Sebastian Saunders is both excited and nervous about returning to Winkler to tell his story at his hometown’s first Pride event.

To get through his anxiety, he imagines a younger version of himself in the audience. “I’m just imagining that kid being like: ‘Oh, I can be happy and healthy and be myself and find community and be OK,’” he says.

The best of Broadview straight to your inbox.

Δ document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() );

Growing up attending church in Winkler, Saunders internalized a lot of homophobia and transphobia. “I was indoctrinated to believe I was a giant abomination,” he says. At times he thought about taking his own life.

Saunders was diagnosed with cancer when he was 19. The experience forced him to ask himself hard questions. When he finished chemotherapy, he told his family and friends he was queer. “I was ostracized by most of the people around me,” he says.

He moved to Winnipeg where he found a supportive community. He later came out as trans.

Saunders says cancer saved his life. “When I was younger, my family and friends and peers in Winkler didn’t even know who I was. It felt like I was living this giant lie and it felt weird that I could’ve passed away without anyone really knowing who I was,” he says.

2SLGBTQ people and their allies in Winkler hope for a celebratory event on Saturday.

Pauline Emerson-Froebe, president of Pembina Valley Pride, says people have been asking for a Pride event in Winkler for years. Organizers decided to have a gathering at a park instead of marching through the........

© Broadview Magazine