Sher Vancouver Explained

Sher Vancouver
Founded: in Delta, British Columbia, Canada.
Founder:Alex Sangha
Hq Location:Surrey, British Columbia, Canada.
Area Served:Metro Vancouver, British Columbia

Sher Vancouver is a registered charity in Metro Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer South Asians and their friends.[1] [2] [3] The full name of the organization is the Sher Vancouver LGBTQ Friends Society.[4] [5] The society was originally founded as an online Yahoo group for LGBTQ Sikhs in April 2008 by social worker Alex Sangha of Delta, B.C.[6]

About the Name and Logo

Sher means “lion” in Persian and many South Asian languages.[7] [8] Sher was chosen as the name because it symbolizes courage, pride, bravery, and strength.[9] In addition, the Sikh name “Singh” for males also means lion and the Sikh name “Kaur” for females means lioness or princess.[10]

The original Sher Vancouver logo which was in use from 2008 to 2018 consisted of a pink circular Lionhead on a white background, and Sher was in bold pink letters and Vancouver in grey. It was created by local Vancouver graphic designer and illustrator, Jag Nagra.[11] [12] In April 2018, as Sher Vancouver celebrated its 10th anniversary, Jag Nagra did a full re-brand of Sher Vancouver’s visual identity using a vibrant 2-colour logo paired with an updated icon.[13] [14]

Activities

Sher Vancouver launched the Dosti project which means friendship in many South Asian languages.[15] The project was an anti-bullying, racism, homophobia, transphobia and coming out workshop that went into high schools.[16] [17] [18] The project was launched around a time when there was increased anxiety and racial tension in Vancouver regarding gay bashings by South Asians in the city.[19] [20]

Sher Vancouver also provides free crisis counselling[21] and offers peer support groups.[22] In April 2018, Sher Vancouver marked its 10th anniversary by hosting the Desi-Q Cultural Celebration in Surrey, B.C.[23] [24] In April 2020, Sher Vancouver launched a comprehensive legal resource, prepared by Pro Bono Students Canada - UBC Chapter, that provided information on LGBTQ+ friendly lawyer referrals, human rights and discrimination, and safe countries for LGBTQ+ travellers[25]

In 2021, Sher Vancouver launched a BIPOC podcast hosted by two queer South Asian women, Niri and Sharon. The first three guests were Sher Vancouver Founder Alex Sangha, graphic designer and artist Jag Nagra, and the Founder of SUVA Beauty Shaina Azad.[26]

Vancouver Pride Parade

In 2016, Sher Vancouver Founder Alex Sangha became the first Sikh to become the Grand Marshal of the Vancouver Pride Parade.[27] [28] [29] In 2017, the Canadian federal defence minister Harjit Sajjan, who himself is a Sikh and wears a turban, danced on the Sher float in the Vancouver Pride Parade.[30] [31] [32] This sent a message to the Sikh community that LGBTQ people need to be treated with dignity, respect, and equality.[33]

Vancouver Vaisakhi Parade

In 2017, Sher Vancouver became the first LGBTQ South Asian organization to participate in the Vancouver Vaisakhi Parade.[34] [35] Sher Vancouver has since participated in the Vancouver Vaisakhi Parade multiple times.[36] [37] [38]

Out and Proud Project

In 2013, Sher Vancouver launched the Out and Proud Project which profiled LGBTQ South Asians from around the world.[39] [40]

January Marie Lapuz

January Marie Lapuz (born John Carlo Embo Lapuz;[41] [42] April 9, 1986[43] [44] [45] – September 30, 2012[46]) was the social coordinator of Sher Vancouver and was the first transgender person to become an Executive member of the organization.[47] [48] [49]

She died of multiple stab wounds in New Westminster, BC due to an altercation with a client over the price of a sexual encounter.[50] [51] Sher Vancouver wrote to the City of New Westminster advocating for a memorial for January Marie Lapuz.[52] [53]

Youth Leadership Award

In 2015, Sher Vancouver launched the January Marie Lapuz Youth Leadership Award to recognize youth who are 16 to 30 who demonstrate involvement, commitment, and leadership in the LGBTQ community.[54] [55] [56] Social activist Jaspreet Chahal of Surrey, BC was the inaugural winner in 2015[57] and South Asian LGBTQ magazine Founder Sukhdeep Singh of India was the winner in 2016.[58] Social activists Prachi Khanna was the winner in 2017,[59] and Shilpa Narayan in 2018, both of Surrey, BC.[60] Transgender Lebanese journalist and activist Norma Lize of Vancouver was the winner in 2019.[61] Christopher Nkambwe who founded the African Centre for Refugees in Ontario was the winner in 2020.[62] In 2021, community developer Crecien Bencio of Vancouver became the first Filipino to win the award, which is notable because January Marie Lapuz was also a proud Filipina.[63]

