Year Nominees
Youth of the Year
Lawrence Blanchette, and Jaden Skinner
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Lawrence Blanchette
Lawrence advocates tirelessly for himself and his fellow 2S-LGBTQIA+ youth. He is the founder and facilitator of Club Alliance, a group for Francophone 2SLGBTQIA+ youth in Simcoe County. As a part of his work with Club Alliance he received a Youth United grant from the United Way of Simcoe Muskoka to create French language resources for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth, and to put on a bi-lingual celebration event. Law partnered with the Gilbert Centre to put on this event, called the Gay-la, which was a dance and drag show for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth and allies. The event was a resounding success, and Law worked incredibly hard to make it happen. Law is also a part of the Gilbert Centre's Discord server for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth, and regularly supports his fellow youth to find the resources they need along with providing important information on issues of gender, sex, and sexuality. Additionally, as the youth facilitator of New Path's R&R Program, Law brought an essential 2SLGBTQIA+ perspective to discussions on healthy relationships and sexual health.
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Jaden Skinner
As a trans BIPOC youth, Jaden employs his lived experience, empathy and commitment in his work with youth and the community. He works tirelessly as a volunteer for UPlift Black’s various programs as a youth leader. Jaden is an outspoken advocate for trans rights and was featured on CBC radio in a news story about the rights of trans students in schools and the importance of SOGIE (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression).
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Johanna Evelyne Minga
Johanna is a bisexual black woman which puts her in the unique position of being representation for many different people all at once.
She has spoken at her school about queer allyship through a beautifully edited presentation, shared stickers with her peers in the school’s pride club, and attended a couple of queer events in Barrie since she’s moved there such as the pride parade, the booths set-up downtown, and a Barrie Pride meet-up at CW Coops.
She is also involved in Uplift Black and is working with them to promote her fundraising efforts for the SOS Children’s Villages, which supports children of all sexual orientations.
In short, she contributes to the community by showing up as herself everyday and supporting people in any way she can.
She has spoken at her school about queer allyship through a beautifully edited presentation, shared stickers with her peers in the school’s pride club, and attended a couple of queer events in Barrie since she’s moved there such as the pride parade, the booths set-up downtown, and a Barrie Pride meet-up at CW Coops.
She is also involved in Uplift Black and is working with them to promote her fundraising efforts for the SOS Children’s Villages, which supports children of all sexual orientations.
In short, she contributes to the community by showing up as herself everyday and supporting people in any way she can.
Person of the Year
Wilder Parsons
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Audrey Kennington
Audrey is always finding ways to make the library more inclusive, making friends with everyone and ensures all voices are heard and welcomed. Audrey oversees the Barrie Public Library (BPL) Leaders & Innovative Teens (LIT) and with the support of the United Way Youth United Grant she created a speaker series which saw an impressive amount of inclusive programs including Drag 101 with Justine D'as and author Rowan Jetté Knox. Through connections, Audrey advocated for a Notary Clinic which provided 2SLGBTQIA+ folks with information to assist them with name changes. Additionally, Audrey leads the monthly themed Queer Craft Circle which brings the greatest social attendance.
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Champagne Top’Her
Champagne Top’Her is an exceptional drag performer and outgoing member of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, always available and willing to donate time, talent and energy to any event and charitable fundraiser she is presented with. Over the years, she spreads love and kindness to various pride events all over Simcoe and Muskoka. Champagne is a guiding light to many up and coming drag performers, and has played an integral role in helping connect performers to create a strong drag community.
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Stevie Baker
Stevie Baker is a professional director and producer based in Severn, Ontario. She is the President of the Mariposa Arts Theatre Foundation (MAT), the General Manager of Mixed Company Theatre, and serves on the board of Arts Orillia. Stevie centers the 2SLGBTQIA+ in all her work. More specifically, in 2023, Stevie launched Mariposa Arts Theatre's first ever Queer Cabaret in celebration of Pride Month. Directed by Stevie, MAT's 2024 Queer Cabaret featured nine queer artists from across Simcoe County, Muskoka and beyond.
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Wilder Parsons
Wilder poured their heart and soul into running Midland Pride on June 23rd of this year. Living in Midland their whole life, Wilder has never had a local pride event that they could attend, and wanted to fix that. Within just over four months, they were able to organize sponsors, vendors, volunteers, and so many other resources and activities to help everyone else like them who were looking for a safe and loving community to get to be themselves. They contribute in both rallies and counter rallies, and parades all supporting the 2SLGBTQIA+ rights. They run a local crochet club that is an inclusive and safe place for any who attend.
