BGC Airdrie Club and Airdrie Pride wanted to create a space for 2S & LGBTQIA+ youth to celebrate the end of the school year, so they worked in tandem to host a Queer Prom on June 4, 2022. 

Hosted at the BGC Airdrie Club location by Club staff who volunteered their time, the Queer Prom event provided for youth a space to find connections in their community—something that might have been a barrier for 2S & LGBTQIA+ youth in Airdrie. 

BGC Strathcona County (formerly Boys and Girls Club of Strathcona County), located in Alberta, has created a barrier-free program called Gemstones where 2S & LGBTQIA+ individuals and allies can have a space to learn, grow, and be authentic.

Gemstones has been the Club’s most in demand program (both online and in-person) since its creation.

The Gemstones program team has handled organizing Pride Month activities for youth at their CanTeen location and has supported initiatives like certifying the CanTeen location as “TransFriendly” approved. Gemstones has been recognized across all the high schools and junior high schools in the area and has been supported by mental and physical health institutions found in Strathcona County as a reliable space for youth to flourish.

Local community organizations including Altview, Saffron, the Sexual Assault Prevention and Treatment Center, and the Strathcona County Mental Health Capacity Builders have provided resources and encouragement to round out the Gemstones program.