Documentaries

In 2018, Sher Vancouver released a short documentary film, My Name Was January, which was a tribute and eulogy for January and provided a platform for other trans women of colour to express their issues, challenges, and strengths.[64] [65] [66] [67] The film was an official selection at the National Screen Institute Online Short Film Festival in Winnipeg, Manitoba[68] and the San Francisco Bay Area Sex Worker Film and Arts Festival.[69] The documentary has won 14 international awards, and garnered 66 official selections at film festivals around the world.[70] The film was produced by Sher Vancouver Founder Alex Sangha and Sher Vancouver President Ash Brar and directed by former Kwantlen Polytechnic University Journalism students Elina Gress and Lenee Son.[71] [72] [73] [74] My Name Was January stars January’s mother Betty Lapuz, and her friends Ash Brar, Alex Sangha, Josh Soronow, Pam Hayer and Velvet Steele,[75] as well as social activists Kelendria Nation and Natasha Adsit.[76] There is rare footage of January Marie Lapuz herself.[77]

In September 2021, Sher Vancouver released its debut feature-length documentary entitled “Emergence – Out of the Shadows” about the strengths and struggles of gay and lesbian South Asian people and the reactions of their parents. The film is produced by Alex Sangha and directed by Vinay Giridhar, and stars Alex Sangha, Jaspal Kaur Sangha, Kayden Bhangu, Jag Nagra, Harv Nagra, Avtar Singh Nagra, and Rajwant Kaur Nagra.[78] [79] The film had its World Premiere at Cinema Diverse: The Palm Springs LGBTQ Film Festival where it picked up a Festival Favourite award, and started its festival run in other US festivals such as Out On Film in Atlanta which is an Academy Award qualifying festival and the Chicago South Asian Film Festival where it picked up a Special Mention for Director Vinay Giridhar for Best Feature Documentary. Emergence: Out of the Shadows was also an official selection at Image+Nation in Montreal, Reelworld Film Festival in Toronto, and was the closing night film at both the South Asian Film Festival of Montreal and the Vancouver International South Asian Film Festival where it picked up Best Documentary.[80] [81] The film was also nominated for three awards at the Vancouver Asian Film Festival including Best Canadian Feature Award, Best Director for Canadian Feature Award, and Best Cinematography for Canadian Feature Award for 2021. Emergence: Out of the Shadows entered the Canadian Screen Awards for Best Feature Documentary and Best Editing for 2022. Emergence: Out of the Shadows had its South Asian Premiere at Reel Desires: Chennai International Queer Film Festival.[82] [83]

