouping. For more detailed information, please submit a workshop request form.

  • Grades 4-6
  • 60 mins 
  • English and French

This workshop introduces younger-grade students to gender identity, expression, biological sex, and diverse families! Through discussion and reflection, students will understand how gender identity is different from sex, how gender expression can come in many forms, as well as some examples of different types of love and families. Students will also walk away being able to identify homophobia, and with ideas on how to be an ally to other students. 

This workshop is related to the following curriculum: Human Development and Sexual Health (Grades 4-6), Social-Emotional Learning skills

  • Grades 7-12
  • 60-75 minutes
  • English (French may be available upon request)

What is consent and how do we even talk about it? This workshop addresses these questions and more! Participants will learn to identify what consent looks like, what are some common myths about consent, and how to identify non-consensual interactions.

  • Grades 6-8; 10-12
  • 60-75 minutes
  • English (French may be available upon request)

This workshop addresses similar topics at both grade levels, but is tied to particular curriculum expectations according to grade.

Grades 6-8: Let’s bust some myths! This workshop dives into the world of biodiversity and some of the weirdest and most awesome animals on the planet. Are there really only two sexes? Are males always bigger than females? Can an animal really be “gay”? All these questions and more will be answered in our whirlwind tour of biodiversity and myths in the animal kingdom. 

Relevant curriculum: Understanding Life Systems (Biodiversity)

Grades 10+: This workshop breaks down some of the biggest myths about queer and trans people using cold, hard science. We’ll break down gender vs sex, explain intersex conditions, look at cultural bias in science, and figure out whether or not homosexuality really is “unnatural”. It’s time to think critically!

Relevant curriculum: Grade 10 Science (Biology),  Grade 11 Biology (Anatomy of Mammals, Genetics)

  • Grades 7-12
  • 60-75 minutes
  • English

This workshop promotes healthy relationships and helps prevent unhealthy relationships and violence. It is an interactive and discussion-based module advocating for greater self-love, defining the cornerstones of healthy relationships, and improving effective communication and conflict resolution skills in students.

  • Grades 9+
  • 60-75 minutes
  • English

What is HIV anyways? This introductory workshop covers the foundations of HIV, including how HIV and AIDS work, the history of HIV’s emergence in the 1980s, and more. Students will learn how HIV spreads and what they can do to prevent the spread of HIV. HIV education is for everyone regardless of their HIV status and this interactive workshop covers the basics of what young people should know about HIV. 

  • Grades 9+
  • 60-75 minutes
  • English

How does an egg become fertilized? What does ovulation mean? How are STIs transmitted? How often should I get tested? This workshop takes students through the basics of pregnancy and STIs with the goal of promoting safer sex practices. Using a gender-inclusive approach that discusses sexual and reproductive anatomy and functions of people with all parts, students will leave the session with a base knowledge of how pregnancy occurs, how STIs are transmitted, different contraceptive methods, STI testing, and more!

  • Grades: 9-12
  • Time: 60-75 minutes
  • Language: English

Beyond Body Binaries: An introduction to body image, health, and identity helps students understand how our social identities, oppressions, and privileges are deeply connected to our experiences of health and how our bodies are judged, perceived, and treated. Students will reflect on beauty standards and how they can be kinder and more supportive of themselves and their peers when talking about bodies, weight, and health. We take students through an internet analysis activity to investigate the ways that beauty standards show up in media and popular culture.

CSE – Gender Based Violence Prevention

    An introductory 90 minute workshop overviewing the basics of misogynoir through definitions, examples, and interactive components to provide a basis of understanding on how anti-Black racism and misogyny uniquely impact Black girls, women, and femmes.

    An introductory 90 minute workshop delving into toxic masculinity through definitions, examples, and interactive components to provide a basis of understanding on what toxic masculinity is, how it manifests in our societies, and how it impacts all genders. 

    INTERSECTIONALITY AND DIVERSITY (I&D)

    • Grades 7-12
    • 60 minutes
    • English

    This workshop introduces students to the principles of oppression, privilege, and intersectionality. Students are introduced to an opportunity to plot their identities according to their experience with race, gender, social class, family life, ability, and religion. This workshop is an introduction to those uncomfortable but necessary conversations we need to have about why the world is the way it is, and how that experience is unique to each of us. Students will develop a deeper understanding of themselves and multiple aspects of their identity in relation to others around them.

    • Grades 6-12
    • 60 minutes
    • English

    The aim of this workshop is to give students the opportunity to explore the way we use labels to identify each other and to consider the ways that those labels affect how others think about us, how we behave, and how we think about ourselves. Through better understanding how labels and stereotypes impact us, students can reach a better understanding on how to approach labels and stereotypes.

    • Grades 9-12
    • 60 minutes
    • English

    While the Intersecting Identities workshop gives an introduction to understanding identity and positionality, Power & Privilege joins as the second part of the Intersecting Identities workshop and helps students dive into a deeper understanding of oppression, power, and privilege. Through interactive questions and thought provoking conversations, students will be able to enhance their understanding of their positionality in society and allow them to navigate the world more effectively.

    I&D – youth network project

    • Grades 9-12
    • 60 minutes
    • English

    This workshop aims to help students navigate burnout and compassion fatigue they might be experiencing from taking part in activism and current social movements. Students will learn about setting boundaries, self care, and healthy survival strategies to stay hopeful in a changing world. Through interactive questions and conversations, participants will leave with a greater understanding of how to self-soothe after experiencing burnout, as well as steps in order to prevent it.

    • Grades 9-12
    • 60 minutes
    • English

    Through a culturally and religiously diverse framework, this workshop will investigate the concept of “Coming Out” and why this language can be harmful to the 2SLGBTQ+ community. Students will be able to have dynamic and constructive conversations around what this idea means to them, and how the concept of “Letting In” others into queer and trans identities can give individuals more autonomy and agency.

