This petition is in response to the Vancouver Theatresports action plan, which has been laid out on their website, to finally address the systemic racism, sexism, and homophobia that has plagued the company for years.

 We believe there is a lack of actionable steps outlined in their plan to make meaningful and lasting change. The current plan is similar to ones that have been mentioned in the past which were developed to support the environment of fear and silencing that Vancouver Theatresports has previously used as a tactic to leave these issues unaddressed. This plan is supposed to be centered around anti-Black racism first, but they have entered this process with no Black people at all.

This petition is calling for Vancouver Theatresports to:

1- Make a public announcement admitting Vancouver Theatresports has fostered a culture of exclusion with regards to racism, sexism and homophobia. They must admit that these issues have been brought to them before with minimal change put into effect (ex. after #MeToo, in 2015, 2009, and myriad individual complaints received over the past 40 years). They must acknowledge that Vancouver Theatresports has failed to address these issues at every turn. 

2 - Immediately remove all of the perpetrators and enablers of the above practices from the company. 

3 - It is imperative that all current Board Members be removed immediately, as they are a part of the old power structure that enabled the culture outlined above, and replace them with BIPOC, WOC, and LGBTQ+ members who can properly restructure and address the systemic issues within this organization. It is specifically imperative that Black voices are represented. Lasting change is not possible unless the board majority is diversified.

4 - Invest in the development of BIPOC and LGBTQ+ performers. This includes ensuring that they have access to professional development opportunities and financial support to create new work to showcase their perspectives and partner them with industry professionals to help further their careers.

5 -Training of the staff, board, and everyone else within Vancouver Theatresports about the importance of anti-racism efforts in the community by an outside professional. Training should be provided by a BIPOC or LGBTQ+ educator. This will include reading materials, training/workshops, and digital toolkits aimed at educating everyone within the company about how they can work to end systemic racism.

We ask the following organizations to hold them accountable as well:

International Theatresports Institute (which licenses VTS to use the trademark Theatresports) https://impro.global/​ https://www.facebook.com/InternationalTheatresportsInstitute

Granville Island info@granvilleisland.com https://www.instagram.com/granville_island/

City of Vancouver https://twitter.com/VanMayorsOffice​ https://www.instagram.com/cityofvancouver/

Tourism Vancouver https://www.facebook.com/insidevancouver/​ https://www.instagram.com/inside_vancouver/

-- Safe Space To Play

We acknowledge that we are based on occupied unceded Indigenous land belonging to the Musqueam, Skwxwú7mesh, and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations.

Aside from signing this petition and continuing personal and public anti-racist work, donate to local and international funds/non-profits like these that support BIPOC communities and anti-racist efforts: 

Black Lives Matter Vancouver​

Vancouver Black Therapy & Advocacy Fund​

Black in BC Community Support Fund for COVID-19​

Pay Ashlee - Because Organizing is Labour