Men’s Panel

Mental health - Masculinity - Community

Join the Anti-Violence Project and the Men’s Circle at UVic for an evening highlighting 5 men from across Vancouver Island who are showing up for their communities through care, creativity, and action.

Hear from local researchers, artists, and organizers sharing real stories of growth, connection, and taking action.

The 2 hour panel will have the panelists answer questions from the host followed by an opportunity for audience questions.

📍 UVic David Strong Building (DSB) C103

🕕 Nov 20th 6-8pm

💬 Free + open to all students & community members

🍕 Includes free food

Panelist Bios

Chris Van Deventer - Spoken word poet & author

Chris is a spoken word poet, wining 6th in the 2022 Canadian Poetry Slam who shares honestly about his challenges online including his journey living with bipolar.Chris is also the author of we could be doing something right

we could be doing something right is a poetry collection written throughout a journey as a human progresses from heartbreak and depression to wholly and completely being in love with themselves and believing in the good around them, despite trials and tribulations, anchored self doubt, and the residue of self hate.

Simon Larocque - Co-Founder of LampPost (yes this LampPost)

My name is Simon Larocque and I'm a recent UVIC Business and Environmental Studies graduate and the Co-Founder of LampPost. We put every in-person event going on in Victoria into one location, so you can spend less time searching for events, and more time meeting new people and building your community. We have over 10,000 weekly active users using LampPost each week in Victoria, and host our own events and cohort activities such as Giant Picnics and Offline Cafes to provide spaces for people to meet and interact. LampPost has allowed me to meet thousands of new people and build a community where I can be vulnerable, safe and completely myself in.

Personal Instagram

LampPost Instagram

LampPost website

LampPost signup

Gavin McNeely - Housing Advocate & Community Builder

Gavin is a board member in his housing co-op, and has agitated and advocated for housing justice in Victoria. He helps disburse micro-grants for a local mutual aid fund, and cares about getting involved in local, community based projects. As a long-time participant in the Men's Circle, Gavin values building strong, supportive relationships.

Alick Mac - Rapper - Singer - Songwriter

Alick Mac is a rapper, singer and songwriter based in the Comox Valley. He finished second place in the 2024 Music in Motion Canada awards with “Easier to Shout”, a track which challenges traditional conceptions of masculinity. Alick performed his one man show “Boys’ Club” at the Nanaimo Fringe Festival in August 2025. In this hour-long production, Alick combined personal anecdotes with original songs to offer reflections on masculinity, misogyny and mental health.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alickmac/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alickmacmusic/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@alickmacmusic

Website: https://alickmac.com/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5ZwjaEPUWVzbWwLja4uoav?si=jvR-_y-BQoyUAsOPtbPWYg

Quinn Storey - Masculinity & Relationship Researcher - PhD Student

Quinn Storey is a PhD student in the Clinical Psychology program at the University of Victoria. Quinn recently completed his MSc in Clinical Psychology, exploring the associations between masculinity, mental health, and dysfunctional behaviors in intimate relationships. Quinn's ongoing research looks to explore the diverse ways young men internalize masculinity and the impacts these schemas carry on personal well-being and relationship functioning. Quinn also has a research background in depression and suicidality among men, and has supported the Engaging Men's Program and the Sexualized Violence Advisory Council at the University of Victoria.

MSc thesis defense: https://www.uvic.ca/graduatestudies/oral-exams/exam-candidates/data/quinn-storey.php

Panel Host
Carl Haynes - Men’s Circle Host - Consent Educator - Counselling Student

Carl is the Education and Research Coordinator at the Anti-Violence Project. He is passionate about the intersection of violence prevention and personal and community wellbeing. This is driven by his experience with depression and anxiety for over a decade and supporting friends through various form of violence.

Carl sees our well being as deeply linked to one another across lines of gender, race and sexual orientation. He believes we must see the work of liberation as one where we are all deeply connected to one another. When not working with AVP he is pursuing a masters in counselling, hanging with his wife (he loves his wife), feeding his cats and chickens, wandering in a forest or dancing til the wee hours of the morning.