The Centre for Women and Trans People is celebrating its twentieth anniversary as the University of Toronto’s primary gender advocacy group. Though the centre, with its soft lighting, eclectic furniture and scattered feminist literature may not have changed its decor, it has undergone a fundamental ideological shift.
“We’ve come to the realization that women need to be more inclusive,” said Helen Luu, the centre’s coordinator. “Today we know that gender is not biological, it’s something that is socially constructed. That’s why we are trying to be an inclusive environment for everyone who identifies themselves as a woman.”
So earlier this year, the centre changed its name to the Centre for Women and Trans People.
“When it first started out, the centre was made up of white, middle-class women. Today women of all colours and all races drop by,” said Luu. “We’re trying our best to make the centre’s policies completely inclusive. It’s hard work, but it’s something we are committed to. Right now, we’re incorporating material that is trans-inclusive into our policies.”
Founded in 1986, the centre was established after a group of women, calling themselves the Coalition for a Women’s Centre at U of T, camped outside of Simcoe Hall, where the university’s senior administrators are housed.
“The University of Toronto was the only university in Ontario without a centre for women. In fact, York University had a centre for women 11 years before we did,” said Luu.
Later that year, the group was granted space by the University on the main floor of the North Borden building, at 563 Spadina Ave. It quickly became a haven for women on campus where they could engage in political discussion, study, lounge, or deal with more pressing issues.
“We had to deal with issues relating to sexual violence, sexual assault and referrals. That was and remains to be a big part of what we do,” said Luu.
To celebrate its first 20 years, the centre will be hosting a birthday bash on Saturday evening at the Cecil Street Community Centre at 8 Cecil St.
