It Gets Better CanadaIt Gets Better CanadaIt Gets Better Canada is proud to present our Youth Advisory Committee, powered by RBC! This dynamic group of ten inspiring 2SLGBTQ+ youth from across Canada will help steer our initiatives and shape our future.
Their voices are key to a world where no young person faces marginalization or rejection due to their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Join us in celebrating their amazing contributions and learn more about each member below. Let’s uplift and empower the next generation!
Bowie Pelletier is a two-spirit bisexual (who uses any pronouns) writer and artist from Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan and she just published their first book which is a collection of poetry he wrote from ages 13-18 through all of the adolescence struggles that come with being a young queer and disabled two-spirit person in small town (titled “Love Loudly, Feel Deeply). They have always been passionate about 2SLGBTQ+ activism and she’s so excited to be apart of something so special and meaningful. He is eternally grateful and proud to be apart of this team.
Cris(they/them) is a queer, nonbinary, Black person from Tkaronto. They are entering their second year as an undergraduate student in the Journalism and LGBTQ Studies programs at TMU. Cris is also the Programming and Outreach Coordinator for The Queer Space Equity Centre at the TMU Student Union. In September, it will have been 6 years since they came out as queer and began doing social justice work for their communities.
Hey everyone! This is Oli Hefford(they/them). They’re a 21 year old Emergency Medical Responder from a small town in Newfoundland called Hearts Content! They’re living out their dream of helping people by not only working on the ambulance but joining the Youth Advisory Committee and they could not be more excited! They’ve always had a soft spot for reaching out and helping others so they can’t wait to do so by sharing their voice!
Caprice(they/them) is a non-binary Filipino person currently working as a Peer Support Worker at the Youth Services Bureau. They have a passion for community building and social justice. In their free time they like playing board games or TTRPGs with their friends, making very specific playlists and reading!
Jay Legaspi (he/she/they), a passionate Queer Mental Health Advocate and dynamic Public Speaker, embraces adversity, empathy, and authenticity in all that they do. As a Queer, Non-Binary, Neurodivergent, Plus Size, Filipinx-Canadian, Jay’s unique life experiences have fueled their authentic and unapologetic storytelling. Through collaborations with non-profit organizations like Jack.org, Foundry, Bell Lets Talk, and Vancouver Pride Society, Jay dedicates their relentless passion to crafting genuine content that empowers individuals to embrace their authentic selves and radically love themselves inside and out.
James (he/him) is passionate about meaningful change for 2SLGBTQ+ youth and advocates for the representation of lived experiences. He has worked on a variety of projects, including working on advisories for Toronto’s Pride Prom and facilitating classes at CAMH’s Collaborative Learning College and multiple research committees. Through his work, James is passionate about making queer resources accessible and affirming. James believes that uplifting the voices of 2SLGBTQ+ youth is a transformative step towards shaping Queer Canadian experiences. In his spare time, you’ll find James tending to his garden, and baking bread.
Elliot is 22, his pronouns are he/they, and he is a nearly fifth year university student in Edmonton, Alberta. If asked for specifics, he identifies as an aroace, nonbinary-transmasc person, but if specifics aren’t needed, they’ll reply that gender is eh? on a good day. He’s a writer, musician, ex-thetre kid, and big-time reader. He’s studying English and creative writing, with a focus on trans and aroace representation in media, as well as how humanity as a whole is represented. More than anything, they’re excited to see what they can bring to the table!
Keeda (she/they) is a 21 year old living in PEI, and identifies as a lesbian. Growing up in Alberta, but recently moving to the east coast, has provided them with a wide variety of experiences and different 2SLGBTQ+ communities. As a recent university graduate, she is excited to take the degree and use what they can to help and bring awareness for 2SLGBTQ+ youth.
Fin Janleigh (she/they) is an award-winning filmmaker with work in both live action and stop motion film. Her work often follows themes of environmentalism, friendship, and self-concept. Fin is the director behind the award-winning short film In Which A Lonely Kid Accidentally Accesses Another Dimension and a 2023 CBC music class challenge winning music video. You can find her @fin_janleigh on Instagram and at Janleigh Studios on Youtube.
Hello everyone! Luna(she/her) extends her warm greetings as she proudly introduces herself as a member of the YAC committee. As a Nigerian-Canadian trans woman, she is dedicated to advocating for transgender visibility in society. Luna firmly believes in the importance of everyone having the freedom to express their queerness
