When he was in Grade 4, Trevor Blackman-Wulff knew that he was different.
Being what he now calls the “rainbow sheep” of the family wasn't easy, especially in a family where the men were mechanics and loggers. He later realized he was gay.
“Since Grade 4, I've been the target of bullies,” he said on Feb. 23. “I was labelled 'Gay Boy' or 'Fag Boy,' and was verbally attacked every day in school, until the day I graduated high school.”
It didn't help that he grew up in a small logging town, where he said even the teachers turned a blind eye to what he was going through.
“Things that spoke to my soul wasn't considered the norm in that town,” he said. “I was also the only one in my family who was proud of our First Nation heritage. My family that wasn't First Nation would make jokes about gay people and about First Nations. I remember from a young age thinking what was wrong with those two things.”
Blackman-Wulff is co-founder and director of Safe 'n' Sound Squamish, which celebrates and honours lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and queer residents. He travelled to Greater Sudbury to be the keynote speaker at the ninth annual Classroom Closet seminar. He was one of a number of speakers from across Canada, from Yellowknife to Moncton, N.B., to speak.
Organized by Réseau ACCESS Network, it caters to all members of the education system, as well as students. It was developed surrounding the Safe Schools Act, with funding from the Public Health Agency of Canada.
“I'm spreading the message to youth that it gets better,” he said. “I want them to know how important it is to stand united and tall together. Things always seem tough in the moment, but as life progresses, it does get better, so stay true to yourself.”
Classroom Closet is meant to provide participants with the knowledge, attitude and skills required to support and advocate for LGBT students, friends, family members and co-workers, said Gaston Cotnoir, manager, Education and Community Development, Réseau ACCESS Network.
“It's one of its kind in Ontario,” Cotnoir said. “It gathers teachers, educators and their students to learn about inclusivity, diversity, and to teach them how to create change and safe spaces for all students.”
Bullying still exists, otherwise there would be no need for safe spaces, he said.
According to the Safe Schools Action Team, one third of all students are victims of bullying in the form of gender-based violence, homophobia, sexual harassment and inappropriate sexual behaviour, while almost one third are perpetrating it.
The effects of bullying are long term, Cotnoir said. A kid who identifies as trans, as gay or lesbian, and is bullied, the chances of them dropping out of school is quite high if they don't have allies or support. That's why the conference is open to any student that wants to make a change in their school.
“It's up to us to educate and normalize what's going on, and say there's absolutely nothing wrong with someone being gay, bi, trans or two spirited,” Cotnoir said.
“They are a part of our community, and everyone has a responsibility to make everyone else feel safe and included.”
Unfortunately, he said, funding for the conference is no longer available through the Public Health Agency of Canada, meaning this year's conference could very well be the last one.
“Sudbury is a place that welcomes change and sees the importance in the value of this workshop, and that's why we have more than 200 people here today,” Cotnoir said. “This was created out of need, and you can tell by today, it's still much needed. We have to keep the momentum going.”
That's why he said he'll be looking to the community to see if they can secure enough money to make it to at least 10 years.
Blackman-Wulff said he thinks what is being done in Greater Sudbury is amazing.
“It's things like this that need to continue,” he said. “There will always be people who push back. I've experienced it with Safe 'n' Sound Squamish, and it's that pushback that is the reason why we need to continue to do the work we do.
“I was honoured to be asked to speak. It was an amazing day. One of the best parts was being able to have the conversations with the youth and adults participating in the workshop.”
