Sexual Health Centre for Cumberland County

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Amherst, NS
Sexual Health Centre for Cumberland County

DONATE: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/sexual-health-centre-for-cumberland-county/ See this month's calendar post for details!

We offer a variety of FREE programs and services to protect and enhance human rights, health, and wellbeing in Cumberland County
10 LAWRENCE STREET, AMHERST N.S. Our Centre is open flexible hours to allow our staff to do classroom presentations, community outreach, and one-on-one guidance.

06/02/2026

🌈📣 June is a Month of Celebration, Awareness, Reflection, and Intersectionality. 📣🌈
This month, we recognize and honour:
🩷 2SLGBTQIA+ Pride Month
🧡 Indigenous History Month
💚 Men’s Mental Health Month

While these observances each hold their own important meaning, they are also deeply interconnected. Many people exist at the intersections of multiple identities and lived experiences, and June reminds us of the importance of recognizing the whole person — not just one part of who they are.
In this month’s newsletter, we explore:
✨ The history and ongoing significance of Pride
✨ The roots of Pride in resistance and advocacy
✨ The importance of Two-Spirit identities and Indigenous leadership within q***r communities
✨ Indigenous History Month and meaningful ways allies can learn, support, and take action
✨ Men’s Mental Health Month and the importance of breaking down stigma around vulnerability, help-seeking, and emotional wellbeing
✨ How intersectionality shapes our communities, relationships, and experiences

At the Sexual Health Centre for Cumberland County, we believe that education, advocacy, compassion, and community care all go hand-in-hand. We also recognize that awareness alone is not enough — meaningful action, allyship, and solidarity matter too.

We invite you to take some time this month to learn, reflect, celebrate, support local communities, challenge stigma, and continue building safer and more inclusive spaces for everyone. ❤️

📖 Check out our June Newsletter below for articles, reflections, and resources related to these important observances.

Helpful links to learn more:
https://mentell.ca/
https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/healthy-living/improving-health-men-canada.htmlcanada/services/healthy-living/improving-health-men-canada.html
https://silewalsh1.medium.com/more-in-common-than-you-think-bridging-pride-and-mens-mental-health-month-ca4398cc1296
https://mentell.ca/
https://www.theindigenousfoundation.org/articles/the-history-of-two-spirit-folks
https://indigenouspeoplesatlasofcanada.ca/section/first-nations/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8H-jA99Lzgg
https://reproductivefreedomforall.org/resources/pride-started-as-a-riot/
https://egale.ca/workplace-inclusion/
https://www.cphs.ca/educational-resources/notable-events-in-pride

*xualhealth

06/01/2026

June is National Indigenous History Month – Proclaimed in 2009, Indigenous History Month is a month of many meanings. It’s about the celebration of the rich culture and traditions of the Metis, Inuit, and First Nations communities that have endured against colonialism. It’s about mourning, and grieving what was erased, who was lost, and knowledge ripped away. Remembering the missing and murdered indigenous women, children, and two-spirited people who should be here. Recognizing the harm that continues to be carried out by the Canadian Government and colonialism. Working towards reconciliation, knowing that nothing can truly be done to undo the harm, but things can be better. It’s about healing and growing in the face of adversity, through community.

Anybody can take part in Indigenous History Month, and it’s a great opportunity for allies to learn how to support Indigenous communities. Here are some ways you can participate;

· Support indigenous authors and artists

· Take part in events or community gatherings

· Read about Indigenous history

· Support Indigenous businesses

· Watch films and performances by and about Indigenous people

· Speaking out against racism and misinformation against Indigenous communities

Here are some resources to help you get started;

· A reading list of books by Indigenous authors -
https://writers.ns.ca/reading-lists/indigenous-writers-a-reading-list/

· Discover Indigenous artists –
https://www.mikmawitasik.ca/

· A collection of films by Indigenous creators -
https://www.nfb.ca/indigenous-cinema/?language=en&sort=year%3Adesc%2Ctitle&year_min=1968&year_max=2025

· Indigenous-led businesses -
https://shopfirstnations.com/locations/

05/29/2026

❗It’s time for the Sexcellence Awards Nominations! Each year, Sexual Health Nova Scotia presents the Sexcellence Award to an individual nominated by their community for being leaders in s*xual health promotion and education for Nova Scotians.

Nominees are evaluated based on their contribution to social justice & advocacy, education & health promotion, partnerships, specialized services, and innovation to s*xual, gender, and reproductive health in Nova Scotia. They may provide access to safer s*x supplies, do educational presentations, provide avenues for gender affirming care, promote s*xual wellness and advocacy, or other contributions in the s*xual health field! 🏆

📖Learn more about the awards and previous nominees here
https://shns.ca/history-of-shns-s*xcellence-awards/

And nominate someone here! Nominations are due June 1st at 11:59pm ⏰
https://shns.ca/2026/04/30/2026-s*xcellence-award-nominations/

05/25/2026

🕘Have you heard about what’s up this week at the Sexual Health Centre for Cumberland County? Check out this week’s calendar for more details on ‘Open Hours’ and Programs!

