In 2019, YouthOrganize (YO) launched as an online platform to support 2SLGBTQ+ youth in Ontario to build skills and support each other to better organize in their communities.
2SLGBTQ+ youth in partnership with LGBT YouthLine created resources to support youth looking to start something new for the first time as an organizer in their communities.
In 2021, the Youth Organize volunteers attended skill-building workshops such as Facilitation 101 and Community Outreach 101 to give them the tools to create their own identity-based, peer-led social spaces.
In 2023 and 2024, YouthOrganize hosted a series of arts-based workshops and drop-in/event spaces that were open to all 2SLGBTQ+ youth throughout the Peel and Halton regions.
Throughout these workshops, Youth Organize developed Coming Home: An Anthology, a collection of creative pieces (art, poetry, photographs, short stories) from 2SLGBTQ+ youth.
You can view and download a digital version of the anthology here, or make a donation for a physical copy on our Square shop.
Drop In Series
The Collaborative Visioning Session was a virtual Zoom event for 2SLGBTQ+ youth (ages 16-29) from Peel and Halton regions, hosted by Youth Organize, in collaboration with QTBIPOC Sauga. Youth who attended were invited to share their experiences and interests related to arts-based activities and workshops.
Games Night was a virtual event for 2SLGBTQ+ youth from Peel and Halton regions. Participants gathered on Zoom to play Jackbox Party pack games together.
YouthOrganize facilitated an arts-based workshop for the Halton Catholic School Board’s GSA retreat where participants created collaborative murals. See some of the murals that were created below.
Crafting Pride was a casual crafting social held in Brampton. See some of the crafts that were created below.
Give & Gift: Art Trade & Supply Swap was a mutual aid-based art space which embraced the ethos of reciprocal care. Participants traded and swapped art supplies with one another, while fostering a sense of community and support amongst 2SLGBTQ+ youth artists of Peel and Halton.
Workshops
Writing Rituals of a Queer Self Writing Rituals of a Queer Self was a four-workshop creative writing series facilitated by Lamoi Simmonds.
This series intended to deepen a confident and aligned queer self through writing exercises created to increase understanding of the power of ones voice through lived experiences expressed through poetry. Each session developed, stretched and increased the participants ability to story tell, to imagine, to engage with literary devices, to perform, to offer zoom community support, and to see themselves through a sacred, worthy and powerful lens.
Weaving Queer Futures
Saadia Khan (@saadiaweaves) facilitated an arts-based space for QTBIPOC youth from the Peel and Halton regions, teaching the textile art of weaving. Participants were provided with supplies and guided through a workshop series on the basics of weaving, including a brief history, connections to queerness, and personal narratives of crafting as healing.
Mural Painting
In collaboration with the Mississauga Arts Council (MAC) and their experienced artist mentor, Sally Ko, participants designed and painted two community murals on Bell utility boxes in Mississauga.
Drawing for Enjoyment: Character Art
In collaboration with PFLAG Halton, facilitated by artist Alisen Montoya (@alytoya), this workshop series had participants draw upon their creativity to create original characters and express themselves in a supportive space.
