New Brunswick LGBTQ Inclusive Education Resource LGBTQ Role Models & Symbols lgbtq Role Models

trey anthony Liz Matheson Ashley Arrowsmith Kathy McCormack Sébastien Bezeau Colin McCready Alexandre Coholan Marie-Hélène Michaud Aaron Cosgrove Sarah Nesbitt Gail Costello Peter Papoulidis Danderson Sarah Payne Alexi Desjardins Yves Pelletier Sarah Doiron Stella Raven Pierre-André Doucet Tracey Rickards Leanne Fitch Bill Ryan John Fletcher Bruce Ryan Karla Gillis Allan Sabattis Derek Hannon Chantale Thanh Laplante Brent Hawkes Adam Thériault El-Farouk Khaki Crystine Thériault Michelle Leard John Thériault Beth Lyons Kyle Wedge Michael Lyons Matt K. Williston Meredith Martell trey is the first Black Canadian Toronto 2010. She has spoken at woman to write and produce a Canada Revenue, Stats Canada, GE television show on a major prime Canada, and numerous universities time Canadian network. She is a and schools in the U.S and Canada. former television producer for the Trey has recently been named a Women’s Television Network (now W) Bell Media fellow, which recognizes and a writer for the Comedy Network emerging television producers and and CTV. She was also the executive their contribution to Canadian producer of the Urban Women’s media. She was chosen as one of the Comedy Festival, dat girl, sho is funny! participants to the highly competitive She co-wrote, I Am Not a Dinner Mint, Bell Media Producer accelerator’s lab, The Crap Women Swallow to Stay in a over 195 applicants were received and Relationship!, which debuted in 2006 trey was 1 of eight participants chosen to sold-out audiences. Following in in March 2014, which led her to be an the line of successful theatre plays invited participant at the World Media came, Secrets of a Black Boy, (the male Festival 2014. response to ‘da Kink in my Hair) in 2009 b. 1974 at the prestigious Music Hall, written by www.treyanthonystudios.com dakinkinmyhair. her brother Darren Anthony and was com produced by Trey Anthony Studios. I can be defined as: 28 years old, trey anthony, is known for the ground- from Quispamsis, NB (the boonies), breaking television and theatrical trey is a writer for the Huffington currently living in Riverview, NB, a production ‘da Kink in Post and contributing writer for the newlywed, a young professional in the my Hair. Critics have Toronto Star. recreation field, owner of one super referred to trey as The A mentor and role model, trey, smart dog and one very fluffy cat Oprah of the Canadian regularly visits schools in Toronto and (a.k.a. the kids). I do not like labels, theatre scene! ‘da Kink in Brampton, to inspire youth, including BUT if you had to use them, you could my Hair, theatrical play, was her alma mater Notre Dame Secondary use boxes such as queer, lesbian, Dora nominated and has School. She volunteers with the Black transgender, female, etc, etc! received critical acclaim, and broken Queer Youth Group, speaks to students box office records wherever it has I walked the halls of about sexuality, body image and other Kennebecasis Valley High School played. The play is also the recipient issues facing female adolescents, and of four NAACP Theatre awards and was from 2000-2004. I was a well rounded donates tickets to her shows to youth student, and was involved in various the first Canadian play to be produced and women in shelters. at the Princess of Wales Theatre, extracurricular and leadership Canada’s largest commercial theatre. It Trey is a much sought after activities. I played on the field hockey was named as one of the top ten plays speaker and delivers seventy to ninety and ice hockey varsity teams, was in Canada’s theatrical history! ‘da Kink keynote speeches a year. It was one elected by my peers on both teams has been seen in California, in London, reason among many why she was to assistant captain roles, I was England, and Atlanta. selected to give an address at TEDX tasked with representing all varsity

4 Egale Canada Human Rights Trust New Brunswick LGBTQ Inclusive Education Resource 5 athletes on the Student Council wilderness backpacking, hanging out Then it was a very positive experience, and I founded/organized a project with senior citizens and watching even though I was the first resident of which stirred up the masses- a peer Netflix (guilty pleasure: Dawson’s Miscou Island to come out. driven education program designed Creek). I must admit that my personal to enlighten students, teachers and If you took a closer look in journey hasn’t always been easy. As the general public about the LGBTQ between the lines of the successes a teenager, I cried myself to sleep for community. above, you would find obstacles, many nights and asked God why he From 2004-2009, I lived in barriers, threats, fights, depression made me this way. I’m not a religious Toronto, ON, completing a Bachelor and many broken rules. As a 14 year person at all, but at that age, who of Arts specializing in Kinesiology and old kid who came out of the closet, could I blame? I also thought about Health Sciences, a Certificate in Sports to a university student and even as suicide. Thankfully, I came into Administration and an internship a young professional, I have always contact with a program called “Sain et with the Toronto Maple Leafs. attributed my life wins to an amazing, sauf” (Safe Spaces) and corresponded Obviously after spending so much supportive network of friends, family by e-mail with a woman who time in the big city, I am a huge and colleagues and keeping this comforted me and showed me that I Leafs fan-and am hoping they will principal close at heart: “Treat others was normal and could ultimately be win a cup in this lifetime. Over my as you want to be treated– with utmost happy. post secondary years, I also played respect and kindness. Even if people I pursued my post-secondary high performance field hockey, treat you unfairly and unjustly– simply studies in political science at the representing York University (Assistant kill them with kindness.” I am from Miscou Island, New Université de Moncton, on the Captain, 2007) and New Brunswick Bio provided by role model Brunswick. I came out at the age Moncton campus, and have been at various national championships, of 17 before finishing my studies at involved with the New Democratic including the 2005 Regina Canada École Marie-Esther in Shippagan. My Party since then. I even founded Summer Games. family and people around me were the NDP-UdeM group during my I am currently employed as very receptive to my coming out. I second year of university. Politics is a Community Recreation Worker told everyone face-to-face except my something I take to heart because I with the Town of Riverview. I also parents, because I was worried about can directly see the positive impact of volunteer with the Terry Fox Run, the their reaction. One day, I wrote them a activism. I’ve always participated in Fundy Hiking Association, Riverview letter explaining my sexual orientation. Pride parades, but in 2013, I played a Community Garden, and I umpire However, before I could give it to lead role with Greater Moncton River high school field hockey. I am a them, my mother found it while doing of Pride and helped to change the certified coach through the National laundry. My parents then confronted organization’s mission to advocate Coaching Certification Program me, but everything went well. My for the GLBT population. I was (NCCP), an in motion wellness mother asked if I was afraid of HIV and interviewed by many media outlets community champion, and a certified I responded that it affects everyone, regarding the Crandall University High Five trainer. On the weekends, not just “gays.” My father, on the other scandal, the Sochi Olympics, the I enjoy reading, instagramming, hand, asked me if it was just a phase. Pope’s declaration regarding the LGBT eating pizza, geocaching (huge geek), I burst out laughing and I said, “No.” community, and much more.

6 Egale Canada Human Rights Trust New Brunswick LGBTQ Inclusive Education Resource 7 Currently, I live in Halifax and affirm my sexual orientation. But the people close to me, but because work as a Political Communications despite these experiences, I still had I thought I would lose all credibility Officer for the Public Service Alliance difficulty accepting myself, who I was. and respect by sharing this part of me of Canada, a union representing the During one of my first coming out that I found so secret and shameful. majority of federal public service experiences, I texted a friend of mine Fortunately, that wasn’t the case, which employees. that I wanted to tell her a secret, but helped me realize that people instead In 2013, I received the Volunteer was afraid she would react badly. She appreciate you for the quality of your of the Year award from the City of admitted that she already knew I was character and the respect you show to Dieppe and was also featured in the attracted to men and that this didn’t others. Top 30 Under 30 to watch out for by change anything in our relationship. Bio provided by role model Acadie Nouvelle. And that’s how my coming out journey started. Bio provided by role model At first, I met with my friends individually to tell them about my sexual orientation. However, I didn’t feel comfortable sitting down with b. July 28, 1993 them and having the conversation: “I have something important to tell you, I like guys.” In addition, the mood My name is Alexandre Coholan and I that was set at the beginning of the was born in Moncton, New Brunswick, conversation was too serious and was where I graduated from École making me anxious and nervous. L’Odyssée and where I am currently a That’s when I realized that the best fourth-year biochemistry student at way to come out would involve a lot of the Université de Moncton. Besides creativity and humour. my studies, I am co-captain of the After reflecting on it, I had a good university’s track and field team, which repertoire of strategies to come out. has enabled me to compete at various These included a game of hangman, levels such as the Jeux de l’Acadie, the literally coming out of a closet, a Jeux de la francophonie canadienne puzzle, a treasure hunt, a card trick, a and the Canada Summer Games. I poem, a card, cupcakes, and a coded am also the lead oboist for the New message using amino acids (original Brunswick Youth Orchestra, which has message: Ile Leu-Ile-Lys-Glu Met-Glu- enabled me to perform throughout Asn). New Brunswick and even in Europe. No matter the method, people It is true that my experiences in were loving and supportive, which sport and music have given me the was a relief and a surprise. I say I confidence and creativity needed to was surprised not because I doubted

8 Egale Canada Human Rights Trust New Brunswick LGBTQ Inclusive Education Resource 9 During middle school, I began Dartmouth, NS for the Radio and to realize that my emotions and Television Arts program. I graduated in orientation were not the same as that June of 2014 as a Radio Performance of my peers, and later I became the and Studio Production Major, with a first of my friends to openly embrace future as an on-air radio host. I also my true sexuality. In high school, as contributed the award’s volunteer my confidence and self-awareness fund to work with Edge of Africa, an blossomed, I became heavily award-winning volunteer organization involved in multiple extra-curricular based in Knysna, South Africa, where I organizations including Bully Blockers, studied and cared for rescued African Technical Crew, volleyball, Youth for elephants and operated sustainable Youth, Enviro-thon, and much more. community and conservation projects. I was one of the few students I continue to volunteer as Edge of Africa’s Canadian Ambassador, b. January 12, 1994 that launched the St. Stephen High School Gay Straight Alliance, a group performing presentations and that took the school and community recruiting Canadian participants. b. December 28, 1963 by storm in positive change and I remain active within the LGBTQ Born in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia to education in 2008. The group was community as an alumni-member of RCMP and Adult Educator parents, I later responsible for the unanimous the St. Stephen High School GSA, and I grew up in Fredericton and was born into a wonderfully original passing of policy E-9, a specialized devote my time to radio, volunteering, graduated from the University of life. At the age of three, my family policy ensuring the safety and respect music, and wildlife. I recently have New Brunswick with a Bachelor of was promoted to a quaint arctic town for LGBTQ students in New Brunswick taken a full-time position as a radio Physical Education degree in 1985. known as Tuktoyaktuk, NWT. Two schools. I was whole-heartedly show host in New Glasgow, Nova Throughout my years at UNB, I was years later, they were promoted again invested in the GSA, and contributed Scotia, and hope to travel the world a varsity athlete playing field hockey, to the village of Cambridge Bay, NWT. to meetings, awareness-raising, and making this planet a better place for basketball and ice hockey. Despite During these four extraordinary years conferences until my graduation in both people and creatures. having great friends and teammates, of young arctic life, I was witness to 2012. I graduated from St. Stephen this was a very difficult time in my life stunning cultural diversity and some of High School with honors and the Bio provided by role model as I began to realize that I was gay. Earth’s most amazing gifts, including generous W. Garfield Weston Award to Except for the woman I was dating, I the Northern Lights, six months of completely fund my post-secondary didn’t know anyone else who was gay complete darkness, and rare arctic education. The tuition waiver, bi- or openly gay and we both felt very wildlife. I believe these experiences are annual stipend, and volunteer fund alone. I also “came out”, unexpectedly, what fuel my hunger for adventure, were awarded for my tireless work to my family during this time making world travel, and environmental as an equal-rights activist in making the next couple of years at UNB very and wildlife study today. At the age St. Stephen a better home for LGBTQ difficult for my family and I. of six, my family uprooted again on individuals. Upon graduating from UNB, I another adventure to St. Stephen, New moved to Ontario to be able to live Brunswick where I spent the majority I applied the scholarship to attend my life freely. For the first time, I met of my young life. Nova Scotia Community College in many openly gay men and women

