Inspiring LGBTQ Canadians and allies tell us what they're proud of this year

Pride Month is about more than rainbow flags in windows and a flashy parade; it's a time to celebrate and reflect on a long journey toward inclusion, equality and acceptance. That journey is not over. Still, Canada remains a leader in the move toward LGBTQ acceptance, and here, we celebrate five LGBTQ Canadians and allies who are making us proud and pushing the conversation forward.

Dan Levy

To call the last year of Dan Levy's life extraordinary would be an understatement. When Time Magazine names you as one of the 'people changing comedy'... yeah that's a big deal. His hit show Schitt's Creek has experienced an explosion in popularity heading into its final season and all of those new eyeballs are getting a dose of Dan's unique LGBTQ-positive perspective. As both a writer/creator and star of the show, Dan has crafted a fictional world that poses an important question: What would happen if there was less hate? The backwoods town of Schitt's Creek is a safe haven for queer people like Levy's 'David', showing audiences a world where homophobia isn't a factor and just how much easier life can be for everyone when love is the default response. His season 5 episode in which his onscreen boyfriend Patrick comes out went viral, garnering huge praise for its rejection of common coming out tropes, while maintaining a subtle nod to the extreme fear and anxiety the moment can impart.

As always, the show cleaned up at the Canadian Screen Awards earlier this year, but the rest of the world has also caught on. Schitt's Creek scored its first GLAAD Award nomination, Dan won a Golden Popcorn trophy for best Comedic Performance at the MTV Movie & TV Awards and, yes, there are whispers of Emmy consideration.  

Dan's work offscreen is also making us so proud. He's seized his moment as an LGBTQ advocate, taking the opportunity during fancy photoshoots for Entertainment Weekly to talk about his community and own his identity. It's not an exaggeration at this point to suggest Dan is a leader in the next generation of LGBTQ creators fostering acceptance and understanding. The responsibility isn't lost on him, and he recognizes those who came before him. Appearing on The Ellen Degeneres show recently, Dan told the host "I would not be here if it wasn't for you. I would not be telling the stories I am telling if you had not told the stories that you told."

What makes Dan Levy proud?

"The strength and courage of the LGBTQ+ community — a community that promotes and fights for love and acceptance for all, often in the face of great adversity."

Kinley Mochrie, Colin Mochrie and Deb McGrath

Coming out as transgender isn't easy. You need look no further than the elevated rates of depression and suicide or the pandemic of violence against trans people to verify that claim. Part of the problem (aside from flagrant bigotry) is miseducation and misunderstanding about who trans people are and what they experience. Fighting against that is all about getting visible and sharing a very human experience. That kind of vulnerability takes courage and Kinley Mochrie and her family have stepped up big time.

Having a famous dad has its pros and cons but Kinley has seized the spotlight spillover to command a stage all her own — and her parents have kept pace standing by her side every step of the way. Engaging in political protests, taking on internet trolls, and most importantly taking every opportunity to openly share the transgender experience and give an example of just how much better life can be for parents who make the decision to fully support their transgender child as they seek out their authentic selves. Kinley's mom Deb sums it up nicely in her recent article in Reader's Digest. In an in depth, emotional and vulnerable account of her daughter's transition from a parental perspective she writes: "I wasn't invested in her gender, just her humanity."

What makes Colin Mochrie proud?

"I'm proud that my wife and daughter are empathetic to the needs of others and deal with life's curveballs with grace and humour."

What makes Deb McGrath proud?

"People living their authentic lives in peace."

What makes Kinley Mochrie proud?

"To know so many fellow LGBTQ folks who care, who thrive, who fight the good fight."

Samson Brown

Another transgender trailblazer on our radar is Samson Brown. Samson is a trans man and a self described "Jamal Of All Hustles" focusing on trans advocacy and the arts. His primary goal in life? To spread love and bring visibility and understanding to his community. Last month, Samson took things to the next level. He appeared in a new Gillette ad sharing a milestone moment in any man's life — his first shave.

The piece has had a broad impact with its vulnerable and stereotype-busting take on a time-honoured tradition. Yes, Samson has received a lot of love following the ad but you don't have to look very far to find the hate — none of which will be given oxygen here. The bigger picture is a beautiful one, a man living life authentically and sharing an intimate moment to further understanding and acceptance. You can check out more about Samson at www.bonkeabantu.com, including his recent monodrama "11:11" which recently wrapped a successful run at Why Not Theatre's RISER Project, with word of a tour in the works.

What makes Samson Brown proud?

