Every student deserves to be safe. And when we feel safe, we can grow and succeed. Romi Chandra-Herbert wanted to help his high school peers find that safety, so he started the first GSA in British Columbia (...and maybe in Canada?)
Romi is a lifelong activist and an advocate for queer folks, for immigrants, and for human rights issues worldwide. He has worked with groups like Qmunity, North Shore Multicultural Society (now Impact North Shore), Vancouver Coastal Health, PeerNetBC, and Justice Institute BC. Listen as he shares his story with us.

Content warning: This episode contains brief mentions of homophobic (at 4:11 and 12:53) and transphobic slurs (at 4:13), and suicide (at 17:31).

References:

• Romi Chandra-Herbert and Hélène Frohard-Dourlent: "So You Wanna Start a GSA?," CALL OUT
• Anya Ventura: "The Radical History of the First Gay-Straight Alliance," The Nation
• Rhamona Vos-Browning: "Beyond Oppression: Opening the Door to Lesbian, Gay, Transgender & Bisexual Youth," Youthquest
• CBC Vancouver News: "LGBTQ advocate reflects on his experience being gay in high school in the 1990s," CBC
• "History of the BCTF," BC Teachers' Federation

Organizations mentioned:

• AIDS Vancouver (now Ribbon Community)
• BC Teachers' Federation
• BC School District 43 (Coquitlam)
• GALE BC (now Pride Education Network)
• Youthquest

Credits:

• Sound and recording: SJ Kirsch
• Logo: Cheryl Hamilton
• Storytelling advice: lisa g, Yasmeen Nematt Alla, and Skipper
• Production, writing, and editing: JC Fung

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