Awards

Sher Vancouver received an award from New West Pride for being “Organization of the Year” for establishing the January Marie Lapuz Youth Leadership Award.[84] Sher Vancouver Founder Alex Sangha also received the Meritorious Service Medal from Her Excellency the Right Honourable Governor General of Canada Julie Payette for founding Sher Vancouver.[85] [86] [87] [88]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Vancouver Whitecaps celebrate pride at BC Place this weekend Listed. dailyhive.com. en. 2019-09-29.
  2. Web site: Sher Vancouver marks 10 years of celebrating sexual diversity in Surrey. 2018-03-11. Surrey Now-Leader. en-US. 2019-09-29.
  3. Web site: Sher Vancouver LGBTQ Friends Society. 2022-01-08. CanadaHelps - Donate to any charity in Canada. en.
  4. Web site: Delta LGBTQ group receiving grant to screen doc about Surrey-raised murder victim. 2019-03-26. Peace Arch News. en-US. 2019-09-29.
  5. Web site: Sher Vancouver founder Alex Sangha of Delta honoured by Governor General. 2019-03-29. Surrey Now-Leader. en-US. 2019-09-29.
  6. Web site: Sikhs create their own queer-support group. 2008-04-23. Georgia Straight » Vancouver's News & Entertainment Weekly. en. 2019-09-29.
  7. Web site: Social worker given medal for advocacy in South Asian LGBTQ community . Vancouver Sun. Gordon . McIntyre . 2018-05-30. en. 2019-09-29.
  8. Web site: Sikhs create their own queer-support group. 2008-04-23. Georgia Straight » Vancouver's News & Entertainment Weekly. en. 2019-09-29.
  9. Web site: Sher Vancouver celebrates its 10th anniversary. 2018-01-17. Drishti Magazine. en-US. 2019-09-29.
  10. Web site: Sikhs create their own queer-support group. 2008-04-23. Georgia Straight » Vancouver's News & Entertainment Weekly. en. 2019-09-29.
  11. Web site: SHER VANCOUVER. 2015-09-19. My Name Was January. en. 2019-12-28.
  12. Web site: Official Website of Jag Nagra. Page 84 : Illustration. en. 2019-12-28.
  13. Web site: Behance. www.behance.net. 2019-12-28.
  14. Web site: DIVERSEcity is the new, exclusive sponsor of the LGBTQ+ January Marie Lapuz Youth Leadership Award. 2019-08-01. DIVERSEcity Community Resources Society. en-US. 2019-12-28.
  15. Web site: Making LGBT people visible in the South Asian community: Our City of Colours, Sher Vancouver, and more. 2011-11-18. Georgia Straight » Vancouver's News & Entertainment Weekly. en. 2019-09-29.
  16. Web site: Coming out as gay and South Asian. 2009-06-03. Xtra. 2019-09-29.
  17. Web site: Alex Sangha: South Asian LGBT people score Pride triple crown in Canada. 2016-08-04. Georgia Straight » Vancouver's News & Entertainment Weekly. en. 2019-09-29.
  18. Web site: 1990s. 2018-11-28. Trek Magazine UBC. en-US. 2019-09-29.
  19. Web site: They bash because they're aroused. 2010-10-20. Xtra. 2019-09-29.
  20. Web site: Over 2,000 march on Davie after attack on gay man. 2008-10-22. Xtra. 2019-09-29.
  21. Web site: Alex Sangha, founder of Sher Vancouver, honoured with Meritorious Service Medal. 2018-05-30. Georgia Straight » Vancouver's News & Entertainment Weekly. en. 2019-09-29.
  22. Web site: Sher Vancouver to launch Surrey support group for South Asian LGBT youth. 2017-04-28. Georgia Straight » Vancouver's News & Entertainment Weekly. en. 2019-09-29.
  23. Web site: Sher Vancouver marks 10 years of celebrating sexual diversity in Surrey. 2018-03-11. Surrey Now-Leader. en-US. 2019-09-29.
  24. Web site: Alex Sangha, founder of Sher Vancouver, honoured with Meritorious Service Medal. 2018-05-30. Georgia Straight » Vancouver's News & Entertainment Weekly. en. 2019-09-29.
  25. Web site: Sher Vancouver launches new legal resource for LGBTQ+ people in Metro Vancouver Indo-Canadian Voice. Mall. Rattan. www.voiceonline.com. 16 April 2020 . en-US. 2020-04-16.
  26. Web site: Episodes. 2022-01-08. Sher Vancouver Podcast. en-CA.
  27. Web site: Meet Vancouver's 2016 Pride grand marshals. 2016-07-08. Xtra. 2019-09-29.
  28. Web site: Alex Sangha, founder of Sher Vancouver, honoured with Meritorious Service Medal. 2018-05-30. Georgia Straight » Vancouver's News & Entertainment Weekly. en. 2019-09-29.
  29. Web site: He Just Made History As Vancouver Pride's First Sikh Grand Marshal. 2016-08-01. HuffPost Canada. en. 2019-09-29.
