Standing in solidarity with our 2SLGBTQIA+ Community

Standing in solidarity with our 2SLGBTQIA+ Community

Message from the President and Associate Vice-President (Equity, Diversity & Inclusion)

Tuesday, September 26, 2023

We acknowledge this is a challenging time, especially for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community following the anti-trans and anti-2SLGBTQIA+ protests that took place across our country last week.

Western stands in solidarity with our 2SLGBTQIA+ community and will continue to be attentive to these issues moving forward.

There is no space for hate on this campus or in the broader community.  

Western is committed to promoting a diverse, inclusive, respectful and supportive environment where all students and employees feel they belong and can thrive. We want to reaffirm that transphobia, homophobia, biphobia or any form of hate, discrimination, oppression or violence is not tolerated at Western.

Our priority is ensuring the safety and well-being of our students and employees. Below are some resources you can access if you need support.

Crisis Supports 

 LGBT YOUTH LINE                                                                                                   1-800-268-9688 Text support: 647-694-4275                                                       Peer support for LGBTQ2S+ youth.

 Trans Lifeline                                                                                                             1-877-330-6366                                                                                                     Fully confidential peer support service for trans folks.

 ReachOut (CMHA)                                                                                                 519-433-2023 (phone or text support available                                                       Toll free: 1-866-933-2023 Web chat: https://reachout247.ca                                     In-person service: 648 Huron Street, London, ON  

On-Campus Supports

 Queer Connections 

 A weekly 90-minute group bringing in relevant topics, discussion, and mutual   support for students who identify as part of the 2SLGBTQIA+ (Two-Spirit, Lesbian,   Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual, and other diverse sexual   orientations and gender identities) community. Running Tuesdays from 1 p.m. to   2:30 p.m. To register, please contact health@uwo.ca

 Western Mental Health Services 

 Students can call 519-661-3030 to schedule a meeting with a mental health   counsellor. Same-day crisis appointments available until 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday

For employees who need support, please reach out by calling LifeWorks (1-855-597-2105) or visiting the Human Resources website. Please reach out if we can support you in any way.  

Sincerely,  

Opiyo Oloya                                                                                                   Associate Vice-President (Equity, Diversity & Inclusion)   

Alan Shepard                                                                                                  President & Vice-Chancellor