Growing up gay in Scarborough and attending Centennial College in the eighties was a closeted experience. The nineties brought opportunities to come out as I established my career at Centennial. Educating and understanding the college population, made Centennial College an institution of openness. I shared being gay with colleagues.
In 2001, I participated in positive space training. Centennial was coming out! There was a cognizance of the gay and lesbian community! I came out with Centennial, and there was momentum as we both moved forward together!
Colleagues provided congratulations to me and my husband in 2003, the year gay marriages became legal in Ontario. Later, they provided support when doctors diagnosed Mark with Lou Gehrig’s, and we embarked on the ALS journey. The Centennial community was there, not just as colleagues and friends, but as caring individuals.
Together, the Centennial community continues to synthesize pride within a melting pot that includes the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community while celebrating diversity at the same time.