There is a pressing need for more 2SLGBTQ+ support in the tightly knit community of

South East Manitoba. Not only is there lacking support but also a concerning absence of

education or even resources for those struggling within the community. This missing

understanding is damaging to those struggling with their identity. There are few safe,

non-judgemental, places for such youth and adults.

Though places such as Steinbach Neighbours, Steinbach Regional Secondary School’s

GSA, and Backstage exist, this excludes individuals. Steinbach neighbours is a support group

only for parents with children in the 2SLGBTQ+ community. The school’s GSA is only for

students attending the SRSS. And Backstage is associated with christianity (which can trigger

past trauma in individuals) and is only for youth. It has become clear there is a need for

something else

As a support group that emphasizes confidentiality and anonymity, we want to create a

safe place for people in the community to be themselves and to contemplate their identities. We

want to combine the model of Backstage, and the SRSS’s GSA, along with introducing

accessible information and education. Unifying the Steinbach community by giving voice to the

LGBTQ+ population will allow both communities to thrive and at the least, coexist