“I have heard endless stories of queer folks who tell me that when they came out, they lost their church home…which in some cases will lead to losing housing if it was attached to their church community or support system,” shares Becca Sawyer, a 2SLGBTQ+ community builder, facilitator, speaker, and future psychotherapist.
Through story and statistics, Becca explores the high rates of homelessness in the queer community, and aspects of such homelessness, all the while pointing forward in hope.
In this episode, Becca wonders how we might work together to create safe and supportive spaces where the gifts of queer people are recognized and celebrated. Our response to that question, in relationship with the queer community, could literally save lives.
This is Becca’s presentation from the Beyond Housing to Homefulness Symposium co-hosted by Empire Remixed and the Sorrento Centre in Spring 2021. She was speaking to us from the traditional territory of the Huron Wendat, the Anishnabeg, the Haudenosaunee, and the Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nations, in the city now known as Toronto, which is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.
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He currently serves as the Director of Missional Renewal for the Anglican Diocese of Kootenay on the unceded territories of the Sinixt, Syilx, and Ktunaxa nations. He previously served as the Director of Ministry Innovation at Christ Church Cathedral in Vancouver, BC.
Andrew is cofounder and contributing editor at www.empireremixed.com, and co-editor of "A Sort of Homecoming: Essays Honoring the Academic and Community Work of Brian Walsh" with Marcia Boniferro and Amanda Jagt.