Interview with Brianna Van Donselaar
https://search.bvmuseum.org/link/descriptions12316
- Date Range
- August 16, 2019
- Collection
- BVM Oral History collection
- Description Level
- File
- GMD
- sound recording
- electronic record
- Scope and Content
- Interview with Brianna Van Donselaar of the Smithers Pride Society, recorded by Curator Kira Westby for the Bulkley Valley Museum on August 16th 2019. Includes raw and edited .WAV files, .MP3 access file, and a .pdf release form.
- Collection
- BVM Oral History collection
- Description Level
- File
- Creator
- Kira Westby
- Fonds No.
- C5
- Item No.
- 2021.21.80
- Accession No.
- 2021.21
- Physical Description
- 1.75 GB digital records
- Date Range
- August 16, 2019
- Scope and Content
- Interview with Brianna Van Donselaar of the Smithers Pride Society, recorded by Curator Kira Westby for the Bulkley Valley Museum on August 16th 2019. Includes raw and edited .WAV files, .MP3 access file, and a .pdf release form.
- Type of Record
- Archival Description
Audio Tracks
Interview with Brianna van Donselaar - August 16, 2019
Interview with Brianna van Donselaar - August 16, 2019
https://search.bvmuseum.org/media/Digital%20Fonds%20and%20Collections/C5%20BVM%20Oral%20History%20collection/2021.21.80_Van%20Donselaar,%20Brianna/Van%20Donselaar,%20Brianna%202019_08_16.ACCESS.mp3
Van Donselaar discusses her family's history in Smithers, what schools she attended, her own sexual orientation/gender identity, and what it was like to grow up as an LGBTQ+ individual in Smithers.
Chandler Park School; Charles Morris; discrimination; growing up; incorporation; LGBTQ+; Muheim Memorial Elementary School; Pride; school; Smithers Secondary School; transgender; Van Donselaar family
childhood; family history; gender identity; sexual orientation; Smithers
Van Donselaar discusses the development of high school GSAs and the Smithers Pride Society over the years, and mentions some of the goals that the Pride Society has for the future.
Chandler Park School; film screenings; Gay Straight Alliance; Gay Student Alliance; Gender Sexuality Alliance; Ivan Coyote; outreach; Perry Rath; Pride Day; Smithers High School; Transgender Day of Remembrance
GSAs; LGBTQ+; Smithers Pride Society
Van Donselaar discusses the scarcity of Pride Societies in Northern BC communities, and how strong community support has helped Smithers' Pride Society to find success.
acceptance; Anna Zeigler; community support; homophobia; parades; prejudice; Prince Rupert; rainbow crosswalk; Smithers United Church; Taylor Bachrach; Terrace; tolerance
LGBTQ+; Pride Societies; Smithers
The significance of Pride to the younger generation, and what obstacles still remain for the 2SLGBTQ+ community in Smithers.
lack of resources
LGBTQ+; Pride; youth
Van Donselaar briefly outlines her post-secondary education and travels after leaving Smithers. She then discusses Pride celebrations in Prince George, and efforts to expand the more 'adult'-oriented side of Pride.
drag show; education; medical training; paramedics; parties; Vancouver
Pride; Prince George
Van Donselaar discusses running a support group for LGBTQ+ youth in Smithers and working with the Trans Care BC advisory group to promote proper health care and safety.
education; health and safety; outreach; sex education; socialization; Trans Care BC advisory group
LGBTQ+; youth group
Van Donselaar discusses the increased visibility and acceptance that the LGBTQ+ community in Smithers has received, including from local businesses.
acceptance; allies; community support; rainbow crosswalk
businesses; LGBTQ+
Van Donselaar discusses the creation of Smithers' rainbow crosswalk and how it serves as a symbol of Pride in the community.
Anna Ziegler; Mayor; repainting; SOAR Girl Guides event
LGBTQ+; Pride; rainbow crosswalk
Van Donselaar discusses instances of opposition to Pride and LGBTQ+ inclusion in Smithers, mainly those expressed by letters to the Interior News.
backlash; bigotry; community; David Walford; Interior News; letters to the editor; opposition
homophobia; LGBTQ+; prejudice; Pride
Van Donselaar discusses the importance of Pride to the entire community, and how she hopes it will continue to grow and develop in the future.
Abbotsford; Canada Day; celebrating differences; community; diversity; inclusivity; National Indigenous People's Day; Pride Month; rainbow ambulance
LGBTQ+; Pride
Van Donselaar discusses how Pride has become more corporate in recent years, especially in larger cities, and how she hopes that Smithers' Pride remains community-centered. She also discusses the hypocrisy of large corporations which claim to support LGBTQ+ people but do not do so in practice.
corporations; hypocrisy; politics; values; Vancouver Pride
community; corporatism; Pride
Van Donselaar discusses the Pride Society's role in local outreach and education, as well as plans for future events (such as bringing in bands/musicians).
bands; Houston; musicians; Riverboat Days (Terrace); Tegan and Sara; Uh Huh Her; youth
education; LGBTQ+; outreach; Smithers Pride
Van Donselaar discusses the financial obstacles faced by the Pride Society and what funding opportunities are available to them.
becoming a society; budgets; concerts; costs; donations; grants
finances; funding opportunities; money; Smithers Pride Society
Van Donselaar discusses preparations for Pride 2020, which was ultimately cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
event planning; promotion
Pride; Pride 2020
Discussion of various topics, including hopes for the future of the Pride movement, increased awareness of LGBTQ+ issues caused by Trump's negative publicity, and use of gender-neutral bathrooms.
current events; Donald Trump; gender-neutral washrooms; politics
acceptance; Pride
After a brief break, Van Donselaar discusses coming out as transgender, choosing a new name, and the importance of family support.
family; family support; names; naming; passing; puberty; relationships; suicide
coming out; LGBTQ+; transitioning
Van Donselaar mentions several instances of transphobic harassment in Smithers, including on social media.
bullying; discrimination; lack of privacy; meme; prejudice; slander; transitioning
harassment; social media; transphobia
Van Donselaar discusses various disappointments and obstacles, such as the Out in Schools group pulling their support for the North, the dubious sincerity of some Smithers businesses with 'safe space' stickers, the Pride Society's limited resources and finances, and the lack of anonymity that comes with living in a small town.
funding; northern Pride Societies; Vancouver Queer Film Festival; WTF Smithers Facebook page
education; Out in Schools; safe space stickers; Smithers Pride Society; social media