Name: Joan-E
Title: Queen Mother 1 of Canada; Emcee for VanCity Pride
Location: Vancouver, BC
What focus do you have when working with the community?
Historically my community efforts have focused on HIV/AIDS and work done through the International Court System.
How have you seen the LGBTQ+ community grow over the years?
The community I came out to in Calgary in the late 80s was much more internal, and there was no Pride parade, sports teams, arts groups etc., Gay bars were our community centers.
What do you believe we as a community need to work on to be better?
We went from being the big tent “everyone is welcome” group, and now – at least in many ways – we’ve become the “you can’t sit with us” community. We’ve also forgotten how big a weapon humor can be.
What are the biggest challenges the LGBTQ+ community has internally?
1) Transphobia LGB? Really? Revolting
2) Poverty, folks without jobs, community members living on the streets
3) The way we speak to each other online
4) Ageism, body shaming, and racism – particularly on “dating” apps
5) A lack of studying and learning from our own history.
A community that doesn’t know where it’s been has no idea where it’s going 5.5 Young queers not knowing who Bette Midler and Diana Ross are (kidding – most of them are perfectly aware)
How can we minimize our own prejudices within the community?
It shouldn’t be that hard; if I want the world to see me, respect me, support me and love me exactly as I am, then I should see, respect, support and love others exactly as they are
What impacts has our community had on your life?
It saved me
What is one thing you are doing that can inspire others to make our community better?
Listening to young people, and recognizing those who are making a difference with awards, or even an encouraging word
What can we do to support each other more authentically with regard to the many different intersectionalities that make up our diverse community?
Listen. Learn. Uplift.
Who has inspired your life and work?
The drag performers that came before me. People like my late, great drag mother Jack-E, who remains synonymous with drag in Reno, Nevada
What message do you have to the community that you would like to share?
They are most certainly coming for us. We’ll survive – we’ve done this before – but this time it’s going to require strategic thinking, a united front and one very gargantuan effort.
Auntie Joan-E loves you.
