Consultations are underway as the City of Regina looks to see how it can better serve the 2SLGBTQIAP+ people.
Last June, Regina City Council passed a motion asking City Administration to prepare a report on how the City can better serve 2SLGBTQIAP+ people.
Now, Ivy + Dean Consulting is hosting a series of consultations focusing on identifying gaps, strengths and realities for 2SLGBTQIAP+ living in Regina.
The consultations will focus on the following:
-City facilities, including booking processes, all gender-changing rooms and trans-affirming policies;
-Exploring 2SLGBTQIAP+ specific programming and space at the City;
-City permitting processes for events; and
-Family programming at the City of Regina.
Lisa Phillipson, the Co-Chair of Queen City Pride, said this process is a fantastic first step.
“I know that this is just the point of discovery; there’s kind of no action plan lined out, and this is kind of the interview process, but it’s a great first step to find out the needs and how people interact with the City,” she said. “It’s good to have that reach and find out where there is a lack of support.”
Phillipson gave her thoughts on what the consulting group might hear.
“One of them is accessing City services. There are no gender-neutral washroom options in some of the buildings. For folks attending events in the City, sometimes it’s not targeted or mentioned that it is an inclusive event,” she said. “It’s nice that these questions are being asked because they haven’t been asked of our community before.”
She added that this is the first time Regina’s city council has reached out to Queen City Pride during her decade-long tenure.
“It’s a wonderful feeling. It’s very nice to be able to be reached out by this set of councillors and this Mayor to actually be engaged,” she said. “It was very nice to be thought of, very nice to know that folks who aren’t within the community are still thinking about you and want to see you do well and want to help you accomplish that goal of doing well.”
Zoom or phone interviews are available to be booked with Ivy + Dean Consulting, as well as a research survey for people to take part in.
Ivy + Dean Consulting is also promoting a pair of events, including a family movie day with Project Play YQR and an all-bodies swim.
For more information on the consultations, visit Ivy + Dean Consulting’s website.
