MacEwan’s Centre for Sexual and Gender Diversity (CSGD) provides support and a safe space for members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community and allies on campus. Through the Change in Action campaign, donors are supporting CSGD and the students who rely on it – and helping to make their time at MacEwan a positive experience.

Here, two students and a donor share stories of what makes CSGD such an important resource.

“As a queer student on campus, I thought CSGD would be a great networking opportunity, but it offered far more than that. It was a space where I felt seen, supported and encouraged. A space that believed in me.

No matter what type of day it was, I never felt like I had been cast out into an ocean and left to my own devices. The door was always open. Support was always offered.

It’s easy to talk about inclusion on paper, but CSGD proves what it looks like in practice. Supporting CSGD means investing in the potential of every student who walks through its doors. It means making sure future students have access to mentorship, community and opportunities that can shape their personal and professional lives in ways they might not even realize yet.” 

– Amy Salazar, Arts and Cultural Management student.

“I found the Centre for Sexual and Gender Diversity the first time we were back on campus during the pandemic, and I’ve been here an almost embarrassing amount of time since. It’s like a home away from home. 

This community has gotten me through so much. Anytime I’ve struggled – academically or personally – they’ve saved my butt. They’ve been what I needed every single time. And the centre is for everyone, not just people who are queer. As long as you’re being respectful and kind, you’re welcome. 

I’ve been volunteering since I discovered the centre. This year, I’m part of the Queer Leaders in Training program.

Inclusivity and authenticity are what Pride Week at MacEwan is all about. You can be yourself here – and we have a whole week dedicated to it. It’s especially important, I think, in turbulent times. It’s a form of advocacy and security. At MacEwan, we have a dedicated space and dedicated people who are working really hard to create a safe space for people.”

– Wren Ferguson, Bachelor of Arts student and CSGD volunteer. Read her full story.

"When I was a student here, I wasn’t out yet – I was still figuring out what it meant to be gay. While there was some support on campus, it felt like a lot of programming was still in its early stages.  

Now, I see so many students proudly identifying themselves as part of the 2SLGBTQ+ community, and I know there are others still in the same place I was. The CSGD provides a vital lifeline – it’s a place where students can find their people, get the support they need and feel like they belong. That’s why it’s so important for alumni like me to give back.  

Our donations help keep these crucial programs alive and accessible for the next generation of students. Staying connected to MacEwan, especially through giving, is something I’m incredibly proud of."

– Matt Gaudet, Bachelor of Commerce ’16, donor.