  30. Web site: Best of Vancouver 2017: News & Politics. 2017-09-20. Georgia Straight » Vancouver's News & Entertainment Weekly. en. 2019-09-29.
  31. Web site: Video: Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan Dances On Sher Vancouver Pride Of Bollywood Float. darpanmagazine.com. en. 2019-09-29.
  32. Web site: Watch: Canadian minister Sajjan dances on Bollywood-themed float at LGBT parade. 2017-08-07. Hindustan Times. en. 2019-09-29.
  33. Web site: Watch: Canadian minister Sajjan dances on Bollywood-themed float at LGBT parade. 2017-08-07. Hindustan Times. en. 2019-09-29.
  34. Web site: This LGBT group just made history in Vancouver's Vaisakhi parade. 2017-04-19. Xtra. 2019-09-29.
  35. News: LGBTQ group to participate in Vaisakhi parade for first time. 2017-03-22. CBC News. 2019-09-29.
  36. Web site: Sher Vancouver marches in the Vancouver Vaisakhi Parade for third year in a row! - Times of India. The Times of India. 2019-09-29.
  37. Web site: Vaisakhi voices in Surrey: What does Vaisakhi mean to you?. 2019-04-18. Surrey Now-Leader. en-US. 2019-09-29.
  38. Web site: Photos: Vancouver Vaisakhi brings together politicians, community, and the cops. 2019-04-13. Georgia Straight » Vancouver's News & Entertainment Weekly. en. 2019-09-29.
  39. Web site: Pride Legacy Awards 2014 winners in sports, arts, youth, and more. 2014-05-09. Georgia Straight » Vancouver's News & Entertainment Weekly. en. 2019-09-29.
  40. Web site: Sher Vancouver's Out and Proud Project to counteract India's antigay legislation. 2013-12-23. Georgia Straight » Vancouver's News & Entertainment Weekly. en. 2019-09-29.
  41. Web site: Metro Vancouver queer communities mourn death of January Marie Lapuz. 2012-10-05. Georgia Straight » Vancouver's News & Entertainment Weekly. en. 2019-09-27.
  42. Web site: Arrest made in murder of January Lapuz. Fuller-Evans. Janaya. New West Record. 2019-09-27.
  43. Web site: SPECIAL ANNIVERSARY COMMENTARY – My Name Was January- By Alex Sangha. 2019-09-12. AAJ Magazine. en-US. 2019-09-27.
  44. Web site: DIVERSEcity is the new, exclusive sponsor of the LGBTQ+ January Marie Lapuz Youth Leadership Award. 2019-08-01. DIVERSEcity Community Resources Society. en-US. 2019-09-27.
  45. Web site: Apply today for the January Marie Lapuz Youth Leadership Award. Surrey604 Magazine. en-US. 2019-09-27.
  46. Web site: Arrest made in murder of January Lapuz. Fuller-Evans. Janaya. New West Record. 2019-09-27.
  47. Web site: Murder charge laid in death of New West transgender resident January Lapuz. 2012-12-06. Georgia Straight » Vancouver's News & Entertainment Weekly. en. 2019-09-27.
  48. Web site: Memorial sought for transgender New Westminster woman slain in 2012. McManus. Theresa. 2019-08-16. Vancouver Is Awesome. en-US. 2019-09-27.
  49. Web site: Metro Vancouver queer communities mourn death of January Marie Lapuz. 2012-10-05. Georgia Straight » Vancouver's News & Entertainment Weekly. en. 2019-09-27.
  50. Web site: My Name Was January premieres in February. New West Record. 2019-09-27.
  51. Web site: Award Created In Memory Of Slain B.C. Transgender Woman. 2015-01-19. HuffPost Canada. en. 2019-09-27.
  52. Web site: Memorial sought for transgender woman slain in New West. McManus. Theresa. New West Record. 2019-12-28.
  53. News: Homicide victims need more than a plaque to honour their memory, councillors say. Johnston. Jesse. 2019-09-12. CBC News. 2019-12-28.
  54. Web site: Award Created In Memory Of Slain B.C. Transgender Woman. 2015-01-19. HuffPost Canada. en. 2019-09-27.
  55. Web site: Applications are now open for Youth Leadership Award. Canadian Immigrant. en-US. 2019-09-27.
  56. Web site: Surrey residents make it big in January Marie Lapuz Youth Leadership Award. 2018-01-04. Surrey Now-Leader. en-US. 2019-09-27.
  57. Web site: Winner of the January Marie Lapuz Youth Leadership Award for 2015 is Jaspreet Chahal. Sangha. Alex. 2018-11-16. My Name Was January. en. 2020-01-03.
  58. Web site: South Asian LGBT magazine founder Sukhdeep Singh receives Sher Vancouver's youth leadership award. 2017-01-04. Georgia Straight » Vancouver's News & Entertainment Weekly. en. 2019-09-27.
