2015 Nominees & Recipients

Youth of the Year
Keegan J. Hobson, Recipient

Keegan J. Hobson

Keegan Hobson has called Simcoe County home for almost a decade, in his time here he has provided community outreach for at risk youth with a specific focus on Trans and Queer youth. Following the footsteps of his influences, Keegan spends time volunteering and giving back to the community in a variety of initiatives and areas. Keegan is passionate about indigenous affairs, LGBT rights, mental health advocacy and other issues affecting youth in our community. In pursuing a career in Social Work, he will be attending Georgian College for the Aboriginal social and community development program this coming Fall. Keegan is committed to continuing his fight for the rights and freedoms of the communities he is involved in, as well as other communities, and inspiring others to do the same.
Tamara MacDonald

Tamara MacDonald is going into her second year at Georgian College for Business Administration. An avid supporter of LGBT and human rights, she spearheaded the rebranding and restructuring of Georgian Pride (formerly Pride @ Georgian). As the 2014 - 2015 President, she helped lead the association into a successful year and second annual Georgian Pride Week. She looks forward to continuing her involvement as a member and is grateful for all of the support of her team, family, an friends.

Person of the Year
Dale Boyle, Recipient

Marlene Ham

Marlene Ham has been a long time resident of Simcoe County where she lives with her Wife, Wendy.  They live in a very active household that includes Oscar Wilde The Cat and three English Bull Terriers, Cora, Oliver and Elliott.  Marlene has been a long-time advocate for Simcoe County's LGBTQ Community, focusing her work on social justice and equity, increased access of health and social services, collaboration between groups and systems, and the creation of safe spaces, particularly for LGBTQ children and youth.

Her community work includes her role as Coordinator with the Simcoe County LGBTQ Network and Board Member with Simcoe Muskoka Child Youth and Family Services.  Marlene Co-Authored the Simcoe County LGBT Youth Needs Assessment Report in 2012 and is a contributor to Queering Social Work (1st Edition), for a Co-Authored Chapter entitled "Moving Simcoe County from Queerful to Queerious", (Publishing Date in Late 2015).  Currently Marlene works full-time as the Provincial Coordinator with Ontario Association of Interval & Transition Homes.
Dale Boyle

Dale Boyle is the Capacity Development Coordinator at the AIDS Committee of Simcoe County. Dale has over four years and 100+ guest speaking roles supporting LGBT work in rural and suburban communities. Previously, he worked as the ACSC’s Youth Programs Coordinator, facilitating youth groups throughout the county. Dale also started the Ally Campaign while a student at Georgian College, which focuses around providing LGBT awareness and education workshops to not for profits, educational institutions, community groups, and more.
Kevin Smith

Kevin grew up in rural ontario, the Quinte region, with a family of nine children. In his twenties he relocated to Toronto to attend University, there he met his wife, and went on to have 2 children. In January of 2005, he and his family moved to Barrie. In the spring of that year he started volunteering with CMHA. A short time later he was offered two part time positions: one in the RSVP Clubhouse and the other at the CMHA Crisis Centre. Today he retain the position in RSVP however  he now holds a Case Management position.

Growing up in a large family and the nature of the work he does, has given him much time to think about and experience inclusion. Living in an ever changing world with increasingly diffuclt times, Kevin feels that providing a space where people feel they can be themselves and not be judged - by the stigma society has placed on them - is primary. He applauds those with the courage to be themselves and hopes for a more inclusive world for all.

Positive Community Organization
AIDS Committee of Simcoe County, Recipient

Canadian Mental Health Association

The Canadian Mental Health Association, Simcoe County Branch is a non-profit charitable organization governed by a community Board of directors. The agency provides direct services, advocacy and education for individuals with serious mental illness and /or addictions, their families and the general public. We are committed to creating services that are friendly and accessible to the LGBT community and value our partnerships. Our staff co- facilitates groups for LGBT youth and look forward to other ways to collaborate
AIDS Committee of Simcoe County

For twenty years the AIDS Committee of Simcoe County has been improving the lives of those living with and or affected by HIV through our support, advocacy and health promotion.  While always an LGBTQ positive organization, for the past four years the organization began supporting this community more directly by offering LGBTQ specific programming.  At present, ACSC provides LGBT Youth Connection in Barrie and Orillia, Gender Journeys, Gay/Bi Men’s Social Group, the Trans Q Simcoe Support Group as well as providing Capacity Building for organizations that wish to better serve LGBTQ individuals and families in Simcoe and Muskoka.  This fall, ACSC will launch a workshop series in three communities, educating parents on how to support, encourage and celebrate their LGBTQ youth.
Huronia Transition Homes