10 Egale Canada Human Rights Trust New Brunswick LGBTQ Inclusive Education Resource 11 and began the journey of accepting Victims of Homophobic Bullying. My Growing up as someone who was myself and understanding LGBTQ work with PIE and LGBTQ education unsure of their sexual orientation issues. While living in Ontario I met has allowed me the opportunity and gender identity was very my partner Julie in 1988. Shortly to present at different events: CBC difficult, confusing and frustrating. afterwards, we moved to N.B. where Information Morning, Jer’s Vision My high school was in a small mostly I returned to UNB and completed my National Service Providers Conference, conservative minded town and I never Bachelor of Education (Dean’s List). My NB High School GSA Conference, felt like I fit in with the other kids, the first teaching job upon graduating was Crandall University, PEI Shout Out and boys especially, and couldn’t figure out in northern Canada on an isolated, NB Teachers Subject Council PD why. I realize looking back that there fly-in First Nations Reservation. It was When I’m not working, I love to was no resource for gender dysphoria during this time frame, when I was play hockey and golf (I’m the founder at my high school specifically and so away for a year teaching, that my of WIHL – Women’s Independent I became very isolated and depressed family took Julie under their wing and Hockey League), garden, create without realizing what was triggering a new, accepting relationship with websites, do woodworking, house my feelings. It took me a lot of time my family began. Today, my family is b. February 22, 1991 renovations and ride my motorcycle. not only to be comfortable with myself, very supportive and my partner and but to also realize and understand who I are very close with my parents and Julie and I were legally married I am as a queer identified person. siblings. in 2010 at the Vancouver Winter I grew up in Sussex, New Brunswick Olympic Games. Today, we continue and graduated from Sussex Regional I’m a queer DJ/Musician/Artist I have been an educator at to live in Fredericton, where we have High School. working various part time jobs and Oromocto High School for the past three wonderful “families:” 1) the two devoting the rest of my time to 21 years. I am our school’s Gay- Although my birth name is Daniel, of us and our 3 beautiful dogs, 2) our introducing and developing queer Straight Alliance advisor and the GSA I prefer to be called Danderson. amazing “family” of friends and 3) my culture and diversity in Moncton, New Coordinator and Communications This might seem a bit strange but parents/siblings who we get together Brunswick. I am co-creator as well as Director of PIE – Pride in Education. sometimes the name that’s given to with regularly to play cards, share co-host of a Queer Dance Party called Working as an LGBTQ advocate is what you when you’re born doesn’t reflect dinners and tease my Dad about being **GAY POUTINE** and would like brings me to work every day. I am very who you are later on in life. Sometimes a Habs fan. to work within queer youth and HIV proud of my school’s GSA “family” and it’s hard to decide whether you see prevention organizations in the future. all of their accomplishments in our Bio provided by role model yourself as a boy or as a girl or even school and community. As well, I am something else entirely and that’s Bio provided by role model also a proud member of the N.B. Pride totally okay! It was only a year ago that in Education group who is working I discovered that on days that I wasn’t diligently to make LGBTQ change in sure about who or what I was, I liked school policy and support our GSA’s. using Danderson because it didn’t In 2013, I completed my graduate sound like a girl or a boy’s name. It work in Educational Technology (Cape could be whatever I wanted it to be Breton University) where I completed and that helped me to not only feel my applied research project on Using like I had more control over my gender Social Media to Develop a Support but it also helped me to feel good System and Increase Self-esteem For about myself! :)

12 Egale Canada Human Rights Trust New Brunswick LGBTQ Inclusive Education Resource 13 After my first coming out, I was I stared to do some education in feeling great. Finally I had found my some schools and at the University place and I knew why I was feeling so on transgender people. I started different. My friends were mostly male to be more involved in the LGBTQ and I felt a sense of belonging with community and to help anyone who them. I was a tomboy and really proud needed someone with an open mind to be part a the “men’s hood” I felt to rely on. that I was myself when I was around I am part of the executive of them, but something was still really Moncton Pride and myself along with bothering me and I couldn’t figure out an amazing person are in charge of the what. UBU trans* support group in Moncton, The emptiness that I felt all my life which is affiliated with the Moncton was coming back, and I didn’t know Salvus Clinic. We have the opportunity why. I received my answer in February to work with some of the greatest open 2012 when a transgender youth was minded professionals who are ready put in my path! That is when I started to fight and help us achieve our goal: to put every piece of the puzzle in to keep fighting for our rights and for b. November 10, 1984 place. the resources that we need, and to be I am a man stuck in the wrong treated like human beings! We want I was born and raised in a small town body! As soon as I said those words I to let society know that transgender My name is Sarah Doiron and I was called Ste-Anne de Madawaska in had this inexplicable peace that just people exist, and that we have the born in Moncton, New Brunswick, on NB. I graduated from high school in surrounded my soul. For the first time right to speak up, and we want to help my dad’s birthday. I graduated from Edmundston NB in 2002. After my in my life I had no doubt about who I people realize that beyond the label of École Mathieu-Martin in 1999 and I graduation I did a year in social work was! I knew that finally I would become our gender identity we have the same have been a self-employed jewelry at the University of Moncton. After a myself and live the rest of my life as the needs in life as everyone else. designer for many years (Sarah Jayne year, I thought that I was not ready person that I really am. In my free time, I like to read, Design). I have also worked in clothing to be a social worker so I move to design and I enjoy photography, I started Hormone Therapy on educate myself, play guitar, be with my Moncton NB where I did a course to painting and one of my biggest December 5, 2012. I had my legal friends and my family, and volunteer become a Paramedic, and I graduated dreams is to travel the world. name change in January 2013 as Alexi my help with anything that concerns as a paramedic in 2005. Desjardins. There was no turning back the LGBTQ community. I have played in several bands For most of my life I knew I was for me! I was ready to finally live my life If you are reading this remember: and as a solo singer/songwriter. I different! At the age of 18, I thought even though this second coming out don’t be afraid of who you are and be started playing guitar and writing that I had discovered why. I came out was not accepted by my friends, family proud of your difference! songs around the age of 13 and also as a lesbian; I had met this wonderful and people that I knew for a long time. discovered percussions a few years woman and here I was in love!! And Nothing and no one was going to stop Bio provided by role models later. One of my most memorable the most beautiful part of this is that that part of me who wanted and was moments on stage was when I opened we are still together after 12 years. screaming to finally live!! ME!!

14 Egale Canada Human Rights Trust New Brunswick LGBTQ Inclusive Education Resource 15 for the band Tegan and Sara in my A few years later I co-hosted and I witnessed it. Once I was out at school early twenties. They are twin sisters helped develop a 6 part television and with my friends, I still waited a from Alberta who play music and who series called Generation Sex, focused year to tell my family (more out of are both openly gay. on issues such as: Safer sex, HIV & laziness than fear). Actually, I should I have an amazing job that I love! Hepatitis C prevention, safe body art choose a different verb, or describe the I coordinate a Safe Spaces program and sexual orientation. In the sexual situation another way: more than a at AIDS Moncton, where I help create orientation episode I talked a bit about year passed before my family noticed safe environments for LGBTQ youth. my personal experiences so I guess you anything (through friends in common Educational workshops are offered to could say I “came out” on TV. or by reading my journal by mistake), schools and in the community about I realized that it was more and then, led by my sister and mother, topics like gender identity, sexual important to be authentic because knocked on the closet door to invite me orientation & homophobia. I am happy we are all different and that makes out. I feel very privileged to have grown to be a support person to Gay-Straight us beautiful in our own way. We are up in a family that always encouraged Alliances in the region and to facilitate each like a facet of a diamond and me and allowed me to blossom. It’s not a weekly drop-in for teens aged 14-18 together we shine brightly. I figured surprising, then, that they hastened my years old. I also get to organize special if my friends did not accept me, that coming out, and accepted this part of events to celebrate our LGBTQ youth they were not true friends anyway. my identity even before I fully did. I was born and grew up in downtown & allies, such as our annual Rainbow The slogan for my jewelry business To identify as gay is a process of Moncton, where I attended Champlain Prom. We also promote diversity and is “Embrace your individuality”. By questioning, searching, and eventually and Vanier schools, before going to equality through awareness campaigns doing this, we inspire others to do the accepting one’s self. As LGBT persons, École Mathieu-Martin for high school, like International Day Against same and that is a powerful thing. we have the opportunity to explore in Dieppe. I also studied piano at Homophobia & Transphobia and Being authentic takes courage but it is and discover who we are and build Notre-Dame d’Acadie and Université de by participating in Moncton’s PRIDE very rewarding and something to be our identity well before the majority of Moncton before leaving to pursue my parade annually. extremely proud of. our friends. In other words, to come studies in Montréal, where I currently out is to figure out who you are, your Personally, I don’t really like labels Bio provided by role model live with my boyfriend and our cat, existence, your desires and your dreams, because I don’t like to feel limited but RuPaul. I divide my time between and what you want to give and take mostly I have been in relationships writing, practicing, airports and concert from life. My journey has led me to with women. If I like a person, it’s venues. for many reasons. Their heart is what explore these concepts even further, I first came out when I was 15– matters, not their parts. and to pursue the construction of my fairly young, at the time. (It was a identity on a daily basis, as a gay man, I fell in love with my best friend different era: my first coming out was but also as a francophone, brother, son, when I was 17 years old. It was hard over ICQ). Despite being one of the few feminist, pianist, author… Ultimately, to admit at first. I remember my dad LGBT people at school for a long time, my homosexuality may not be the most asking if I liked boys and I said yes, but I can’t remember having experienced a important part of my identity, but I secretly I liked girls too. Part of me was lot of challenges related to my sexuality. surely wouldn’t be the same person if I scared to be judged by my loved ones That said, I’ve never been one to hold hadn’t gone through this experience. but part of me didn’t care what people back, so I wasn’t shy about calling out thought. homophobia and heterosexism when Bio provided by role model

