Over the course of the pandemic, our organization has been undergoing renovations and upgrades and is transforming into the ‘Island Sexual Health Community Care Center’ to better holistically service the local community. These upgrades include providing the LGBTQ2S+ community with adequate resources. As such we are proud to announce the introduction of Gender Affirming Apparel at The Store at ISH.

We understand that these sorts of items are mostly available online – however fitting for such things (especially binders) is complex and if done wrong can come with complex health risks. We have created a system to provide COVID-19 safe in-person fittings: The store will be open during regular clinic hours for general access. However, we have opened up Monday and Wednesday evenings between 5-8-pm at the clinic for private, after-hours, in-store appointments for the LGBTQ2S+ community. You can book your appointment online now

This initial product roll-out includes a range of binders, packing underwear, and gaffs (including children’s gaffs) from local Vancouver company, Your Open Closet and hand-made, silicone packers from Queer-owned, New York Toy Collective.

We are also excited to stock art and products from local LGBTQ2s+ creators – please follow us on social media for real time updates.

This is just the beginning – and we are always open to and looking for community feedback.

 

We’re offering COVID Safe gender affirming fittings and bookings beginning November 9th.

Job Opportunity

Gender Affirming Apparel Access Consultant [PDF}

Organization Overview

Island Sexual Health society offers all things sexual health related. We offer pro-choice and comprehensive sexual health clinics, education programs and products for people of all genders, orientations, abilities, and ages in Greater Victoria, BC in the unceded traditional territories of the Lekwungen and W̱SÁNEĆ peoples. We are a non-profit organization that is also a registered charity.

At Island Sexual Health, our job is to provide you the most current and relevant information, services, and products that help you better understand your sexual and/or reproductive health needs and make the best choices for your sexual wellness.

Project Summary

ISHS has been approved for funding to help us provide equitable, affordable access to gender affirming supplies for trans, non-binary and 2 spirit folks through our on-site store. Our goal is to ensure that the products that we offer are based on community need and the services offered are both safe and accessible. Beyond making these products available, we want to ensure that customers feel educated, supported, and accurately represented when accessing these services.

Position Summary

The successful candidate will work closely with the Island Sexual Health Store manager to plan and implement access to gender affirming supplies through our store. This is a temporary contract position, funded by the Victoria Foundation. In accordance with ISHS’s ongoing measures to prevent Covid-19 transmission and public health guidelines, this individual will work primarily off-site, with some hours anticipated on-site at the clinic for events and client support.

Reports to

Trista Knight (Product Sales/ Supplies Manager) and Chelsea Walton (Medical Care Coordinator)

Roles and Responsibilities

• Collaborating with the store manager to order products, organize inventory and establish relationships with manufactures and distributors.
• Plan and set-up in-store display for products.
• Conduct further community consultation with community to establish an anti-oppressive and gender inclusive framework for the project’s procedures and policies.
• Create promotional materials for project rollout.
• Coordinate store staff training for safe fitting and use of apparel/products.
• Plan and design gender affirming apparel launch event (either onsite or online).
• Report to store manager for additional responsibilities.

Skill Requirements

• The ability to work both independently, remotely, and as part of team.
• A working knowledge of intersectional analysis and anti-oppressive practices.
• Experience with designing online promotional material.
• Experience with community consultation and outreach, specifically with trans, non-binary, and two-spirit community partners and groups.

Start Date: June 29th, 2020

Wage: $19.39 per hour.

Hours: This position is for 100 hours of temporary contract work. The successful applicant’s work schedule can be flexible to accommodate other commitments and will be negotiated based on project deadlines and the needs of the successful applicant. However, we are looking for someone that can commit to approximately 8-10 hours a week.

Closing Date: Please submit your resume and cover letter via email before 4:00pm PST on June 12th, 2020.  Only applications received by the cutoff date and time will be considered for the position. Please note that only applicants that are being short-listed for interviews will be contacted.  

If you have any further questions about the position, please contact one of the project coordinators: Chelsea Walton or Nick Sandor.

Island Sexual Health is committed to employment equity. All qualified trans/NB/2S persons are encouraged to apply. We especially welcome applications from members of visible minority groups, Indigenous people, persons with disabilities and LGBTQ+ persons.

Please note that the selection committee will include members from organizations outside ISH. It is the expectation that this position will act as a representative both of ISH and of the trans, non-binary, and two-spirit community.