King Charles III’s Coronation Medal Recipients

Adam Goldenberg is a partner at McCarthy Tétrault LLP and one of Canada’s leading advocates for the rights 2SLGBTQI+ people in the courtroom. He has represented 2SLGLBTQI+ organizations — including Egale Canada — and individuals in numerous cases that have defined the ongoing fight for dignity and equality.

Adam acted for Egale in Hansman v. Neufeld, in which the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that “counter-speech” in defence of queer people is entitled to public interest protection and recognized that trans individuals, and especially trans young people, are a vulnerable minority. He represented the successful plaintiffs in Rainbow Alliance Dryden v. Webster, in which the Ontario Superior Court held that those who smear 2SLGBTQI+ people as “groomers” may be sued for defamation. And he is lead counsel for Egale, other 2SLGBTQI+ organizations, and the families of trans and gender diverse young people who are challenging unjust anti-trans laws in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and New Brunswick.

In Adam’s broader trial, appellate, and arbitration practice, he handles business disputes and public law matters, including regulatory and constitutional litigation, for leading Canadian and global companies. Adam has been counsel in 28 appeals to the Supreme Court of Canada and has litigated before the courts of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, New Brunswick, and the federal courts. He is recognized as an outstanding courtroom advocate; as one client told Chambers and Partners (a prominent legal industry publication), “Adam Goldenberg is one of the best oral advocates that I have ever seen. It is hard to overstate how smart and well-prepared he is.

Amelia (she/her) is a founder and Managing Director of Skipping Stone, a nationally recognized nonprofit which has supported over 10,000 Two-Spirit, trans and gender diverse youth, adults & families since their inception in 2018. She has also previously held positions as the Director of Community Engagement at Calgary Pride and as the President of the Trans Equality Society of Alberta. Through these various roles, she has played an important role in the introduction and implementation of legislation recognizing the rights of trans and gender diverse individuals at all levels of government. She is also a passionate educator for the promotion of trans inclusion and serves as a faculty member of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health equity and a perennial lecturer at the University of Calgary’s Cummings School of Medicine. In recognition of her work, she has received the Outstanding Community Impact Award from University of Calgary Law School and was awarded the Grand Heart Award in 2018 in recognition of her significant contributions to advancing 2SLGBTQIA+ human rights in Alberta. 

Anna Murphy (She/Her) is a passionate advocate and dynamic leader dedicated to building communities where everyone feels a deep sense of belonging and connection. Proudly calling Calgary and Alberta her home, Anna’s work bridges professional leadership with grassroots advocacy, focusing on championing equity, inclusion, and social justice.
Currently serving as the Executive Assistant to the Dean of the Faculty of Science at the University of Calgary, Anna balances her professional role with extensive volunteer commitments. She is a passionate volunteer with the Calgary Stampede, Calgary Arts Academy, Women’s Centre, CIJA, and contributes to several community-focused initiatives.
Anna’s contributions have been widely recognized. She was named one of Avenue Calgary’s Top 40 Under 40 (2023) and has received prestigious honors, including the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal, the King Charles III Coronation Medal, and the Calgary Stampede Western Trailblazer Award for her leadership and advocacy for 2SLGBTQIA+ rights.

As a woman and as someone who is transgender, Anna’s lived experience informs her passionate
advocacy for the rights of women and 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals. Her work is rooted in fostering
connection, dismantling barriers, and empowering individuals to thrive. Committed to creating a Canada that is safe, welcoming, and affirming for all equity-deserving individuals, Anna strives to build a future where everyone has the opportunity to flourish

Diane Pitre grew up in Campbellton, a small coastal town in northern New Brunswick, known as the gateway to the Maritime Provinces. She joined the military on November 9, 1977 at the age of 18 after graduating from high school. After completing basic training at CFB St Jean, she was posted to CFB Chatham, NB in February of 1978 for training as an Air Frame Technician. On April 1, 1978, she was posted to CFB Borden, Ontario to complete her Air Frame technician training and returned to CFB Chatham in August 1978. She was re-trained as a Supply Technician in late 1978 after losing her security clearance on then suspicion of being a homosexual. On September 24, 1980, she was purged from the Armed Forces after a lengthy 2-year investigation under the CFAO 19-20 “Sexual Deviation – Investigation, Medical Investigation and Disposal for being a homosexual”. She was told that she was a threat to her country because of her sexuality. 

