Ken Cornell stands in the Saint Mary’s Quad in front of a line of rainbow flags depicting the various 2SLGBTQIA+ identities.
When Ken Cornell began exploring universities, gay allyship and resources were not a factor of consideration. So, when Cornell arrived at Saint Mary’s, it was a welcome surprise to discover not only safe space and community but also resources that supported them, especially in the early days of their self-discovery and journey as a gay, genderfluid person.
Cornell sits in the Quad in front of a chalk heart depicting the genderfluid rainbow.
Cornell is a student in the Intercultural Studies Program, going into their fifth and final year at Saint Mary’s who currently works as the Training Module Developer for Residence Life. “When I first came to SMU I was just starting to come out as a lesbian and I hadn’t quite identified the gender issue yet,” explains Cornell. “I discovered SMU Q [newly established as the SMU Pride Society] at my first society expo and immediately found safe space and people that made me feel completely at home.”
Having such a positive and welcoming experience at SMU made Cornell want to get involved and help others. “I worked as a Residence Advisor (RA) and was able to support others in their self-discovery and journey in coming out,” highlights Cornell.
They also got involved in the RainBEAU committee in Residence Life and “was able to give a presentation on gender identity, and, specifically, genderfluidity, which isn’t as commonly discussed or understood.” Cornell elaborates that genderfluidity is a term under the trans umbrella, where a person does not identify with the gender they were assigned at birth.
“How I view my gender and how I express it varies and changes, similar to a colour slider. How I carry myself, style my hair, dress and even talk depends on where I am on my gender slider at that time.”
In reflecting on Pride season, Cornell describes it as a complex issue for them. “We’re starting to see the growing anti-LGBT hate from the States spreading into Canada,” asserts Cornell. “Pride will always have an element of push-back to it, so to have a recognized and respected institute like SMU acknowledge Pride, telling us there is safe space here is a huge deal for our community.”
To members of the 2SLGBTQI+ community, especially newcomers to SMU, Cornell suggests getting involved as much as possible to help find support and make friends in the community. “We have lots of events coming up this year,” details Cornell. “Pride season kicked off with Paint Your Pride, where the SMU community gathered to create a Pride chalk mural in the Quad. In July, Residence Life will be hosting a Dye-versity night where we’ll be tie-dying shirts and there will be a SMU float in the Halifax Pride Parade during Halifax Pride Festival.”
Visit Celebrating Pride at SMU to learn about 2SLGBTQI+ resources and upcoming events.