As Queer History Month begins in October, so too does a new chapter for MacEwan University’s Centre for Sexual and Gender Diversity (CSGD).

“Creating designated space on campus where people can connect and share their diverse perspectives in a respectful way is a critical part of providing a well-rounded undergraduate education,” says Dr. Annette Trimbee, president and vice-chancellor. “We know first-hand the importance of place and believe there is incredible value in continuing to create beautiful, dedicated physical spaces for people to come together and continue building a culture – inside our university and beyond – that is supportive and inclusive.”

CSGD’s new physical location inside Roundhouse (Room 11-190) is part gathering space, part learning space and part study space.

“The centre offers a broad range of programming to meet the needs identified by our community members – students, faculty and staff,” says Jessica Scalzo, program coordinator for CSGD. “Workshops, resources and educational initiatives that are research-based are balanced with community- and connection-building initiatives. Ultimately, we are creating a place where people can be their full authentic selves without the fear of judgment and discrimination.”

As part of its grand opening, the centre is hosting a week of events and activities from October 3 to 7 – but that’s just the beginning.

Join the Centre for Sexual and Gender Diversity for a week of grand opening celebrations and activities from October 3 to 7.
See events

The CSGD Common Room will be open every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visitors are welcome to study, contribute to one of the ongoing art projects, hang out with PAWSS dogs (every second Monday from 2 to 3 p.m.), and check out the centre’s growing library or just stop by for a conversation with Scalzo and Kristie Benson. 

Jessica Scalzo and Kristie Benson stand alongside a colourful hanging quilt in their office space in the Centre for Sexual and Gender Diversity

Jessica Scalzo, program coordinator, and Kristie Benson, program assistant, in the new CSGD office space across from the Common Room.

“We look at ourselves as “aunties” to our students – someone they can go to and get good advice, a good cup of tea, and be loved, respected and affirmed,” says Scalzo.  “We've tried to model our space after that – to make it feel like a home. We appreciate how crucial it is for people to have a deep connection with others, especially during monumental times in our lives, like the university years. So when students come here, we want them to know that they can count on us.”

The centre also has several other initiatives underway – Pride Week, Out@MacEwan (a new resource listing of faculty and staff who are out on campus), the Edmonton Queer History Project, Pride Tape, Staff and Faculty Fridays, North Side Pride and much more. Visit MacEwan.ca/CSGD to learn more and get involved. 

Spirit Journey welcomes visitors

Lance Cardinal, who attended MacEwan’s Theatre Arts program in 1996, was back on campus creating a new mural to help CSGD welcome visitors to the new space.

“My time at MacEwan started my arts journey – I was a professional actor, moved into set design and then visual art,” says the alum of Emily Carr University. “I was a very lost spirit back when I was at MacEwan, so I love that the university has created a space for people like me – spaces that give young people a feeling of normality, acceptance, belonging and identity. Having a piece of my work here in a place that reflects that kind of energy and that prominently shows Indigenous people and Two Spirit identity is special to me.”

Here, Cardinal walks us through his latest work.

gallery-img-CSGD-9134jpg.jpg Lance Cardinal kneels while completing part of the new CSGD mural
“When I was first approached to create a piece for the centre, I really wanted to talk about Two-Spirit and gender identity. Spirit Journey is about the journey we take as Two-Spirit people – learning about our culture again, discovering our gender role and seeing the world through the Creator’s eyes.”
gallery-img-9101-csgd-opening.jpg A close-up of Cardinal painting flowers and leaves along the outside edge of the mural
“Mother Earth is in the centre of the piece, overlooking young people and wearing her progress flag Pride dress. She is a part of that Indigenous culture, showcased through the tipi and the medicine wheel. On the sides, there are two genderless spirits moving up toward the Creator, elevating themselves and moving toward their own self-enlightenment, cultural enlightenment, gender and sexuality enlightenment. I always pay homage to my grandmother, who was a bead worker and always put flowers in her work. I always try to include flowers in my work as well.”
gallery-img-9244-csgd-opening.jpg A close up of a faceless figure in the mural
“There are never any faces or genders in my work. I like to celebrate the way we used to be. The world of the legends and stories where we spoke to the animals and lived with the animals. We didn’t have gender roles in those days, or words for gender roles. I love that idea.”
gallery-img-9239-csgd-opening.jpg The completed mural
“I hope people look at this piece and see who we are beyond politics and what people know of us. I hope they understand that our way of thinking and believing is based on the earth, the spirit of who we are and the relationships we have with each other – our kinships with each other. I hope they see that it’s okay to have a voice as an Indigenous person. That it’s okay to have a voice as a Two-Spirit person or as a trans person. Indigenous people still face a lot of lateral violence in the community We’re still fighting those biases. I hope this work brings a place to start a conversation. That it’s a place to feel an open heart about the topic.”

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