The Diversity Project

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Vital Stats

Calan B

  • people helped1065
  • People Doing It 759

The Problem

We are working to stop Homophobia, bullying and ignorance in schools.

Plan of Action

The Diversity Project is an independent documentary film based around the creation of a Gay-Straight Alliance(GSA)/Diversity Club at a high school in Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada. The film follows the clubs creator, Calan Breckon, as well as students, school faculty and parents through the ups and downs of establishing a successful GSA/Diversity Club. The main focuses of the film will be to promote diversity, education, understanding and compassion for not only the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) community but for anyone who has ever felt out of place or like they don’t fit in. We hope that The Diversity Project will be used as an educational video in schools as well be screened at film festivals around the world to help create positive change. So far we have received support from the Vancouver Queer Film Festival and more support keeps showing up day by day. We would also like to see The Diversity Project turn into a travelling presentation going to schools all across Canada involving celebrity performances and speakers. Much like our first event we had on February 24th. We are currently in talks with potential sponsors for this aspect of the project.

Project Updates

There have been SOOOO many things happening at The Diversity Project we don't even know where to begin!

We took part in the Vancouver Pride Parade, we were part of the Vancouver 2011 North America Outgames, we also gave a massive presentation at the Vancouver 2011 North America Outgames Human Rights Conference, we did 2 hours of programming for the closing ceremonies of the Vancouver 2011 North America Outgames and that's just the tip of the ice burg!

We will try and keep the most up to date info on Do Something for you all to watch!

Singer/Song Writer/Performer Rosette Luve gives us a shout out!

Check out a personal video from me to you!

Another local Vancouver LGBT newspaper did a story about us! Check it out!

http://www.xtra.ca/public/Vancouver/The_Diversity_Project-9855.aspx

On February 24th we held our kick-of event at Centennial S.S. and it went amazingly well! We had performances by Mackenzie Green and Nathalie Heath from So You Think You Can Dance Canada, singer/song writer Rosette and other guest speakers. We had two back to back performances with teachers and students begging to get in to each one but we only had room for 222 people per-performance. In the end it was an amazing day and lots of students came up to tell me that I was an inspiration to them and they can wait to be part of the project. You can view more photos of the event on flickr:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/thediversityproject/sets/72157626033999429/

Also check out our facebook group for more info and photos:

http://www.facebook.com/TheDiversityProject

Local Vancouver radio personality Jonny Staub from The Beat 94.5 has sent us his support for the project! I’ve had the pleasure of meeting Jonny a few times and he is truly a fantastic person. Last year I even managed to catch a flick at the Vancouver Queer Film Festival with him and his boyfriend.

“After 14 years of a successful broadcasting career, I have always found that the one common bond that binds us together is compassion within the human connection. The ability to look outside of ourselves, our comforts, our beliefs, our self vision and take a glimpse at what’s really going on out there. By doing so, we not only allow our spirits to flourish, but our understanding of the world grow leaps and bounds.

The Diversity Project not only achieves this with the documentary’s core belief, but it also takes it a step further. By putting it in the hands of our youth, the next generation shaping our landscape, we are in fact planting seeds of hope for a fantastic future. We are all important, we are all worthy, we are all loved. Gay/Straight/Bi/Trans we were born this way! Through excellent documentaries like this, we have hope that humanity has a fighting chance moving forward."

-Jonny Staub

So we officially have a Facebook, Twitter and YouTube page! The following links will send you in the right direction to join the pages and follow our tweets!

FACEBOOK:
http://www.facebook.com/TheDiversityProject

TWITTER:
https://twitter.com/DiversityProjct

YOUTUBE:
http://www.youtube.com/user/TheDiversityProject

Thanks everyone!

Website GayVancouver.net has just released their story on The Diversity Project and creator Calan Breckon! It's a great story so share it around!

http://www.gayvancouver.net/community/the-diversity-project-is-proof-you...

Two local newspapers have done stories on The Diversity Project! The Tri-City and The NOW newspapers both did full page articles on The Diversity Project on Feb 23rd for Anti-Bullying Pink Shirt day! If you wanna check them out just follow the links!

http://www.bclocalnews.com/tri_city_maple_ridge/tricitynews/community/11...

http://www.thenownews.com/entertainment/movie-guide/PHOTOS+Documentary+a...

So back in January when this whole documentary idea was just a baby in my mind I had a fundraiser birthday party to benefit the soon to be GSA Club at Centennial. The event was called “J’adore 24″ because it was my 24th birthday. We ended up raising $600 that night for the GSA and it was awesome! We had 6 performers, 2 DJ’s and a rocking good night! I would again like to thank all of our sponsors for donating door prizes and/or their time for the event: pHresh spa, Fabufit, Little Sisters, Oasis Ultra Lounge, EastVan Graphics, Homorazzi, Priape, Shutter Dreams, Gfish Designs, The Vancouver Queer Film Festival and Icon Hair Lounge.

I leave you now with some photos of the night from Shutter Dreams:

This is just FANTASTIC! Amber Dawn, Director of Programming at the Vancouver Queer Film Festival have officially given The Diversity Project her support for the filming. Things just keep coming together every day for this wonderful project and I can’t wait to see who else whats to show us their support!

“Film has a way of reaching audiences when other mediums may not, and is a powerful tool for education and awareness. The Diversity Project has real potential to be seen by audiences across Canada and worldwide to share the vital importance of creating Gay/Straight Alliances in high schools. This Vancouver-based film-in-progress is incredibly relevant at this time when homophobic bullying continues to make queer youth vulnerable at school. I, for one, am cheering for Calan Breckon and all of those involved in the making of the Diversity Project.”

-Amber Dawn, Director of Programming at the Vancouver Queer Film Festival