Diane has spent close to 40 years lobbying the government for an apology for her wrongful dismissal, which was received on November 28, 2017 from Prime Minister Trudeau. Although that chapter is closed, Diane continues to work as an activist so that history does not repeat itself! She has launched a Facebook page for LGBT Purge survivors, provides support to many 2SLGBTQI+ veterans and is the founder and Co-chair of Rainbow Veterans of Canada. Diane was awarded the Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation in 2024 for her work in support of 2SLGBTQI veterans over many decades.  That same year, Diane was appointed as a Member of the Order of Canada. 

Diane is retired from Canada Post Corporation after a 30-year career as a Library Technician; International Claims Officer and Relocation Officer. She is a proud member of the LGBT Purge Fund and looks forward to this next chapter of her life. 

Diane is Métis and resides in Campbellton, NB. 

Fae Johnstone has dedicated her life to advancing equality, freedom and rights for queer and trans people. With over a decade of advocacy under her belt, she is a force to be reckoned with and one of Canada’s most prominent queer human rights advocates. 

As Executive Director and Co-Founder of the Society of Queer Momentum, Fae is on a mission to mobilize advocates and allies towards a more free, equal and socially just future. Within her advocacy, she travels across Canada supporting queer advocates and allies on the ground, gracing conference stages and building bridges with allies and sibling movements in every province and territory. Fae has received numerous awards and accolades for her work, including serving as Grand Marshal of the Ottawa Capital Pride Parade in 2023 and National Grand Marshal of Saskatoon Pride in 2024. She was also on a chocolate bar.

Florence Ashley is an Assistant Professor at the University of Alberta Faculty of Law and John Dossetor Health Ethics Centre. They hold BCL/JD and LLM degrees from McGill University and an SJD from the University of Toronto, and served as the first openly transfeminine clerk at the Supreme Court of Canada. A prolific scholar, Florence has authored numerous academic articles in prestigious journals as well as the books Banning Transgender Conversion Practices: A Legal and Policy Analysis (UBC Press, 2022) and Gender/Fucking: The Pleasures and Politics of Living in a Gendered Body (CLASH Books, 2024). In addition to their scholarly work, Florence is a frequent contributor to public discussions on trans and queer issues. When not engaged in research or teaching, Florence enjoys speaking French and oversharing on social media.

Jacqueline (Jacquie) Gahagan, ONS, PhD (Medical Sociology) (They/Them) is a Credentialed Evaluator (CES), a Full Professor and Associate Vice-President of Research at Mount Saint Vincent University (MSVU) in Halifax Nova Scotia. Prior to joining MSVU Jacquie was a Full Professor of Health Promotion in the Faculty of Health at Dalhousie University where they taught community health promotion, program planning, and measurement and evaluation courses. Jacquie is a founding member and serves as the Co-Director of the Atlantic Interdisciplinary Research Network for Social and Behavioural Aspects of HIV and HCV (airn.ca), is a Founding Fellow of the MacEachen Institute for Public Policy and Governance and is an Affiliate Scientist with the Nova Scotia Health Authority. Jacquie was the recipient of an Honorary Doctorate from Ontario Tech University in 2024 for their contributions to health equity in Canada.

Jacquie’s longstanding program of mixed methods health promotion research focuses on evaluating policy and programming interventions using sex and gender-based analyses (SGBA+) to identity and address health inequities among equity-deserving populations, including 2SLGBTQI+ populations. Jacquie’s funded studies focus on the scaling-up of access to innovative HIV testing technologies, the health equity and health outcomes of 2SLGBTQI+ populations, including access to safe and affirming housing and healthcare among 2SLGBTQ+ communities, access to post-secondary education among former youth in care, and 2SLGBTQI+ end-of-life decision-making.  Jacquie worked as an evaluation specialist in public health at the municipal, provincial and national levels in relation to harm reduction, HIV/HCV prevention, and tobacco use cessation prior to their academic career. 

