Centre for Women & Trans People -CWTP York

Costumes can be one of the best parts about Halloween! We can still have fun AND party respectfully. Here are some tips. If you're worried you've messed up, learn and move forward for next year! Honestly, I feel that this extends to real-life antagonists of marginalized communities too- even if that antagonist is FROM your race/religion/gender group. Because- if you feel so ok putting that on, is it really a costume or does that say something about you?!

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1: our identities are not Halloween costumes
2: PSA: If you're dressing up as a person/character of a different race, religion or gender identity than you,
3: do: check with friends and/or online forums from that community to determine appropriateness of your costume idea. don't: just assume it's ok because you have good intentions
4: do: focus on clothing, props, and your acting skills. don't: do Blackface, brownface or adjust your features to 'match the character'. Keep in mind that some hairstyles and clothing items may be off limits.
5: do: purchase clothing items from vendors of that community. remember: there is a fine line between appreciation and appropriation!

Raise a fist for . You can never break us 🥊🌈 You can never erase us. ***rs ***r

Ask first, ask again if you forget, ask for help if you need help, and share yours even if they're obvious. Most importantly, just keep trying even if you make a mistake! What are your pronouns? Comment below!

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Callout for applications! Read more and apply at the link in our bio.

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Slide 1:
Work with us! Job openings available. Find a job you love working with our supportive, activist, intersectional organization.

Slide 2:
Become CWTP Co-Coordinator. Oversee operations, community engagement & programming, with a focus on long-term goals and funding acquisition. Main responsibilities include centre development (especially long-term), Operations support, Fundraising Opportunities and Initiatives

Slide 3:
Become CWTP Communications Director. Help CWTP put our best foot forward with consistent and community-centered branding and social media management. Main responsibilities include designing premotional materials (print & digital), Social media engagement & management, and Maintenance/Invigoration of our brand identity.

Slide 4:
Know who we are. The Centre for Women & Trans People (CWTP) is a student-funded, collectively run, volunteer-driven organization at York University. We are a progressive, pro-choice, anti-racist, q***r-positive, trans-positive, feminist organization.
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Are you a feminist witch? This is your can't miss Halloween event. Tarot, astrology, crystals, and a fun craft you can take home to permeate your intentions throughout the season... details in the link in bio!

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Expand your s*x education by learning about transwomens' bodies, preferences for intimacy and pleasure. Because... I don't think they taught you this in school, lol. This workshop will be led by Cassandra, who will speak with lived experience about dating, s*x, loving her body, and feeling all the feels. This workshop is open to all genders but is 18+ ! Link in bio with details.

What do you think? Share your thoughts at the Black Femmes Circle this Wednesday. Open to Black (all shades, all nationalities) Femmes (nonbinary inclusive, trans inclusive) only, this space is a safe place to connect and strengthen your sense of self in a supportive environment! Details in link in bio.

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Image Title: Black Femmes Circle Oct 5th
Image Text: "the fight still isn't people of colour versus white. It's the people versus the system built to keep us down". - Lizzo
Image Description: Boticelli's Birth of Venus with Lizzo as the central character depicted. Image is in black and white. Lizzo is wearing a semi-sheer long sleeve and long pant onesie with sparkly stripes in a flowing pattern. There is a purple floral motif in the upper half not covered by the painting.

It's happening again..... 🖤🖤🖤 we've got a cute crew together and want to meet YOU! Are you Black (any shade, any nationality) and Femme (women, transwomen, nonbinary welcome!)??? Guess what, the room is closed FOR YOU this Wednesday to just chill, hang out, eat snacks, and relax. Our awesome facilitator Emily has some topics to provide food for thought and build community. I'll be going! I hope to see u! We also have a keurig coffee maker so....... ☕🥰

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Image title: Black Femmes Circle
Image Text: Wednesdays biweekly 4-5:30 rm 322 of the First Student Centre, Oct 5th, Connect, Discuss, Empower
Image Desription: edited image of Boticelli's Birth of Venus with Lizzo as the central character. Blue/black motif of waves and bold text.

We can acknowledge that racism exists, sexism exists, and homophobia/transphobia exist. But what if you are Black woman, Black le***an, or Black transwoman, or what about a Black trans le***an?! What if you are a Black nonbinary q***r person, or... ok you get the idea. 😒The Combahee River Collective explores the concept of INTERLOCKING SYSTEMS of oppression, and ways we as a society can work together to overcome this. 🖤Join up on Monday online! 💻 Link in bio.

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Slide 1
Image Title: the Black Feminism Book Club
Image Description: a dark library with a wash of white paint and the Combahee River Collective on their historic march in black & white film.

Slide 2:
Image Title: October 3rd
Image Text: Mondays bi-weekly 4:30-6:30 Sept-April online, drop in anytime
Image Description: The Combahee River Collective Statement book cover, which is orange with a triangle and square geometric pattern.

Enjoy live music by and connect with likeminded creatives at .m 's book release. We're so, so proud of them and can't wait to get our hands on a copy!

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Slide 1
Image Title: Launch & Social
Image Text: Chapbook Launch & Social. Velcro hearts is a short hybrid collection about love and healing from trauma and how to embrace radical hope for the future.
Image Description: a photograph of Jamie holding the book Velcro Hearts that they wrote. They have shoulder length wavy/curly hair that is a warm blonde colour and a big smile. They are wearing a cream knitted sweater.

Slide 2:
Image Title: Launch & Social
Image Text: Thursday Sept 29th, 6 to 9:30 PM, at the Ross Building Podium, or the First Student Centre Room 430 if raining.
Image Description:
This image looks the same as the other slide. In this photograph, Jamie is holding the book open and reading it.

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Sept 30th is a federal holiday so CWTP will be closed! Please celebrate the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, for example by educating yourself on Indigenous issues or supporting Indigenous creators. Wear an orange shirt, or even better, purchase one from an Indigenous maker or store. Avoid buying into non-indigenous owned big-box stores selling merch.

Model & Activist Quannah Chasinghorse .rose photographed by styled by .ellison in . Dress from jewelry from



Accessibility Text:
Model & Activist stands against a natural background of trees in this tryptic of photographs. She is wearing a shiny, silky dress with a lot of volume. It has puffed sleeves, a gentle sweetheart neckline, and large pleats at the front. In later photographs we see the dress has a long train that drapes over a concrete walkway. Quannah is wearing long earrings with a fluffy white feather and what appears to be a central beaded design in the shape of a leaf. She has on an extra-large circular ring.

Volunteer with us! Find out how you can get connected, make friends, and support the trans, womens' and community on campus. Link in bio with our quick and easy volunteer form. You will hear back asap!

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Image text - "hi do you want to volunteer with us" "hellz yea" "k cool link in bio"
Image description - the text is in black speech bubbles over a purple cardboard background with painted circles the colour of the transgender pride flag. There are warped checkerboard prints in each corner. The CWTP logo is in the upper right hand corner.