Introducing the #CHVCatchUp, a new monthly series featuring the latest updates and news from Covenant House Vancouver team. Miss604 is proud to be the Official Blog Partner of CHV.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, gender non-binary and two spirited youth are overrepresented in the homeless community. Covenant House Vancouver strongly believes all youth deserve unconditional love and absolute respect and LGBTQ2S+ youth are of course no exception.
Family rejection is the most common cause of LGBTQ2S+ youth homelessness
LGBTQ2S+ youth are much more likely to struggle with mental health concerns, including suicide
Covenant House Vancouver takes a trauma-informed, resilience-focused approach to accompanying the youth in their care
Staff participate in specialized training to ensure they have the necessary knowledge and awareness to create a welcoming space for LGBTQ2S+ youth
Andrew Finally Felt at Home
Andrew came to Covenant House Vancouver’s Crisis Program because his parents were not accepting of his gender identity. Before coming to Covenant House, Andrew had never lived anywhere other than his parents’ house. It was clear from his timid interactions with staff and other residents, that Andrew was not comfortable living at Covenant House in the beginning.
Covenant House Vancouver strives to be a safe and inclusive space for all youth and young people self-identify which Crisis Program is right for them. When Andrew told his parents he was a guy, they told him that he would only ever be a girl to them. Read about Andrew’s journey and how Covenant House Vancouver was a support to him.
Resources for LGBTQ2S+ Youth
Covenant House Vancouver’s Drop-In Center holds an event for LGBTQ2S+ youth on the 2nd Tuesday of each month from 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm.
There are 59 beds in their short-term Residential Crisis Program:
24 beds for female-identified, trans, and non-binary youth
35 beds for male-identified, trans, and non-binary youth
Trans, gender queer, non-binary and two-spirit youth may request to stay in which ever space they feel most comfortable in.
If you are youth in need of support or have questions, please contact Covenant House Vancouver toll free, at 1-877-685-7474 or click here.
The Vancouver Pride Parade is going virtual for 2020 due to COVID-19, bringing its incredible spirit and community directly to you through a series of a live stream #VanVirtualPride events on Sunday.
2019 Grand Marshall DJ O Show. Join DJ O Show every Thursday evening for her weekly show, and let her upbeat music and dynamic personality lift you up.
Vancouver Pride Parade
When: Sunday, August 2, 2020 from 12:00pm to 4:00pm Where: Live streamed on Facebook, Youtube, and Twitch
#VanVirtualPride parade day will consists of the following events:
40+ Years of Pride – 12:00pm Travel through 40 years of Pride history in Vancouver in a documentary produced just for Van Pride 2020 with footage from years of Vancouver Pride Parades and exclusive interviews with community members. Hosted by Joan-E and Kendall Gender.
Virtual Pride Parade – 1:00pm Pride can’t be cancelled – only re-imagined! Tune into the Vancouver Virtual Pride Parade, produced by Daily Hive Vancouver and hosted by Joan-E, for an hour of creative submissions and music.
Sunset Beach Main Stage Show – 2:00pm Dance in your living room or at your socially distanced patio party to the Sunset Beach Main Stage Show, featuring an all QTBIPOC line-up of performers. Headlined by Amythyst Kiah and Jamila Woods. Performers include: Amythyst Kiah, Jamila Woods, NIMKISH, DJ Abasi, SNAP, Shanique, Ebbie Akbar, Shawnee, Virago Nation, Jaylene Tyme, Kendall Gender, Shay Dior, and Owen.
Pride is More Than a Parade or Festival
From the organizers: “Pride is more than a parade or a festival – every year members of our communities reach out to tell us this. Pride is the first time they felt truly able to be their full selves. Pride is the day they felt unafraid in public. Pride is where they feel able to fully exist in a world that isn’t designed for them. Pride is holding hands and sharing a kiss free of fear, it is first dates and family members coming around, it is political, it is dancing till down, it is unabashedly taking up space.”
Follow the Vancouver Pride Society on Facebook for more info.
The Firehall Arts Centre PPE is a curated weekend, developed by Artistic Producer Donna Spencer, which will celebrate Pride in Vancouver with performances that empower and entertain.
Firehall Arts Centre PPE
When: July 31 to August 2, 2020
Where: Firehall Arts Centre’s courtyard stage* (280 E Cordova St, Vancouver)
Tickets: Very limited due to COVID safety guidelines, buy online now
Pride Performance Empowers!
Friday, July 31, 2020 at 7:30pm Well-known actor, writer, and all round great guy Allan Morgan will offer a witty and wild demonstration of his culinary skills in Baking and Dishing with Pride. In this piece drawn from his previous work, For the Young Gay, the Un-Gay and the Jaded Queen in All of Us, this one-person show follows Allan’s path from 1968 forward and chronicles his life as he begins to understand and accept his sexuality and looks at the points of connection between his life and the Gay Pride movement as we grow together.
Saturday, August 1, 2020 at 7:30pm Drag Kings and Queens will hold court on the Firehall Arts Centre’s courtyard stage. Hosted by Carlotta Gurl, the night will feature Pride weekend favourites Joan-E, Jaylene Tyme, Owen, and Brunch.
Sunday, August 2, 2020 at 4:00pm Award-winning queer actor, musician and triple threat performer, Sara Vickruck will bring her musical talents to the stage. Recently seen in the Firehall’s Talking Sex on Sunday, Vickruck self-produced her debut album Prologue in 2015. She co-created and composed the slam poetry musical with Anais West titled Poly Queer Love Ballad, which started touring in 2019. She is passionate about music as an art form to explore story and emotion.
*The Firehall Arts Centre has instituted safe physical distancing rules and has put in place Health and Safety Measures to ensure audiences, artists, and staff remain safe during all performances. A maximum of 40 people will be granted entry to each performance. Safe physical distancing rules are strongly encouraged in addition to wearing a face mask/covering. Face masks will be available for sale at the door.
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by Rebecca BollwittDisclosure: Review — Experience courtesy of Tourism Langley. Views and opinions are those of the author. Please review the Policy & Disclosure section for further information.
With a careful reopening of our province, it’s just the right time to enjoy the best of our own backyard. A great way to savour summer, with delectable local dishes and drinks, is to experience a Langley staycation, supporting businesses and farms in our region.
The patio at lelem, the vines at Backyard Vineyards, and a Frozen Rosé at S+L
A Langley Staycation
Just 45 minutes from Downtown Vancouver you’ll find authentic farm experiences to urban bistro patios, to a picnic in the park or stroll in the vineyard. Here is a delightful roundup of eateries where you can see where the #LangleyFresh moniker is well-earned.
Drive Thru Berry Waffles
Just when I thought that Krause Berry Farms (6179-248th Street in Langley) couldn’t top their ‘mile high strawberry pie’ offering they come up with drive thru berry waffles. Stay in your vehicle (or bring a chair to sit within your designated, distanced area, and cheerful staff will deliver a hefty platter of fresh-made waffles right to you from across the field. The topping? It depends what’s in season. I arrived in time for fresh-picked BC Blueberries, which was a perfect start to my Langley staycation.