    • Grades 6-12
    • 60 minutes
    • English

    With a focus on highlighting the  value of intersectionality, this workshop will take a creative approach in using poetry as a means of highlighting an intersectional framework. What does it mean to think about ourselves, and others, as people with multiple identities? In focusing on a stanza from the poem, “I Am Black Before Woman in February” by Crystal Valentine, and the ways in which she makes space for her Black, queer, and woman identity, participants will get a chance make a version of this poem that feels authentic to them and in this way, engage with intersectionality through an artistic lens.

    • Grades 6-12
    • 60 minutes
    • English

    In having popular media depict queer folks through the narrow lens of the stereotypical funny, relatable sidekick in the story of life, and rarely the main character, students will be encouraged to think of what it would look like to change this narrative. This workshop will focus on the romanticization of self and leaning into our “main character energy”, and reclaim attention for our stories that deserve to be told, shared, and valued.

    • Grades 9-University
    • 90 minutes
    • English

    Changing With The Seasons: Trans* & Non-Binary Film Viewing and Discussion is a collaborative workshop provided by CCGSD & Story Money Impact in hopes of bringing social change through film and critical discussion led by and for QTBIPOC youth. QUINN follows the life of a non-binary person as they navigate this world as a young adult, find happiness, and discover who they truly are. Students will have a chance to discuss how the film relates to their own lives, as well as to provide an opportunity to explore what allyship can look like from family members and peers.

    Queer History (QH)

    Description: 

    This workshop provides a brief introduction into the countless stories, experiences, and histories of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities within Turtle Island (also known as Canada). Through this workshop, students will be provided the opportunity to think critically about what they know about Canadian history, and whose voices and histories are often silenced and/or excluded from Canadian public understandings and narratives of the past. In exploring different themes within 2SLGBTQIA+ history in Canada in the format of a group trivia game, students will learn about important historical events, protests, organizations, and advocacy within queer and trans communities that will provide them a more representative, and inclusive understanding of Canadian History.

    Length: 1 Hour 

    (Note: While this workshop is prepared for a 1 hour delivery period, please let us know if you need adaptations to be made to best accommodate your class / group.)

    Professional Development: Inclusivity Workshops and Training Program

    Note: Our bookings for professional development workshops for the rest of 2023 are closed. If you would like to request a workshop for January 2024 and beyond please use the form below.

    The Canadian Centre for Gender and Sexual Diversity (CCGSD) offers inclusivity workshops and training (workshops, trainings, resource development, presence as panelists) in alignment with its mission to build and empower gender and sexually diverse communities through education and part of its commitment to advancing awareness and rights of gender and sexual diversity to build on its efforts to create a better world free of discrimination. 

    The workshops and training are available to organizations of all sizes across sectors including:

    • Large corporations
    • Small and medium enterprises (SMEs)
    • Nonprofits
    • Teacher/school boards 
    • Post-secondary education institutions 
    • Health care providers 
    • Agencies, boards, and commissions (ABCs) 
    • Unions
    • Government departments

    These professional development services are outside of our core programming delivery,  providing free workshops and programming to youth.

    Themes/Topics we offer

    We align our professional development offerings with our current educational focuses. Below is a breakdown of some offerings that are available under each subject area. Please note that that is not an exhaustive list and offerings can be tailored to the specific needs of the organization/group.

    • Gender and Sexuality 101 and associated topics
      • Gender Identity, Expression, Biological Sex
      • Pronouns and Gender
    • Allyship 101 (specifically around 2SLGBTQIA+ people)
      • Organizational best practices to promote safer spaces for 2SLGBTQI+ staff, clients and community members
      • How to intervene when you observe discrimination and microaggressions
    • Supporting 2SLGBTQIA+ clients, patients, and service users
      • Diversifying Sexual Health Information/Services
      • Making the information available more inclusive of gender and sexually diverse folks, specifically trans folks
    • Queer Pasts: Intro to 2SLGBTQIA+ History in Canada
      • An introduction to 2SLGBTQIA+ History and entry points into thinking about queer and trans history in and beyond Canada
    • The History of the Medicalization of Queer and Trans Identities
      • Exploring the ways that queer and trans identities have been medicalized, and how this medicalization has been experienced, and also navigated by 2SLGBTQIA+ community
      • Use of case studies as ways to engage with this history
    • Caring for 2SLGBTQIA+ stories and experiences in your Historical work
      • Best practices for engaging with 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, specifically queer and trans youth, within your historical work
    • Engaging 2SLGBTQIA+ Youth in Canadian History
      • How to support 2SLGBTQIA+ youth in seeing themselves represented in ‘Canadian History’: practices on how to bring 2SLGBTQIA+ experiences and histories into your classrooms / work
    • Anti-Racism and Anti-Oppression
      • 101 level and deeper
    • Intersecting Identities
      • Unpacking understanding about identity, intersectionality, privilege, power, oppression, labels
    • Power and Privilege
      • Intersecting Identities Part 2 – deeper exploration of intersectionality, power, privilege and oppression
    • Challenging Conversion Practices: Understanding Bill C-4, Conversion Practices, and Support Systems for Organizations
      • A know your rights workshop targeted to educate on Bill-C4, conversion practices and what supports look like.
    How people book

    Interested parties can request professional development services via our website and filling out a form.

    in-partnership

    The CCGSD is currently developing workshops in partnership with community experts and marginalized folks interested in sharing their lived experiences. The presentation of these workshops is subject to each community member’s availability and unique requirements. 

    If you have a unique community perspective and would be interested to share it with children and youth, please contact Mofi Badmos, Manager of Programs.

    At this time, we are prioritizing partnership opportunities with Two Spirit and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Colour).

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