2017 Nominees & Recipients
Person of the Year
Kathy Willis, Recipient
David Bradbury
As founder and Chair of Barrie Pride, David is helping keep LGBT rights in focus in Barrie. Launching with Barrie Pride’s first event, a Transgender Day of Remembrance flag raising and vigil, where the Trans Flag was raised for the first time at a city hall in our province. David’s Pride work continues, and now Barrie Pride has become the largest Pride north of Toronto. David was candidate for the Barrie NDP in the most recent provincial election and was proud to be Barrie’s first-ever openly-gay candidate for public office. David is still the only openly-LGBT person to run for office in Barrie. David has a history of fighting anti-LGBT bigotry in his own life. Fired from two jobs because of his sexual orientation, David made sure the employers were called out publicly. David also worked to overturn Citizenship & Immigration Canada's anti-LGBT policies and won a personal legal case to prevent them from harming other LGBT couples. David continues to be an advocate for love and acceptance for residents of Barrie and the greater Simcoe County. He is honored to be nominated for this award |
Kathy Willis
Kathy has always been guided by her commitment to anti-violence. She has dedicated her life both personally and professionally to work to make our communities more inclusive and more accepting of diversity. Kathy has been an out lesbian leader in Simcoe County for more than 23 years. Through this time she has been pivotal in breaking down barriers for the LGBT community. Kathy was one of the founding members of Barrie Pride (previous), an event that now brings together thousands of LGBT persons and allies. She also sat on the “Opening Closets” committee that brought the first lesbian senator, Nancy Ruth to speak as the events keynote. Kathy’s passion and commitment to inclusion and LGBT rights has extended into her work as the Executive Director of Huronia Transition Homes. Kathy has built an organization that has embedded her values, where for over a decade every program has committed to being a “safe space”. Kathy’s work within the anti-violence movement has been monumental, and every decision she makes is based in its ability to break down barriers, and facilitate more inclusive support to marginalized communities! |
Youth of the Year
Theodore Pearson, Recipient
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Carmi Campbell
Bio and photo coming soon. |
Theodore Pearson
Theodore has been actively involved in the Pride community long before he had a thorough understanding of his own identity. Attending Muskoka Pride picnics since 2009, Theodore came to grasp gender diversity at a young age. At 15, he came out to Gravenhurst High School, where he was attending, as a trans man and initiated GSA meetings and activities. Since switching to Simcoe County District School Board in eleventh grade, Theodore has been a guest speaker for both students, staff, and principals of SCDSB. Theodore has been a valuable one-to-one resource for many of his peers experiencing queerphobia, homelessness, and other isolation. After moving to Barrie this winter, he became heavily involved with the Gilbert Centre's Youth Group. Theodore hopes to return to Barrie North this September to complete his high school education. |
Positive Business
Camel Trails, Recipient
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Camel Trails
Camel Trails believes that our body is our canvas. A place where we can capture those most important moments in our lives so we can cherish and celebrate them long after they have passed. Cassity's mission is to provide an environment that is calm and comfortable, sometimes even funny and inspiring. As together we create that addition you will carry with them in body and spirit for the rest of their lives. Camel Trails is about relationships, memories, individuality, acceptance all rolled into moments that we wear! 
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Casal Catering
At Casal Catering in Barrie, we provide you with exceptional food and service for a reasonable price. We have a broad range of menus that can be customized to suit your venue, budget and palate. Our catering services include breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Whether you are planning a corporate affair, wedding or birthday party, our team can assist with all elements required to put your event together. Can’t find a venue that suits your needs? Check out our newly renovated, fully licensed, private catering venue – The Lion’s Gate Banquet Centre at 386 Blake Street, Barrie, Ontario. You can entertain up to 300 of your closest friends and leave us with the mess! |
Positive Community Organization
OSMH, Recipient
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Orillia Soldiers' Memorial Hospital (OSMH)
Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital is located in Orillia, and serves more than 440,000 residents in North Simcoe Muskoka. OSMH provides a comprehensive range of programs and services, including medical, surgical and emergency care, dialysis, obstetrical and paediatric care, mental health and rehabilitation services. In March 2014 OSMH created the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) Taskforce for individuals interested in developing a welcoming, safe, nurturing and accepting organization for the LGBT community in North Simcoe Muskoka. As a symbol of the hospital's continued support and ongoing growth, a rainbow banner is permanently fixed outside of OSMH's Emergency Entrance. 
