Chroma New Brunswick to host 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusive allyship workshops

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Chroma NB is a community organization that works on advocating for the 2SLGBTQIA+ people of the Saint John area.

(Chroma NB/Facebook)

They work to promote initiatives and highlight problems faced by the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Moreover, Chroma NB seeks to address the queer community’s needs.

What are their allyship workshops?

(Chroma NB/Facebook)

Chroma NB offers two packages of their workshops; a basic package and a standard package.

Their basic package includes resource packets, a two-hour workshop with a question period, and a review of physical space for inclusivity. The basic package will discuss Gender 101 and LGBTQIA+. It costs $175 for a non-profit, $300 for businesses, and $350 for government operations.

The standard package includes a more in-depth workshop that lasts for two and a half hours and focuses on gender, sexuality, identity, LGBTQIA+ allyship, inclusivity, and intersectionality. The standard package for an organization includes a review of physical space, resource packets, and the ability to follow up with workshop facilitators.

This package costs $250 for non-profit, $350 for businesses, and $500 for government operations.

Each package will have a post-training follow-up, booked three months after the initial workshop.

Furthermore, policy amendments, policy creation, and website and documentation assessments for inclusive policy-making and language can be purchased for an additional hourly rate of $50.

Vice President of Special Projects Kieran Pridgeon emphasized that this program is not “one and done,” meaning it is a continuous learning opportunity.

Who are these for?

(Chroma NB/Facebook)

Chroma’s allyship workshops are for businesses and organizations that wish to understand better how to be an ally best.

Pridgeon says that this program can help businesses and organizations support their clients and employees and work to create a welcoming space for all.

They highlighted that the Boys and Girls Club (BGC) community organizations have benefitted significantly from these programs.

Structure of the workshops

The maximum group size for these workshops is 12, but a 10 per cent discount will be granted to larger groups that require multiple sessions.

The workshops are primarily intended to take place in person. Pridgeon says it is ideal to happen in-person to review the physical space participants are in properly. This can help make a space feel more welcoming through the proper use of signage and posters.

Pridgeon says that Chroma NB is also open to virtually delivering the workshops.

What are the outcomes?

This workshop teaches the basic understanding of the 2SLGBTQIA+ acronym to learn about the vast number of people that it encompasses.

Participants will learn about proper pronoun use and how to work and speak with people from the 2SLGBTQIA+ community respectfully.

Chroma’s allyship workshop is unique because of the intersectional approach it takes. Pridgeon noted that “people in the queer community aren’t just queer.”

They continued by saying that it’s essential to take an intersectional approach because “there are queer disabled folks and queer racial minorities.”

For more information about Chroma NB, click here. For more information about their allyship workshop, click here. 

You can reach Chroma NB regarding anything by emailing them at query@chromanb.ca. Follow their socials here.

Emily is in her third-year of Political Science. She loves studying and academics which follows into her research work. She's an avid plant mom and a stern black coffee drinker. When she's not working or doing school work, you can find her listening to 70s music on vinyl and watching Parks and Recreation.