Wednesday, May 15, 2024, 3-5 p.m.
Zoom Webinar (Register below!)
Have you been hearing a lot about SOGI 1 2 3, but aren't entirely sure what it's all about? Are you a parent, guardian, or caregiver doing your best to take care of your kids? Please sign up below for this panel discussion featuring educators and students with direct knowledge of and experience with SOGI 1 2 3 as it exists in B.C. classrooms. We hope to dispel some dangerous myths and move beyond the harmful rhetoric that is causing so much damage to our communities, and instead create a foundation of respect and understanding that is welcoming to all.
Hosted by the KPU Pride Advocacy Group in recognition of International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia.
Sponsored by the Office of Equity and Inclusive Communities.
Meet our speakers
Dutch, Regional Program Manager for SOGI 1 2 3, Arc Foundation
Dutch is a leader in the business and non-profit sectors with a focus on supporting children and youth. As a Métis person, they are committed to decolonization, and ensuring hope, belonging, meaning and purpose is attained by all students in the K-12 system and beyond. They are passionate about using their workshop facilitation and research experience to create systems change. Dutch is a Regional Program Manager for SOGI 1 2 3 at the Arc Foundation, the non-profit organization that provides ongoing support for SOGI-inclusive education in BC.
Annie Ohana, Indigenous Department Head, L.A. Matheson Secondary School
Annie Ohana is an award-winning Anti-Oppression Curriculum Specialist, Community Organizer, and Secondary Public School Educator currently serving as Indigenous Department Head at LA Matheson Secondary in Surrey, BC. She holds a Masters Degree in Equity Studies and has received multiple awards for her intersectional justice work, from the Prime Minister’s Excellence in Teaching Award in 2017 to a Top 10 finalist for the Global Teacher Prize in 2023. By encouraging critical thinking, positive citizenry, policy changes, and resistance activism, Annie works endlessly to bring forward transformation in not just our education system but in our world. She believes that we all play a role in intersectional empowerment and are accountable to a high standard of human rights while uplifting the voices of decolonization, justice for the global majority and 2SLGTBQIA+ folks. We must educate to liberate.
Destiny Lang, KPU Student Ambassador
Destiny Lang (they/them) is a queer and trans fashion design student, Pride Peer Leader, and Pride Advocacy Group member at KPU. Before graduating from high school in 2022, they volunteered as a Student SOGI Advisor on the Richmond School District SOGI Advisory Committee, hosting professional development workshops for over 200 School District staff on intersectionality and privilege. From 2022-2024, Destiny served as the Kwantlen Student Association's Queer Students Representative. They successfully advocated to add gender-affirming care coverage to the KSA Health and Dental Plan. Destiny's advocacy enables KPU to be the first BC post-secondary institution using Gallivan Student Insurance to provide gender-affirming care coverage.
Dr. Tara Lyons, Faculty, KPU Department of Criminology
Dr. Tara Lyons is a faculty member in the KPU Criminology Department and Chair of the KPU Research Ethics Board. Her qualitative and community-based research examines how intersecting social and structural factors shape the health and wellbeing of queer and trans people, sex workers, and people who use drugs. The perspective Dr. Lyons brings to our "Understanding SOGI" panel is informed not only by her work with the KPU Pride Advocacy Group and current research exploring the experiences of 2SLGBTQIA+ post-secondary students in the Lower Mainland, but also by her role as PAC President at an SD43 elementary school.