A Zine-Making Workshop for Survivors of Sexual Assault and their Allies

Starts: Wednesday, February 15th 2012 at 6:00 pm
Ends: Wednesday, February 15th 2012 at 8:00 pm

*Please note: Our initial workshop took place on January 31st, but if you missed it you can still join in our weekly working meetings! The next meeting will take place on Wednesday, February 15th at 6pm at the 2110 Mackay location.

My name is Anne, and I’m a student at Concordia in Community Policy Studies and Public Affairs. When I’m not juicing my brain in academia, I write poetry and facilitate sexual health workshops.

As a survivor, I want to make a zine that recognizes the diversity of identities and experiences of sexual assault survivors while encouraging alternative, risk reductive and self-mediated forms of expression, healing and support.

The 2110 Centre for Gender Advocacy is currently working on a sexual assault resource project to get some books for their library for survivors of sexual assault and their friends/allies. Most of the available books are written for straight, able-bodied, cis-gendered, white women. This zine aims to broaden the discussion.

I am looking for visual/verbal art, stories, and ideas from people of all genders and experiences. You can either bring your ideas with you to the workshop on January 31st, or we can brainstorm some ideas together.

All are welcome to send in submissions whether or not you are able to attend the workshop. The deadline for submissions is February 28th. If dropping off your submissions, please bring them to the 2110 Centre for Gender Advocacy located at 2110 Mackay. The Centre’s mailing address is 1455 de Maisonneuve O., Annex V-01 Montreal, QC H3G 1M8, or you can email your submissions to sexualhealth@centre2110.org.

I hope to include as many submissions as possible. You can request to have your work published with your name, pen name, or anonymously. My intent is that the project be focused on process, that is, that the creation of submissions be in itself a healing experience. Please note that space limitations may restrict the number of submissions that can be included.

I know that it’s tough to talk about experiences of sexual assault. I want to give you the space to say the things you need/want to say, and recognize that these things can sometimes be uncomfortable or scary. If you’re not sure about the direction you’re taking with your submission, someone from the editorial collective will be happy to act as a sounding board.

Also, if you’re working on your own zine and want to come hang out, you’re welcome to do that as well!

The workshop will take place at 1500 de Maisonneuve O., Suite 404 (corner of Mackay above Café Dépot)

The event space is wheelchair accessible.

Active listening volunteers will be in attendance if you feel the need to decompress at any point.

For more information, email sexualhealth[at]centre2110.org, or call Julie Michaud at 514-848-2424 x7431

Hope to see you there!