Jada Yee is the Managing Partner at OneHoop Advisory Services, representing his Wood Mountain Lakota Sioux Nation and Chinese-Canadian heritage. With over two decades in leadership roles, including Vice President of Operations for a local Tribal Council, Jada brings significant expertise to his work.

He serves on various Indigenous and non-Indigenous boards, including a historic five-year tenure as the first civilian chair of the Regina Police Service Board of Police Commissioners. Jada also raised over $20,000 for an LGBTQ2SA Youth Homeless Shelter through a Celebrity Drag Show. Jada is a passionate advocate for LGBTQ2SA rights, becoming a straight drag queen to raise awareness and funds for LGBTQ2SA causes. He raised over $20,000 for an LGBTQ2SA Youth Homeless Shelter through a Celebrity Drag Show. As a proud parent of trans children, Jada is deeply committed to supporting the LGBTQ2SA community and spreading messages of inclusion and equality.

Jada’s dedication to Reconciliation has earned him awards such as the Queen’s Jubilee Medal, the University of Regina’s Humanitarian & Community Service Award, and CTV Regina’s 2023 Citizen of the Year. He also serves as a Director on the Make-A-Wish Saskatchewan Chapter Board.

His leadership in the gaming industry earned him global recognition, including being named one of the Top 40 Under 40 in 2017, the only Canadian recipient. In 2022, Jada presented his research on Problem Gaming and Indigenous communities to the Governor General of Canada.

Jada holds a Bachelor and Master of Administration from First Nations University and shares his expertise as a faculty member in the School of Business.

Janik Bastien Charlebois is a professor in the Department of Sociology at the Université du Québec à Montréal and head of IREF’s Program Unit. She specializes in critical intersex studies and is writing a book on intersex issues for a French-speaking audience. She recently published the article “Revisiting the Claims of Past Medical Innocence and Good Intentions” in the journal Social Sciences. A committed and openly intersex researcher, she is involved in the recognition of the human rights of people born with a variation in sex characteristics.

Lindsay Peace is a founder and the Executive Director of the Skipping Stone Foundation, a Calgary-based not for profit that provides low-barrier access for trans and gender diverse youth, adults and families to the supports and services they need and deserve. 
 
She is a dynamic and accomplished individual known for her remarkable achievements in the field of social entrepreneurship with a strong background in the local business community. Lindsay has dedicated her career to creating positive social impact as the driving force behind multiple successful initiatives that address pressing societal issues and driving meaningful change.  
 
Her visionary thinking has enabled her to build Skipping Stone into a sustainable and impactful charity that has uplifted and empowered over 10,000 individuals and families across Alberta. Her passion for social justice and equality has garnered recognition and admiration, including having most recently been awarded the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Award, inspiring others to continue to work to create a more inclusive and compassionate world. 

Martine Roy is the Regional Director for 2SLGBTQ+ Business Development in Québec & Eastern Canada for TD Bank and is committed to bridging the gap between the 2SLGBTQ+ community and the workplace. Having worked for 20 years at IBM, she held positions like Critical Incident Resolution Coordinator and Account Manager. At IBM, she set up resource groups to support 2SLGBTQ+ employees and was deeply committed to raising staff and management awareness of the realities of 2SLGBTQ+ employees and promoting an inclusive workplace.

Dismissed from the Canadian Armed Forces for her homosexuality at age 19, Martine led the class action suit that concluded with an apology from the federal government in 2017. Martine served as a member of the Board of Directors of Pride at Work Canada for 10 years, a Toronto-based organization she founded with seven other individuals. She was also President of Fondation Émergence until 2015.

Over the years, as a leader in workplace inclusion, Martine has received numerous awards and distinctions. In 2017, she was awarded the Medal of the National Assembly of Quebec. In 2023, Martine Roy was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada for her tireless efforts as a leader, activist, and advocate for diversity, inclusion, and equity in Canada’s 2SLGBTQ+ communities.

Micahel Phair is the the coordinator of Edmonton Pride Senior Group and a member of the Edmonton Queer History Project.

The Pisces Bath Raids in Edmonton took place in 1981.  Micahel was a ‘found-in’ and became one of the key members of the Privacy Defense Committee that countered the raids publicly and assisted in the court trials.

