2023 Nominees
Youth of the Year
Elmvale District High School Gender and Sexual Diversity Club, Recipient
Elmvale District High School Gender and Sexual Diversity Club
The EDHS Gender and Sexual Diversity Club fundraised and fought back against homophobic and transphobic protests to get a pride crosswalk installed in Elmvale.
photo from Barrie Today
photo from Barrie Today
Person of the Year
Mitchell LaFramboise, Recipient
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Celio De Andrade
 photo by Jessica Owen/BarrieToday
Celio De Andrade is a Barrie resident that moved to the city in December 2018 to study at Georgian College. He quickly became involved in the community working with Fierté Simcoe Pride as a member of the Barrie Subcommittee and helped in planning and executing the Barrie Pride Festival Day in 2019. When the rainbow crosswalk was painted in the City of Barrie, Celio was interviewed by Barrie today, sharing his story of coming to Canada from Brazil, and expressing how the rainbow crosswalk was a symbol of acceptance and liberation for him.
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Mitchell Laframboise / Justine D'as
Few in our region can boast about their successes fighting bigotry, fundraising, entertaining and educating as Justine D’as could. Though, not in their nature to boast about their accomplishments, Justine’s contributions to our community over the past year are simply outstanding.
As Simcoe county’s premier queer arts performer, educator and civil rights advocator, Justine uses her platforms, network and knowledge to create safe, inclusive and fun spaces for the underserved 2SLGBTQI+ community. |
Organization of the Year
Collingwood Pride, Recipient
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Collingwood Pride
Pride Collingwood has been working so hard to bring a pride festival to downtown Collingwood and have succeeded with a festival focused on both celebration and education. They are a branch of the rainbow club which brings programming to South Georgian Bay for the 2SLGBTQ+ community.
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Orillia Museum of Art and History
The Orillia Museum of Art and History (OMAH) has a mission to "provide inclusive space to engage the community, inspire creativity and celebrate culture, by exploring art and history". OMAH has taken the initiative to exhibit the works of marginalized folks whose voices aren't often heard. This past year, the small act of changing their washroom signs to be inclusive for everyone has a large impact on the safety and well-being of the GSD community.
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Catholic Family Services of Simcoe County
CFSSC provide gender-affirming mental health counselling and generally affirming support through a partnership with the Gilbert Centre and LGBTQ-inclusive youth groups through Youth Call.
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Springwater Public Library
The Springwater Public Library provides a safe and welcoming environment for all members of the public and is striving to provide programming that supports diversity and the 2SLGBTQIA+ community in rural communities through drag storytimes and other content. They are committed to learning, growing, and supporting.
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Business of the Year
Low Down Bar, Recipient
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Low Down (Cassie MacKell)
Cassie Mackell is the owner of Low Down in Collingwood. Since she opened her doors she's been providing a safe space for the LGBTQIA+ community. From being the home of Drag Queens in Collingwood, volunteering as the Social chair for The Rainbow Club and hosting events that offer spaces for Queer artists to flourish, Cassie goes above and beyond to make sure that all LGBTQIA+ community know they're safe and welcomed in Collingwood.
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The Barbell Academy (Michael Stefanyk)
The Barbell Academy is an inclusive, safe space that celebrates all people and encourages each person to achieve their best. Through the persistent practice of athletic goals and the commitment to a strong sense of community within the gym, Mike demonstrates that including and celebrating all individuals creates a vibrant community that inspires each person to achieve their best.
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Three Birds Salon (Kendra)
Kendra and the team at the Three Birds Salon strive to be an inclusive, safe and welcoming environment for all members of the community. The salon works to connect members of the community with other safe businesses and professionals in the area, as well as donating to local charities and participating in local events.
Three Birds Salon features gender-neutral pricing for services. And Kendra prides herself in performing gender-affirming hair services for members of the community - from haircuts to hair replacement options. |
Blueberry Moon (Heather Kennedy)
Heather makes everyone feel included (and safe) when they walk into her store. She not only holds events within her store (including Big Gay Movie Night & Drag Story Time), but she and her staff take part in community events that promote acceptance, love and kindness.
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Sugar Dessert Bar (Mark Robillard)
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Community of the Year
Town of Innisfil, Recipient
Town of Innisfil
The Town of Innisfil and its departments, boards, and agencies - including the Library and Idea Lab - continues to demonstrate support for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community publicly via the progress Pride flag crosswalk, drag storytimes, and has been a longtime supporter of Fierté Simcoe Pride since 2013. Additionally, the town is home to one of the first openly gay deputy mayors in the region- Dan Davidson, who previously was elected.
The Town of Innisfil has been actively supporting the creation of inclusive facilities and washroom policies, in addition to the other forms of solidarity and celebration listed above.
The Town of Innisfil has been actively supporting the creation of inclusive facilities and washroom policies, in addition to the other forms of solidarity and celebration listed above.