Bangladeshi Students’ Association
QueerSphere
QueerSphere is the faculty’s 2SLGBTQ+ student group. We represent queer engineering students at the UofT through advocacy, professional development, and community building. This year, we have piloted a low-barrier access fund in partnership with the 519, led an event in honour of Transgender Day of Remembrance with the SGDO, sent 3 delegates to a national conference, and facilitated socials including our 3rd annual undergrad-graduate mentorship mixer and our cornerstone drag performance night.
Key accomplishments
RainbowCare - Started a pilot project for the low-barrier microgrant fund “RainbowCare” shaped around the community-based survey which reached 70+ students from 2023-2024. Secured a 3000 grant and support from a community partner, the 519, to run the pilot project. Partnered with FASE staff support for administration and the FASE Student & Community Wellness Coordinator to provide non-monetary support to students. Reached over 30 students with reported need.
Drag Night - This year, QueerSphere’s drag night invited 4 drag performers to the Sandford Fleming basement in front of a crowd of approximately 50+ attendees. This is a cornerstone of QueerSphere’s event offerings, aimed at creating a visible space for queer students, allowing students to celebrate the variety and excellence of queer art, and building connections between students and leaders within the community.
EngiQueers - Three representatives left Toronto to represent QueerSphere at the EngiQueers national conference in Montreal. EngiQueers is an national organization that QueerSphere member group of. QueerSphere was able to foster connections with Queer engineering student groups across Canada at this conference.
CPSIF funding impact
CPSIF funding helped us primarily in the aspects of advocacy and community building. We used CPSIF to subsidize the ancillary expenses for our RainbowCare pilot project, send 3 delegates to an international conference, provide a free drag show, pay for craft supplies and snacks at our events, and food/celebratory fare for our undergraduate-graduate mixer. CPSIF funding has allowed us to create desperately needed community spaces for queer engineering students to feel welcomed and celebrated.
Delegates (Sarah Chen, Corin Espinas, Maggie Kou) at the National EngiQueers Conference.
Club volunteers (Joanna, Pedro) helping at QueerSphere’s craft table at the Ontario Science Centre’s Pride in STEM Day.
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