Banner image. A photo shows a crowd of people dancing and celebrating on a patio at UFV; bright rainbow colours and Pride flags decorate in the space. Superimposed over the image are CHASI's signature orange triangles, all pointing to the right implying forward movement and progress.

Marking Transgender Day of Visibility 2023

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Illustration of a hand mirror reflect the words "Transgender Day of Visibility" and an image of the transgender flag.

Today is the Transgender Day of Visibility, and the CHASI team wants to take this opportunity reiterate our love and support for the trans community and our trans friends and colleagues. We also want to take this opportunity to share resources for both trans people and allies. Trans Rights BC offers an extensive “Know Your … Read more

Our Charmed Circle #3

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An image of Matthew Shepard, a young blonde man, with Mary-Jo's face reflected in the glass case

In memory of: Curtis Marsh Britney Cosby and Crystal Jackson Crystal Turner and Kylen Schulte Edwin Chiloba Raymond Taavel Imanitwitaho Zachee (pronounced Za-shay), known as Zachee Diamond Jackson-McDonald Matthew Shepard Our Charmed Circle shares the story of four friends connected across the continent by a shared enthusiasm for gaming and bound by a sense of … Read more

Celebrating the artists of The Laramie Project Digital Art Competition

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Actress Taya Viger stands with the angel wings on, delivering a speech from the play.

On March 22, the Community Health and Social Innovation Hub (CHASI) celebrated the artists who created work for The Laramie Project Digital Art Competition and the cast and crew of UFV Theatre’s production of The Laramie Project at a gathering in the Hub. We were joined by many other members of the UFV and local community to … Read more

CHASIcast: Dr. Shelley Liebembuk — confronting hate through art

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Dr. Shelley Liebembuk sits in the CIVL Radio studio with a microphone in front of her. Behind her, a window looks out at the UFV Abbotsford Student Union Building Atrium. A quote from Dr. Liebembuk reads: “My hope is that when you sit with someone — literally, physically, have to sit with somebody else and someone else’s ideas for a while, in a space that asks you to listen — I think that can be really transformative. And I think part of that is the wonder and the courage of an audience member to arrive, and the courage of a performer to be vulnerable, to tell the story, to use their body as a conduit for that conversation.”

Dr. Shelley Liebembuk, a UFV Assistant Professor of Theatre, dives into her upcoming project on the latest CHASIcast. Premiering Thursday, March 23, The Laramie Project is constructed from the transcripts of over 200 interviews, conducted in the aftermath of the brutal murder of Matthew Shepard, a young gay man, in Laramie, Wyoming, in 1998. Dr. … Read more

CHASI marks International Women’s Day 2023

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Illustration of five women of varying races, ages, and body types, each holding their hand up forming an American Sign Language letter, spelling the word "women."

Today is International Women’s Day! Our artist, Sharon Strauss, marked the occasion with this beautiful illustration. CHASI takes pride in being a women-led and directed centre at UFV. We hope everyone can take some time today to celebrate women! Here are some ideas: Something to read: Check out this article which includes interviews with members … Read more

CHASI’s comic: Our Charmed Circle

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Graphic novel style illustration of an online video chat between the four characters described in the following image descriptions.

Meet “The Squad,” four friends connected across the continent by a shared enthusiasm for gaming and bound by a sense of solidarity. Follow the story of Fenix, Amrita, Mary-Jo, and Zoe as they navigate the realities of online relationships and daily life. With the world in flux, artist Sharon Strauss feels more strongly than ever … Read more