06/01/2026
Growing up gay, resilience wasn’t something I set out to learn.
It was something I had to develop.
Like many people in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, I learned early what it felt like to question whether I belonged.
That experience shaped me.
It taught me empathy.
It taught me courage.
It taught me that the strongest communities are not those that simply tolerate differences, but those where people genuinely feel they belong.
Working within government has reinforced that lesson for me. Many of the systems are built without everyone in mind. Real change often means questioning long-standing assumptions, having difficult conversations, and ensuring everyone is respected. It’s hard work, and necessary.
Pride is a celebration of how far we’ve come.
It is also a reminder that the work continues.
Across Canada and around the world, 2SLGBTQIA+ people are still targeted, excluded, discriminated against.
That’s why Pride still matters.
This month, I celebrate those who came before us, the progress we’ve made, and the next generation growing up knowing they can be exactly who they are.
Happy Pride Month. 🌈
