I first discovered the Calgary Birth Control Association at the age of sixteen, while volunteering with Inside Out (Calgary’s only queer youth group) and soon my volunteering hours were committed there as well. My first real experience with CBCA was when I went in for the interview to be a volunteer with their anti-homophobia program. The program is usually the last class done during the CBCA’s sexual education program in high school as part of the Career and Life Management course, so all high school students who are lucky enough to have CBCA coming to their schools will receive the program. It involves a single educator and a volunteer. For the interview, conducted by two of the Educators, I was asked about my coming out experience. They also challenged me with some examples of questions the kids might ask
My first class was actually pretty simple and I was amazed at the educated questions I was presented with. It’s probably because of a more aware society, but I’m sure that the Anti-Homophobia program has played a large part in it. The program started in 1996 and since then has expanded to nearly every public school in the city and even a few outside! It’s the first of its kind and, knowing the nature of it, does not really fit in as an issue of birth control. CBCA has been a part of the Calgary community since 1973, at which time birth control was a far more controversial and pressing manner. They fought the fight to legalize abortion, playing a key role in Calgary’s conservative environment as spokesperson for safer practices. They helped people to make more informed choices when it came to sex and it was only natural that, as human sexuality and sexual awareness evolved, so did the CBCA. Along with the Anti-Homophobia program they also have YPEP, (Youth Peer Education Program) a youth run program educating high school students about their bodies and the choices they can make to have safe, healthy sexual experiences. The youths employed with this program gain amazing experience and the youths they educate are more receptive to what they have to say.
CBCA has several counseling programs as well, including an eight week program for women questioning their sexual orientation. The program discusses everything from biphobia, homophobia and heterosexism to coming out, to healthy relationships. CBCA has become a strong part of the queer community and is often found at queer events such as the Alberta Rockies Gay Rodeo and the Calgary Pride Parade and Street Festival…a long way from speaking out against abortion laws and the right for women to dictate what happens to their own bodies.
With all these changes the necessity arose to rebrand their organization, and on Thursday, October 26th they announced it. The Calgary Birth Control Association that we know and love will now be known as the Calgary Sexual Health Centre. They will continue providing the same amazing services they always have, to both the straight and queer community, simply under a new name. I for one feel it encompasses all they do and look forward to any new and exciting programs they might develop in the future.

The Calgary Sexual Health Centre (CSHC)
304, 301 14th Street NW
(403) 283-5580
http://www.cbca.ab.ca