Gender, Sexuality and Women Studies Student Union
Description:
Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies Student Union represents the interest and welfare of its members to the Department of Gender, Sexuality and Women Studies and to the University.
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Common Room:
GSWS Lounge (AQ 5102)
Email:
ws-pres@sfu.ca
Website:
www.facebook.com/GSWSSUSFU
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/groups/2225893971/
Union Mandate:
The GSWSSU upholds the following values equally and shall guide its community, events, work, services, and spaces in accordance with the GSWSSU mandate:
Indigenous Rights Advocacy:
The GSWSSU recognizes that SFU is built upon the unceded, stolen lands of the Traditional Coast Salish Peoples, including the Squamish (Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw), Tsleil-Waututh (səl̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ), Kwikwetlem (kʷikʷəƛ̓əm), Musqueam (xʷməθkʷəy̓əm), Qayqayt, Kwantlen, Semiahmoo, and Tsawwassen Nations. The GSWSSU is committed to advocating for Indigenous peoples’ rights to sovereignty, including but not limited to sovereignty of land, culture, belief, and self.
Anti-Racism:
The GSWSSU is an anti-racist organization in that its members enforce a zero-tolerance policy on racism, actively challenge systemic racism and other forms of discrimation, both within the Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies department and throughout Simon Fraser University as a whole, and strive to elevate BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour) voices whenever possible.
Anti-Gender/Sexuality-Based Discrimination:
The GSWSSU is a group committed to ensuring that the rights for people of all genders and sexualities are respected and advocated for. LGBTQIA2S+ individuals are always welcome in the GSWSSU and our spaces, and there will be no tolerance for bigotry.
Trans-, Intersex-, and Gender-Inclusivity:
The GSWSSU is a group committed to being inclusive of people of all genders. The GSWSSU understands that there are a multitude of gender identities including, but not limited to, Trans, Intersex, Two-Spirit, and gender-diverse identities. We are committed to fostering a safe space where all gender identities, pronouns, expressions, etc. will be respected. We also respect individuals' right to privacy and understand that not everyone will feel comfortable sharing their identity. We will not tolerate any hate speech and will use gender inclusive language wherever possible.
Pro-Feminism:
The GSWSSU is committed to the struggle for women’s rights and is opposed to all forms of oppression. The GSWSSU recognizes the intersectional nature of the fight for women’s rights and works to elevate BIPOC and Queer Women’s voices at a heightened level.
“Intersectionality,” as defined by Kimberlé Crenshaw, explains that the different oppressions faced by an individual cannot be thought of as singular inequities, but rather, they all work together and escalate each other as a means of subjugating the individual's entire personhood.
Pro-Choice:
The GSWSSU is a pro-choice group who is committed to ensuring reproductive rights and justice for all. This includes advocating for the provision of non-judgmental information on abortion and pregnancy.
Sex-Positivity:
The GSWSSU is a sex positive organization. We recognize the importance of safe and consensual sexual practices and advocate for education and resources which centre around these ideas. The GSWSSU supports, stands by, and believes survivors. We support all varying forms of sex work and the decriminalizaton of sex work. We are a safe space for those engaged in the sex industry and support all sexual and consensual endeavours. Shaming of sex workers and sex will not be tolerated.
Environmental Advocacy:
The GSWSSU recognizes the reality of the climate crisis and is committed to guiding our activities with regard to environmental conservation, as well as supporting movements which protect our Earth.
Mental Health:
The GSWSSU is committed to advocating for culturally-competent mental health support and to dispelling harmful beliefs about mental health. We will work towards using inclusive, non-ableist language, and will commit to the provision of non-judgmental information on mental health.
Low-barrier:
The GSWSSU is open and accessible for people of all incomes. We strive to be an equitable organization and provide opportunities for people of all income levels.
Accessibility:
The GSWSSU supports anti-ableism and is dedicated to being an inclusive student union by providing accessible resources. We are committed to using non-ableist language to be mindful and accommodating to the community.
Anti-Hate:
The GSWSSU rejects any form of hate, presented through any means; including but not limited to hate speech, hate crime, acts of violence, all forms of bullying (including cyberbullying and social exclusion), and racial-, xenophobic-, religious-, or homophobic-based intolerance.
