In a complicated world, Crystal Fach’s goal is one of simplicity: “My goal is to create a Sarnia that is free of discrimination and inclusive to 2S-LGBTQ folks, no matter where they go,” Crystal says. “Not just here, but if they walk into a store across the street or if they go to another community centre. I think everyone should feel welcome here and celebrated for who they are. I think our community is getting better, but there’s still a lot of work to do.”

Crystal, 41, is a one-person crew at Sarnia’s Diversity Ed. which opened its doors in September 2021. “I run the organization as a single staff member. I am the executive director, founder, facilitator, and janitor.” While a relatively new role for Crystal, they have been providing education across the country since 2014.

Diversity E.d is a federally incorporated, not-for-profit that is still awaiting charitable status. “We have been able to open our doors from the generosity of this community. There have been so many folks who went above and beyond to donate financially. There have been amazing foundations that have taken a risk on us and given us grants. We have had businesses donate books and games and arts and crafts so that our folks have access to those things in their in our space.”

One of Diversity Ed.’s goals is to offer a comfortable place for people to interact. “We do fun things in the community,” Crystal says. “We have brought some drag shows to town, and we allow the whole community of Sarnia-Lambton to come out and enjoy some of the art and culture of the 2S-LGBTQ people.”Diversity Ed. provides many open programs, groups, and space for 2S-LGBTQ people, their children, youth, families, friends, and allies to gather and feel connected. They also offer specific programs for supporting transgender youth, transgender adults, sexual diverse people. “We have drop-in nights where we watch movies, and we also have game nights. It is our mission to create safer spaces, not only within our centre but across the country.”

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