Join the conversation

Real Talk Events are safer spaces where you can ask questions about sex, and you won’t get told that they’re inappropriate or rude. Certified Sexual Health Educators and other participants can help you figure out answers.

(On this page, we also list Guest Events from trusted colleagues. These are usually for dating & friending – not specifically for discussing sex.)

 

Upcoming Events:

  • Real Talk LGBTQ Zoom Hangout

    Adults with cognitive disabilities who are 2SLGBTQIA+ hang out online and chat with a Certified Sexual Health Educator.

    November 28 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

  • Real Talk Classic Pizza Party

    Adults with cognitive disabilities get together to talk with a Certified Sexual Health Educator about dating, love, relationships & sex.

    December 10 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

What happens at
a Real Talk Event?

If it’s an in-person event, people get together and have some food. If it’s a Zoom event, people join in on their laptops, tablets or phones using the Zoom app. While we wait for everyone to arrive, there are some activities to get people thinking about the subjects we’ll be discussing.

Once everyone has arrived, the facilitators lead some brief introductions. Then we begin screening videos from our Real Talk video catalog. After each video, we ask people what they thought about it. We invite discussion, reflection, and questions. People are free to talk or just listen. It’s OK to take breaks or to leave early if you feel like you don’t want to be there any more.

We have lots of Real Talk Hangouts where everyone is welcome. We also have some that are just for women, some that are just for men, some that are just for LGBTQ folks, and some that are just for people who are new to or shy about discussing these topics.

If you’re curious about what our Zoom events look like, we made a demo video that you can check out below. We talk about similar stuff at our in-person events.

(All of the people in the video knew we were filming them and agreed it was ok. Normally we don’t ever film our events, and what people say at them is kept private.)

Do you support someone with a cognitive disability? Does the subject of sexuality ever come up? Do you find these conversations uncomfortable? Or are you comfortable with the subject matter but not sure about your organization’s policies?

Come join the conversation! Real Talk ‘s Approachable Support is a Professional Development workshop aimed at supporters. We’ll share success stories, concerns, strategies, and resources. The focus of these events is not about becoming a sexual health expert. It’s about:

  • Increasing comfort with the subject
  • Finding new ways of holding space during intense conversations
  • Learning how and where to get reliable sexual health information for different learners
  • Examining sexual health barriers that are specific to people with cognitive disabilities
  • Thinking about ways around these barriers
  • Examining our own concerns / fears
  • Sharing stories of failures, fears, successes and celebrations.

Each workshop is facilitated by a certified sexual health educator. We are currently offering them via Zoom and they are FREE to book for organizations in Greater Vancouver. Click here for more information and to book your free training session.

Below is a video example of some of the topics covered in our workshops:

Our goal with each event is to provide an encouraging, inclusive and comfortable space for folks to honestly share about love, dating, sex and relationships. What are people’s experiences? Hopes? Dreams? Frustrations? Disappointments?

 

Tips to help you prepare for a Real Talk Event

Get Comfortable

  • Watch some Real Talk videos to learn about what topics we talk about.
  • Check in with yourself. How do you feel about sharing some of your experiences with others? That’s part of what happens at events. (It’s also ok to  just listen, if you prefer.) Some people feel more comfortable sharing at an event if they have spent some time considering whether or not they want to share some experiences – and if so which ones?
  • Think about whether there are people in your life who you can talk to about the subjects we discuss in Real Talk.

Agreements at Events

At every event, we come up with some agreements among participants about how to make the space encouraging and comfortable for everyone. Some common agreements include:

  • Giving everyone time & space to contribute
  • Practicing consent around how we ask for participation
  • Being respectful in how we talk to each other
  • Not telling people they’re wrong or bad
  • Respecting people’s personal space, etc.

Think about what would help make the event feel comfortable and positive for you.