Linh
Although Linh (pronounced Link) knew he was gay from a very early age he didn’t come out until a few years ago. Giving himself time to accept himself, in a country that also accepted him. Linh eventually made his way to Toronto where he is now a practicing artist. You can find more about Linh at: Roseswithoutthorns.net
Linh’s story is one in a series recorded at World Pride in Toronto, Ontario in 2014. Heart felt thanks go to the sponsors of this series: Media Net in Victoria, BC, Trinity Square Video in Toronto and The Bonham Centre for Sexual Diversity Studies, Lynch History Grant. Special thanks to Milada Kovacova at Trinity.
Xavier
Xavier talks about his experience as a newcomer to Canada and the criticism he’s received for speaking out against the homophobia he faced on his home island of Saint Kitts.
Xavier’s story is one in a series recorded at World Pride in Toronto, Ontario in 2014. Heart felt thanks go to the sponsors of this series: Media Net in Victoria, BC and Trinity Square Video in Toronto and The Bonham Centre for Sexual Diversity Studies, Lynch History Grant. Special thanks to Milada Kovacova at Trinity.
Francisco
Francisco, an artist and activist, talks about how his gravitation towards the arts made for a relatively easy coming out process. Francisco has been involved in many LGBTQI initiatives in Toronto, he was a founding member of the Inside/Out Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, is a founding member of Nuit Rose, is on the advisory committee for Nuit Blanche and is currently on the board of Toronto Pride, organizers of World Pride 2014.
Francisco’s story is one in a series recorded at World Pride in Toronto, Ontario in 2014. Heart felt thanks go to the sponsors of this series: Media Net in Victoria, BC and Trinity Square Video in Toronto and The Bonham Centre for Sexual Diversity Studies, Lynch History Grant. Special thanks to Milada Kovacova at Trinity.
Julius
Julius, a young artist from Toronto, talks about his experiences of coming out – First recognizing his same-sex attraction in the Philippines and then once he immigrated to Canada, he notes some significant differences in the coming out process. He continues to work with issues of acceptance and homonormativity in his art practice. Julius’s artwork can be viewed at:
http://www.artslant.com/global/artists/show/98229-julius-poncelet-manapul
Julius’s story is the one in a series recorded at World Pride in Toronto, Ontario in 2014. Heart felt thanks go to the sponsors of this series: Media Net in Victoria, BC and Trinity Square Video in Toronto and The Bonham Centre for Sexual Diversity Studies, Lynch History Grant. Special thanks to Milada Kovacova at Trinity.
Gavin
Although Gavin’s physical transition was as positive as possible, the more subtle process of discovering himself was a little more challenging. Gavin talks about the process of his transition.
Gavin’s story is one of a series of stories collected at the Moving Trans* History Forward Conference, put on by the Transgender Archives at the University of Victoria in March of 2014. The MTHF conference provided onmyplanet.ca with a space to record stories on site during the conferences of 2014, 2016 and 2018.
Terry
Terry’s story was recorded a few years ago (in fact he was one of the first!) and the video has just resurfaced now. Terry talks candidly about his experiences in life and the variety of careers he’s had – a waiter, a musician and a sex-ed porn star. Terry continues to take the bull by the horns as an HIV advocate and as a musician and street performer. Visit Terry’s Youtube Channel here. Terry or Tee Jay was also written about recently in Positive Living Magazine. You can download the issue for free here
Stephen
Stephen eloquently recounts growing up in the north, his process of coming out and his part in the human rights case that solidified same-sex marriage in Yukon Territory and in Canada. Thank you Stephen both for the energy you put into changing history and for the telling of this excellent piece of LGBTQ history.
Stephen’s story story video is part of a series of videos from Whitehorse, YT that were facilitated by the Yukon Queer Film Alliance with the generous support of Arts Fund Yukon. YQFA is responsible for OUT North, the first queer film festival north of 60.
Bill_02
Bill talks about how he denied and hid his homosexuality for years. He also talks about the relationship he eventually had with his husband.
Bill’s Story was part of a group of stories recorded on Salt Spring Island, partially sponsored by GLOSSI (Gays and Lesbians of Salt Spring Island). The group was renamed and is now DIASSI Diverse and Inclusive Salt Spring Island.
Owen
Owen, a calligraphy artist, talks about leaving the country to go to school – and to come out. Having maintained a dual life for some time, Owen eventually reconciled the distance. You can see some of Owen’s work at: www.owenwilliams.org
Owen’s story video is part of a series of videos from Whitehorse, YT that were facilitated by the Yukon Queer Film Alliance with the generous support of Arts Fund Yukon. YQFA is responsible for OUT North, the first queer film festival north of 60.
Liam
Liam talks about coming out when he was 12 years old, how supportive his family and friends have always been and how that helped him stand up for LGBTQ rights last year at his high school.
Liam’s story video is part of a series of videos from Whitehorse, YT that were facilitated by the Yukon Queer Film Alliance with the generous support of Arts Fund Yukon. YQFA is responsible for OUT North, the first queer film festival north of 60.
Some of the news stories that covered the situation at Vanier high school:
CBC Story Mar 04, 2013
A Guy Named Brian Blog Post, Mar 4th 2013
CBC News Mar. 5th, 2013
Yukon News, March 13, 2013
CBC News, Mar. 20th, 2013
Yukon News, Mar. 22nd, 2013
CBC News, Sept. 5th 2013
CBC News Sept. 17th, 2013