daisylez:

Many people who live in the southern region of Vancouver Island may have heard of the Victoria Lesbian Seniors Care Society, an organization based out of Victoria BC in Canada:

A non-profit organization that supports lesbians’ health and social needs as we age by ensuring safe, accessible, welcoming spaces for social interaction to build community through public education and social action.

VLSCS has been active in the Greater Victoria since 1996. Initially, the primary goal of the organization was to offer support to lesbians in the region as they aged, but as since evolved into an organization that advocates for lesbians from all walks of life, and offers opportunities for the local community to get together (such as offering lesbian dances and coffee houses!).

However, the VLSCS is at risk of being disbanded due to there not being enough people running for the board. The board needs to have at least five members, and only one person has decided to run for a board position. If four more people don’t express interest, VLSCS will be disbanded after 22 years of serving the lesbian community on southern Vancouver Island.

If the VLSCS is disbanded, the community here will lose so many resources, including:

• Movie and Social Nights 2-3 times per month;
• Coffee Talks where newcomers often introduce themselves to the community;
• Christmas brunches;
• Lesbian dances (which they had hoped to make this a regular feature starting this fall);
• Craft fairs or solstice parties;
• Potlucks;
• Concerts like this year’s Our Voices;
• Health Fund for members, often elderly or disabled, having difficulty to cover their out-of-pocket medical expenses;
• Advocacy for lesbian seniors in care (they were just invited to the Southern Vancouver Island and Southern Gulf Islands Seniors Planning Table, which aims to motivate the government to advocate for what seniors really need, and there are concerns that the LBGTQ2 groups are not being represented);

This organization has done do much for my local community, and my heart is breaking due to its potential disbandment.

If you’re a lesbian living in the southern region of Vancouver Island, please consider volunteering with VLSCS, and potentially running for a board position. 

There memberships are currently 50% off, but financially disadvantaged lesbians can join for free by emailing hello@amazingwomen.ca with the subject heading “I AM AN AMAZING WOMAN” and explaining why you would like a membership. Any lesbian who lives in British Columbia can become a member.

There is a meeting on Friday, November 9th in downtown Victoria to discuss the current issues faced by the lack of leadership. For any local lesbians interested in attending, further information, times, and locations can be found on their website.

If you’re not local but would still like to help, please reblog this post to spread the word. Any boosting or support helps.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this. If you support helping lesbians to live their lives happily and free from discrimination and poverty, please consider heling us keep this organization alive.