16 Egale Canada Human Rights Trust New Brunswick LGBTQ Inclusive Education Resource 17 my career decision to enter into about being accepted in the world of policing because it was truly a male police work! (The lesson here is face dominated and not-so-gay-friendly your fears and have the courage to work environment at that time. After chase your dreams!) graduating from UNB, I attended the Ontario Police College and I am proud and happy to say later after working a short time for that Sara and I were officially married Toronto Police, I returned to policing on our 20th anniversary in 2008. in Fredericton, where I met my life While life and police work hasn’t partner Sara. been without struggles, heartache and pressure, Sara and I have always Sara is also a police officer and had a close and supportive circle of supported my quest for continued friends, amazing parents and loving education as I studied part-time and families! I love to snow shoe, hike, worked full-time, graduating again bike, fish, read, write, horseback ride from UNB with a Master’s degree and paint. Sara and I live on a small in Sociology. I instructed part-time hobby farm with three horses, two at St. Thomas University in the dogs and three cats! We love life, we Department of Criminology and have love our journey together and we give b. September 30, 1963 a few published articles on Community thanks for our blessings every day. Policing, Organizational Change, and I was born in Kings County, and raised Intimate Partner Violence. I have Bio provided by the role model. in Charlotte County, New Brunswick. I presented on these topics locally, I graduated from Fredericton High attended Milltown Elementary School, nationally and internationally. School in 1981 and enrolled in and St. Stephen Junior and Senior University. During my university years In 2013 I was appointed to the High Schools. I was active in my parish I worked with the Fredericton Police position of Chief of the Fredericton church, and in scouting, student Force in 1982 as a summer Park Patrol Police Force, the first female Chief government and drama. I graduated Officer and by 1984 was a volunteer in Atlantic Canada. I was previously with honours in1980, and enrolled in auxiliary police officer. The 1980’s named Officer of the Year for the the Canadian Armed Forces, with the were not easy years growing into Atlantic Women in Law Enforcement initial intent to study engineering and adulthood while slowly realizing that and the International Association to train to become a pilot. “boyfriends” were becoming a part of Women Police. I was awarded a I graduated from the Royal Military of my past, followed by the sudden Police Exemplary Service Medal from College (RMC) in June 1984, with a and shocking realization that I had the Federal Government and the Bachelor of Science degree, and was actually fallen for a college girl! And Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal. In commissioned as a Canadian Forces while that relationship didn’t last January 2014 I was awarded the officer. During my years at RMC, I long…it was life changing. The 1980s Member of the Order of Merit for the discerned a call to pursue ordained was still a much “closeted era” and I Police Forces (M.O.M). Not too bad for ministry, and was accepted for study as felt some pressure and doubt about someone who was originally skeptical a student chaplain. I graduated with a

18 Egale Canada Human Rights Trust New Brunswick LGBTQ Inclusive Education Resource 19 Master of Divinity degree from Trinity much all of the wasted time I spent branch manager in Amherst, NS. I am College, University of Toronto, in 1987, prentending to be someone I am not, very lucky to work for a company that and was ordained and began a two- and hating the me that I am. The world has such an amazing diversity strategy year internship in the Anglican Parish can be cruel; it sometimes seeks to and have been able to bring my whole of Hammond River, New Brunswick. label and limit us. But until we learn to self to work since I started there over In 1989, I began my full-time love and accept ourselves, we remain 13 years ago. I currently sit on the LGBT service as a military chaplain. For visitms of our own self-cruelty and self- committee for TD Canada Trust as well more than twenty-five years I have limiting. We all deserve so much more as sit as Regional Lead for Atlantic than that. Canada where I attended an Employee served in various posting assignments th th throughout Canada - primarily in Summit in Toronto from June 26 -28 My spouse and I have been together for during World Pride. the Canadian Army and the Royal nearly 20 years, and I give thanks every Canadian Navy, as well as at the day for the ways that we care-for, and I came out at the age of 21 and National Defence Headquarters. I have complete one another. I know that his I’m sure I had some obstacles at that also served on several international love in my life has made me a better, time however I have lived my life operations. Following my promotion more creative and caring person. In very openly and have no regrets. I to Brigadier-General in 2013, I was the years ahead, I hope to continue to was married in September 2013 to installed as Chaplain General to the the most amazing woman I have ever serve Canada, my community and the b. November 26,1974 Canadian Armed Forces, and was church. I also hope to also travel and known and I couldn’t be happier. We appointed as Honourary Chaplain to enjoy life with my spouse; and to seek have a home together in Moncton Her Majesty the Queen. together to make a positive difference and she has a 7 year old boy from a I grew up in Fredericton NB and have previous relationship so our lives are Growing up, I often felt confused in the lives of those around us. lived in Vancouver, Ottawa and now I and alone. I did not understand my full of adventure and lots of travel. Our Bio provided by the role model. am a resident of Moncton, NB where favorite vacation spot is Provincetown, same-sex attrections, and had no I plan to stay. I attended UNB in visible role models, or identified MA. We have lots of plans for travel Fredericton and really enjoyed growing in the future and enjoy the planning resources, to help me figure them out. up in a small town. As a child I was very I longed to be like everyone else, hated process as much as the travel itself. actively involved in athletics, mostly Our newest hobby as a family is being different, and prayed my same- ringette and through my involvement sex attractions and feelings were just geocaching so I’m sure that will was able to play in 5 National become a part of our travels as well. a passing phase. For a very long time, Tournaments. I still play recreationally I was in denial, both to myself and to and in April of 2013 travelled to Las Bio provided by the role model. others. I did not “come out” until quite Vegas, Nevada with some local girls to late in life, and I am deeply grateful for play in a ringette tournament. We had the love and support I have received an amazing time and I can’t wait to go from my family and friends, and from again. my colleagues, both in the military and in the church. I started working for TD Canada Trust in Ottawa in 2001 as a teller and It was scary coming out, but it is have since worked my way up to a even scarier to live a lie. I regret very

20 Egale Canada Human Rights Trust New Brunswick LGBTQ Inclusive Education Resource 21 When I came out to my parents Hawkes is the first LGBTQ activist to be at the age of fourteen, they were received into the order. accepting and said they already knew, Rev. Hawkes has tirelessly served still loved me the same and that the cause of justice for gays and nothing had changed. My boyfriends lesbians. He has helped thousands of were always welcome at family events LGBTQ individuals and their families and in my parents’ home. I realize that come back into spiritual relationship for some, this is not always the case. with God. This is demonstrated Looking back now, I don’t feel I through the popularity of the MCC of should have told everyone the way Toronto’s Christmas Eve Service held at I did. I went up to all my friends at Roy Thompson Hall, Toronto’s premier school and just told them I was gay. It cultural venue. It is one of the largest shouldn’t have been important to let Christmas Eve services in Canada everyone know. I was the only “out” with an average of 2500 people in kid in my community (that I knew attendance. of) at that time. I was talked about Photo credit:Bitpicture He has constantly challenged the and harassed for it amongst peers church to examine important issues, in my school and community. I was such as prejudice against LGBTQ constantly teased and threatened. I did b. June 2, 1950 individuals and communities, inclusive have it rough for several years. I had I’m from a small city, Moncton New language , and the ordination of to deal with constant rejection and Brunswick and attended Mathieu-Martin women. He has played a significant was scared to go anywhere by myself, I High School in Dieppe New Brunswick. I role in promoting the inclusion of never felt safe. I experimented with my The Rev. Dr. Brent Hawkes, C.M. has been enjoy being physically active. I work with sexual orientation in the Ontario sexuality, my image and at times, I felt the Senior Pastor at the Metropolitan at-risk youth and aspire to empower Human Rights Code and the Canadian very confused about my orientation. I Community Church (MCC) of Toronto for 30 youth and people of all ages to achieve Human Rights Act. He was a past also had a wide range of support from years. Rev. Hawkes is a native of Bath, New their goals in life and become who they co-chair for the Campaign for Equal want to be. people around me. Brunswick and a graduate of Mount Allison University (B.Sc. & B.Ed.). As the pastor of Families. Rev. Hawkes is a champion When I was 19 years old, a friend When I was growing up I was often the Toronto MCC, Rev. Hawkes has been at for equal rights for LGBTQ individuals of mine introduced me to someone asked what I thought about girls and the forefront of the city’s ministry to the and continually challenges the status who went to a different school than I got to a point where I did not want LGBTQ community. He serves as spiritual quo with regards to racism, poverty, did. He said “Oh, that’s who you are! to lie and agree with what my friends leader to a faith community of some 575 and housing. I’ve heard about you and I want to were saying. It didn’t feel right to me. congregants at regular Sunday worship. In 2006, Rev. Hawkes was thank you for being our voice at that I wanted to be myself, Although it was As well, he has served the community at appointed to the Ontario Citizens time.” That made every single moment a scary feeling to think I had to tell large with distinction, championing several Panel for Increasing Organ Donation. of what I endured worth it. someone I was gay or be open to people human rights initiatives. about it, I wanted to say “Ya, she looks Adapted from http://www.mcctoronto.com/ good but I’m into guys” - and so that is Bio provided by the role model. In 2007, Rev. Hawkes was appointed WhoWeAre/brent_hawkes.htm what I did, I did not want to live a lie. as a Member of the Order of Canada. Rev.

22 Egale Canada Human Rights Trust New Brunswick LGBTQ Inclusive Education Resource 23 ‘Other’ sometimes because of my orientation and/or gender identity, bookshop. I am now enrolled in the skin colour, other times because as well as people fleeing persecution Muslim Chaplaincy/ Pastoral Studies I am Muslim, or because I was because of their HIV status. Master’s program at the University different from the other boys even I have sat on the boards of many of Toronto as part of my on-going before I knew I was gay. organizations including the Toronto commitment to societal change and social justice through the creation of I was raised in an open Mayor’s Committee on Community inclusive spaces that enable spiritual minded religious Muslim home and Race Relations, the 519 Church transformation and celebrate human for whom Islam was an inclusive Street Community Centre and APAA dignity. and diverse tradition and spiritual (Africans in Partnership against AIDS). path. However, when in my teens I am a public speaker on Islam, the Bio provided by role model I realized I was attracted to other Immigration and Refugee system, guys, I thought I was going to go human rights, racism, politics and to hell. Many nights, I prayed I HIV/AIDS, and have had regular would wake up straight. It never TV, radio and print appearances. happened. I was traumatized until I My activism has been recognized embraced the belief that God (Allah) through Awards including the 2006 had created me intending me to be “Excellence in Spirituality” Award gay, and that Allah as ‘the Tenderly from Pride Toronto, the 2007 SOGIC b. October 26,1963 Compassionate, Infinitely Merciful’ Hero Award from the Canadian Bar (al-Rahman and al-Raheem) loved Association; as well as the prestigious me just the way I was made. Steinert & Ferreiro Award in 2007. In 2008, I ran for Canadian Federal I call myself the accidental activist Despite my own inner Parliament in two elections for the because much of my work for reconciliation of faith and sexuality, New Democratic Party of Canada. justice, human dignity and inclusive there were no safe, non-judgmental communities has arisen from my own spaces for LGBTI Muslims. My need In May 2009, I co-founded the need and search for spaces where I for such a community led me in el-Tawhid Juma Circle, a gender can be authentically whole. I identify 1991 to start Salaam: A Support equal, LGBTI affirming Mosque space as a queer African Muslim man of group for Lesbian and Gay Muslims. with my spouse Troy Jackson and colour, a feminist and an immigrant. In later years, Salaam – now friend Dr. Laury Silvers. Functioning I was born in Tanzania. My ‘Salaam: Queer Muslim Community’, in Toronto as the Toronto Unity families, of mixed South Asian and became the inspiration for the Mosque, we now have 3 sister Middle Eastern descent, are many formation of LGBTI Muslim groups communities in Canada, and have generations African, and my father around the world. resourced and inspired similar mosques in the UK, US and other was active in the independence Professionally, I am a refugee countries. movement. Political persecution and immigration lawyer, primarily forced us to flee in 1970. We went first representing women fleeing gender In addition, I am one of the to England and after three years, came violence, LGBTQI People fleeing owners of the Glad Day Bookshop, to Canada. I grew up always being the persecution because of their sexual the World’s oldest surviving LGBT

