Pride and Persistence

Every day, people face discrimination because of their sexuality and gender identity. The people between these pages have stood up for the queer community, whether on their own behalf or in support of people they love. Some made a difference by confronting injustice; others dared to be fully themselves.

Susan Ursel fought all the way to the Supreme Court of Canada for the right to have books with queer characters in schools. Sparkle Wilson runs an internship program for LGBTQ+ youth in San Francisco that helps them build skills and grow their confidence. Itzayana Gutiérrez Arillo discovered the joy and global community of queer tango. Their stories prove that we can all make the world a little safer, kinder, and more inclusive.

Mary Fairhurst Breen authored the memoir Any Kind of Luck at All and the children’s book Pride and Persistence: Stories of Queer Activism. As a queer feminist author, writing is Mary’s current form of activism after decades spent working for social change and equal rights. She lives in Toronto.