All too often 2SLGBTQ+ individuals courageously share how they’ve been marginalized and erased in their community spaces (family, workplace, religious communities and ethnic communities) as a way to ignite much needed change. Sometimes it’s met with love, compassion and understanding. Other times i ...
Seeking Freedom by Leaving the Ismaili Faith
Dear Ismaili religion,Where do I even start. Do I even dare say anything? Maybe it’s better to stay silent. My biggest fear is that if I share this piece of me, how will people perceive me and treat my family because of my personal decision.After being on a journey of 13 years of accepting my sexual ...
How to Acknowledge Traumas of the 2SLGBTQ+ Community
The MeToo movement taught us many important lessons. One of them is that when a person who has been sexually assaulted shares this personal piece of information with another individual an appropriate response is, “We believe you”. This response is appropriate because it shows the victim that the tra ...
Parent’s Perspective: How to Support Your Child’s Journey of Becoming Themselves
Most parents want to see their kids happy, fulfilled and thriving in life. Sometimes that vision gets a bit complex when their child identifies as LGBTQ2+. It’s not that parents don’t want to love and support their kids, but it’s more about not having information customized to the needs of parents ...
Co-Existence between 2SLGBTQ+ Community and the Sherwood Park United Church
Religion and homosexuality have a complicated past. Most religions have structures, practices that discriminate against LGBTQ2+ individuals who often feel othered and betrayed. Part of the journey in life is learning from others on how we can rise up together in society. Religion is something deepl ...
Truth About Finding Spheres of Belonging – Post Coming Out
After coming out to my family, I honestly thought I would automatically know which spheres in my life (family, friends, social, ethnic community and religious community) that would feel safe and supportive to me. In my mind, life would now be rainbows and unicorns. We’ll it didn’t exactly turn out t ...
Conquering Invisibility to Visibility: An Insider’s Perspective
In honour of Pride Month 2018, I created a series of Facebook Lives to raise awareness of bisexual and queer people of colour. This interview features Randy Boissonnault, Special Advisor to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on LGBTQ2 Issues and Member of Parliament.