Jayce Wilson receives Legacy Award at 2024 Lethbridge Pride Fest

Times Photo By Heather Cameron. LEGACY: Taberite Jayce Wilson was the recipient of the 2024 Legacy Award presented at Lethbridge Pride Fest in June.

By Heather Cameron
Taber Times
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Taber local Jayce Wilson received the 2024 Legacy Award at the 2024 Lethbridge Pride Fest.

“The Legacy Award was presented to me at a gala event called ‘Chairs Martini Night,’ held at the Galt Museum and Archives in Lethbridge on Saturday, June 15, 2024,” said Wilson. 

The Legacy Award, Wilson states, is awarded to someone who has shown a commitment to building and improving the 2SLGBTQIA+ community in and around the Lethbridge region. 

“I’m still in awe of receiving this prestigious honour,” said Wilson.

Wilson says that when they received the Legacy Award, their introduction highlighted some of the accomplishments that led to them receiving this recognition, which included helping to found the Taber Equality Alliance (TEA) and establish Taber Pride; being involved in the documentary “Small Town Pride” as one of the central figures, facilitating the Transgender Support Group hosted by Outreach Southern Alberta, and creating a Transgender, Gender Diverse, and Gender Non-Conforming Youth Policing best practices Training Program during their practicum at the Taber Police Services under the direction of Chief Graham Abela.

“It’s an incredible feeling to know that my work has made a positive impact on the 2SLGBTQIA+ community,” said Wilson. “I’m grateful for the love, support, and encouragement of those around me, without whom none of these achievements would have been possible.”

Wilson was clear in that they feel both bewildered and humbled by this recognition that the Legacy Award brings their way.

“When I found out I had been nominated for the Legacy Award, I was taken aback and didn’t know what I had done that was so deserving of such an honour, but when I was announced as the recipient, I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude,” said Wilson. “It’s a truly incredible feeling to know that my work has made a positive impact on the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.”

It was at Taber Pride, Wilson says, that they actually found out that they had been nominated for the Legacy Award. Wilson says they attended Taber Pride on Saturday, June 1 where they spent a wonderful day celebrating the 2SLGBTQIA+ community with their loving family and close friends. 

“My family is incredibly proud of my achievements, especially my child, who has grown into a passionate advocate for human rights!” said Wilson. “Being a parent has been a journey of growth and self-discovery for me. It’s taught me the importance of empathy, compassion, and standing up for what’s right. Through this experience, I’ve learned to listen more deeply, communicate more effectively, and seek help when needed. My community is thrilled and inspired by our achievements! They see the progress we’ve made as a testament to the power of collective resilience and determination. Our struggles have brought us closer together, and our triumphs have instilled a sense of pride and hope for a brighter future.”

Wilson says that they also personally attended the Trans March on Sunday, June 16, and participated in the march to Galt Gardens to Lethbridge City Hall. Then, Wilson says, on Saturday, June 23, they joined in the Pride parade and Pride in the Park at Galt Gardens, surrounded by loving family, close friends, and even some old friends they had not seen in a while. 

“It was a wonderful celebration of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community!” said Wilson. 

As Wilson reflects on their journey to this point, they realize that their history of working with the 2SLGBTQIA+ community in this area and across Alberta is deeply personal and is tied to their own experience of self-discovery and acceptance. 

“For me, it started with finding the courage to embrace my true identity and come out as a member of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community,” said Wilson. “My involvement has grown from personal connections and local events to advocating for the community on a larger scale. It’s an ongoing journey, but one that I’m committed to, as I believe that every individual deserves to be seen, heard, and accepted for who they are. Through this process, I’ve become passionate about creating safe spaces and promoting understanding, particularly in conservative areas where support can be scarce. I’ve been driven to make a positive impact, especially for young 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals who often face rejection and isolation within their own families.”

Wilson is also reminded of the countless individuals who’ve supported me, given them strength, and fueled my determination as they reflect on their accomplishments, and they know they wouldn’t be where they are today without the support from those supports.

“The work I do is a labour of love, and it fills my heart with an overwhelming sense of gratitude,” said Wilson. “The work I do is not just about creating a positive impact; it’s also about honouring the struggles and triumphs of those who have come before me. It’s about striving for a world where everyone can live freely, authentically, and unapologetically. Emma Lazarus’ powerful words – “Until we are all free, we are none of us free” – echo in my heart, inspiring me to continue pushing forward. I feel humbled, blessed, and motivated to keep doing this work, knowing that it’s making a difference in the lives of others.”

Wilson says that their inspiration to engage in advocacy work for the 2SLGBTQ+ community is rooted in their own experiences as a Transgender youth who lacked access to resources and struggled to find the language to describe how they felt. Their education, Wilson says, is also directly associated with the work they do for the 2SLGBTQ+ community, as in college, they studied to become a child and youth worker, with a specific focus on supporting transgender youth. 

“My goal has always been to help transgender youth thrive and avoid the struggles I faced as a transgender youth without access to resources or language to express my feelings,” said Wilson. “My inspiration to engage in advocacy work I want to make a difference and create a better world for others, so they don’t have to face the same challenges I did. I’m a passionate advocate for the 2SLGBTQ+ community, and my personal journey has driven me to create positive change. Growing up in a conservative area, I faced immense struggles as a transgender youth, feeling isolated and without support. However, I’ve been fortunate enough to find my voice and use it to make a difference. Through my work, I aim to provide the resources and understanding that I lacked during my own journey so others can thrive and live authentically.”

