Blob is a member of the Project 10 community and a user of our services. They are a nonbinary androgynous youth, who, as they describe it, is “still in the process of trying to figure out how to fit [themselves] into the binary system by destabilizing it with [their] existence and presence.”

Blob had been looking for a community of people that shared similar experiences with them; something they had yet to find elsewhere. They found that their school failed to offer that kind of support for the LGBTQ community, which is unfortunately too common. Blob began using our services a few years ago, after meeting a teacher at their school who was part of the LGBTQ community and recommended Project 10 to them. Blob had been looking to meet other youth and people with similar experiences they could relate to - people they “could learn from,” which is exactly what they found at P10, where they continue to grow with us, as they explained, “when it comes to learning, the process is still ongoing.”

Blob found communal support they couldn’t find elsewhere with friends in participants, staff and volunteers. Blob has been particularly grateful for our Listening Line, an anonymous network for support and information to any LGBTQIA2+ youth, all over Quebec. It allows for anonymous, nonjudgmental listening and support to youth who perhaps are not ready to come to our space in person yet or live too far to reach us, as well as to anyone who may need to be heard, as Blob emphasized, “two heads is better than one, talking it out on the line allows [them] to be less in [their] head on the problem and more on finding solutions.”

Another significant experience for Blob with P10 was when they led a workshop in our space. They led a creative arts activity for a group of our participants and were happy to see people come together, they found it “great that those partaking the workshop were having a good time.” Beyond our core services, we try to offer numerous opportunities for our participants to try new things, take on leadership positions, and engage with the community in ways they may not be able to do elsewhere.

When asked what their hopes were for the future of our organization and our community, Blob explained that they hope P10 could continue to prosper, and specifically, that we could “continue to educate non-allies to be respectful towards members of the LGBTQ community.” Blob recalled a specific memory of when a group from P10 attended a vigil to commemorate the Pulse shooting and a P10 participant and a member of the QTBIPOC community was very forcefully removed from the vigil and threatened with charges of assault with a weapon, from simply throwing a piece of paper at our former Premier of Quebec. The P10 community came together to sign on to a letter to reduce to his charges, and to allow him to continue accessing our services.

Blob described how this was just one of the moments in which the support of our community has shown to be so important. In the face of discrimination or violence, the strength of our community has been a crucial source of support, which has always and will always be a priority for us. As Blob explained, it is extremely useful to offer to those who need the support and resources what they need within our community and our space, as well as extend our efforts to educate and inform those beyond our community to be understanding and respectful.