"I'm humbled by the effect that the "First Shave" ad with Gillette has had on the communities that I am a part of as well as its effect on the global community. Both of these things are part of doing my ancestors' work, and fulfilling that task is what I'm most proud of."

Kent Monkman

Kent Monkman is a man who knows how to make a statement. The Cree artist has made waves more than once, working in multiple mediums mixing stunning visual experiences with provocative cultural discussions of historic and contemporary Indigenous experiences. When standing in front of one of his works in person a contemplation of the descriptor 'genius' would not be hyperbolic. There is a reason places like the Metropolitan Museum of Art come calling when they want to make a statement. He is also a proud member of the LGBTQ community, leading the 2017 Toronto Pride parade as Grand Marshall. His gender bending alter ego 'Miss Chief Eagle Testickle' is a frequent figure in his work. According to his official website Miss Chief is "a time-traveling, shape-shifting, supernatural being who reverses the colonial gaze to challenge received notions of history and Indigenous peoples." Oh, and she just got her own book deal.

His messages are well thought out, challenging, and illuminating. His execution is always nearly flawless. Beyond the high-level intellectual discussions his work evokes lies a simpler effect that is the most impactful: visibility. Minorities within minorities can be frequently ignored. Indigenous LGBTQ people of Canada deserve more representation and people like Monkman are carving a path to the light.

What Makes Kent Monkman proud?

"I'm proud of the fact that Indigenous people have always had a place for our people who fall outside the male/female heteronormative binaries of European settler understanding of gender and sexuality. I'm particularly proud of this when I see mainstream society, and other cultures around the world, struggle to accept the broad range of sexuality and gender now encapsulated in an increasingly clumsy acronym - 2SLGBTQQIA (I probably didn't get that right but the point is our sexuality and gender shouldn't matter). Traditionally we had equal respect for the people presently referred to as two-spirit. In writing the memoir (with Gisele Gordon) for my alter ego Miss Chief Eagle Testickle, our Cree knowledge keepers could not find any special terms in the Cree language distinguish those that are transgender, gay, lesbian, or bi. We are just people loving people. We are all human beings, so I'd love to see the rest of the world stop putting boxes around gender and sexuality."

The LGBTQ Community of La Ronge, Saskatchewan

If you live in a large urban centre in Canada, it can be easy to forget that the atmosphere of acceptance and celebration surrounding LGBTQ people can vary widely in smaller communities. Enter the town of La Ronge Saskatchewan: population 5671. Back in 2014 the Pride flag flew above city hall during the Sochi Olympic Games in support of marginalized gay people in Russia. It had not flown since. Despite support for an annual Pride parade passing, a motion to raise the flag was voted down in the same year, 2017. It may seem like a trivial matter from an outside perspective but rest assured the rejection of the Pride flag — a symbol recognizing the heart of an entire community — is a stinging rebuke for members of that community.

This year, the queer community of La Ronge decided to do something about it organizing a grassroots campaign to ask their town council a very important question: "What side of history do you want to be on?" More than 60 people showed up to council chambers (a decidedly large number for La Ronge) with select members of the community sharing the huge impact this small gesture would have on LGBTQ people. The council approved the motion 6 to 1.

What makes them proud?

I tracked down some of the leaders of this movement and found out what makes them proud.

Alena Cawthorne

"As a queer woman I am proud that my love and attraction extends to anyone, woman, man, nonbinary, trans, anyone. As a teacher I am so proud of the fierce youth I work with as they stand proud and find acceptance within our school and community. Safe spaces in schools didn't always exist, my school growing up didn't have one, and I'm so proud of other educators who are creating safe spaces for our queer youth."

Trinity Badger

"The youth in La Ronge make me feel proud of La Ronge. We've come a long way from how kids were even when I was little; I believe this change is for the better."

Stacia Selinger

"I am a person who is pansexual and biracial and at 25 I have finally felt the freedom to be open about who I am. What makes me proud is simply the feeling that my efforts and intentions to stand up for love and equality in a healthy, loving and humble way will allow the people I love, young people and really, all people to be and to grow with less oppression and obstacles and more freedom to love and be loved."

Colin Ratushniak

"Moving to the remote community of La Ronge in northern Saskatchewan and supporting the brave and hardworking allies that have spearheaded the LGBT movement who want change and tolerance really makes me proud to stand next to them. We need our allies in this global fight for equality & human rights."

Ryan E. Thompson is a Toronto based television producer and writer specializing in LGBTQ issues and entertainment.