Every year, we celebrate the voices of Trans and Queer survivors with our annual creative project, Recognition.

This years’ theme was a portrayal of Queer and Trans experiences of violence, while aiming to answer questions like, “How do you celebrate your community in the face of sexualized violence?” and “What does healing mean to you?”. We are honoured to have received these beautiful, thoughtful, emotional, and inspiring pieces.

At Salal, we strive to allow survivors to have their own voice and hold space for them to follow their own path to healing. In past years, our Recognition project was a ‘zine, an art gathering, and we had hopes to do another e-zine this year. Though we did not get as many submissions as anticipated, we are still honored and thankful to the survivors who have taken the time to write for what is now a blog post about their own healing journeys.

 Non-binary Journey – Bonnie

here I was…and my 7 year-old grandchild
joyously, openly declared…I am I AM I AM
non-binary, NON-BINARY, NON-BINARY, Tata
I love you my grandchild and I want to understand,
but what does non-binary mean
look it up
it has many shades of meaning
I talk with him…he doesn’t want to identify as
he/him, but as they, them
no square box societal definition of
what being a boy, a male, a person of the masculine persuasion can mean
they wear pink, it is their favorite color
they paint hot shades of nail polish on their hands and feet.
they are wearing a pink suit to their 8th grade grad
what does this really MEAN for them and their life
and being accepted
they tell me not to worry Tata, they are happy, calm in the knowledge of who they are
the way they want to dance through their lives
in this world of dualities, and vicious hate filled violence and rhetoric
against those identifying diversely
let’s stand in active solidarity!
DEMANDING that their self-definitions guarantee acceptance and
integration and strength!!

Mediums & Mentality – Kate

I sketched a portrait of myself with a 2H pencil
The lines were playful, light, exploring

I left it unfinished for a year

I came back and added another part to myself
This time with charcoal, smearing my features in the black dust
Dark and blurry

I could only finish my mouth

I almost stopped painting entirely

Now with the rest of me I use brightly colored oil paint in shades of green and pink
It took a long time to dry but fuck… it’s vibrant

I don’t cover the other parts
I just join them cohesively

After all, it’s all me

‘What Does Healing Mean to You?’: An Essay – Suzy

As a transwoman survivor of sexual violence, celebrating my community in the face of such adversity holds great significance. It is through unity, resilience, and collective support that we find strength to rise above the trauma and reclaim our lives.

To celebrate my community, I strive to create safe spaces where survivors can freely express themselves without fear of judgment or stigma. I actively participate in LGBTQ+ events and organizations that promote inclusivity, empowerment, and healing. By sharing my story and experiences, I aim to inspire others and create a sense of belonging within our community. Celebrating also involves raising awareness about the issue of sexualized violence within the LGBTQ+ community, challenging harmful stereotypes, and fostering a culture of consent and respect.

Healing, to me, is a deeply personal and transformative journey. It means finding the strength to confront and overcome the lasting effects of sexual violence, while reclaiming my sense of self-worth and agency. Healing is not a linear process but rather a series of small victories and self-discoveries along the way. It involves seeking professional support, such as therapy or counseling, to navigate the complex emotions and trauma associated with the experience. It also entails practicing self-care, engaging in activities that promote self-love, self-expression, and personal growth. For me, healing means embracing my identity as a transwoman survivor, reclaiming my body and sexuality, and finding peace within myself.

Furthermore, healing extends beyond the individual. It involves advocating for systemic change, challenging societal attitudes and structures that perpetuate sexualized violence. It means standing up against victim-blaming and promoting survivor-centered approaches to support and justice. Healing is about creating a world where no one must endure the pain and trauma of sexual violence, where everyone can live and thrive in a safe and inclusive environment.

In conclusion, celebrating my community in the face of sexualized violence means fostering unity, empowerment, and support. Healing is a personal and transformative journey that involves reclaiming my sense of self, finding strength in solidarity, and advocating for change. Together, we can create a future where survivors are heard, supported, and celebrated, and where sexual violence becomes an unthinkable part of our past.

Another Realm – Tam

It’s the answer to the prompt “What does healing mean to you?” and what it means to me is making art whether that be visual or written about the sexualized violence that I’ve endured so I am able to process and heal.

This piece is about the dissociative state that I’ve been in while experiencing violence. The feeling of not being in your body and not being in this world is what I tried to express in this piece called “Another Realm”.