We are revising our language, including changing our organisation’s and festival’s names and logos to make sure everybody impacted by gender inequity is included in our shared mission.
Phase 1: Initial Input
First we gathered initial input on the name change through two surveys.
- Membership survey
- Trans and nonbinary community survey
[button text=”Read the Survey Report” link=”https://dev.gemsvancouver.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/WIFTV_Name_Change_Survey_Report.pdf” class=”button-fuchsia”]
Phase 2: Deeper Dive
Next, we did deeper engagement with Two-Spirit, trans, nonbinary, and QTBIPOC community members, and learned together how to move towards inclusion. We conducted the following:
- Interviews with Two-Spirit, trans and nonbinary community members to identify how to better support trans inclusion at WIFTV.
[button text=”Read the Interview Report” link=”https://dev.gemsvancouver.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Two-Spirit-trans-and-nonbinary-Interview-Report_23Feb2023.pdf” class=”button-fuchsia”]
- QTBIPOC focus group to identify how to better support racial equity at WIFTV.
[button text=”Read the QTIBPOC Focus Group Report” link=”https://dev.gemsvancouver.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/WIFTV-Executive-Report_Liberation-Collective-1.pdf” class=”button-fuchsia”]
- Gender inclusion workshop with board, staff, and membership to collectively learn about inclusion.
Phase 3: Develop Options
Next, we developed options and gathered feedback on potential names.
- Develop and gather feedback on a shortlist of names (complete)
- Membership survey on name options
All of the names submitted in the Phase 1 surveys were collated, sent for feedback, and shortlisted by a group made up of WIFTV staff, current and past board members, key contractors, and from Two-Spirit, trans and nonbinary interview participants.
To our surprise, a clear front runner emerged from the mix – Gender Equity in Media Society (GEMS) Vancouver. The board voted in favour of proposing the name GEMS Vancouver to the membership due to its popularity.
Phase 4: Choose a Name, and Implement
On April 4th 2023, the organization’s membership vote by Special Resolution to change the name of the organization to the proposed new name – Gender Equity in Media Society Vancouver.
On April 12th, 2023, the change was recorded with BC Societies and made official.
Our name change process will eventually culminate in a re-brand – for now, we are focused on ensuring that we record and document the process and that we continue to do the important programming and advocacy work that underpins our name.