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Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH)
RVH provides safe, high-quality care for residents of Simcoe and Muskoka. As the largest health centre in the region, RVH provides highly specialized services, procedures and technology not found anywhere else in the region. This includes the only Interventional Radiology suites for minimally invasive surgeries, a fully-automated laboratory, cardiac care (intensive) unit, as well as dedicated trauma rooms in its large emergency department. Our team of more than 385 skilled physicians, 2,500 caring staff members and 800 dedicated volunteers provide outstanding patient-centred care. Every moment of every day, the care and safety of patients comes first as TEAM RVH delivers the care needed to live our vision and Make each life better. Together. RVH is committed to recognizing the diversity and unique needs of our patients and their families, as well as engaging and supporting our staff, physicians, volunteers and students in achieving their best through a healthy respectful workplace. RVH’s diversity and inclusion council has a mandate is to ensure the health centre is an inclusive, safe place to work, receive care, or visit. To accomplish this, the council has a three-pronged approach which includes Education, Advocacy and Celebration. 
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Positive Community
CFB Borden, Recipient
CFB Borden / BFC Borden
Canadian Forces Base Borden (CFB Borden) is located in the heart of Simcoe County and comprises 21,000 acres of land, including a 6,000-acre training area and approximately 460 buildings. On average, CFB Borden trains 15,000 military personnel annually, and employs approximately 3,250 military members and 1,500 civilians.
Under the direction of Colonel Liam McGarry, Commander of CFB Borden, a base LGBTQ2SA Network was formed in the summer of 2016. The Network was formed to provide a support for those military members and civilians who live and/or work at the CFB Borden. The Base Administration Officer, Lieutenant-Colonel David Grebstad, was named the Base Champion for LBGTQ2SA Issues and Captain John Niles was appointed as the Network’s Chairperson. The Network’s first order of business was to reach out to members of the community and coordinate with them and Fierté Simcoe Pride (FSP) the first official Pride Flag Raising at CFB Borden during FSP in 2016.
Since that time The Network has had representatives speak on diversity and creating a positive and safe place for LGBTQ2SA military members to all of the Senior Non-commissioned Officers at CFB Borden. The Network has been involved in discussions led by LCol Grebstad in developing more inclusive toilet and change room signage, and members have provided advice to the Department of National Defence’s Directorate of Human Rights and Diversity in Ottawa on Transgender issues.
Full bio can be read here.
Canadian Forces Base Borden (CFB Borden) is located in the heart of Simcoe County and comprises 21,000 acres of land, including a 6,000-acre training area and approximately 460 buildings. On average, CFB Borden trains 15,000 military personnel annually, and employs approximately 3,250 military members and 1,500 civilians.
Under the direction of Colonel Liam McGarry, Commander of CFB Borden, a base LGBTQ2SA Network was formed in the summer of 2016. The Network was formed to provide a support for those military members and civilians who live and/or work at the CFB Borden. The Base Administration Officer, Lieutenant-Colonel David Grebstad, was named the Base Champion for LBGTQ2SA Issues and Captain John Niles was appointed as the Network’s Chairperson. The Network’s first order of business was to reach out to members of the community and coordinate with them and Fierté Simcoe Pride (FSP) the first official Pride Flag Raising at CFB Borden during FSP in 2016.
Since that time The Network has had representatives speak on diversity and creating a positive and safe place for LGBTQ2SA military members to all of the Senior Non-commissioned Officers at CFB Borden. The Network has been involved in discussions led by LCol Grebstad in developing more inclusive toilet and change room signage, and members have provided advice to the Department of National Defence’s Directorate of Human Rights and Diversity in Ottawa on Transgender issues.
