After 25 years, CBRC isn’t slowing down
June 06, 2024
25 years. That’s how long this organization, the Community-Based Research Centre, has operated as of June 22, 2024.
It’s a huge milestone. Think of your own quarter century celebration. If you were like me, you probably had a slice (or several) of cake while surrounded by your friends and chosen family.
25 years represents an important influx point for many of us. A time to take stock of everything you’ve learned in life thus far, leaning into adulthood, and really focus on building the future you see for yourself. As CBRC turns 25, we’re doing the same: reflecting on our past, our present, and our future.
Let’s start with the past. Too often, the early history and major milestones of queer and trans-led organizations are forgotten – either due to the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the 80s and 90s, or because they’ve had to shutter their doors following the loss of piecemeal government funding. At CBRC, we want to enshrine and celebrate our 25 year history – and we’re doing that with two major projects.
First, an official CBRC timeline capturing the events and achievements since 1999 that our community should be incredibly proud of. Second, and even more ambitiously, we are producing a CBRC documentary – a video undertaking that will bring the story of CBRC’s 25 years to new and cherished audiences.
Then there’s the present. I’ve been in the Executive Director role for over a year now, but I actually got my start with CBRC in 2004 and it’s astounding to see where the organization is today. We do work that serves our diverse 2S/LGBTQIA+ community across Canada and in both official languages. We are considered Canada’s leading organization when it comes to queer and trans-led health research and promotion, and we are a sought-after partner within the 2S/LGBTQIA+ sector, government, and media – all thanks to the support of allies, partners, and community members like you.
To see how far we’ve come, just take a look at some of our flagship initiatives. The Summit – our annual gathering of the brightest minds in community health, research, and advocacy – will hit its 20th birthday this year (FYI, Summit 2024’s Call for Proposals is now open and I encourage you and your networks to take a look). The Sex Now Survey, which started by collecting paper questionnaires at Pride festivals across B.C. in the early 2000s, is now Canada’s largest and longest running survey for Two-Spirit, gay, bisexual, queer, and trans men and non-binary people. We’ve just wrapped up this year’s online edition, and have just started our in-person data collection visiting Pride festivals and community events in nearly 20 cities nationwide.
These are just two of the many things CBRC has to be proud of. But as anyone who tries to fit into their favourite high school outfit might tell you, growth often comes with the need for a new look. So, I’m pleased to share that as part of our 25th anniversary, we’re working to launch our newly redesigned and refurbished website. One where not only the CBRC brand is front and centre, but where it will be easier than ever for people to find the information they’re looking for and understand the many initiatives we take on as an organization.
Finally, there’s the future. CBRC’s exciting growth doesn’t just necessitate a new website. It also demands a forward-looking strategic plan. As such, we’re working to release Strategy 2027 in the next few weeks – our plan for making CBRC a better, stronger, and more responsive organization over the next few years.
Until then, I hope you will join us in reflecting on the importance of this 25 year milestone. Whether you’re a current or former staff member, a funder, a partner, a program participant, or just someone interested in our work – we were only able to reach this anniversary thanks to you. Please stay tuned for some exciting developments to help commemorate our anniversary, and I hope to see as many of you as possible at Summit 2024.
Here’s to 25 years and to many, many more.
Michael Kwag
Executive Director
Community-Based Research Centre
About CBRC
Community-Based Research Centre (CBRC) promotes the health of people of diverse sexualities and genders through research and intervention development. www.cbrc.net
CONTACT
Adam Jalali
Pronouns: he, him
Associate Director, Communications
Community-Based Research Centre (CBRC)
www.cbrc.net | 954.562.7132 | Montreal, QC
Source: https://www.cbrc.net/25_years
"Reproduced with permission - Community-Based Research Centre (CBRC) "
Community-Based Research Centre (CBRC)
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