By Sam, Former Club Kid & 2021 Youth of the Year
March 21, 2025
Eight years ago, I came out for the first time in a room full of strangers—and they clapped.
It was the first day of BGC Canada’s Get Loud National Youth Forum. I was standing in a room with other Club kids, including 3 of my Club friends. We were reflecting on the activity we had just completed related to understanding the various obstacles someone encounters daily simply because of their identity.
Having related to the activity on a personal level as I was exploring my own identity, I spontaneously decided to share my truth at the time. To this day, I have no idea what compelled me to share, but what matters is that a group of strangers I’d never met made me feel safe enough to do it.
2S & LGBTQIA+ young people need the safe spaces that BGC Clubs provide
Young people in 2S & LGBTQIA+ communities have always needed safe spaces to explore and express their identity, but they need BGC Clubs now more than ever.
“As young people affected by these harmful ideologies, we are concerned, frustrated, and exhausted. No individual should ever have to debate or justify their existence.”
– BGC Canada’s 2023 National Youth Council
BGC Canada’s mission is to provide safe, supportive places for children and youth to experience new opportunities, overcome barriers, and develop skills for life—no matter their background.
RELATED: Young people deserve a safe place to explore and express their identity
The rise in anti-LGBT hate at government levels in the U.S. has been on the rise for the better part of two years. Fear, hatred, and misinformation continue to run rampant among our neighbours, and Canada is not immune. Hate crimes targeting 2S & LGBTQIA+ communities are on the rise in Canada. Now, advocates across the country are worried about increased anti-trans hate making its way across the border.
As a queer and trans person myself, I can tell you that the Canadian youth in these communities are scared, anxious, uncertain, and they need support.
BGC Clubs play a lifelong role in the lives of young people
Clubs across the country are creating positive spaces, relationships, and conversations that encourage all children and youth to be themselves. BGC Cornwall/SDG played an instrumental role in my upbringing, and I can confidently say if it weren’t for the mentors I met (who I still talk to regularly), I wouldn’t be the same person.
Growing up with a single mom, we leaned on the Club for accessible and meaningful after-school programming. In high school, I still leaned on them for academic support, exploring hobbies, having supper every weekday, and having friends to share those experiences with. The skills I learned to accomplish what I did are skills I still apply in my daily life. Every time I go back to my hometown, I always make sure to visit.
BGC has been the most consistent aspect of my life since I was nine. My Club gave me the certainty that no matter what, I had support—something all young people deserve to experience when they need it the most.
Interested in supporting BGC Canada?
