TakingITGlobal

Kyelle Byne, a professional science communicator and grant manager at Science North in Sudbury, Ontario, is committed to fostering equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility (EDIA) initiatives within her community. Kyelle's project, 'Celebrating the History of Northern Ontario's 2SLGBTQ+ Community,' aims to facilitate intergenerational dialogues and preserve the stories of 2SLGBTQ+ older adults across Northern Ontario through a podcast series. By documenting the region's 2SLGBTQ+ history, the project seeks to raise awareness and promote inclusivity within the community. Through extensive collaboration with 2SLGBTQ+ community groups and Pride organizations, Kyelle and her team conducted interviews with 2SLGBTQ+ older adults, capturing their experiences and perspectives. "These stories will be a transformative and enlightening experience for listeners. The narratives shared by 2SLGBTQ+ seniors offer a vital historical perspective that will educate audiences about the struggles, triumphs, and resilience within the 2SLGBTQ+ community. By hearing firsthand accounts, listeners will gain a deeper understanding of the diverse experiences and challenges faced by individuals over time. This exposure fosters empathy, breaks down stereotypes, and encourages a more inclusive worldview. The stories of 2SLGBTQ+ seniors have the power to inspire, fostering a sense of connection and solidarity among listeners, regardless of their own identities." Celebrating the History of Northern Ontario's 2SLGBTQ+ Community KYELLE BYNE HEALTH & WELL-BEING Kyelle also highlighted the profound impact of the project on the individuals being interviewed. "They had opportunities to share their personal stories and experiences, validating their lived history and providing a platform for their voices to be heard and appreciated... Every 2SLGBTQ+ older adults that I interviewed expressed that, through the interviews, they felt genuinely heard and seen— sometimes for the first time in a society that has often marginalized their narratives, or else not created space to record these histories in a long-lasting and impactful way." Aligned with three SDGs, Kyelle's project promotes Gender Equality (Goal 5), Reduced Inequalities (Goal 10), and Partnerships for Goals (Goal 17). Moving forward, Kyelle and her team plan to continue reaching out to 2SLGBTQ+ older adults to expand the podcast's catalog of episodes to reach as many people as possible. "As more episodes are released and more opportunities to engage with and interview 2SLGBTQ+ older adults arise, the future impacts of 'Queer in the North' have the potential to be profound and far- reaching. By preserving and amplifying the voices of this often marginalized demographic, the podcast contributes to a more inclusive historical record of Northern Ontario and the progress and changes made since 2SLGBTQ+ issues became part of mainstream culture." SPROUT IDEAS FELLOWSHIP IMPACT REPORT 34

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