An independent support group for LGBTQIA2S+ people at Trinity Western University (TWU) can鈥檛 hold its storytelling event on campus this year, despite having held it there multiple times in the past.

One TWU offers support to the LGBTQ+ community on campus, and advocates for inclusion. One way is through If You Only Knew鈥�, its storytelling event scheduled for March 3.

As with past years, the group went through the protocols in its request for space, but the request was turned down by the private Christian university. The group was also told it could not put up posters about its support services and the event.

鈥淲e鈥檙e sharing our stories which I think should be a non-controversial thing,鈥� said One TWU co-leader Carter Sawatzky.

The event for college-age people and older from the TWU community as well as the broader community has different speakers share their lived experiences.

鈥淚t鈥檚 not a contradiction. You can be queer and Christian,鈥� Sawatzky said.

The decision goes against the inclusivity claimed by the school, Sawatzky added.

The English student pointed out that they enjoy most of their fellow students and educators, but the administration seems to have become less tolerant in recent years.

Sawatzky said nothing really changed essentially about the event in terms of format, adding that the event is open to people with differing views.

Except for 2020, when COVID restrictions impacted gatherings, One TWU Stories Night has been held on campus to provide accessibility for all who want to attend.

鈥淎 lot of people come to TWU and have never heard an LGBTQ story,鈥� Sawatzky said. 鈥淭hey鈥檝e never heard different perspectives around LGBTQ community, around queer people. And so for some people this event on campus is one of the first times that they can hear the lived experience from the words of the people themselves, not from you know, a secondary source of someone saying that they鈥檙e going to hell, that God hates them. But that, you know, they have dignity. They have their own lives.鈥�

One TWU posted information about not being allowed to hold the event on campus and received an outpouring of support from alumni and others.

鈥淭he TWU staff and administration cannot in good conscience argue that they are 鈥榚quipping students for life鈥� while exemplifying an attitude of religious leaders who fear losing their power,鈥� wrote Sophia Splane. 鈥淪ilencing the voices of a small 鈥榦pposition鈥� in no way equips young adults to live in today鈥檚 world.鈥�

Tracey Dahl, a parent of three TWU students and a registered clinical counsellor, is concerned about the impacts of decisions like this.

鈥淗igher education should be a space where all voices are respected, and we make room to hear from one another even if we disagree,鈥� Dahl wrote.

One person called for very specific action to show disagreement with TWU鈥檚 decision.

鈥淎dvocacy raises awareness, but money talks. If you鈥檙e currently a donor to TWU, I implore you to consider withholding donations until the administration takes actionable steps to start treating queer students with the dignity that they deserve,鈥� Jared Barkman wrote.

One TWU sought out another venue to hold the event, finding space at St. George鈥檚 Anglican Church in Fort 91原创, but tickets were booked so fast that organizers sought a bigger venue and will now hold the event at the Fort 91原创 Community Hall. Free tickets are available through . People need not have connections to TWU to attend. There is also a virtual option through the EventBrite booking. A Zoom link will be sent.

Sawatzky said that having to find an off-campus venue means extra expenses and that some from TWU who may have wanted to attend, can鈥檛 if they don鈥檛 have transportation.

Trinity Western University was contacted via phone and email Feb. 10 and again Feb. 14 with a request for comment. No reply was received as of noon Thursday, Feb. 16.

One TWU is considered an independent group, despite being comprised entirely of TWU students and alumni, noted Matthew Wigmore, One TWU co-founder. He noted that the school allows other independent groups space on campus.

鈥淲e have seen external groups or independent groups (whatever you want to call them) hold events at the university before, including leadership candidates for the Conservative Party (Kellie Leitch) during the 2016-2017 leadership election for the CPC,鈥� Wigmore noted.

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