In 1984 Micahel was one of the founders and first chair of AIDS Network of Edmonton. Years ago he helped organize and was in the 1^st Edmonton Pride Parade and was on the Pride Parade Committee for 10-12 years.

From 1992 to 2007 he was an elected member of Edmonton City Council (the first openly gay politician in Alberta) and more recently was the Chair of the Board of Governors of the University of Alberta.

Michael has been fortunate that he has been one of the many supportive members of the Edmonton Queer community that actively have made changes for our community, the city, province and nationally.

Morgan Holmes is a Canadian sociologist, author, and a professor at Wilfrid Laurier University, Ontario. She is also an intersex activist and writer, and former member of Intersex Society of North America. 

Morgan participated with Max Beck and others in the first North American demonstration about intersex issues, a 1996 demonstration as Hermaphrodites with Attitude outside the Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Pediatrics in Boston. The event is now commemorated internationally as Intersex Awareness Day. She attended as a representative of Intersex Society of North America. She also participated in the second International Intersex Forum in 2012. 

Morgan was one of Egale’s inaugural Visiting Scholars in Residence and informs Egale’s work on initiatives to advance intersex human rights. 

Nancy and Rob Campana are the parents of Rocky. Rocky was a shining star, an over-achiever and proud to be gay. He had everything in life to live for including a new job he was excited about and a family he adored and whom supported him endlessly with great pride. It became apparent that Rocky suffered from depression and had not disclosed the severity of this depression to his family. Rocky attempted to take his life in late August of 2012 and passed away two days later.  

The Campana Family quickly came to the realization following Rocky’s death that it was important to educate parents, educators and youth on the risks associated with in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community towards Drug Dependence, Depression and Suicide. Rocky made a difference in his short life and as a family the Campana’s are determined that his message continues to be delivered and makes a difference in others’ lives. Partnering with Windsor Pride Community, the Campana Family founded the Run for Rocky and the first event took place in April of 2013.  

The Run for Rocky funding model is the only funding model of its kind in Canada which helps support local high school and post-secondary school GSA’s through grants for GSA events, speakers and school projects, scholarships for GSA students, funding to educate educators, grants to get GSA students conference, supports the Windsor Pride Community, The Windsor Essex Pride Fest and Trans Wellness Ontario with educational and counselling services. To date Run for Rocky has raised over $400,000. 

Nicholas Lu is a life long Manitoban devoted to the empowerment of individuals. A recent graduate of the University of Manitoba Asper School of Business, he spent much of his time during his studies to enhance opportunities for his peers. Nicholas served as the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Officer for the student body. He became the Vice President Professional Development where he hosted several events led by, and dedicated to students. These events were sponsored by dozens of corporate partners and attended by university students from across Canada. He continues to be a member of the University EDI Task Force.
Nicholas is also a member of the Canadian Armed Forces Cadet Instructor Cadre where he mentors youth in leadership and aviation. He was previously an air cadet, having earned his Glider and Power Private Pilot Licence. Nicholas remains an active
volunteer within the province, assisting the University of Manitoba, various student development groups, the air cadet program and interpretation services for the elderly.
In the future, Nicholas hopes he can continue to serve the community to help people advance their skills.
In his spare time, Nicholas enjoys travelling, whether as the pilot of an aircraft or as a passenger. He is an avid recreational runner and can be found frequenting cafes with friends and family.

Rebecca Moran is the founder and Chair of the National 2SLGBTQIA Police Liaison Network.  She is an expert in anti-2SLGBTQIA hate crime and has designed and delivered training of anti-2SLGBTQIA hate crime to police officers across Ontario and Canada.  Rebecca is dedicated to bridging the gap between the 2SLGBTQIA communities and the police. She was recently acknowledged for her leadership as the recipient of the 2024 Serving with Pride Visibility Award. She is a community bridge builder.  Rebecca is a sergeant with the Hamilton Police Service.

Steeves Bujold, Ad. E. is a lawyer and partner in the Montreal office of McCarthy Tétrault. He has a diversified litigation practice and leading-edge expertise in health law, medical and pharmaceutical liability, and professional law.

