providing low-barrier wellness services to
trans and gender diverse people

CWHWC Statement in support of Black Lives Matter and Divesting from Police

Black Lives Matter

Catherine White Holman Wellness Centre (CWHWC) operates on the unceded territories of the xwməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil- Waututh) Nations. We are a volunteer-led clinic run by and for Two Spirit, trans, and gender diverse people.

This month we mourn and remember George Floyd, Tony McDade, Breonna Taylor, D’Andre Campbell, and Regis Korchinsky-Paquet. Black lives continue to be taken in violent police interactions, often without recourse. We see ongoing racist violence against Indigenous people as well, in the recent police killings of Eishia Hudson, Jason Collins, Stewart Kevin Andrews and Chantel Moore.

These murders highlight a truth that has been deeply known and felt in marginalized communities for decades. Increased police presence does not keep us safe. Anti-Black racism is embedded in our institutions, in particular the police. The police do not ‘protect and serve’ people who are Black, Indigenous, people of colour, Two-Spirit, transgender, queer, unhoused, street-based sex workers, people with disabilities, and people experiencing poverty. The most pressing issues affecting our safety will not be solved by – and are often exacerbated by – policing.

We Support Black Lives Matter Vancouver’s calls for the City of Vancouver to re-allocate at least $152 million from the Vancouver Police Department to community initiatives that support long-term community safety. Such initiatives include child care support, education, comprehensive mental health intervention and social support, peer-based programming, housing initiatives, income security, harm reduction services, accessible rehabilitation, conflict resolution services, transformative justice, access to recreational facilities and other vital community-based support systems.

In our work providing wellness services to Two Spirit, trans, and gender-diverse communities we know that we must also continue to dismantle racist barriers within ourselves and our work. We encourage all of our volunteers, particularly those who are white, to take action in solidarity with Black lives. We commit to continuing to unlearn our own anti-Black racism and provide safer services for our Black trans, gender-non-conforming, and Two-Spirit community members.

Please see a list of actions below.

Write & call:

Donate: