The World’s First Virtual Queer & Trans Museum Launches 2SLGBTQIA+ “Our History” Initiative in Schools Across Canada

Canadian Centre for Gender & Sexual Diversity (CCGSD) initiative designed to redress ignorance and intolerance

OTTAWA, April 04, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — On the International Day of Pink, April 10^th, the Canadian Centre for Gender & Sexual Diversity (CCGSD) will launch “Our History” – an education initiative to provide a stronger voice for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and spread awareness amongst Canadians. Anticipating the launch of Canada’s first dedicated 2SLGBTQIA+ museum scheduled to open in Ottawa in 2021, “Our History” is part of CCGSD’s mission to curate and share stories from the community and to provide a platform to redress ignorance and intolerance.

“Our History” is both a campaign and a mini-museum project opening in seven schools across Canada on April 10th. Celebrities, activists and local politicians like Olympian Mark Tewksbury, Canada’s first elected gay politician Svend Robinson and CCGSD founder Jeremy Dias will be unveiling their personal unique ‘Trailblazers’ Exhibitions in participating schools in North Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg, Ottawa, Toronto and Cape Breton. These mini-exhibitions are designed to share their unique history and culture while enhancing existing educational programming.

“The International Day of Pink, where one in three Canadians wear pink has been very successful but wearing pink doesn’t stop bullying alone—education does. We’re seeking additional ways to help educate Canadians and to raise awareness,” says Jeremy Dias, Executive Director at the CCGSD. “Most Canadians don’t know the history of our 2SLGBTQIA+ community, so this will help bring that history to life and help guide young people away from the ignorance and intolerance brought about by basic lack of information.” Dias adds, “The “Our History” program represents a huge shift in advocacy efforts to engage with Canadians in an inclusive manner in communities across the country.”

Along with the photo exhibits in schools and sharing the stories of Canada’s 2SLGBTQIA+ community across the country, CCGSD has also created a study guide that highlights 22 remarkable stories. The study guide will help educators get their students more involved in learning more about Canada’s 2SLGBTQIA+ history. Dias says, “This study guide teaches and preserves our history, furthering the advocacy of gender and sexual diversity for generations to come.”

The “Our History” initiative was created along with Saatchi & Saatchi Toronto. CCGSD will also be partnering with ZED, a Generation Z-run agency recently launched by Republic, and leveraging their national network of 16 to 24 year-olds to share the content through their own personal channels, seeking to increase accessibility to the audience CCGSD strives to reach.

The campaign will live across various platforms over the course of the campaign. From print newspaper ads disguised as crossword puzzles to sponsored content on YouTube and Instagram as well as native postings and stories on the CCGSD’s Instagram account, the content aims to get the community involved in creating awareness and advocacy.

The campaign coincides with the CCGSD’s major fundraising drive to secure $20,000,000 to build the museum, a 26,000 square foot centre for gender and sexual diversity—the first of its kind in the world. With the recent Ontario government cuts to program funding, the CCGSD seeks the support of Canadians ensuring the 2021 museum can be a beacon for the community’s rights and advocacy in the future. With a financial boost from Canadians, CCGSD can continue advocating for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community for years to come. To support the organization, donations can be made at http://ccgsd-ccdgs.com/donate. #OurHistory #CCGSD #DayofPink

About the CCGSD
The Canadian Centre for Gender and Sexual Diversity (CCGSD) intersectionally promotes diversity in gender identity, gender expression, and romantic and/or sexual orientation in all its forms on a national level through services in the areas of arts, heritage, history, education, health, and advocacy. Our resources and programming can be used to uplift gender and sexual minorities, as well as give the tools to wider populations in building allyship.

As a leader in anti-discrimination work, CCGSD runs programming all over Canada and the United States. Because of hundreds of volunteers, CCGSD is able to reach over 250,000 people annually. The organization is also a proud leader in the International Day of Pink (DayOfPink.org), engaging millions of people in wearing pink and to run programs that stand up to bullying. Find out more about CCGSD & the International Day of Pink, and get involved in making your community a safer and more diverse place at http://ccgsd-ccdgs.org/.

About Saatchi

Saatchi & Saatchi has grown from a start-up advertising agency in London in 1970 to a global creative communications company headquartered in New York with 130 offices in 70 countries and over 6500 employees. Saatchi & Saatchi is part of the Publicis Groupe, the world’s third largest communications group.

Saatchi & Saatchi is a full service, integrated communications network working with 6 of the top 10 and over half of the top 50 global advertisers. Saatchi & Saatchi is in the business of getting people to fall in love with its clients’ products and services. Through creative ideas across all media and all disciplines, they set out to turn brands into Lovemarks which, unlike brands, generate loyalty beyond reason. Saatchi & Saatchi believe passionately in the power of ideas to differentiate and motivate. And to change the world for the better.

About ZED
A subsidiary of empathy marketing agency, Republic, ZED is a Generation Z agency. Led by members of Generation Z, this agency is focused on connecting brands and companies with this rapidly growing generation. In addition to our ZED team, the agency consists of a network of Generation Z across Canada who can join and contribute to the strategy, creation and evaluation of client work.

Charity contact (CCGSD):
Jeremy Dias
info@ccgsd-ccdgs.org
613-858-3427

Media contact (Republic, Canada):
Rob Mabee
rob@republicstory.com
403-512-3069

List of events and locations open to the media & media contacts:

Toronto: Queen Alexandra Middle School (181 Broadview Ave, Toronto, ON M4M 2G3)

Starts at: 11am (EST)

Board Media contact : Shari.Schwartz-maltz@tdsb.on.ca & 416-518-5551
Principal: Mervi.Salo@tdsb.on.ca & 416-393-9535
Featuring: Mayor John Tory; Media Contact: Lawvin Hadisi: lawvin.hadisi@toronto.ca & 647-460-7507
Featuring Director of the School Board, John Malloy; Media Contact: Schwartz-Maltz, Shari; Shari.Schwartz-maltz@tdsb.on.ca & 416-518-5551
Featuring Chair of the Board, Robin Pilkey; Media Contact: Schwartz-Maltz, Shari; Shari.Schwartz-maltz@tdsb.on.ca & 416-518-5551
Featuring Mark Tewksbury: rob@republicstory.com & 403-512-3069
CCGSD Media contact: Cameron Aitken: community@ccgsd-ccdgs.org & 613-606-4656

Ottawa: Cedarview Middle School (2750 Cedarview Rd, Nepean, ON K2J 4J2)

Starts: 9:30am (EST)

Principal: Alain Brule: alain.brule@ocdsb.ca & 613-825-2185
Featuring Jeremy Dias: info@ccgsd-ccdgs.org & 613-858-3427
CCGSD Media contact: Calla Barnett: calla@ccgsd-ccdgs.org & 613-293-4457

North Vancouver: Seycove Secondary School (1204 Caledonia Ave, North Vancouver, BC V7G 2A6)

Starts: 10am (PDT)

School contact: Andrea Yeo: ayeo@sd44.ca & 604-903-3666
Featuring: Mayor Linda Buchanan; Media Contact: Ann Gordon-Tighe, Executive Assistant, Office of the Mayor: agordontighe@cnv.org & 604.998.3280
Featuring: Svend Robinson: sjr99@hotmail.com & 604-618-2722
Featuring: MLA Jane Thornthwaite : Jane.Thornthwaite.MLA@leg.bc.ca & 604.983.9852
Featuring: Libby Davies: libbydavies@gmail.com
CCGSD Media Contact: Jeremy Dias: info@ccgsd-ccdgs.org & 613-858-3427