Steph Cook (SC): Thanks so much for sitting down with us today! Would you mind introducing yourself to us? 

Stuart MacLeod (SM): My name is Stuart MacLeod and I’m the Teen Programming Coordinator at Planned Parenthood Toronto (PPT). 

SC: What sorts of things do you do in your role at PPT?  

SM: Basically I run our sexual health information website and support lines with the help of a team of teen volunteers. We do research, post articles, create infographics, and respond to sexual health questions on our chat lines from teens across the GTA (Greater Toronto Area). 

SC: You've previously shared how blown away you are by our youth volunteers. What attributes about the youth who volunteer at PPT do you admire the most? 

SM: Basically all of our volunteers are there because they saw something missing from their sex education, and wanted to do something about it. Even though they’re all teens helping other teens, the phrase “I want to be who I needed when I was in school” comes up a lot. There’s an intense amount of care for other young people there, and a strong drive to make a difference in the lives of their peers.  

SC: This is truly the definition of peer support! What would you say is the biggest challenge facing Toronto’s youth today? 

SM: We basically can’t talk about youth without talking about the internet and misinformation. It’s not just unique to Toronto; youth everywhere are being exposed to a ton of information online and it’s not all accurate, safe, or sex-positive. When we couple that with the pushback against comprehensive sex ed in school curriculums, it really feels like trying to learn anything about sexuality or reproductive health is all happening in a hostile environment. 

SC: What do you think makes PPT’s programs unique or especially helpful, particularly in this moment in time? 

SM: The fact that our programs are peer-driven is pretty special. I feel like PPT’s always known that young people have a really clear sense of what is best for them and just need the tools and support to advocate for themselves. Young people are seeing reproductive rights being rolled back, they’re seeing this new political climate that seems particularly hostile to marginalized genders and sexualities, and I think they know it’s not right and most importantly that it doesn’t have to be this way. It feels like PPT is directly combatting any nihilistic ideas by saying “you’re right—it doesn’t have to be this way, and we want to help you do something about it”. 

SC: How do you think Toronto’s youth would be impacted if PPT’s programs services didn’t exist?  

SM: There’s a reason that people come to us from all over the GTA to access our services and volunteer with our programs. Navigating Toronto’s reproductive healthcare system, accessing medically accurate sexual health information, accessing birth control with the ability to ask meaningful questions, these are all really really difficult things to do as a young person in this city. Even trying to learn more about their bodies, relationships, and how to be better people to one another without being talked down to seems to be a struggle. I feel like PPT makes those things easier, and sees the value in youth as people—not just people-in-waiting. I think we offer an ease and a bit of hopefulness that youth desperately need right now and I’d hate to think of a Toronto without that.  

SC: Right now we’re in the midst of Giving Season, and the outpouring of support from donors already has been nothing short of inspiring. What would you say to someone who is thinking about donating to PPT but isn’t sure how their donation will make a difference?  

SM: PPT isn’t just slightly friendlier STBBI (sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections) tests and more accessible birth control prescriptions. Those are both incredibly important services we offer, but the list of support and services we provide is a lot longer than some might think. It’s sexual and reproductive healthcare, it’s mental health counselling, it’s access to gender affirming care, but it’s also referrals and healthcare system navigation, it’s interactive and empowering workshops in communities, it’s comprehensive volunteer training that creates some of the most impassioned and driven youth I’ve ever seen. In short, it’s helping us continue to be that person “you needed when you were in school”. And when you donate, that empowerment is what you’re supporting.