  59. Web site: Surrey residents make it big in January Marie Lapuz Youth Leadership Award. 2018-01-04. Surrey Now-Leader. en-US. 2019-12-28.
  60. Web site: Surrey social justice activist wins Sher Vancouver's Youth Leadership Award. 2019-01-18. Surrey Now-Leader. en-US. 2019-09-27.
  61. Web site: In Surrey, Norma Lize wins LGBTQ+ January Marie Lapuz Youth Leadership Award. 2020-02-03. Surrey Now-Leader. en-US. 2020-02-04.
  62. Web site: 2021-01-27. Announcing the winners of this year's LGBTQ2S+ January Marie Lapuz Youth Leadership Awards!. 2021-01-29. DIVERSEcity Community Resources Society. en-US.
  63. Web site: Miller. Victor. 2022-01-23. Vancouver and Toronto area applicants sweep top prizes in youth award. 2022-01-24. GAY BLOG BR @gayblogbr. en-US.
  64. Web site: Surrey-raised murder victim remembered in new documentary film. 2018-09-07. Surrey Now-Leader. en-US. 2019-09-27.
  65. Web site: Her name was January, and she wasn't just a statistic. MacLellan. Julie. New West Record. 2019-09-27.
  66. Web site: Film shares story of trans immigrant woman. Canadian Immigrant. en-US. 2019-09-27.
  67. Web site: My Name Was January: documentary pays tribute to late Metro Vancouver trans woman January Marie Lapuz. 2018-09-18. Georgia Straight » Vancouver's News & Entertainment Weekly. en. 2019-09-27.
  68. Web site: My Name Was January (short film). 2019-02-08. National Screen Institute - Canada (NSI). en-US. 2019-09-27.
  69. Web site: My Name Was January Sex Worker Fest Movies. en-US. 2019-09-27.
  70. Web site: Release revoked for transgender woman's killer . Vancouver Sun. Denise. Ryan. 2019-11-25. en. 2019-12-28.
  71. Web site: Remembering January Marie Lapuz Through Film. 2018-10-02. The Runner. en-US. 2019-09-27.
  72. Web site: My Name Was January (short film). 2019-02-08. National Screen Institute - Canada (NSI). en-US. 2019-09-27.
  73. Web site: Moving Images Distribution: My Name Was January. www.movingimages.ca. 2019-09-27.
  74. Web site: Social worker-turned-filmmaker makes an impact through films. 2022-01-08. Dalhousie Alumni. en-US.
  75. Web site: Home. Velvet Steele. 2019-12-29.
  76. Web site: My Name Was January – Review. Wangersky. Nick. 2018-10-25. Hollywood North Magazine. en. 2019-12-28.
  77. Web site: My Name Was January (short film). 2019-02-08. National Screen Institute - Canada (NSI). en-US. 2019-12-28.
  78. Web site: Struggles of South Asian gays and lesbians documented in new film. 2019-12-05. Surrey Now-Leader. en-US. 2019-12-28.
  79. Web site: E M E R G E N C E. E M E R G E N C E. en. 2019-12-28.
  80. Web site: LGBTQ+ documentary feature Emergence: Out Of The Shadows to be screened at South Asian Film Festival of Montreal. https://web.archive.org/web/20211206092329/https://www.cinestaan.com/articles/2021/nov/3/31965. live. December 6, 2021. 2022-01-08. Cinestaan.
  81. Web site: 2021-11-24. The Vancouver International South Asian Film Festival brought folks together through film and Indigenous performance art. 2022-01-08. The Georgia Straight. en.
  82. Web site: Simone. Interview with Visaff Producer Mannu Sandhu & Film Producer Alex Sangha. 2022-01-08. 104.3 The Breeze. en.
  83. Web site: Priya Menon. Dec 4, 2021. Reel Desires: Ninth edition of Chennai international queer film festival to showcase 16 films from eight countries Chennai News - Times of India. 2022-01-08. The Times of India. en.
  84. Web site: And the winners are.... Verenca. Tereza. New West Record. 2019-09-29.
  85. Web site: Sher Vancouver founder Alex Sangha of Delta honoured by Governor General. 2019-03-29. Surrey Now-Leader. en-US. 2019-09-29.
  86. Web site: Governor General to Honour Remarkable Canadians at Rideau Hall. 2019-03-22. The Governor General of Canada. 2019-09-29.
  87. Web site: B.C. recipients of Canadian honours include founders of Sher Vancouver and Iranian Canadian association. 2019-03-27. Georgia Straight » Vancouver's News & Entertainment Weekly. en. 2019-09-29.
  88. Web site: Surrey's Alex Sangha receives Meritorious Service Medal. 2018-05-22. Surrey Now-Leader. en-US. 2019-09-29.

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