SASS, or Society for the Advocacy of Safer Spaces, is a volunteer-powered organization aimed at finding proactive solutions to the challenges facing vulnerable and at-risk people within the arts community. Through partnerships with venues and organizations as well as active engagement with the community, SASS provides advocacy, education, and facilitation for safer spaces. WHO WE ARE:
Founded by
Veronica Lawrence and Sarah Adams as a response to the overwhelming need expressed by members of Calgary's music, theatre, and comedy communities, SASS is being developed as an inclusive voice for everyone.Sarah has since left the organization, and Geneviève Dale has stepped up as a partner. We are here to serve the needs of the community and continue to listen as those needs evolve and shift over time. As the initiative grows, we hope to set a new precedent for inclusive scene safety in Calgary, and create a model that can be shared among additional communities and cities. WHAT WE DO:
SASS offers voluntary Safer Space Workshops to venue management and staff, facilitated through the Calgary Sexual Health Centre. Through extensive collaboration with arts community partners, we have established a set of guidelines intended to make safer, more inclusive spaces for Calgarians. Compliance with these guidelines will be strongly suggested to venue management and we will continue to advocate for their ongoing participation. Following the launch of our website, we will also offer a venue safety rating system, reflective of patrons' experiences and audits conducted by SASS volunteers. Venues that participate in workshops and receive high safety ratings will be rewarded with a SASS Gold Seal, which they may display on their front doors or windows, signifying to the community that their staff are invested in providing a safe space to vulnerable patrons. If you have questions or are interested in volunteering with SASS, please contact us at [email protected]. Sincere thanks for your support,
Veronica Lawrence and Geneviève Dale
