The colours of love and acceptance shone in their full vibrancy during Bluewater District School Board’s (BWDSB’s) second annual Rainbow Student Conference on Thursday, May 30, 2024. Approximately 100 students from all secondary and a few elementary schools in the district made the trip to the BWDSB Education Centre in Chesley for a day of support among peers, music, arts and crafts, and positive messaging.
A powerful student message kicked off the day, proclaiming “Resistance” as the unofficial conference theme, in reference to the continued fight by members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community against certain pieces of legislation, hate speech, and other discrimination.
Returning guest and trans, nonbinary gender performer Captain Kit Boulter brought smiles and laughs with theatrical songs and fashion themed workshops. This extended to leading an uplifting karaoke session towards the end of the day.
Special guest Jay Menominee, an Indigenous transgender goldsmith apprentice with deep ties to the arts community and advocate for queer and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of colour) voices, also shared their personal journey towards acceptance among family members. Jay’s message to students was simple yet profound. “I see the light inside of you. I see you for you.”