24 Egale Canada Human Rights Trust New Brunswick LGBTQ Inclusive Education Resource 25 beautiful woman, I thought not only Now, having been on hormone am I attracted to her, but I also wished therapy for almost 17 months, I feel I looked like her. I began noticing that more complete - like I’m where I’m I wished I had been born female, and supposed to be. No longer frightened. lamented that I wasn’t. But this was No longer dependent on alcohol, I’m out of my control, wasn’t it? Depressed able to cope with and enthusiastically and afraid I turned to alcohol to cope deal with whatever life throws at me. and I became dependent on it. This led I now see being transgender as to me becoming very ill, and the loss of a gift. So many people will live their the career I worked so hard to build. lives and never truly know themselves; As years passed my feminine never look deep inside themselves personality became stronger and more to learn who they really are. As obvious, and I became even more transgender individuals we have to frightened and confused. really know ourselves; we have to Self-examination and many be sure. This gives us clarity of self sessions with doctors helped me realize that some will never experience. I’m grateful to know who I am and proud b. October 31,1983 b. April 3, 1972 I was in fact a transgender female who was attracted to other females. I to be transgender. didn’t even know that was possible. It Now, as well as continuing my I was born in Moncton, New Brunswick explained a lot. career as a freelance creative director, in 1972; and with the exception of a I’m working with the transgender I live in Moncton, New Brunswick short stint living in Halifax, I’ve lived in Once I realized who I was, so where I work as the Associate Director many stresses melted away. So many community to make the process of Moncton all of my life. recognizing oneself and the process of of the local YWCA. I originally hail questions about myself were answered. from a neighbouring town, Riverview, I graduated from Moncton High transitioning less difficult, lonely and And I knew what had to be done if I and spent part of my early adulthood School in 1990, and then Holland scary. wanted to find happiness - I had to living in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, where I College - Charlottetown, where I become who I was meant to be. Our Group, UBU Moncton, which attended Acadia University and earned studied graphic design, in 1993. After a period of time I was able we run in conjunction with the a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in English I work in advertising as a to start with hormone therapy, and Moncton Salvus Clinic, is working hard and Theatre Studies (I am also a proud freelance Creative Director, which little by little I started to feel happier to have a happier more supported grad-school dropout). means I build company brands, make Trans community. and happier with myself - with how I identify as a queer woman. Given TV commercials, and design print and I felt about who I was and who I was As a result I’m building a life with my specific sexual orientation, I could online ads for a number of advertising becoming. Determined to have no purpose, courage, and meaning. A life identify as bisexual, but I’ve never agencies. secrets I announced on Facebook that I’m as proud of as I am of the person taken to that label as I found it very I spent many years not I was transitioning and welcomed I’m becoming. clinical and focused, in a really limiting understanding why I felt so different questions. No one could gossip about Bio provided by role model way, on a gender binary. Even before I from everyone else. Then when I was what I was so open to share and discovered the word queer worked for 28 things changed. When noticing a discuss. me, I avoided identifying as bisexual,

26 Egale Canada Human Rights Trust New Brunswick LGBTQ Inclusive Education Resource 27 instead insisting on saying that I was part of a young women’s leadership out to close friends, I became curious interested in men and women. It conference hosted by YWCA Barbados, about this silence. Somehow I managed took more time and space to explain and witnessing an Indian Residential pull together a survey about sex and it this way (and people would often Schools Truth and Reconciliation sexuality in my grade 12 sociology still respond with “So you’re bi then?” Commission national event in class. I would go to classrooms and anyway), but it felt more authentic. Vancouver. bother teachers to let their students I’m not throwing shade on anyone In addition to my YWCA work, fill out a form anonymously, asking who does embrace the term bisexual, I also write biweekly columns in questions about sexual activity and just sharing that the word doesn’t Moncton’s daily English newspaper how they identified. I was amazed to work for me despite the fact that it and occasionally blog for Shameless learn that, in a town with seemingly technically describes my orientation. magazine. All of my writing focuses no LGBTQ presence, almost ten percent Once I tried out the term queer, on social justice, often specifically on of the students I surveyed from grades which I initially heard through gender issues in politics, events, and 9 to 12, identified as something other studying feminist theory in university, pop culture. than straight! I knew it was who I am. I feel that In my down time, I enjoy reading That ended my silence. When I queer poses more questions than social justice blogs, karaoke, binge went to York University in Toronto for it answers, that it evokes radical watching Netflix, and theorizing about theatre, I immediately got involved possibilities and nuances. It also witches and friendships between with the campus’ LGBTQ organization indicates my fem(me)inist values. To women. I’m enjoying discovering b. September 8, 1988 and eventually became the activism me, the word queer is like a feminist that, despite being an expressive and chair, which meant I got to organize dog whistle, a political code word that outgoing person, I’m just as introverted events like the Trans* Day of In lots of ways I’m lucky. I was never communicates quickly that not only as I am extroverted and that I need a Remembrance. While I was home for bullied because people thought I was am I not straight, but I’m thinking lot of quiet time to take care of myself the summer after second year, I snuck queer, although I did get picked on for about gender and related issues in a so I can keep doing the work I am off for my first ever Pride Parade in other things. However, growing up in critical way. To me, saying I’m queer privileged to do in my community. Saint John, New Brunswick. It was tells you that I’m not down with the St. Stephen I dealt with something just absolutely incredible to realize there status quo, that I’m interested in Bio provided by role model as difficult, which was silence. I don’t was such an LGBTQ presence just an questioning what we have now and think I remember hearing a single hour away from my hometown. mention of anything related to LGBTQ building a more equitable future. Back in Toronto, I got involved people or identity until my later years The YWCA movement (which with the youth program of Canada’s at St. Stephen High School, and even exists not just in Canada, but around queer theatre, Buddies In Bad Times, then, much of what I learned was what the world) has been incredibly which helped me learn how to explore I sought out on my own, mostly on the supportive of these efforts to identity and community through Internet. question and build. I’ve had some performance. I volunteered for Planned amazing opportunities through Then, when I started to figure out Parenthood Toronto’s Teens Educating the YWCA, including attending the my own identity, first as bi in grade 11 and Confronting Homophobia, a annual Commission on the Status of before later coming out as gay in grade program where we went into schools Women in New York in 2013, being 12, and started being able to come to give workshops on anti-homophobia

28 Egale Canada Human Rights Trust New Brunswick LGBTQ Inclusive Education Resource 29 and anti-oppression. I became the easier for me. I met a group of friends; aggressive behaviour. I also coach coordinator for the campus paper’s some gay, some straight, who were so and do presentations for parents and Queer & Trans Supplement, a section comfortable with who they were that professionals on how to work with dedicated entirely to LGBTQ writers it was difficult to continue hiding that challenging behaviours. and subjects. This inspired me do aspect of myself. When I started to tell I am very involved in all aspects more work in journalism, and I started people that I was gay I was blown away of the arts. I play guitar, hand drums, contributing to Toronto’s gay and with how easily they accepted it and sing, paint, draw, write, and like to play lesbian magazines, including starting me. I started to embrace my sexuality around with photography as well. I a column called History Boys where and with that I made some of the play in a cover band here in Moncton a friend of mine and I write about best friends I could ever ask for and I called Rust Iw wed Flower which has lesser known LGBTQ history for Xtra couldn’t be happier! been a ton of fun. I was recently in a Magazine. A few years ago I read an article play called Deception: A Rock Opera Recently I went back to school about a local flower shop that refused (written and directed by Katey Day) to do my Masters in Journalism at to sell flowers to a lesbian couple for which was an incredible experience Ryerson University. I love writing about their wedding. I started to read the that pushed me outside of my comfort arts, culture, literature, video games, b. January 4, 1985 comments posted online and was zone in the best way possible! and nerdy things, especially where all really upset to see the comments that those things overlap with the queer the religious community and the gay Bio provided by role model and trans community. Today, I identify community were firing back and forth. as a proud queer person, and someone I grew up in Moncton, NB and There was a lot of hate and anger who stands fiercely in solidarity of the went to school at Hillcrest, Bernice being spread and it occurred to me global trans community. I’ve made McNaughton, and Mount Allison that this was not the way to teach the incredible friends and relationships University. community about love and acceptance, through the queer and trans so I organized a peaceful protest. We I met my first girlfriend when I was community across the entire country had over 200 members and supporters 15 years old. Only my closest friends and beyond. Most important to me, of the gay community bring flowers to knew that we were seeing each other. though, is that I ended the silence for the property of the flower shop. The After about a year together her parents, myself. goal was to spread love and acceptance who were very religious, found out and by extending a courtesy that was not forced us to break up. I am very lucky Bio provided by role model extended to us. The peaceful protest to have a supportive and accepting was very successful and is one of the family, so I was able to come out to my things I am the most proud of! mom and being the amazing mother she is, she helped me deal with my first I am currently working in real heart break. It took me another Dieppe as a Behaviour and Learning 4 years to consider myself fully out of Consultant and have recently received the closet. Mount Allison University my BCaBA certification. In my job I and the friends that I made there work mainly with youth and young made the coming out process much adults who have problematic or

