Vancouver Queer Irish

Vancouver Queer Irish exists to support those who identify as LGBTQIA2S+ within and connected to the Irish and Irish-Canadian community in British Columbia. Our vision is to build a strong community of LGBTQIA2S+ Irish in B.C., and support queer Irish newcomers to Vancouver and greater B.C. VQI benefits both Irish-born queer people, and those of Irish-descent in B.C. What we do: - We hold monthly and larger quarterly events for the Vancouver Queer Irish members to meet and build community. - We support the mental well-being of queer Irish in B.C. by building a positive and supportive social environment where everyone feels welcome. - We raise funds to participate in both the Vancouver Pride Parade and St Patricks’ Day Parade in Vancouver, and other events that support our objectives, as appropriate. - We support local Irish-owned businesses in B.C. - We will network and collaborate with other LGBTQIA2S+ groups across Canada to promote, role model and build acceptance and support for queer people from all cultures and backgrounds. Acknowledgements The Committee and members of Vancouver Queer Irish acknowledge the traditional owners of the land where we gather, the unceded Coast Salish land, home to the the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. We pay our respects to their elders past, present and emerging. The Committee and members of Vancouver Queer Irish acknowledge the Vancouver and Canadian LGBTQIA2S+ community, and the LGBTQIA2S+ community in Ireland. We pay our respect to elders of those communities who have led the struggle to secure our freedoms to meet openly & celebrate who we are. References to LGBTQIA2S+ and Queer community are used interchangeably to represent all people and communities that connect or identify as LGBTQIA2S+ or any other such fully inclusive acronym across the spectrum of sex and gender diversity.