Members of the LGBTQ+ community in many societies around the world regularly show their courage in the face of prejudice and discrimination. Here in Canada, same-sex sexual activities, even between consenting adults, were considered as crimes punishable by imprisonment prior to 1969. It was at that time when the Canadian government passed an omnibus bill to decriminalize private sexual acts between two people, over the age of 21, which was a breakthrough in treating members of the LGBTQ+ community equally under the law. Close to 10 years later, in 1977, the province of Quebec became the first jurisdiction in Canada to amend its provincial charter of human rights to ensure the inclusion of sexual orientation, as a prohibited ground for discrimination.

Growing up I always knew I wanted to be a Mom someday. However, when I was 14 the doctors told me that I will probably never be able to have children. I spiraled into a depression that took me down some dangerous paths. I did get pregnant a few times, but I always lost it. 

​Each year during Pride Month, citizens in the city of Toronto come together and connect in unison to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community, and reminisce all of the problems they have overcome, and triumphs they have made. 

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines a personal pronoun as: “a pronoun (such as I, you, or they) that expresses a distinction of person”. Personal pronouns are often used when identifying yourself or someone else. For example, someone who identifies as cis-gender, may use she/her pronouns or he/his pronouns. 

​Since 1998, Canada has made significant strides in its legal and social recognition of the 2SLGBTQIAP population.  In 2000, Bill C-23 was passed, affording homosexual couples the same rights as heterosexual couples.  In 2005, Canada legalized same-sex marriage.  In 2013, Kathleen Wynne, the first openly gay premier in Canada, was elected to office in Ontario.

Luminato Festival is not just your average arts festival—it’s a barrier-breaking display of all forms of artwork, created by Canada’s—and the world’s--most creative artists.  Since its first run in 2007, the festival has been known for its keenness for drawing attention to important social justice issues, through the art that it displays—this year being no exception.