30 Egale Canada Human Rights Trust New Brunswick LGBTQ Inclusive Education Resource 31 but I didn’t come out to anyone until I was 16. The first people I came out to where three of my closest friends. They were very supportive and I immediately felt relieved to have people that I could be open with. When I finally joined the Gay- Straight Alliance at my school it was in grade eleven, and it was because I was ready to come out to my parents. I became very involved with the Gay-Straight Alliance and enjoyed the support and openness that it provided. After a couple months of work with b. February 16, 1974 the GSA my mother asked me if I was The activities I enjoy most involve gay, and thus I found the opportunity b. February 16, 1974 being outdoors: snowshoeing, hiking, to come out to my family, who were snowmobiling, and of course playing I was born in the middle of a snow ultimately supportive. hockey. I also enjoy reading, watching/ storm, and was raised in Saint collecting movies and most of all After coming out I piloted a My name is Kathy McCormack. I grew Andrews, New Brunswick. I had a playing with my kids. student organization called Students up in Blackville, New Brunswick and happy childhood by the sea. My father for Pride in Education, (Students for completed my formal education at the Below is a list of some of my is an Anglican Minister and my mother PIE.) It is a network for students and University of New Brunswick: Bachelor accomplishments (career/personal): is a small business owner. I spent my Gay-Straight Alliances from all over of Physical Education and Bachelor of 1991 Canada Winter Games childhood watching Pokémon, playing New Brunswick. The organization’s aim Education. video games, camping, romping 1995 Esso Women’s Nationals-Silver Medal is to promote inclusive schools and with my 5 siblings, and building fairy I currently reside in Bolton 1996 Esso Women’s Nationals-Bronze Medal communities for LGBTQ students, staff, houses with my friends. I first dyed my Ontario, where I work as a teacher. parents, families and allies. 1998 Olympic Winter Games-Silver Medal hair blue when I was 11 years old and Becoming a teacher was an easy choice have been doing so ever since! I now spend my time playing for me. I love many different sports 2000 Four Nations Cup-Gold Medal ukulele, studying, and hanging out and I enjoy working with children. I attribute my leadership skills to with my loving girlfriend and friends. Originally, I trained to be a high school For several years I operated an the Scouting movement which I have I continue to work with Students for Physical Education/Science teacher. all girls’ hockey school in Chatham, been involved with since the age of 7. Pride in Education in Fredericton, New After completing my practice teaching New Brunswick. I also worked summer I spent most of my childhood camping Brunswick where I am studying at St. placement in a Middle School, I knew hockey schools for many years with almost every weekend, and my early Thomas University. I hope to someday that was the age group I connected several Team Canada players. As teens teaching leadership courses to be a human rights lawyer and fight for with best. I have been teaching for a teacher I volunteer a lot of time other Scouts. the rights of the LGBTQ community. fifteen years and still enjoy going to coaching various sports teams such Around the age of 14 I started work each day. as soccer, cricket, and track and field. identifying with the Queer community, Bio provided by role model

32 Egale Canada Human Rights Trust New Brunswick LGBTQ Inclusive Education Resource 33 Being a mom of a five and two year old If there is one thing I would I anticipate many more coaching days encourage the youth of today to do it who I was. I worried about what people ahead! would be to be true to yourself. When would think about me and how they would treat me when they found out I knew when I was very young that I was a kid, many people thought I shouldn’t play hockey because it was that I was gay. I didn’t feel comfortable I had and attraction to girls. However, talking about my sexuality when I was I grew up in a big Catholic family in a game for boys. Others thought I shouldn’t play so many sports; I should in I was in high school, so I mostly kept a very small town. I was confused it to myself and didn’t tell anyone. by these feelings for some time, but focus more on school. Some people thought I would never be happy or Sometimes I felt really alone. I came out decided that I was just going to have to my parents just before I finished high boyfriends, get married and have never have a family unless I found the right man. However, by being true school and I was really lucky that they children. After all, I played hockey were supportive from the beginning. with some really nice guys for years. I to myself I have had some amazing found it easy to hang out with them opportunities through sport; I have a It wasn’t until I went away to and date them. It wasn’t until I was fulfilling job that I enjoy; and, most university in Ontario that I really twenty one that I first dated a woman. importantly, I married my true love and understood that there were a lot of It opened my eyes to what a complete we have two amazing kids together. Be other people out there just like me. relationship was supposed to be like. true to you! While I was going to school at McMaster, From that point forward I tried to just I found out there was a LGBT club that Bio provided by role model be myself. I brought my girlfriend had all kinds of events where I could home for holidays and celebrations. meet people similar to me. I started It felt very normal for me. My family b. 1985 dating a little bit and gradually started just accepted me for who I was. If they coming out to my friends. (Some of my felt differently, they did not let me feel friends even started coming out to me.) I realized that a lot of my fears about it. After all, we are not a family that I live in Saint John and I am training is big on talking about our feelings or my sexuality were based on my own as a family and emergency medicine ideas and what I saw in pop culture and problems! This seemed to work for me. doctor. I have known since I was about When I told them that I was going to that people were actually really good 13 years old that I was gay and it has about it and still treated me as me. get married (to a woman), some were played a big part in helping me grow a bit hesitant and unsure about this into who I am today. When I moved back to Halifax to idea. In the end, they all came to our go to medical school I ended up with wedding and supported us. I was born in Sydney, Nova Scotia, a bunch of awesome straight and gay and I lived there until I finished high My goal is to continue to make my friends who didn’t really care about school. Growing up in a smaller city my sexuality. I still found it hard to children the priority in my life. Being a wasn’t always easy. I was on our local mom is something I have wanted for as find people that I wanted to date, but swim team and involved with a bunch it wasn’t a big deal for me. Moving long as I can remember. I am excited to of different activities at school, but watch them grow. to Saint John was tough for a while I still felt like I didn’t have a lot of because I went back to not having people that I could turn to when I was any gay friends close by. Eventually struggling with trying to figure out I realized that if I wanted things to

34 Egale Canada Human Rights Trust New Brunswick LGBTQ Inclusive Education Resource 35 change, I would have to work hard I graduated from Mathieu-Martin to make it happen and that things high school in 2003. At the time I weren’t just going to fall into my lap. decided I wasn’t ready to pursue post- I finally decided that finding a good graduate studies and found myself a partner was important to me and I job. I’ve always had a will to go back to started trying a lot harder to meet school, but life sometimes gets in the different people. way! Last year I met a great guy and I In 2006 I had a baby boy. Life really enjoy being part of a couple. We changed dramatically! With having moved in together in the summer of a child came a whole new set of 2014, and I’m really excited for all the responsibilities. Having a baby not only adventures that we have planned for made me mature a little faster, but the future! also really opened up my eyes to what my life was, who I was, where I wanted Bio provided by role model to be and who I wanted to be! I was a b. March 26, 1983 mother, but I really didn’t know who I was as a person. I grew up in the small by-the-sea- Three years later I became a single town of St Andrews, New Brunswick. mom. Leaving that relationship was the As a youth I found myself in the local hardest decision of my life, but coming newspapers on many occasions for my out was the best decision of my life. hockey accomplishments. Right from I live in Moncton, New-Brunswick Today I am married to Karla, the the early age of six years old, I was and I work as a cake decorator and love of my life. My friends and family being recognized for my goal scoring baker for a grocery chain. I’ve lived have always been extremely supportive and tough attitude. When I was a in Moncton all of my life and grew of me and my marriage. We share a young girl, there were no girls’ hockey up in a pretty typical family. I have home, a few pets and also have my son teams, so I played on boys’ teams until 3 brothers, and unlike what people living with us. In these last few years my first Provincial Under 18 Female might think, I got along quite nicely I feel I have found myself, and love Hockey Team (New Brunswick) tryout. with them. myself for who I really am! They contacted me to try out, and I made the team four years in a row. I Growing up I always felt I was a Bio provided by role model continued playing hockey throughout little different than the other girls in high school on the Provincial team, my neighbourhood. I always had lots my local boys’ team, and I started the of friends but instead of playing with very first local girls’ hockey team to dolls, dressing up, putting on makeup contribute to a league. Banners of and having tea parties, I preferred championships won, with my name playing G.I. Joe’s, biking and playing and signature on them still hang from with bugs! the rafters at the W.C. O’Neill Arena

36 Egale Canada Human Rights Trust New Brunswick LGBTQ Inclusive Education Resource 37 Complex. My high school of Sir James priority. Having defined myself for so a few years later while attending Dunn Academy still knows about long with hockey, I didn’t know who I university, and I attended several “that girl who played hockey”, and I was anymore. pride parades in Toronto in the was voted most athletic in the 2001 I began working in Sales & early 80’s - becoming invovled in the graduating class yearbook. I was very Marketing, which I found a strong LGBT rights movement. Ironically, tomboyish during these years. passion for. Over the years I became I came out to my own family in My first memory of very skilled and educated through an unplanned manner: I was acknowledging my attraction to girls various positions throughout the seen walking in a pride parade on goes back to early childhood. I was province. Upon moving to Moncton, television in 1983. The years that sitting in the back seat of my family’s NB in 2008, management also started followed were difficult. My family car, driving down the front street of St finding its way on my resume, and in needed time to grieve and I gave Andrews, and I saw a very attractive 2009 I molded these skills with my them that time– without apologizing man and a very attractive woman. I passion for the music industry and for my sexual orientation and looked at the woman, glanced at the started working with musicians. without apologizing for living openly and without shame. Today, I have guy, then stared back at the woman I am now the Owner & Operator until I could no longer see her out of a good relationship with family. We of BRandom Talent, (a two-time have all come a long way. my window. I knew I was attracted to award nominated Music Management the man, but more so to the woman. & Promotions Company), as well as My formal education includes My first love was at age 16. She the Founder & Coordinator of Music a B.Sc. in Genetics and Molecular was visiting my hometown from For A Cure, (a non profit organization Biology, B.Ed. in High School Science Connecticut, and I was lucky to be that hosts concerts for cancer related Education, M.Ed. in Education friends with the person she was charities throughout the province). I for the Deaf, M.Ed. in School visiting for the summer. It was an have recently been picked up as the Administration, C.T.D. Certified Teacher of the Deaf, Specialist in experience I still cherish deeply. weekend host on Today’s Best Music K I grew up in Toronto, Ontario, however, Special Education and English as She came into my life when I was 94.5FM in Moncton, NB. I’ve been living in Fredericton since an Additional Language (EAL). My experiencing a battle with depression, 1995. I grew up during a time when My best advice is to discover what interest in language and language and she seemed to relieve my soul in a identifying as LGBT was a taboo. I grew you’re passionate about, and go for development led me into a teaching way I’d never experienced. up in a family in which traditions and it. Even if it changes over time, that’s career serving children who are customs were more important than After that summer, she went ok. I’ve evolved from a hockey playing deaf and hard-of-hearing in New personal choice. In my late teens, I home, and I met a 22 year old youth, to a strong music industry Brunswick. I work as an itinerant was subjected to several attempts male farm hand working at my professional. My son sees the world teacher. grandmother’s farm. We went on to through non judgemental eyes, and I by my family to have me enter into have a 5 year relationship, and a son, am grateful to send a youth like him an arranged marriage. I felt trapped, I enjoy learning languages Benjamin. I left my son’s father when into the world. I am proud to be part conflicted and distraught. I left home and have a particular interest in I was an unhappy and confused 21 of the LGTBQ Community, as a strong at 18 and had the good fortune to find Mandarin and Classical Chinese year old. Hockey was then just a once- bi female. refuge with a family who shared my script. I also engage in physical a-year thing at a charity event, since values and who encouraged me to fitness including Crossfit and parenting became my number one Bio provided by role model focus on my education. I “came out” Athletics (100m and 200m sprint).

