Why Inclusivity Matters (from a personal approach)
I am a brother to two incredible sisters, Kaity and Jenna. Kaity has always been the responsible, compassionate one, who brings a sense of security and order to her community that I could only dream of accomplishing. My sister Jenna is resilient, inspiring, hilarious, and also happens to have a disability that you can see. Kaity and I have learned so much navigating our invisible disabilities alongside Jenna because she is Jenna and no one shows up with a clearer sense of self and identity than she does. My parents have played an integral role in being our support through very challenging times when Jenna was dealing with scary seizures and surgeries through her youth. My mum, Joy, brought a level of organization which Kaity learned to nurture, herself, through active learning. My dad, Jeff, and my sister Jenna share the same belly laugh and sense of humour. Consider, for a moment, your own family and the influence those relationships have on one another.
I am my family; I strive for Kaity’s ability to hold space for others, Jenna’s ability to share a laugh and a story with anyone, Joy’s absolute selflessness in the face of adversity, and Jeff’s ability to provide for those he loves. I value those qualities and I try to emulate them to the best of my ability.
Now imagine broadening that circle and considering the impact others have in your life in the same way. That is what I try to do with Drawing Thanks. Throughout my adventures, by learning through the actions of others, what I was really doing, was establishing a clear sense of self. I began to discover the things I valued like creative expression and a sense of community alongside friends at CreativeMornings/Vancouver at SFU Woodwards. I learned to embrace my own queerness at events like my first art exhibition on Davie Street, Late Night Snack at Save on Meats, and safe spaces all along The Drive. Alongside an incredible team at Locals Lounge, I learned the power of marginalized folks sharing space with other marginalized folks with BIPOC and Disabled creatives sharing their stage, platform, and sounds. In each of these relationships and spaces, together we faced challenges, adversity, and moments where we had to problem solve. The diversity of lived experiences informing greater shared ones provided insight I can only begin to describe by writing. Each of these spaces was safer and more vibrant because of the efforts of those involved and I am a better person because of the influence they had on me. Now I want to use my voice to amplify those works.
Throughout the stories I share on these blogs, I hope the moments that have challenged my way of thinking and further developed my values system become accessible for you too. There is a lot to be gained from active listening and observing community in action. There is also such immense value in trying new community spaces if you are seeing too much of yourself in the people around you. It is good to have your known and unknown biases challenged. Some of my most important learning has come from moments of feeling othered and embracing differing perspectives and lived experiences. If I’ve learned anything through this process, it’s that life is richer when you actively include and open up to the influence of community. I’m a more fulfilled and whole me when I reach for that each day.