Part of the panel: Connection to Community and its Impact on Health

Presented by Thomas Trombetta and Jason Garcia, at Summit 2019: Queering Healthcare Access and Accessibility, in Vancouver October 31 - November 1. For more information visit cbrc.net/summit

Thomas Trombetta moved to Canada from Sao Paulo, Brazil in 2012. He graduated in 2016 with a double major in Sociology and Global & Development Studies. After his schooling, Thomas got involved supporting GSAs in rural AB, harm reduction initiatives, as well as queer men's health. Thomas has worked as the gbMSM Community Educator at HIV Edmonton, volunteered and sat on the board of the Edmonton Men's Health Collective, as well as helped facilitate different arts-based gender diversity projects. Currently, Thomas works part-time as the PrEP AB Coordinator with the EMHC, collaborating with different provincial partners on PrEP resource creation. Other than that, Thomas is a passionate libra who loves to explore the intersections of gender, immigration, and the arts.

Jason Garcia (they/them) is an anti-violence advocate living and working in Amiskwaciwâskahikan, Treaty 6 Territory. They work collaboratively with students, staff and faculty at the University of Alberta in finding nuanced manners to foster a culture of consent. Part of the lead team behind Courage to Act, a two-year project to address and prevent gender-based violence on post-secondary campuses in Canada, Jason is responsible in aiding in the development of a nation-wide education resource toolkit. They’re a proud board member of the Edmonton Men’s Health Collective and is honoured to work closely alongside Edmonton LGBTQ2S+ folks to help create an Accessibility Action Plan. Apart from all that, Jason is a compassionate pisces with love for furry animals, quality journalism, and a good cappuccino.