A vision and dream come true

Inqueery columnist, Saltwire Network receive special media award

One year ago, I was given a platform to share the stories of 2SLGBTQIA+ voices in Atlantic Canada.

At the time, I did not know what I would write about or who I would interview, but I was excited to share this opportunity with my community. This is the 22nd article of the Inqueery column. Every two weeks, I set out to find the next story to share and every time I sit down with a new interviewee I learn so much.

The story of the queer community is one of resistance and resilience because, for a long time, in a lot of places, the 2SLGBTQIA+ community has been isolated, regulated and marginalized.

Gay, lesbian, bisexual, pansexual, asexual, intersex, queer and questioning folks have always existed. Nonbinary, agender, trans men and women, two-spirit and many other culturally specific identities have always existed. We are not new, but we are newly visible.

It was unsafe for queer

people to be out and proud for a long time. Additionally, we have lost many older community members due to the AIDS pandemic, homophobia and community violence. As we’ve been moving towards a more inclusive society, it is only natural that we would see an increase in the number of individuals being openly queer. Not because it’s trendy but because we’re finally starting to feel comfortable doing so. Therefore, with visibility comes community, and with

community comes safety.

Being queer, trans, deaf and neurodivergent and having a widely heard and supported voice is amazing and heartwarming. Having a platform to share the stories of my fellow community members is groundbreaking because this is one of the first newspaper companies in Atlantic Canada that embraces 2SLGBTQIA+ voices.

Recently, on behalf of myself and Saltwire Network, I had the honour of accepting the Raymond Taavel Media Award from the Nova Scotia Rainbow Action Project. This award recognizes an individual or organization for educating the public on news or issues affecting the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. This award was renamed in 2012 to honour the memory of Raymond Taavel, a gay community activist who worked in the media as a Wayves magazine editor/contributor and as an employee of the Shambhala Sun.

I remember the day Taavel was murdered; the city mourned. To receive this award with his name attached to it brings me to tears.

Thank you so much to Saltwire Network for providing the platform and to all the courageous interviewees who have shared their stories with Inqueery and the world. This could not have happened without you. To all of you, keep making this world a better place.