38 Egale Canada Human Rights Trust New Brunswick LGBTQ Inclusive Education Resource 39 I’ve had a life-long interest in Bird nothing could be further from the At this point in my life, as well as Watching and equestrian activities. truth. We want equal rights and to being a first year university student, I live without fear of who we are. LGBT felt like I could finally express myself Some of my accomplishments individuals and their allies continue and be who I truly was and date who include: to face oppression, discrimination I actually wanted to date. I spent four • Launched a Human Rights challenge and harm in many parts of the world. years at UNB and finished with a major which resulted in allowing LGBTQ However, we are lucky to live in a in Psychology. After my BA, I moved and all people in New Brunswick to country where we can (and must) out west to Saskatchewan to live with appoint whomever they chose to make continue to work towards making all my long term girlfriend and gain some important medical decisions at the hospital. labels, except one, unnecessary and work experience. Three months in, I obsolete: that label is “human”. decided to come home to Bathurst and • Conducted research investigating the apply to go back to school. relationship between cochlear implant Bio provided by role model technology and literacy outcomes in In 2011 I started in the Bachelor school-aged children. of Social Work at St. Thomas University • Founding member of Pride in in Fredericton. By February, 2013 I was Education (PIE) in New Brunswick graduated with my BSW and became a registered member of the New • Fredericton Legion Track Club board Brunswick Social Work Association. member and athlete I worked for one year in a shelter • Former vice-president of the Canadian I grew up in a small city in Northern for abused women in Moncton, NB Horse Breeders Association - Atlantic New Brunswick. I graduated from high and today I am still with the same District school in 2006 and worked my first job organization working as the Crossroads • Gay Games 1990 - Gold in 4x100 relay. at our only McDonald’s. for Women Outreach Worker. • Outgames 2006 -Gold in 4x100 relay, Growing up in a small town has In addition to my work with Silver in 100m,Silver in 200m its pros and cons when you identify as abused women and girls, I volunteer at • Canadian Masters Track and Field a member of the LGBTQ community. I Safe Spaces with AIDS Moncton every Championship 2006 -Gold in 100m, came out my high school graduating other Tuesday night, which is a group Silver in 200m, Gold in 4x100 relay year, although it was well received that works with teens who are coming • 2006 gold medalists in the 100m and from friends, family was a different to terms with their sexual orientation. 4X100m sprint events at the Canadian story. There were some ups and downs Masters Championships with my family coming to terms with Bio provided by role model The most momentous and life- me being gay (the summer before changing accomplishment for me was university). I had just been accepted my legal marriage to my partner of 25 at the University of New Brunswick in years in 2005. the Bachelor of Arts program. I was moving into residence with my best There are those who claim LGBT friend from high school and was very individuals want “special rights”; excited to be living on my own.

40 Egale Canada Human Rights Trust New Brunswick LGBTQ Inclusive Education Resource 41 that being gay was wrong, that it was secondary education. It was my destiny a choice that I could change, and to come here, to meet a great guy that it was a disease. I started feeling who is originally from outside Perth. worse about myself, always trying to We both knew what we wanted out fit in, always hoping to be accepted, of life. After only 6 months, we knew always hoping to hide my true identity. that fate had brought us together. We I didn’t know any other gay person were married exactly 14 months after around me to help me understand that we first met and fell in love. After I was normal. our wedding, my mom came to the microphone and stated to everyone I promised myself that I would how much she loves me and how tell people I was gay when I wasn’t pleased she is that I have found love. dependent on my parents and when She does accept me, and my husband. accepting friends surrounded me. I came out to friends and family at We still live in Fredericton and the age of 25, at the beginning of my I now own and operate my own Masters program at the University of consulting company. Ottawa, far from home. I was in a big When I go back home, everyone is city with new friends. Some of them accepting of me. Perhaps they would were openly gay. I met a guy in my b. 1973 have been accepting back then. I b. April 23, 1984 very first Masters class. I became quite simply didn’t know, and feared that smitten with him, and within a week they wouldn’t be. Times are changing, From my earliest memories of or so, we were dating. The weight of and there’s less reasons to be afraid of childhood, I knew I was different. I the world was off my shoulders. I had being gay. I was born in Winnipeg, couldn’t put those feelings into words. shared my secret. My sisters continued Manitoba. My family moved several Bio provided by role model On the outside, I wasn’t different from to accept me. The news was more times, until the age of 14, when we the others. My parents loved me. I had difficult on my mom (my dad had relocated to Happy Valley-Goose Bay, two older sisters who looked out for passed away before my coming out). Labrador - my father’s hometown. me. I didn’t struggle in school. I had She kept hoping that I would find a It was here, during my final year at friends. I had a good childhood. On nice girl, and that we would build a life Goose High School that I “came out of the inside, I felt I was different. When together. We avoided the topic of my the closet”. I went through an initial I was 13 years old, I finally had the sexual orientation whenever we were adjustment period but with support words to describe my feelings. I was together. I didn’t bring it up, as I didn’t from those around me I soon began gay. I began to realize why I was more know how she would react. to accept and embrace my sexual comfortable around girls. I didn’t want In 2010, after completing my orientation. I was involved with the other guys to know I was gay, so PhD in History at Queen’s University, I several queer focused groups while I avoided sports. I was always afraid moved to Fredericton to accept a new completing my Bachelor of Social of being rejected, shunned. Growing job with the provincial government as Work at St. Thomas University in up in a religious family, I kept hearing assistant deputy minister for post- Fredericton, NB.

42 Egale Canada Human Rights Trust New Brunswick LGBTQ Inclusive Education Resource 43 I returned to Happy Valley-Goose was successful in changing the Vital Nursing in 2005, my PhD in 2013, and Bay at the beginning of my career as a Statistics Act. am now working as a professor at UNB. social worker in 2007. It soon became In December, 2007, River was the Since coming out late in life I have not very clear to me that, despite Canada’s first baby born in Newfoundland and had a lot of time to create the change I progress in legally recognizing the Labrador to have two mothers listed want to see. However, I have worked as rights of queer individuals, there on her birth certificate without having a volunteer with the Canadian Abortion continued to be many gaps in gone through an adoption process. In Federation, AIDS NB, and the Canadian the system and many individuals September, 2010, I gave birth to my Nurses in AIDS Care. With the help of continued to struggle with a sense of family’s second child, Rowan. three friends, we started the Queer and isolation. Identifying as a queer person Other Folks Dance Committee, working of Aboriginal ancestry, I continued to I currently live in New Brunswick with AIDS NB to ensure that there were experience this first hand. Witnessing where I have become involved with LGBT dances every 3 months. the impact this was having on my New Brunswick Gay-Straight Alliances. community, I became very motivated I am establishing a private practice I like to read, to cook, to dance, to knit to bring others together to help and continue to be involved in the and sew. I love being with my four address these gaps and create a sense queer community on a personal and children and my wife. I like to travel and of unity throughout Labrador. In professional level. Growing up in rural Quebec, I heard spend downtime by the water. about ‘fags’ and ‘lizzies’ but it was 2009, I co-founded Labrador’s Safe Bio provided by role model My future plans are to continue my unthinkable to imagine how to come Alliance, a group focused on providing teaching and research career. I am out. I didn’t come out until I was 35 support and resources to the LGBTQ interested in LGBT Health, which will years old, married with 4 kids!! I am so community. I was also instrumental be the focus of most of my research. I out and proud now and realize that it is in coordinating Labrador’s first Pride would like to learn how best to provide SO possible today. It did get better!! celebration in 2010. care that meets the needs of the LGBT In 2007my partner became When I graduated from UNB Nursing in community. And then after a while pregnant with our first child, River. 1986 I just wanted to get out and nurse. I would like to retire and enjoy the During the pregnancy, I learned I didn’t think I would ever be back at company of my wife and family. the University. I worked in Toronto and that the Vital Statistics Act of Coming out as an adult was the hardest Fredericton, in general medicine and Newfoundland and Labrador was thing I have ever done. My family has Intensive Care. I have worked at the written in such a way that I would been my greatest support. I wish I could Extra Mural Program offering home not be legally recognized as our have had the courage to come out when care nursing, and as the Head Nurse at child’s parent unless I went through I was a teenager. There was no talk the Morgentaler Clinic. I worked for the an adoption process. After closer (except bad talk) about being gay back government of NB (where I worked to examination I realized that this was then. Although, if I had I would not have ensure that healthcare delivered in NB only an issue because I am female; if my four beautiful children, I believe that was of the safest and finest) and at the I were a male, my partner would have there is always a reason things happen UNB Community Health Clinic. However, been able to list me as the second the way they do. Have faith in your life, it wasn’t long before I realized how legal parent with no questions asked. it is an amazing thing. I filed a Human Rights Complaint, and much I like teaching. This lead me back to UNB. I graduated with a Master of Bio provided by role model

44 Egale Canada Human Rights Trust New Brunswick LGBTQ Inclusive Education Resource 45 During all my schooling in the good path if I turned to God. As some people by coming out, I didn’t Moncton, I never heard a single such, I decided to study theology and experience any negative reactions from positive thing about homosexuality. pursue a religious vocation. I found the people around me. Everyone was But I heard a lot of negative things. answers to all my questions in religion, supportive and many congratulated Jokes, pranks, and bullying were and for a few years, I was a pastoral me immediately for my courage and commonplace in all the schools I animator. But at the same time, I saw openness. My family had to adjust attended and I never saw any adult injustices. I saw people speaking in the their expectations regarding my life, or teacher intervene to change the name of God without embodying the which happened quickly. Today, my situation, or punish the bullies. In unconditional love that I learned he, life partner since 1998, and the son addition, sexual education just didn’t supposedly, had for us. I got involved we adopted, are totally included in my exist. We’re talking about the 60s into in a new organization called “Gays and social and family network. the beginning of the 70s. Everyone Lesbians of Moncton” and I met dozens What do I hope for now? That was ignorant about sexuality and even of peole like me, living in Moncton, no young person has to experience more so regarding sexual orientation. experiencing a lot of isolation and homophobia at home or a school. Homophobia was everywhere and discrimination. And then, I decided the expression of masculinity and to leave the Church and become a What gives me the most hope? femininity were strictly regulated and social worker and affirm my feelings, That today’s youth are the least racist, policed. attractions, and gay identity. sexist, and homophobic of all time. The world, when it will be led by today’s Anyone who dared to go against I moved to Halifax and began youth, will be more egalitarian and these norms was quickly targeted. I my social work studies. In Halifax, I just– for everyone. I truly believe this. witnessed a lot of aggression directed met many women and men like me I was born in Moncton, NB, and grew toward a few guys even though I who were LGBT rights activists. It was Bio provided by role model up in the Old West End, except for two wasn’t targeted directly. But seeing stimulating and encouraging. I also years during which I lived in Gander, the dynamics of homophobia around became an activist. It was a fascinating Newfoundland – my father worked for me at school, amongst my friends, and energizing period of my life. We Transport Canada and was transferred and in my family, I quickly learned had almost no rights and no legal to Gander for work. We returned to to be ashamed of the feelings and protection against discrimination, the Moncton after two years and lived in attractions that I couldn’t deny to opposite of today’s situation in Canada. the same house. I was in elementary myself. I stayed silent and paralyzed for Everywhere, we organized and fought school. I first went to school at Queen over ten years, and never told anyone for laws that would protect us. And Street School (which doesn’t exist I was gay. we won almost all the fights in the anymore), a public school taught by During my university studies, there provinces, territories and at the federal nuns. I completed grades 1, 2, 3 and 4 was a lot of pressure for me to conform level. In a short amount of time, at that school. Next, I went to Hillcrest to the expectations of my family everything changed. school in the Old West End before and friends. I experienced a serious It is during those years in Halifax attending Harrison Trimble for high crisis and turned to religion to find that I started talking about this to my school. After finishing high school, I meaning. I decided that, despite the friends, close relations, and eventually started my university studies at UNB. “bad” that I saw in myself, I would find my family. Even though I surprised