Wilson says that they have many takeaways from their experiences.

“My takeaways from this experience with the Legacy Award and my work are that our voices matter, our identities are valid, and that together, we are an unstoppable force,” said Wilson. “I’ve learned that even in the face of adversity, love will always triumph over hatred and discrimination. This journey has shown me the power of unity and advocacy, and I’ll continue to draw inspiration from the challenges we’ve overcome. These life experiences have moulded and transformed me, like a potter with clay, into the person I am today. They have left their marks on my heart and soul, etching compassion and tolerance into every fibre of my being. My personal struggles and challenges have sharpened my capacity to alleviate the agony of others and treat them with the same reverence and empathy I long to receive myself.”

Their work, Wilson says, includes involvement with the documentary ‘Small Town Pride.’

“I’m proud to say that I was involved with “Small Town Pride,” a documentary that captures the essence of our Pride celebrations here in Taber,” said Wilson. “It all started when Riley Sparks from Xtra Magazine approached me in early 2019, wanting to feature our small town’s pride story as part of a larger documentary on pride in small towns across Canada. I was thrilled to have the film crew at my home, sharing our experiences and stories with them.”

The crew of ‘Small Town Pride,’ Wilson said, consisted of Riley Sparks, Chelle Turingan, and Corey Misquita.

“It was an incredible experience, and I felt honoured to be a part of it,” said Wilson. “Later, I even attended the screening of ‘Small Town Pride’ at the Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema in Toronto, where I participated in a panel discussion afterwards to discuss the documentary.”

Wilson is also thrilled to see how ‘Small Town Pride’ has been resonating with audiences, as the documentary has been met with enthusiasm and inspiration, showcasing the power of collective efforts towards a more inclusive community.

‘Small Town Pride,’ Wilson says, can currently be viewed on CBC Gem, at: https://gem.cbc.ca/small-town-pride/s01e01. 

Another part of Wilson’s advocacy work is the comprehensive training program focused on Transgender, Gender Diverse, and Gender Non-Conforming Youth Policing best practices they developed during their practicum at the Taber Police Services.

“The program consists of three main learning objectives: first, gaining an understanding of gender, gender transition, and gender dysphoria; second, learning about the language, definitions, and meanings within the transgender community; and finally, exploring resources to assist police officers in dealing with or conducting investigations involving Transgender youth,” said Wilson. “Throughout the program, we cover essential topics such as traumas faced by Trans people, legal names versus chosen names, and best practices for performing police searches.”

The ultimate goal of the program, Wilson says, is to provide law enforcement with the knowledge and tools necessary to create a safer and more supportive environment for Transgender, Gender Diverse, and Gender Non-Conforming youth.

“I hope that through this training program, law enforcement officers will gain a deeper understanding and empathy towards Transgender, Gender Diverse, and Gender Non-Conforming youth, leading to improved interactions and outcomes,” said Wilson. “I envision a future where these young individuals feel seen, heard, and valued by the authorities sworn to protect them, ultimately fostering a safer and more inclusive environment for all.”

Wilson says that by continually showing their support and pride through flags, shirts, and other symbols of solidarity, they want to emphasize that our efforts should go beyond just celebrating Pride in June.

“We need to create a safe and inclusive space for 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals throughout the year, especially in smaller towns where acceptance might be scarce,” said Wilson. “I remember when someone commented on the number of rainbows I have in my home at the Screening of Small-Town Pride in Toronto. It struck me that in larger centers like Toronto, people only see rainbows during corporate Pride events in June but not during the rest of the year. This is because, in larger centers, members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community are generally accepted and blend in. Pride has become more of a celebration than a protest, but for me, it’s about making a difference every day. I fly a Pride flag on my house, not to provoke passersby, but for the young person walking down the street who shouts at me, “I love your Flag!” So, these youth feel represented. I wear a rainbow shirt that reads “Error 404: Gender not found,” not to invite dirty looks or strange stares, but for the non-binary youth who whispers to me so quietly so their family doesn’t hear, “I love your shirt” so that youth feel seen and heard. And I don’t drive around with a Pride flag in the back window of my car to antagonize other motorists and elicit their middle finger, but so the young family whose child just came out will know that they are not alone. By doing so, we can ensure that young people feel seen, heard, and represented and that they know they are not alone.”

As Wilson looks to the future, they are filled with a sense of hope and determination.

“Together, we can make a lasting impact and foster a community where every individual feels seen, heard, and loved,” said Wilson. “If I had to offer some advice, it would be to embrace your authentic self, even when it’s hard. Surround yourself with people who uplift and support you, and don’t be afraid to take risks and face challenges head-on. Remember that failure is not the opposite of success but rather a stepping stone to achieving your goals. Most importantly, stay true to your convictions and values and always strive to create a positive impact in the world around you. I do have a life philosophy that resonates deeply with me. It’s embodied in the quote, ‘It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs; who comes short again and again; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly.  (Theodore Roosevelt, “Citizenship in a Republic” speech, 1910). To me, this means that it’s not about being perfect or having all the answers; it’s about being willing to take risks, get into the fray, and strive for positive change, even if it’s difficult or uncomfortable. My philosophy is centred around taking action, being brave enough to face challenges head-on, and continuously working towards creating a more inclusive and compassionate world.”