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Organization of the Year
New Tecumseth Public Library
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Contact Community Services
CONTACT Community Services is a non-profit organization that supports over 3500 people in South Simcoe annually with support for sustainable housing, employment services and community programs.
The organization promotes diversity and inclusion and a supportive environment for staff and volunteers as well as clientele. Working with the Gilbert Centre and the Bradford Library, CONTACT Community Services (The Clothes Line Thrift store) supplies the Bradford Library Gender Neutral closet with a selection of clothes for anyone to try in a supportive environment. |
New Tecumseth Public Library
In the past year, the power house that is Cass Sigler (they/she) and Carol Webber (she/her), have created the New Tecumseth Public Library (NTPL) Queer Book Club and a weekly Queer & Ally Craft Club. The Book Club has over 30 members from not just New Tecumseth and surrounding area, but all over the county including Barrie & Springwater. All books in the Book Club have some tie to the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, including some local authors making a guest appearance such as Rowan Jette Knox and Jeff Woods. In between Book Club meetings, the group's Discord server fosters community and shares relevant 2SLGBTQIA+ events.
Cass is the Simcoe Reads champion for NTPL and will be representing the queer book "Into the Bright Open" by Cherie Dimaline. Carol is working towards offering a Notary Clinic to help the 2SLGBTQIA+ community with name changes in the Alliston area. |
2SLGBTQIA+ Led Organization of the Year
Kaleidoscope Counselling Collective
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Lake Country Pride
Lake Country Pride is a grassroots organization bringing together 2SLGBTQIA+ folks in the Orillia and Simcoe North area. Celeste Lalumiere and her small team create fun and inclusive events including roller skating nights, book club, movie nights, and a pride march.
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Kaleidoscope Counselling Collective
Kaleidoscope Counselling Collective is a virtual LGBTQ+ affirming therapy & naturopathic clinic. Their practice aims to create a sense of belonging and representation for all clients. By being a queer-led clinic, Kaleidoscope Counselling Collective provides representation within the healthcare sector, creates a supportive environment, and improve visibility and support for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community in professional spaces.
Founder & Clinical Director, Kristie Brassard (she/her) is local to the Orillia area, with other practitioners reaching across Ontario. Primarily offering virtual treatment allows for safe, confidential and accessible treatment for queer folk, even though in remote, rural communities. |
Business of the Year
Black Rose Beauty Lounge
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Three Birds Salon
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. |
Black Rose Beauty Lounge
For half a decade, Black Rose Beauty Lounge (BRBL) has been consistent advocate and refuge for the to 2SLGBTQIA+ community in New Tecumseth. Led by owner/ operator and innovator, Cassandra Rose (they/them/she/her), BRBL provides an array of support and services that have created a lasting impact on their community. Based firmly in the belief that the right hairstyle can have a huge (life-changing, even) impact on the way we feel, how we present ourselves and our confidence level, Cassandra (Cass) is well-known for their industry-leading customer service and holistic approach to hair care. Since opening, BRBL’s mission has been to provide free/subsidized hair services to 2SLGBTQIA+ youth and low-income individuals to aid in the curation of an outer appearance that reflects the most authentic inner self and instill confidence. The goal is to make hair services in a safe space accessible to all who need it.
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Critter Sitter
Critter Sitter puts care and upmost thought into taking care of animals and their homes. She has the kindest heart and the sweetest soul towards not only animals but their owners and families as well.
She shows that others of the community can be successful without the fear of rejection and misunderstanding.
She shows that others of the community can be successful without the fear of rejection and misunderstanding.
Lifetime Achievement Award
Fred Hahn
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Lady Stitch
Paul Finley (aka Lady Stitch) has dedicated their lifetime to uplifting and improving the LGBTQ2S+ community across Ontario and eastern Canada.
Spanning their 40+ career in drag, Lady Stitch has also helped organize and host charity events and seniors events to help these groups as well as shine A beautiful and positive light on our community. Lady Stitch now proudly helps encourage, support and promote current and new talent within their local drag community. Always around to offer love, support, advice and help. |
Fred Hahn
Fred Hahn was elected as Secretary Treasurer of CUPE Ontario in 2006 and in 2010, Fred made labour history by becoming the first openly gay President of CUPE Ontario and one of the few openly 2SLGBTQ+ executives of a major labour union. Fred has been reelected on multiple occasions, most recently in 2024, and has always made sure to represent and bring to the forefront the intersections between 2SLGBTQ+ rights and workers' rights. From his rural roots in Tillsonburg, Ontario to his fight for what's right at the head of CUPE Ontario, his trailblazing leaves open the path for current and future 2SLGBTQ+ workers and labour activists to take the torch. He is a mentor, an advocate, and tirelessly defects human rights.
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