46 Egale Canada Human Rights Trust New Brunswick LGBTQ Inclusive Education Resource 47 communities. I was enrolled in a eventually collapsed. While difficult, different school just about every it was an opportunity for genuine year. Although I frequently met personal reflection which led to self- friends with each move, I felt alone. acceptance– a good thing! I was not the same and I knew In 1994 I resumed my original it. In 1970 there were no support plan to become a teacher and groups or role models for a kid who returned to Mount A to complete was viewed as different. It was never an Education degree. From there I long before I became the target taught English courses in middle and of the typical jokes. I vividly recall high school for thirteen years while feeling betrayed by teachers who working toward a Master degree. I ignored the taunting or even joined became the vice-principal at Riverview in. I began to look forward to our High School. After three years as a family moves in hopes that things school administrator I moved into the would change – a fresh start, an leadership role I currently hold. escape. During this time I deliberately As long as I can remember became true to myself, a decision b. March 10, 1988 I wanted to become either a that has had a dramatically positive broadcaster or a teacher. Following impact on my life. I met a man and high school I attended Mount Allison fell in love. I came out to my children, University in Sackville and received family, and friends, all of whom have I am from Oromocto First Nation and an Arts degree with a major in given their unconditional support. The I identify as being Two-Spirited. I am I am the Literacy Subject Coordinator English. At the time I discovered experience has been tremendously a former student of Oromocto High for middle and high school in what would become my passion and liberating. I feel alive and free. I am School and went on to do my BA Anglophone East School District. I am quickly sidetrack my career plan no longer one person pretending to with a major in Anthropology and a a husband, proud father of two adult in education. I joined the campus be two. minor in Sociology at the University children, grandfather of three, and I radio station and after graduation My husband and I were married of New Brunswick. Upon completion am gay. It seems surreal that I can say became a professional broadcaster. on New Year’s Eve 2011. I am so of my BA, I pursued my education this publically when not so long ago The journey placed me behind the grateful to be living at this time in degree. I always knew that I wanted it would have prompted a backlash of microphone for over fifteen years this country. I have experienced to be a teacher, so this was the right ridicule and discrimination. My story is at a number of radio and television professional success and personal path for me. I finished my Education echoed by others and, for many of us, stations in cities across Atlantic happiness. Things do get better! Degree in May 2013. I took pride it hasn’t always been as welcome as it Canada and beyond. in my education and as a result, is today. Bio provided by role model As a young adult I felt I was on the Dean’s list and won I grew up mainly in New pressured to conform to the social five scholarships for my academic Brunswick and Nova Scotia. My norms of the day. I married my achievement. I was extremely lucky father was a bank manager so we university girlfriend and we had to land a position at Oromocto High moved frequently and lived in many two lovely children. The marriage School teaching Native Studies because

48 Egale Canada Human Rights Trust New Brunswick LGBTQ Inclusive Education Resource 49 it I have the opportunity to work with learn that coming out was for myself association at Université of Moncton. I students from my own community. and my happiness. Living in fear of offered individual and group support I absolutely love my job and foresee what others will think is not the way and have also done presentations and myself being at Oromocto High School to live because ultimately, it is our workshops on sexual diversity and gen- for my teaching career. I also feel it mission to walk our own journey of der identities in many schools across is important for myself and others life and being stuck at a crossroad (like the province of New Brunswick. I was to always set goals to work towards fear of what others will think)will only one of the coordinators of Safe Spaces, achieving. I have recently been hold us back from walking proudly which is a weekly drop-in for LGBTQ accepted into the Masters program at and being the best we can be. youth and have helped to organize UNB and in doing this, I am achieving I currently live with my partner Rainbow Proms. a goal and lifelong dream. This of four years and couldn’t be happier. Currently, I am the Education represen- Masters in Curriculum Development I do have an interest in talking with tative for Moncton’s River of Pride. This will allow me to share my knowledge youth and being there for support in organization plans the annual Pride with my community and also be a role the “coming out” process. The world Week and Pride Parade and hosts other model for people like me – people still has plenty to learn about being social and educational events through- who are visible minorities or who accepting of people for who they out the year. I continue to offer support have extra struggles because of their are; coming out and taking pride and presentations. In my free time, l background. in who we are is all a part of this enjoys dancing, reading and playing As a member of the Oromocto process. In my course I teach respect b. September 20, 1986 with my cat. First Nation, I work diligently in my and acceptance for all people. It is community to promote our language important that we respect one another Bio provided by role model and culture. I am passionate about in order to have that balance in life my culture and hope to learn more as and to be able to live in harmony. I was born and raised in Montreal (QC) well as pass down knowledge I attain and have been living in Moncton (NB) through Elders. At the age of twenty- Bio provided by role model since 2007. I studied “Techniques de one, I was elected as a leader for my travail social” at La Cité collégiale in community. I was Atlantic Canada’s Ottawa and then graduated with a youngest candidate to be elected for Social work degree from Université de community leadership. I served as Moncton. I am very passionate about councilor for Oromocto First Nation for advocating for LGBTQ and Women’s two terms (4 years). rights. I have been “out”, so to speak, I came out as bisexual in 2009, and since I was 20. I struggled with this I feel very lucky to have supportive process because I was such an active parents and siblings who have ac- member of my community and didn’t cepted me. But after being a victim of want to feel judged. I learned that the homophobic acts and reaching out for people who matter, will love you for help without any success, I decided to who you are. It’s a process; I had to become the President of the Un sur Dix Association, which is the LGBTQ

50 Egale Canada Human Rights Trust New Brunswick LGBTQ Inclusive Education Resource 51 school until I started to realize that almost 10 years and had the wonderful my friends, albeit few, really did care opportunity to get married in 2013. about me. One of the main sources of After our wedding we were interviewed depression was trying to figure out why by the local newspaper; I recall one this all was happening to me, why did of their questions being: “Did you I have to be different, and would I ever always want to get married?” the find someone who would want to be with typical childhood dream question. I me? had to respond honestly and say “No, I Activities like being in the school didn’t dream of getting married when band and Air Cadets helped me to open I was younger because just a few years up and become more social after coming ago gay marriage was still illegal in out; finding new common interest with Canada.” my peers was hard because I was the Our celebration was about only openly gay person in all of my bringing a group of loving people school years. High school was filled with together to show their love and a variety of characters and most of the support for our marriage. The people were friendly and understanding. whole experience was tremendously b. November 9, 1982 There were some isolated issues with humbling. I had never realized until the typical straight males; like they had that day just how many people love I am the youngest of 3 children in something to prove in the locker room and respect us and want us to be The majority of those who are close my family and grew up mostly in or just harassing me in the hallways with happy. We furthered this theme to to me rather know me as Crys. I am Saint John, New Brunswick. I came rude comments. I had a good, small be consistent with the international proudly bilingual. out to my mother when I was 13. It group of friends who looked out for me “It gets better” campaign, and one of was a difficult thing for her to accept though, and we mostly kept to ourselves. our wedding shots is even going to I was born in the small town because I hadn’t really had girlfriends of Grand Falls in New Brunswick on After graduating from Saint John be featured in the Canadian National at that point, but I knew so I had to November 9th, 1982. I attended the High School in 2003 I continued my Museum for Human Rights! tell her. Life continued as usual for me école élémentaire Sacré-Coeur from education at University of New Brunswick I truly do feel that “It gets better” when I came out; many of my friends grade 1 to grade 4. From grades 5 in Saint John to get my Bachelor Degree after having lived through times where accepted it and just embraced who I to 7, I was a student at école Anna- in Health Sciences with a specialization I didn’t know my own worth, thought was. Those who chose not to accept it Malenfant – with a few months at the in Radiation Therapy. I now get to spend I was just existing and didn’t matter drifted away from me. old school, Notre-Dame-de-Lorette, my days working with cancer patients to anyone. With time, my own hard while waiting for the official opening I had always been a bit of an from across the Maritimes and it is a truly work and the support and love from of the new school, Anna-Malenfant– introverted and quiet individual up rewarding career. my family and friends I have been able which is situated in Dieppe, New until I came out so I really didn’t have to make dreams a reality and truly feel I met my husband while I was Brunswick. Following my mother`s many friends to begin with, so losing like I matter and make a difference in attending university which was an university studies – which was the a few due to coming out didn’t make the world. a huge impact on my social circle. exciting time for me because I had principal reason for our move – our Regardless, I struggled with depression not really dated up to that point. My Bio provided by role model family moved back to Grand Falls, for years in middle school and high husband and I have been together where I was a student at John Caldwell

