way that would help me to fulfill my own re- gret. It’s easy to do when you’re on the other side of the lens. In the process, I had come up with a novel that explores the very issues that had dissuaded me from coming out all those years ago and validates my very own self-ac- ceptance and authentic voice, in my own life.
Voice: Tell us a bit about the process of creating it all.
GK: I never intended to sit down and write a book. But once I had the story down on pa- per, the first draft struck me as a tool that I was confident could benefit many. So I did what I knew best – I engaged my friends and colleagues and arranged a series of fo- cus groups. Within these meetings, we read the manuscript chapter by chapter and broke down parts that didn’t work or needed tweak- ing, added details highlighting critical
is-
sues, and chose language and references that would both challenge and engage students. It was an emotional journey, but once the book came to a place where it seemed ready to meet its audience, we launched a campaign through Indiegogo to fund it. From editing, layout, graphic design and printing, to legal fees, website development, videography and campaign management, there were so many players invested in this project. The point was to access a wider audience,
Voice: How did you come up with Gordi’s story?
GK: I thought back to a time when I first realized that I had feelings toward mem- bers of the same sex. I had always regretted not coming out in middle school. It wasn’t a safe place to be for those of us who were questioning our identity and the feelings that came along with it. Having now spent time as a teacher in an elementary school environ- ment, still struggling to figure out where I fit as an “out” adult, I couldn’t help but think that not much has changed in regard to ho- mophobic slurs,
self-acceptance, positive
self-image, et cetera. Drawing on events from my youth, I reimagined many of them in a
spread the message, create some social me- dia buzz and make people aware that this resource was coming. Truly, I wanted people to fund the book and get behind an issue that needs to be talked about more with our youth, so that my regret isn’t one they have to share. Crowdfunding was ideal because it made sure people would get their hands on it, as Indiegogo’s model is to offer incentives for funders, widening our spread. Having copies donated to schools across Canada, in every province and territory, was one feat we reached from the generous donations of our backers. We also did a street campaign during Pride last year, where we handed out bookmarks with the website on it, and that really brought people in, especially out- side the traditional educational community which was our primary target. There’s been so much media attention
lately about youth suicide and bullying, es- pecially in the LGBTQ community, so it’s not a hard connection to make that young people need to see themselves represented, and that schools need resources to begin having these tough conversations. Inclu- sivity isn’t a word, it’s an action – one that we take with every word we utter and
ELEMENTARY TEACHERS’ FEDERATION OF ONTARIO 33
‘‘
I HAD ALWAYS REGRET- TED NOT COMING OUT IN MIDDLE SCHOOL. IT WASN’T A SAFE PLACE TO BE FOR THOSE OF US WHO WERE QUESTION- ING OUR IDENTITY AND THE FEELINGS THAT CAME ALONG WITH IT.
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