Full bio can be read here.
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Township of Tiny / Canton de Tiny
Tiny is an environmentally focused diverse family of communities providing an economically sustainable and healthy lifestyle. Their picturesque Township is located in the Southern Georgian Bay area and boasts some of the most beautiful trails and beaches in the region. They are a culturally diverse community with a strong Francophone influence which adds to their rich heritage. Tiny's population is approximately 11,240, but as a popular destination for tourism and cottagers, sees their population double to approximately 20,000 over the summer months. Tiny is home to the Tiny Marsh Provincial Wildlife Area; Ontario's first provincially owned and managed wetland. It offers visitors year-round use of 600 hectares of marsh and 300 hectares of field and forest. Residents and visitors can also take advantage of Awenda Provincial Park, set on the beautiful shores of Georgian Bay, for camping, hiking, and cross-country skiing. In 2015, Tiny's Council proactively changed its policy regarding flag raisings and proclamations to make way for the Pride and various other community groups. Mayor Cornell and Members of Council have actively participated in Pride and various other educational events to engage with the LGBT community. 
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City of Barrie
The City of Barrie is home to nearly 145,000 residents and is a large urban centre the Simcoe region. The City of Barrie is a welcoming and progressive community that has been moving forward economically, environmentally, and socially; continuing to strive for better for all residents. Led by Mayor Jeff Lehman and Council, the City of Barrie has proclaimed “Pride Week” and hosted a flag raising every year since 2011. The City continues to support the annual pride week parade and activities. The City of Barrie was one of the very first Canadian municipalities to formally recognize and we continue each November to raise the flag for the Transgender Day of Remembrance. The City of Barrie’s police force, Barrie Police Service, works very hard to ensure that they are an inclusive and responsible force, and that all residents feel safe and protected. The City is and will continue to be a community for all. 
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Honourary Award for Literature (Recipients)
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Ma-Nee Chacaby
Two-Spirit Journey is Ma-Nee Chacaby’s extraordinary account of her life as an Ojibwa-Cree lesbian. From her early, often harrowing memories of life and abuse in a remote Ojibwa community riven by poverty and alcoholism, Chacaby’s story is one of enduring and ultimately overcoming the social, economic, and health legacies of colonialism. As a child, Chacaby learned spiritual and cultural traditions from her Cree grandmother and trapping, hunting, and bush survival skills from her Ojibwa stepfather. She also suffered physical and sexual abuse by different adults, and in her teen years became alcoholic herself. At twenty, Chacaby moved to Thunder Bay with her children to escape an abusive marriage. Abuse, compounded by racism, continued, but Chacaby found supports to help herself and others. Over the following decades, she achieved sobriety; trained and worked as an alcoholism counsellor; raised her children and fostered many others; learned to live with visual impairment; and came out as a lesbian. In 2013, Chacaby led the first gay pride parade in Thunder Bay. Ma-Nee Chacaby has emerged from hardship grounded in faith, compassion, humour, and resilience. Her memoir provides unprecedented insights into the challenges still faced by many Indigenous people. Ma-Nee Chacaby is a Two-Spirit Ojibwa-Cree Elder. She was raised by her Cree grandmother in a remote Ojibwa community near Lake Nipigon, Ontario. To purchase a copy of Ma-Nee's book, A Two-Spirit Journey, visit the University of Manitoba Press. 
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S. Bear Bergman
Bear is an award-winning writer, educator and storyteller who has authored six books and also founded Flamingo Rampant, a children’s press focused on feminist, LGBTQ-positive, racially-diverse children’s books. His most recent book for grownups (Blood, Marriage, Wine, & Glitter) made several Best Of lists and was a finalist for the Lambda Literary Award. Bergman is a much loved speaker and storyteller at universities and festivals alike, because his signature blend of wit and warmth brings all the people to the yard (regardless of their sex designation, gender identity, or gender expression) (which he would like to remind you are not the same thing). Learn more about Bear and his projects at sbearbergman.com and flamingorampant.com. 
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