52 Egale Canada Human Rights Trust New Brunswick LGBTQ Inclusive Education Resource 53 School from grade 8 to grade 12, and (Maine, USA), in 2007. I am presently told them and they drove up to see me where I obtained my high school on the point of the mémoire in order the next day. We had a long conversation diploma in 2000. to obtain a Maîtrise en Éducation– about it and it did not end well. I had Enseignement resource at the Because we live in a society already decided that I was only spending Université de Moncton in Moncton, that currently generally assumes the 1 semester at St. FX and left in December. New Brunswick. Effectively, my subject heterosexuality of an individual, coming- Once returning home, I was told that if pertains to students of sexual and out is an ongoing process that I began at I was going to be gay I could not do it in gender minorities – minorities with the age of 16 as a high school student. my parents’ house. I left that night and, which I identify. What was then a very difficult element of with the exception of Christmas, I did not myself for me and some others to accept Since December 2004, I have return for almost 6 months. We spent a is now merely a piece of the puzzle of also been driving transport trucks lot of time talking and yelling back and the entity of who I am. (yes, those which are known as 18 forth. Finally we moved forward enough or 22-wheelers). I adore being on for me to return home. I then finished I am a person with highly diversified b. December 10, 1986 the road – it`s a type of meditation up community college and my business interests who especially nourished for me. On top of driving, I am a degree at University of New Brunswick, my knowledge through living highly I grew up in Rothesay attending KV substitute teacher – aligning myself Saint John campus. enriching life experiences. Growing-up, High and while there worked on a for occupying a position as a methods I have been fortunate enough to I played baseball, softball, tennis, soccer, project to educate students on the & resource teacher in the near future. have a variety of jobs since leaving hockey, ball hockey, roller hockey and effects of homophobia. During this I hope to become a leader and a role university. I have worked at the Hilton, also participated in swimming, martial time I did not identify as LGBT, however model as an educator, especially in Irving Oil, Empire Theatres and most arts, theatre arts and snowboarding. I wanted to support my fellow students. what pertains to sexual and gender recently at J.D. Irving, Limited. I am Finally, I participated in a few catholic While in high school I also took part diversity. Furthermore, this summer is currently a Talent Acquisition Specialist religious groups. in the musicals, variety of clubs and the fourth season in which I am one of responsible for recruiting candidates for played sports. Although I was not one Following high school, I participated the instructors of a safety motorcycle a variety of positions including trades, of the “popular” students I had a good in a student exchange program in driving program. As I have mentioned, labour, accounting and a variety of group of friends and enjoyed high Bregenz, Austria for ten months. Up I love being on the road. business services. to now, my desire to learn through school. I am a hyper sensitive, On February 9, 2013, after almost 8 living true life experiences has further It was not until I was away at St. empathetic, highly open-minded years of being together, my partner and influenced me to live in Halifax, FX in 2004 that I admitted to myself individual who hopes to contribute I got married. We were fortunate enough Nova Scotia, in Calgary, Alberta, in that I was gay and came out. When I to the advancement of human rights to have so much support for us that Rankin Inlet, Nunavut, in St. John`s, told my friends I had the mindset that in general. I encourage you to be who we had over 300 people in attendance, Newfoundland and Labrador, in if they had a problem with it that was you are in order to truly enjoy life, and including my mother. My father passed Bouctouche, New Brunswick and now in ok because if this were the case I would this, regardless of the barriers that will away a few years before – but was more Moncton, New Brunswick. not want them as friends anyway. undeniably present themselves among than accepting of who I was by that This went well and I didn’t have any I obtained my first degree from your unique journey. point. We enjoy travelling, the arts and problems which was good. I then had Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova anything social. We have also spent time Bio provided by role model the task of telling my parents. I thought Scotia in 2006 and my second from the at various sporting events. University of Maine at Presque Isle this would be easy as they are pretty open minded and welcoming. Well I Bio provided by role model

54 Egale Canada Human Rights Trust New Brunswick LGBTQ Inclusive Education Resource 55 the conditioned response of rejection down at the piano to unwind. Another that I had come to expect from those very important piece of my life is being who called me “gay”, I received words able to travel! As a child, my family of love, support and acceptance. This lived in Scotland for one year and I friend unknowingly helped me come was hooked on discovering new places out to others. Coming out to my family and local culture. Since then, I have took several years and happened when traveled to 16 different countries and it my aunt, who I was very close with, has only made me want to travel more! passed away after a long battle with I have also been lucky enough to find a cancer. Not being able to come out to supportive partner who I can start my her made it imperative for me to be next big adventure in life with. honest about who I am with the people Looking back on my years in high who are in my life. school, the negative memories are not Born and raised in Fredericton, the first that spring to mind. Rather, I New Brunswick, I completed all of am reminded of the support I received b. October 14, 1986 my schooling here with the exception from friends and teachers who helped of 10 months, which I spent living me become the individual I am today. in Austria as part of an exchange Finally, I believe high school is hard b. May 5, 1980 program. I attended the University for every student, it is a turmoil of Growing up, “gay” was not a term of New Brunswick for a Bachelor of emotions as we start to become young I was born in Moncton NB and I was a used to identify an individual’s Business Administration and graduated adults. The experiences I had, both ‘normal’ kid for the most part. My days sexuality, instead it was twisted into in 2010. UNB opened a lot of doors on negative and positive, have driven me where filled with wonder and play. I a derogatory term that could be used my career path to where I am today, I to work hard at everything I do. started to hang out with a rough crowd to make fun of somebody who was was part of the Co-operative Education in junior high school, this crowd was “not part of the cool crowd”. I heard program which helped me find my first Bio provided by role model not accepting, was not open, was not that word a lot throughout middle full-time job with the Government of loving. This is around the same time school and high school, what those New Brunswick. After spending two in life where I was questioning my people would never realize, is that it years in various roles, I joined Skillsoft sexuality. I wasn’t so sure I only liked truly made me wonder if there was in Fredericton as a Consultant where the opposite sex. I buried these feeling something wrong with who I was and I have been since 2012. While I do for a few years, becoming increasingly that being “gay” was not normal. not have a defined career trajectory hateful towards my own person and planned for myself, I am enjoying I identified myself as being was reflecting it with my hate filled testing the waters to see what is out gay sometime in my early years at ‘friends’. I was essentially homophobic there and how I can make a difference. Fredericton High School and struggled (I was scared of being gay and/or with coming out to my friends and When I find myself with spare time attracted to guys). I didn’t want to deal family. I finally confided to a close (which doesn’t happen very often), I with my feelings, so I turned to fighting friend this secret I had been keeping enjoy spending time with friends and and punk rock music to bury my pain so tight to myself for years. Instead of family and often find myself sitting and confusion. This part of my life

56 Egale Canada Human Rights Trust New Brunswick LGBTQ Inclusive Education Resource 57 lgbtq Symbols allowed me to understand where and Future forest. I’m also trying my hate comes from. It comes from hand at other mediums like painting fear. Now when I see people filled and drawing – not very well, but with hate, expressing it outwardly, it’s fun. I also love skateboarding, I sincerely feel compassion towards snowboarding, biking and camping. them. These haters are not ok with Bio provided by role model themselves. It’s sad. In high school I was fortunate enough to find a group of friends that where accepting of people as people. This was my nurturing ground to understanding that love is love and that beauty and attraction are to the individual not to the sex of the person. My love no longer Bisexual Pride Flag 61 had to be in a predetermined box or model. I knew my love is mine to Gender 61 share with whomever I want. Rainbow Pride Flag 62 I love life and all the magic that it brings. Some of my time these Transgender/Intersex 63 days is spent putting on a monthly queer night with my partner- Triangles 64 in-poutine Danderson. **GAY POUTINE** happens in different Two-Spirited Symbols 65 bars and clubs around Moncton, NB and the East Coast. Every time we host an event it’s loud and proud. Pride flags are hung inside and out of the venue. Not to be mistaken – it’s a safe space! My number one drive right now is creation. I create mostly with digital arts, producing music, experimental film clips, projection mapping. DJ, VJ, and playing festivals and events around our great land, such as Messtival, Evolve

58 Egale Canada Human Rights Trust Bisexual Pride Flag The first Bi Pride F lag was unveiled on Dec 5, 1998. The intent and purpose of the flag is to maximize bisexual pride and visibility. The pink color represents sexual attraction to the same sex only (gay and lesbian), the blue represents sexual attraction to the opposite sex only (straight), and the resultant overlap color purple represents sexual attraction to both sexes (bi). The key to understanding the symbolism in the Bi Pride F lag is to know that the purple pixels of color blend unnoticeably into both the pink and blue, just as in the ‘real world’ where most bi people blend unnoticeably into both the gay/lesbian and straight communities. http://www. ra i n bowre sou rcecentre. org/sy mbols. ht m

Gender

Gender Symbols are common astrological signs handed down from ancient Roman times. The pointed Mars symbol represents the male and the Venus symbol with the cross represents the female. Since the 1970s, gays have used double interlocking male symbols to represent gay men. Double interlocking female symbols have often been used to symbolize lesbianism, but some feminists have instead used the double female symbols to represent sisterhood among women and three interlocking female symbols to denote lesbianism. In the 1970s, some lesbian feminists used three interlocking female symbols to represent their rejection of male standards of monogamy. http://www.rainbowresourcecentre.org/symbols.htm

New Brunswick LGBTQ Inclusive Education Resource 61 Rainbow Pride Flag Transgender/Intersex

The Rainbow Flag as we know it today was developed by San Francisco artist Gilbert Baker in 1978. At the time, there was a need for a gay The Transgender Pride flag was designed by Monica Helms, and was first shown at a pride symbol which could be used year after year for parade in Phoenix, Arizona, United States the San Francisco Gay and Lesbian Pride Parade. in 2000. The flag represents the transgender Baker took inspiration from many sources, from community and consists of five horizontal the hippies movement to the black civil rights stripes, two light blue, two pink, with a white movement, and came up with a flag with eight stripe in the center. Monica describes the stripes. Colour has always played an important meaning of the flag as follows: part in the gay rights movement—Victorian “The light blue is the traditional colour England symbolized homosexuality with the for baby boys, pink is for girls, and the colour green, lavender became popular in the white in the middle is for those who are 1960s, and pink from the pink triangle has transitioning, those who feel they have a neutral gender or no gender, and those who caught on as well—and the colours of the gay are intersexed. The pattern is such that no flag were no different. Baker explained that his matter which way you fly it, it will always colours each stood for a different aspect of gay be correct. This symbolizes us trying to find and lesbian life: correctness in our own lives.” Other transgender symbols include the butterfly (symbolizing transformation or metamorphosis), and a pink/light blue yin and yang symbol. Hot pink for sexuality, Popular transgender symbols, used to Red for life, identify transvestites, transsexuals, and other transgender people, frequently consist of Orange for healing, modified gender symbols combining elements Yellow for the sun, from both the male and female symbols. The most popular version, originating from a Green for nature, drawing by Holly Boswell, depicts a circle Blue for art, with an arrow projecting from the top-right, the male symbol; a cross projecting from Indigo for harmony, the bottom, the female symbol; and with an Violet for spirit. additional crossed arrow, combining the female cross and male arrow, projecting from Black—A San Francisco group suggested a modification the top-left. to the traditional rainbow flag by adding a black stripe Adapted from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transgender_ to the bottom of it to commemorate everyone lost to symbol#Transgender_symbols the AIDS virus over the years. http://www.lambda.org/symbols.htm

62 Egale Canada Human Rights Trust New Brunswick LGBTQ Inclusive Education Resource 63 Triangles Two-Spirited Symbols

The pink triangle was one of the Nazi concentration camp badges, used by the Nazis to identify male prisoners in concentration camps who were sent there because of their homosexuality. Icon used by 2-Spirited People of Every prisoner had to wear a triangle the First Nations on his or her jacket, the colour of which was to categorize him or her according “to his kind.” Jews had to Icon used by Two-Spirited People wear the yellow star (in addition to any of Manitoba other badge representing other reasons for incarceration), and “anti-social individuals” (which included vagrants and “work shy” individuals) had to wear the black triangle. The inverted pink triangle, originally intended as a badge of shame, has become an international symbol of gay pride and the gay rights movement, and is second in popularity only to the rainbow flag. The black triangle was later adopted as a lesbian or feminist symbol of pride and solidarity, on the assumption that the Nazis included lesbians in the “asocial” category. Adapted from http://en.wikipedia.org/ wiki/Pink_triangle http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_ triangle_%28badge%29

64 Egale Canada Human Rights Trust New Brunswick LGBTQ Inclusive Education Resource 65 New Brunswick LGBTQ Inclusive Education Resource is part of Egale’s Safer and Accepting Schools.