The GEM is proud to host various annual and recurring events, from the week-long educational and fun FEM-EXPO, to monthly game nights and seasonal book clubs. We have something for everyone to enjoy.
The GEM also frequently offers community arts programming! Check out our Instagram to stay up-to-date on our latest workshops bring provided. Previous workshops have covered crafts such as crochet, zine making, love letter writing, clothing upcycling, rock painting, friendship bracelet making, and more!
FEM-EXPO
This annual, week-long Feminist Empowerment Expo (previously known as SEXPO) is a love letter to empowerment, a celebration of resilience, and a rally cry for change. This Expo features a variety of events such as tabling for local vendors and community organizers, an intersectional feminist art gallery featuring local artists, various workshops and panels covering a wide variety of topics, drag and dance performances, film screenings, and finishes up with Groovefest, an 18+ variety show.
Some previous events and panels featured at FEM-EXPO include:
- Feminism and Harm Reduction: On the Intersections of Sexual Health and Drug Use – In collaboration with AVI PRISM
- Know Your Rights: Responding to Sexual Harassment in the Workplace – A workshop in collaboration with Sharp Workplaces
- Sex & Disability – A panel in collaboration with SSD, AVP, and EQHR
- Trans ID Clinic – Lawyer run with volunteer law students
- Queering the Spirit: An Inclusive Multi-Faith Community Circle – Hosted with Pride Collective and SOCC
- Kink in Community – An 18+ panel
- Zumba Classes
- Clothing Swaps
- And more!
Groovefest
Groovefest is an anti-fashion, outlaw culture, radical variety show (18+). Originally created by the Women’s Centre in 1996, this event ran annually until 2004, celebrating diversity and alternatives to western societal standards of beauty. This event was revived in 2024 by the GEM, bringing back the wild, sexy fun!
Monthly Game Nights
Once a month, the GEM host a board game night, open to all students and community members looking for a fun way to spend their evenings. The GEM has a wide selection of board games to choose from, playing new and entertaining games every month. Bring a friend (or make some new ones!) and join us for some Clue, Monopoly, or even Go Fish.
GEM’s Book Club
The GEM book club meets once per term (4 times annually) and is a great place to come discuss feminist literature. You get to choose what book you would like to read from the GEM library, which has a wide variety of theory, memoirs, fiction, zines, and journals. Whether you have read 100 books or 100 words, we want to hear your thoughts! Follow our Instagram page for more updates on meeting times for the book club.
Want to choose your next book for book club? Check out our full library collection here! Or come down to our library (Student Union Building, Room B107b) and peruse the shelves.
16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence
This 16 day event focuses on empowerment, prevention, survivor support, and community care, hosting a variety of workshops, info sessions, crafts, and other free events.
Some previous events and panels featured at this event include:
- Sapphic Sex-Ed – Dykes Nation’s new and improved sex-ed workshop
- Trans Fem and Trans Masc Circles – Hosted in PRIDE
- Silence, Display, and Honour – Conmemorating and grieving the people lost around the world due to gender-based violence
- Henna Workshop – Get traditional mehndi designs and learn more about Indian culture
- Mocktail Workshop – Join AVP to discover yummy mocktail recipes and learn about drink-spiking awareness
- Upcycling Workshop – Hosted by UVSP, an event to make the most of your wardrobe
- Dehydrating your own Meals – UVSP’s workshop on sustainable and affordable dehydrated backpacking meals
- Free Hair and Nail Polish Bar
- And more!
GEM Journal Launch
This annual event celebrates the launch of the printed publication of the GEM Journal. To celebrate, join the GEM for an open mic for writers in the community.
Want to read through the GEM Journal’s digital publication? Look through the full archives here.
