Bill 7 award supports and celebrates 2SLGBTQ+ students
Named after the 1986 Ontario legislation that extended the protection of the Human Rights Code to lesbian and gay people, the Bill 7 award extends a bursary of $4,000 to each recipient. From left: Romy, Arjun Kalra, Cris Nippard, Ella Johnston and Gen Renaud.
Many 2SLGBTQ+ students have been recognized in recent years through the Bill 7 Award, a scholarship available to students who demonstrate need and are enrolled in any post-secondary institution in Ontario to pursue their first degree or diploma.
Awards such as Bill 7 contribute significantly to the success and well-being of queer students by celebrating their identities. Duncan MacLellan, professor in TMU’s public administration and governance program, advocated for the award and worked with the Positive Space Faculty and Staff Network to promote the award to reach more students. As a result, last year seven of the 25 awardees were TMU students, the highest number of recipients among any university or college.
As a member of the community himself, MacLellan understands the hardships 2SLGBTQ+ students face. “A lot of 2SLGBTQ+ students don’t often know awards celebrating their identity exist,” he said. “Events such as these open up a window to recognize and celebrate diversity in many forms.”
Awards such as Bill 7 are critical right now, when hate speech and violent acts are particularly prevalent against members of the queer community, says Vice-President, Equity and Community Inclusion Tanya De Mello. “We need students and members to experience moments that celebrate them for who they are, especially now in the midst of increasing anti-2SLGBTQ+ and anti-trans rhetoric across North America,” she said.
“Education is a powerful tool for change, and we, as students, educators, and administrators, have the power to shape attitudes, challenge stereotypes and build a more inclusive society. Awards like these help us get there.”
TMT connected with five TMU recipients to hear what it means to them.
Romy
Sociology, second year
Bill 7 award recipient Romy aspires to contribute to the queer community by sharing the knowledge and experience gained, with the hope of giving back.
How will this award contribute to your academic journey or personal life?
As a part of the queer community, I had to face stigmatization and eventually come to peace with my authentic self. I never expected anyone to care about my academic or personal journey. However, I soon realized how wrong I was. By having my goals and potential recognized by many amazing people, I am hoping to continue succeeding with my studies, and I hope to be able to share and give back all the knowledge and experience I gain to my community.
Arjun Kalra
Performance: Acting, second year
Arjun Kalra encourages fellow students to create and seek out communities that validate and celebrate 2SLGBTQ+ identities.
What advice would you share with other 2SLGBTQ+ students?
Create and seek communities in which you feel welcome, validated and illuminated. It can feel as if the world, unfortunately, works against our favour at times, pushing heteronormative narratives and rejecting queer and trans people – hence we must come together in our communities and celebrate our identities and uniqueness. These are acts of resistance and joy, even if it means creating our own opportunities and brave spaces to truly live the lives we deserve!
Cris Nippard
Journalism, first year
Cris Nippard finds fulfillment in dedicated service to the 2SLGBTQ+ community and youth, both at TMU and beyond.
How will this award contribute to your academic journey or personal life?
As a young person who has been supporting myself independently since I was 16, this award will contribute greatly to the cost of living in Toronto. I started working before I had moved out of a toxic family situation, and have been working since. I lived paycheck to paycheck and didn’t think I would have enough to support myself through post-secondary school, even after OSAP. Scholarships like the Bill 7 Award have made it possible for me to attend school, live in the city and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Since coming out five years ago, I have tried to involve myself very heavily in the 2SLGBTQ+ community. This manifested through my love for serving my community, and work in school and with youth. I am extremely grateful to be able to be acknowledged, especially alongside so many other young queer beacons of positivity and power.
Ella Johnston
Performance: Acting, second year
Ella Johnstone emphasizes that for queer people of faith, there are ways to live authentically without having to make a choice between religious beliefs and sexuality and/or gender identity.
What advice would you share with other 2SLGBTQ+ students?
I feel like there isn’t much advice out there specifically for queer people of faith so I want to touch on that. Some advice I wish I had received earlier in my life growing up in the Christian church is that you don’t have to choose between your faith and your sexuality and/or gender identity. We were all created to love and be loved, and God loves you exactly the way you are. For myself, having representation that reflects my life experience has been incredibly helpful. My favourite queer Christian activist and author of Undivided, Vicky Beeching, who like myself, identifies as a lesbian studied Theology at Oxford University.
Gen Renaud
Performance Production, first year
Gen Renaud (left) expresses gratitude for the substantial support the Bill 7 Award has provided, allowing her to concentrate on academics and well-being.
How will this award contribute to your academic journey or personal life?
As a student with mental and physical illnesses that hinder my ability to hold a job while going to school, I am beyond grateful to have received the Bill 7 Award. Going into university, I was terrified of how I was going to pay for my education but since receiving this award, I have felt a massive amount of relief knowing that I will be able to afford my tuition and residence fees this year without worry. With this scholarship, I am able to better focus on my academics and well-being.
Mark your calendars
Applications for the next Bill 7 award will open on Thursday, April 18, 2024. 2SLGBTQ+ students who meet the criteria are encouraged to apply. To learn more about the award and its history, visit the Bill 7 Awards website (external link) .