Huronia Transition Homes is a charitable organization in Simcoe County working to end all violence against all women. For the last twenty years, our founding program La Maison Rosewood, has led our organization in working towards the equity and inclusion of LGBTQ women-identified persons. By virtue of our mandate we make every attempt to understand and respect women’s diverse life experiences and the impact of violence on their lives. This has led to the adoption of a Harm Reduction service delivery model, as well as the continual advocacy and education surrounding social justice issues facing women-identified persons within the LGBTQ community; including hosting the “Opening Closets Conference” in Simcoe County, featuring former senator Nancy Ruth. Huronia Transition Homes is proud to provide counselling, shelter and all other programing within a positive space environment.
Simcoe County District School Board

One of Ontario's largest public education systems, the Simcoe County District School
Board (SCDSB) has schools and learning centres dotted throughout 4,800 beautiful
square kilometres in Simcoe County. This south-central Ontario setting bordered by
the Holland Marsh in the south, the Trent-Severn Waterway in the east, Blue Mountain
in the west and Muskoka in the north is known for its friendly mix of urban and
rural communities and superb natural recreational facilities.

The number one priority for our dedicated and skilled team of teaching,
administrative and support staff is to help all students learn, achieve success,
reach their full potential and continue along a path of lifelong learning

Their Mission is "to inspire and empower learning for life" and their Vision is "a community of learners achieving full potential.​"

Positive Business
Splash Events, Recipient

Splash Events

Splash Events Canada is a full service event company producing unique weddings, memorable galas, corporate and private celebrations. As an avid supporter of the LGBT community Splash Events Canada was a proud sponsor of Simcoe Prides’ participation during the 2014 World Pride Parade.

The past 3 years at Splash Events Canada have been fabulous,  we have garnered great success with the Annual BIG WIGS show featuring Canada’s Best Female Impersonators,  Ontario Butter Tart Festival, Georgian Bay Hospital GALA and the 2nd Annual Ontario Gay Ski Weekend at Blue Mountain, it was an honour to décor the Village Convention Centre during the Saturday night main event.   

Opening September 2015 Splash Events Canada invites you to visit our new downtown Midland location at 347 King Street, we will offer an event design showroom with a full service retail flower boutique.  
Grounded Coffee Co.

Grounded Coffee Company opened their Downtown Midland doors in 2011. Roasting all Fair Trade and Organic Coffee on site , Grounded also supports locally produced foods in their bakery and lunch menu.  The Grounded Tribe prides ourselves on our kind and caring treatment for all.
Earth and Sky Connection

Tribute Award: Artist of the Year
Bryan Byer, Recipient

Bryan Byer

Bryan Byer couldn't be more thrilled then to have been nominated for Artist of the Year. Over the years he has been introduced to many talented individuals within the community, and feels extremely blessed to be able to share his talents with individuals inside and outside of the workplace. As a makeup artist and performer he is able to express himself in so many different ways. He's all about self expression and is not being afraid to try new things; he enjoys a challenge and pushing himself to be the best he can be. Bryan always has positive support behind him, and strongly believes that you need to "be the person you want to be not what others want you to be". Bryan work hard to be the best person he can be, no matter where life may take him. 
Kieren Day

Kierenʼs passion for the arts started when he was five. He has been performing and training ever since. He attended York University as a Dance Major, for a short time, and he is now back home at Moving Art to train and teach. He is currently apart of the teacher training program at Dance Masters of America and is moving onto his third year with them. Kieren loves what he does and enjoys passing on his knowledge and passion for the arts to many children all over Simcoe County.  He would like to thank Carla Tucker for all she has done for him, for he would not be where he is without her and would like to thank LGBT community for this wonderful nomination!  
Andrew Nikkanen

Andrew began singing before he could even talk, but started performing professionally for just over a year ago when he formed The Andrew Nikkanen Band. His band performs at many difderent events and is looking forward to headlining again at the Mady Centre this coming fall - see his latest here. Andrew is also a passionate painter and has recently launched his business AndrewNikkanenart through College Boreal, painting local landscapes! Through his painting he aims to celebrate the natural beauty of Simcoe County. He thanks the community for the nomination and congratulates all the other nominees.

Nothing is forever, but it can be immortalized through art.