Pivot Nova Scotia will be hosting “Needs-Based Care Spaces: Creating Networks for 2SLGBTQIA+ Communities in Rural & Urban Mi’kma’ki”. This 90 minute panel was created in response to the lack of spaces for 2SLGBTQIA+ folks to connect, support one another, and share their experiences navigating rural healthcare. Through a discussion moderated by Liane Khoury, we will seek to increase capacity for systems change by building upon the resiliency of rural 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. We will hear from activists and community builders Kaitlin Cullen and Leigh Heide, who are experienced in carving out spaces for their communities. This event will be a coming together of folks who have been affected by, or seek information and support in navigating, rural healthcare, and will hopefully be a beginning for new connections. Join us if you are a health care provider, a rural 2SLGBTQIA+ individual, or anyone interested in 2SLGBTQIA+ healthcare or community building.
About our moderator:
Liane Khoury: (pronounced Layan) (she/her) is a queer bisexual person from Amman, Jordan, of Palestinian descent. She has been a settler in Kjipuktuk since 2002. Liane founded Queer Arabs of Halifax in 2015 through which she has finally found her true family. In 2020 she co-founded UNtoxicated Queers, a sober harm reduction peer support space, with Patrick Maubert. She’s also a member of the board of Halifax Pride and is currently the Health and Wellness committee lead.
About our speakers:
Leigh Heide (they/them): As Provincial Coordinator, Leigh supports Sexual Health Nova Scotia's network of sexual health centres through funding access, operational support and collaborative projects. They are also the provincial spokesperson for SHNS, and are committed to advocacy work to improve sexual, reproductive and gender-affirming services across the province. Leigh lives on the beautiful south shore of Mi'kma'ki with their partner and many pets. They have a background in social work, health programming for youth and 2SLGBTQ+ communities, and community-based theatre. Their favourite new role is being an Auntie to their 5-month-old nibling!
Kaitlin Cullen uses she/they pronouns and is from Pictou County, NS. They are a third-year psychology student through the Bachelor of Arts Program at Dalhousie. They are a cycling instructor, a youth leader for 2 groups called Youth Pictou County and Rainbow Recreation, a student support and outreach worker at the Dalhousie Indigenous Centre, and the social media and public relations manager for Dalhousie’s DalOUT, a 2SLGBTQIA+ society for students. She is passionate about watching Steven Universe, doing embroidery and beading, and supporting mental health by helping others.
For more information about Pivot, click here
Want to learn more about accessing healthcare in Nova Scotia? Click here to read the collaborative document based on the discussion.