He served as the first President of the Pride Action Group and, in this capacity, the national leader of his firm’s diversity and inclusion initiatives for the 2SLGBTQ+ community. During his tenure as the 94^th President of the Canadian Bar Association (2022-2023), and as the first person with a same-sex spouse to hold this position, he was a fervent advocate for the rights of 2SLGBTQ+ community members in Canada and abroad. He is an officer on the LGBTQI+ Law Committee of the International Bar Association (IBA). In 2022, the Barreau du Québec awarded him the distinction of Advocatus Emeritus (Ad. E.), an honorary title given to its members who have distinguished themselves by a remarkable career and exceptional contributions to the profession. In 2024, Canadian Lawyer magazine ranked him among the 25 most influential lawyers in the country.

He obtained a Bachelor of Civil Law from Université Laval in 1998. He was admitted to the Barreau du Québec in 1999 and to the Ordre des administrateurs agréés du Québec in 2021. In 2002, he was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for his contributions to our country.

Steven Butler (he/him) is a Licensed Counselling Therapist and Canadian Certified Counsellor based in Menagkwesk, known to settlers as Saint John, NB.

Steven has held many roles in healthcare-adjacent, nationally recognized not-for-profits, including Heart & Stroke, Brigadoon Village, and Make-A-Wish. In 2023, Steven opened his private psychotherapy practice, where he specializes in supporting the mental health needs of the queer community, with a particular focus on providing gender-affirming care. He is dedicated to helping queer, trans, non-binary, and gender-expansive individuals access evidence-based, life-saving care and navigate their unique journeys. Given his stature (towering at 6’4”) and his friendly nature, he is known professionally as The Big Friendly Therapist.

Beyond his practice, Steven has published a workbook titled Allyship 101 in response to the rise of anti-queer rhetoric in New Brunswick. The workbook is available for free on his website. He fosters engagement in his professional community by hosting gender health-focused consultation groups for local healthcare workers, working closely with the extended healthcare community, and actively working towards WPATH certification.

In his free time, Steven is a big homebody. He spends most of his time with his partner, close and extended family, and his cuddly cat.

thebft.ca / @thebft (Instagram)

After decades of advocacy, on July 18, 2002, Theo Wouters and the late Roger Thibault (April 26, 1946 – August 11, 2023) were the first couple to be legally joined by civil union in Quebec, two years before the province would legalize marriage equality. Having met in 1973, December 2023 would have been their 50th anniversary together. 

In 2023, Theo and Roger were recognized by the City of Montreal for their decades-long fight to advance 2SLGBTQI rights. At a ceremony at Montreal City Hall on May 15, two days before the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia, Mayor Valérie Plante granted the pair honorary citizenship.  

Todd is a two-spirit Red River Métis veteran, and community leader committed to advancing Indigenous rights, 2SLGBTQI+ advocacy, and public service. Serving in the Canadian Navy in his youth, Todd was impacted by the LGBT Purge, an extensive campaign that led to the discharge of 2SLGBTQI+ members from the military. In 2016, he joined two other activists as a representative plaintiff in the Purge Class Action lawsuit—a multi-million-dollar case brought on behalf of former federal civil servants who experienced discrimination and harassment by the federal government. Todd currently serves as Co-Chair of the LGBT Purge Fund. 

Todd is the interim Piluwitahasuwin, Associate Vice President of Indigenous Engagement at the University of New Brunswick, and the coordinator of the Menahqesk (Saint John) Wellness Circle. He is pursuing a masters’ degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus on Political Science and Sociology. 

Over the years, he has held various community leadership roles. He was a founding member of Rainbow Railroad, a past Co-Chair of the Friends For Life Bike Rally, and a former Chair of the Toronto and York Métis Council. He currently serves as Co-Chair of Rainbow Veterans of Canada, a not-for-profit organization that provides education, advocacy and support for 2SLGBTQI+ veterans. He also serves as the President of Charlotte County Pride in southwestern New Brunswick and as a Canadian Commissioner on the Roosevelt Campobello International Park. 

Todd resides in St. Andrews, New Brunswick, with his partner, Kirk.