Recognition 2022 – A Love Letter to The Queer and Trans Community

Dear friends and loved ones,

How have you been? We may have never met, but I think of you and wonder how you are. Have you been loved and shown love to others? Have you had opportunities to celebrate your strengths and resourcefulness? Where have you found joy in your daily life? I write this in recognition of all that you have lived through, and in acknowledgement of the resilience that keeps you going.

In previous years WAVAW’s Meaningful Inclusion Project has published our Recognition zines to highlight trans and queer stories and art, centering our journeys to healing and justice in the face of sexualized violence. This year, instead of a zine, we invite trans and queer survivors and friends to join us in making arts and crafts as a celebration of our creativity, resiliency, and our capacity for joy.

Participants in this year’s Recognition will have a craft kit of their choice mailed to them, and can create whatever they want in keeping with this year’s theme, “a love letter to community.” We chose this theme so that trans and queer folks can express and embody the love and joy they feel for the trans and queer community through art. Participants can create their masterpiece at their own pace in the comforts of their home, and are welcome to join us for a virtual craft-together event on May 5th where we can connect with each other while working on our pieces.

The crafts created during this activity will be virtually showcased on WAVAW’s website on May 17th for the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia. Participants can ‘submit’ their crafts to the showcase by taking a picture or video of their creation, along with a description of their piece. If enough participants are interested, we can also arrange for a small gallery to display your pieces in the community. Instructions for how to ‘submit’ your piece for the showcase will be included in craft kits when they are mailed out.

Sign up for our Recognition Craft Activity by clicking this link—registration will close April 29 so that we have enough time to mail you your crafts! Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for updates! If you have any questions about this activity, please let us know by reaching out to Anna at annap@salalsvsc.ca for more information.

With love,

WAVAW’s Social Change Team