Oct. 17 – Oct. 31: Healing Through the Intersections Workshop Series (Virtual)
Healing Through the Intersections is an annual workshop series held in October that’s all about honouring and creating space for intersectional experiences of sexual violence and sexual harassment. Many (but not all) of the sessions are closed to survivors of specific identities, to allow participants to share experiences and build community in a safe and welcoming environment. Registration for each workshop is required, see below.
In 2023, we’re excited to welcome the following facilitators:
My Body is Wise: Reclaiming My Voice with Melissa Taylor (Virtual)
*New Date: November 2, 2023 (Previously scheduled for October 17)
*New Time: 2:00 pm. – 4:00 p.m.
This is a closed session for Black survivors of sexual violence that are members of a post-secondary community (UofT or another institution).
Systemic oppression displaces and disconnects us from our body and ancestral wisdom. We are programmed on many levels to adapt to harm to survive. In this workshop we will explore the power of reclaiming our voices and noticing the beauty and brilliance of our individual stories & songs. There will be some psychoeducation of noticing the imprint of harm, and some somatic exploratory work of reuniting with our voices of growth, love, and compassion. Choosing to heal is a radical and political act of collective care and love. Choosing the transform is healing many generations of our bloodline & community. Let our voices transform our bodies to our ancestral birthright.
About Melissa Taylor
Melissa is a third-culture kid, and is deeply versed in cultural nuances and intergenerational trauma. Driven by a mission to reconnect with her ancestors and to help others on their own journeys of reconnection, she specializes in addressing relational and intergenerational trauma as well as oppression.
Melissa’s practice is grounded in principles of anti-racism, anti-oppressive practices, and Black feminism. She’s committed to working with individuals impacted by colonization, enslavement, and 2SLGTBQ+ oppression.
Guided Healing Circle for South East Asian and East Asian Survivors with Bo Yih Thom (Virtual)
RESCHEDULED TO DECEMBER 1, 2023
12 p.m. – 2 p.m.
This is a closed session for South East Asian and East Asian survivors of sexual violence.
This 2-hour virtual healing circle is a guided space where South East Asian and East Asian identified survivors of all genders can come together to share about the legacy and impact of surviving violence, practices for healing, and strategies for resilience. Participants will not be asked or expected to share their own experiences of harm.
About Bo Yih Thom
Bo Yih Thom (she/they) Msw Rsw, is a psychotherapist and clinical supervisor in private practice. Bo Yih integrates anti-colonial and racial liberation principles with trauma informed, holistic, and land based healing approaches. They have extensive experience in social change movements, community based social work, and as a part time professor at the Assaulted Women’s and Children’s Counsellor Advocate Program at George Brown College, and at the Harm Reduction Certificate Program at York University.
Healing Through Kink: A Decolonial Approach to Pleasure with Luna Matatas (Virtual)
October 31, 2023
11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
This session is open to the public.
Many people interested in kink also deal with shame about their desires. Some people have experience but need more kinky skills. And others are nervous and excited to take their fantasies into real life. This workshop will cover tools like negotiation, building a kinky menu, vetting potential kinky partners, practicing erotic power exchange with care and how to explore BDSM with or without a partner. Whatever drives your kinky curiosity, this workshop is a space to get your kinky questions answered and learn skills for emotional and physical safety, giving and receiving consent, and navigating shame
About Luna Matatas
Luna Matatas is a Pleasure and Relationships Educator with over 15 years of experience teaching workshops. Luna loves teaching workshops that help people navigate shame, learn consent and explore healthy relationships. She teaches her audiences how to get to know their bodies, understand consent and communicate interpersonally. Luna has worked internationally and globally to empower youth with self-esteem, empathy for others, and body acceptance. She has taught workshops at universities and colleges across Canada and the US, including University of Toronto, York University, and Columbia University