Lauren is a second-generation Indo-Trinidadian settler who lives on Williams Treaty territory in Scarborough, Ontario – the traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples. They are personally and professionally committed to principles of equity, justice and accountability.
Lauren previously worked for LGBT YouthLine from 2018-19. They are glad to be back as the Executive Director. They have worked on community engagement, research, and communications for over 15 years with a diverse array of organizations, such as Planned Parenthood Toronto, LGBT YouthLine, and Youth and Philanthropy Initiative Canada. Lauren holds an MA degree in Social and Political Thought from York University. They are currently an MSW student at Wilfrid Laurier University.
Tyler Chartrand is a gay cis man whose family is Manitoba Métis. Today, he makes his home in Toronto, on land belonging to the Anishnabeg, the Haudenosaunee and the Huron-Wendat peoples, the Mississaugas of the Credit, and other Indigenous peoples. His role at YouthLine is Finance Manager, which draws from his background in youth-led organization, LGBTQ organizations and finance/bookkeeping work for non-profits. He loves a good risotto.
Beck (they/them) is a white, genderqueer, neurodivergent queer person living in Tkaronto. Beck was a Youthline volunteer for 2 years before starting their role as shift supervisor. In their free time Beck enjoys crochet, embroidery, and doing stick and poke tattoos.
Sierra is a non-binary, second/third generation settler half Anglo-Indian half-Gujarati queer. They grew up in Toronto and Brampton – coming from a mixed race and mixed religion background while growing up in Canada has made for a layered experience. They continue to have “home” relationships with multiple places, spaces, and people. They have been involved in volunteering and supporting queer and trans communities for many years – most recently, they co-organized zine and arts fairs for the 2SQTBIPOC community. They love climbing, being outside, and making spaces for people to be recognized and appreciated as their full selves.
Katrina is a queer Indigenous person living in Northern Ontario, they have centered most of their current experience around volunteering within their community and supporting 2SLGBTQ youth in the area. They are passionate about caring for the vulnerable in their communities and being critical of the Canadian colonial state. In their spare time, Katrina enjoys learning about indigenous history and finding ways to connect with their heritage. Katrina can also be found walking their dog, taking pictures of sunrises, and enjoying a hot drink on an even hotter day.
Noah is a Black person of Jamaican descent and of trans experience born and raised on the traditional unceded unsurrendered lands of the Algonquin Anishinaabe people (Ottawa). He received his Bachelor of Social Work in 2014 from Carleton University, and has since worked and volunteered for various 2SLGBTQI+ organisations nationally, and within Ottawa and Toronto. Noah previously worked at YouthLine in 2017, and is excited to be back leading and supporting operations. In his spare time, you can catch Noah playing The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, exercising, and/or spending time with his wife, chosen family and friends.
Vale is a queer, non-binary, mixed-race weirdo who grew up in Mississauga. Now living in Toronto, they have worked and volunteered at a variety of organizations, most recently with youth groups and in tenant rights education. As a former Craftathon committee member and peer support volunteer, Vale is excited to be stepping into their new role at LGBT YouthLine. In their downtime, Vale enjoys video games, noodle soup, watercolour painting, and fashion.
Bisma is a queer, non-binary, Punjabi, and Muslim artist currently based in Tkaronto, but grew up on the traditional territory of the Anishnaabeg and Fort William First Nation (Thunder Bay). They are a recent graduate from OCAD University with a BFA in Photography. In their work, they seek to create more positive representation of queer and trans BIPOC folks living in the diaspora. In their spare time, they are very active in the queer south asian community, love to make silly videos for instagram, design clothes, and tattoo people for fun.
Jerico Espinas (he / him) is a queer Filipino-Canadian who resides in Toronto and works in York Region. As Counsel and Legal, Research, and Evaluation Director for Blue Door Support Services, he is committed towards advancing the human right to housing for everyone. You can also see him involved in the health justice space through his volunteer work at community health centres and family health teams. He’s always happy to chat about queer slice-of-life stories, horror movies, and indie games.
Ben (He/they) is a perpetually caffeinated queer white settler living in Tkaronto. He has been an active volunteer in the 2SLGBTQ+ community for over a decade, and was formerly a peer support volunteer with LGBT Youthline from 2018-2022. Ben spent 12 years working with people and their animals, before transitioning into a new career in human resources with the federal public service. They are passionate about community building and creating safe spaces for a diverse range of 2SLGBTQ+ peoples. Ben currently lives in Tkaronto’s east end with their partner and their ‘wobbly’ cat, Cesar.
Karel (they/them) is a Black queer person who grew up in the Waterloo Region and now resides in Toronto. As a current student at Osgoode Hall Law School, they are passionate about the justice reform movement. Outside of school, Karel enjoys being apart of the queer skateboarding community in Toronto, participating in political activism, and exploring the city’s vegan eats!
Nira (she/they) is a queer racialized settler and social worker/therapist from Toronto who is currently living and working in the Hamilton area. They graduated with their Master of Social Work from the University of Toronto in 2023, and have since been working at a community health centre. Nira has spent many years working for queer-focused organizations in Toronto and Hamilton, and is now focused on mental health advocacy for queer folks in healthcare settings. Outside of work, Nira enjoys hanging out with their cats and cooking for their partner and friends.
Nicole (she/they) is a queer individual who currently lives in Toronto with their spouse and child. Having worked primarily in the nonprofit and wellness sectors, Nicole has experience in managing operations, communications, and events. Over the past 12 years, she has dedicated her efforts to a charitable organization that provides mindfulness-based programs to youth in marginalized communities. Nicole’s educational background is in design and they are a certified, trauma-informed yoga and mindfulness instructor. Nicole is an avid reader and a committed introvert. In their free time, you’ll find them curled up with a book or playing the Sims 4.
Keziah Oduro (she/her) explores the intersections of social finance, knowledge mobilization, and community engagement across many spaces. She is completing her Political Science and Social Impact degree at the University of Ottawa. She is dedicated to creating visibility for youth in 2SLGBTQIA+ and child welfare communities. As a queer woman, her work is deeply informed by her lived experiences and commitment to transformative justice. Through decolonial and anti-oppressive approaches to systems design, she continues to bring innovation to fund development and strategic development practices sitting on boards and grant review committees. Keziah enjoys music, films, her cat Ginger, and good meals with friends outside of work.