05/19/2026

💛 Community Sharing Circle – May 23 (Amherst) 💛

You are invited to join a community sharing circle on Friday, May 23 at The Anchor (13 West Pleasant St, Amherst). This intentional, non-judgmental space is an opportunity to come together and talk about gender-based violence and s*xualized violence, while supporting one another and exploring how we can create safer communities.

This circle is focused on:
✨ how people have been impacted
✨ what needs exist in the community
✨ connecting with local supports and resources

To help keep the space safe and supportive for everyone, participants are not expected to share graphic or detailed personal trauma experiences, as this can be difficult or re-traumatizing for others. Participation is always your choice — people are welcome to share, listen, or simply be present. 💛

🕯️ Quiet/grounding spaces will be available for anyone who needs to step away or take a break.

📅 May 23, 2026
🕙 Community Sharing Circle: 10:00am–12:15pm
🧘 Trauma Sensitive Yoga & Movement Offering: 12:15pm–1:00pm
📍 The Anchor
13 West Pleasant St, Amherst, NS

🍎 Snacks provided
💛 Trauma-informed support available
🕯️ Grounding resources available
🧸 Childcare available upon request (RSVP required)
📩 Childcare RSVP: Dawn Ferris — [email protected]

Hosted collaboratively by Autumn House with Lilac Place: Resources for Women, the YMCA of Cumberland, the Sexual Health Centre Cumberland County, Kristina Fifield Trauma Therapy & Consulting, and Elizabeth Smith-McCrossin MLA Cumberland North.

If you have questions about the event or would like support deciding whether this space feels right for you, please feel welcome to reach out to the Sexual Health Centre for Cumberland County or drop by during open hours. 💛

05/17/2026

Today, May 17, is the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT).

This day was created to raise awareness of the discrimination, violence, stigma, and barriers faced by 2SLGBTQIA+ people around the world, while also celebrating diversity, inclusion, allyship, and the ongoing work toward equity and human rights.

May 17 was chosen because it marks the date in 1990 when the World Health Organization removed homos*xuality from the International Classification of Diseases ‐ an important milestone in the global movement toward dignity and recognition for 2SLGBTQIA+ people.

While progress has been made, today remains an important reminder that homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, and other forms of discrimination continue to impact people in very real ways. Many 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals still experience harassment, exclusion, violence, isolation, and fear simply for being who they are.

Creating safer, healthier, and more inclusive communities requires all of us. Allyship matters. Speaking up matters. Kindness matters. Education matters. Inclusion matters.

Today is not only about acknowledging harm; it is also about choosing compassion over hate, understanding over fear, and community over division.

We are deeply grateful for the many individuals, organizations, businesses, educators, allies, and community members who continue to stand alongside the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and help create spaces where people feel safe, valued, respected, and supported.

Everyone deserves dignity. Everyone deserves belonging. And everyone deserves to live openly and authentically without fear.

05/14/2026

Today the Sexual Health Centre for Cumberland County has received an overwhelming outpouring of support from community members, organizations, businesses, partners, volunteers, and allies across Cumberland County and beyond.

We want to sincerely thank everyone who has reached out, shared kind words, made supportive posts, corrected misinformation, checked in on our team, and stood publicly in support of inclusion, safety, education, and compassion. Your support has been deeply meaningful.

At the Sexual Health Centre for Cumberland County, our work has always been rooted in health promotion, evidence-based education, community care, and harm reduction. We provide age-appropriate s*xual and reproductive health education, supportive programming, access to resources and supplies, service navigation, advocacy, and safer spaces for people across the lifespan.

Our programs and educational work focus on topics such as:
• Consent and healthy relationships
• Communication and boundaries
• Sexual and reproductive health
• Gender and s*xual diversity
• Online safety and digital wellbeing
• Mental health, self-esteem, and wellness
• Safer s*x and harm reduction
• Inclusion, respect, and community belonging

We work with youth, adults, families, educators, seniors, service providers, and community organizations. Our goal is, and always has been, to help build healthier, safer, more informed, and more connected communities.

We recognize that conversations around s*xual health, gender, and inclusion can bring forward different beliefs and perspectives. However, we firmly believe that every person deserves to be treated with dignity, respect, and humanity.

What we have witnessed over the last several days has reminded us of the incredible compassion that exists within our community. Seeing organizations, leaders, businesses, allies, and individuals stand together against hate and misinformation — and in support of inclusion, education, and care — has been powerful and moving.

Thank you for continuing to stand with us, with the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, and with the values of compassion, respect, safety, and belonging.

Address

10 Lawrence Street
Amherst, NS
B4H3G5

Telephone

+19026677500

Website

http://sexualhealthmatters.ca/

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