Pride at BCIT

BCIT’s “Take Pride” was founded in 1990, however they were not able to operate consistently, which resulted in a lack of visibility. The name was changed to “Technically Queer” around 2007 which saw a new beginning of awareness at BCIT. The club is now called BCIT LGBTQ+.

In 2011 BCIT made its first appearance in the Vancouver Pride Parade with the School of Business and Media’s Evolution Radio team. In 2013 the BCIT Pride Parade committee was formed and entered the Vancouver Pride Parade in 2014. This committee evolved into the BCIT Pride committee in 2016, to expand support and their presence in the community. in 2023 the committee name was changed to Pride BCIT.

Pride BCIT is proud to recognize 2S/LGBTQIA+ individuals whose achievements, innovations, and struggles have shaped the world we live in today. Each of these biographies was contributed by a member of the Pride BCIT committee ( Leah Gobin, Allison Kirschenmann, Alexa Landon, Oceaan Pandharkar, Justin Saint, and Dan Traynor). We hope these stories serve as a source of inspiration and foster greater understanding within the BCIT community and beyond.

This content was developed as part of Pride BCIT’s celebration of Queer History Month in October 2024.

Barbara James

Barbara James (ancestral name: Ma̲lidzas) is a is a two-spirit person from the Gwa’sala-‘Nakwaxda’xw Nation, and she is a Red Seal Carpenter, BCIT Faculty member, and advocate for women in the trades. Currently, Barbara is dedicated to using their expertise to help rebuild her nation’s Big House which was destroyed by federal “Indian Affairs” agents in the 1960s. In 2023, BCIT was proud to recognize Barbara, a two-time BCIT alumnus, with a 2023 BCIT Oustanding Student Leadership Award. “I’m a Two-Spirit Indigenous Carpenter,” Barbara says. “We’re not given space or opportunity to show that we exist. Because of the success and education that I’ve achieved, I have a responsibility to show others.”

Learn more about Barbara: https://commons.bcit.ca/news/2023/10/barbara-james-trades-advocate-daa/

Alan Turing

Alan Turing was a trailblazing mathematician who is widely regarded as the “Father of Modern Computer Science”.

In 1936, Alan Turing conceptualized the Turing Machine, a theoretical model that demonstrated how machines could perform complex tasks by breaking them down into logical steps. This laid the groundwork for the development of digital computers and revolutionized the way we think about computation, paving the way for artificial intelligence and modern software development.

Turing is also known for his contributions while leading a team of cryptographic codebreakers during World War II. As early as 1943, Turing’s machines were cracking 84,000 messages each month, about two messages per minute. Turing personally broke the Nazi Enigma code and is credited with shortening the war and saving countless lives.

Despite being a war hero, Turing faced persecution for being gay and was charged with gross indecency under Britain’s anti-homosexuality laws in 1952. The conviction led to the removal of Turing’s security clearances, preventing him from continuing his work in cryptography. To avoid a prison sentence, Turing agreed to undergo chemical castration. He died in 1954, two weeks before his 42nd birthday.

Turing’s legacy lives on, as his concepts remain central to understanding how computers process information today.

Audrey Tang

Audrey Tang (any pronouns) is a trans and non-binary software programmer with major contributions to free software—software that anyone can run, study, modify, and share. They began programming as a young child and later left formal schooling to pursue self-education. By the age of 15, Tang had already founded their own business! They have also made significant contributions to projects like Perl 6, Haskell, and Siri.

Tang first entered the political scene through her involvement in Taiwan’s Sunflower Movement, where citizens demanded more government transparency in a trade deal with China. From August 2022 to May 2024, Tang served as Taiwan’s first Minister of Digital Affairs, where she implemented innovative ways to use technology to foster public consensus and government transparency. For example, during the pandemic, Tang spearheaded the “Humour over Rumour” initiative, using witty social media content to combat misinformation and share accurate information.

Tang’s ultimate goal is to use her skills to help people collaborate and collectively build a better world. For a deeper dive into her vision for how technology and democracy can work together to improve society, check out the book Plurality, which she co-authored.

Dr. James Makokis

Dr. James Makokis is a Nehiyô (Plains Cree) two-spirit physician from Saddle Lake Cree Nation in Alberta, Canada who has gained international recognition for his work in 2S/LGBTQIA+ health and culturally sensitive care.

As a family physician, Dr. Makokis operates one of Canada’s most progressive medical clinics, serving both 2S/LGBTQIA+ and First Nation peoples. His practice uniquely combines traditional Cree and Western medical approaches and is particularly noted for care & services offered to transgender individuals from Cree communities and beyond, with patients traveling long distances to see him.

Dr. Makokis’s approach to medicine is deeply rooted in Cree natural laws and ways of being. He incorporates traditional healing methods and practices into his treatments, recognizing the importance of holistic healthcare that addresses not only physical health but also spiritual and emotional well-being.

In 2019, Makokis gained national attention when he and his husband Anthony Johnson won Season 7 of “The Amazing Race Canada”. They used this platform to raise awareness about Two-Spirit, Indigenous, and Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women issues.

His commitment to decolonizing medicine and promoting equity in healthcare has made Dr. Makokis a powerful advocate for 2S/LGBTQIA+ and Indigenous equality. He has served in various leadership roles, including as chairperson of the inaugural Indigenous Wisdom Council of Alberta Health Services, and his contributions to health sciences and advocacy for marginalized communities have earned him numerous accolades, including the National Aboriginal Achievement Award (now known as the Indspire Award).

Lynn Conway

Lynn Conway (1938-2024) was a pioneer of microelectronics chip design and a trans activist who paved the way for others to follow in her footsteps. She earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in electrical engineering from Columbia University and worked at IBM, Memorex, Xerox, DARPA, MIT, and the University of Michigan (as Professor and Dean). Fired by IBM in 1968 when she told her manager she planned to transition, she went on to co-write an influential textbook and teach courses in chip design “in stealth” as a woman at a time when she could have been fired again for being trans.

She came out publicly in 2000 following her retirement and worked to fight for trans rights and against the biases of the medical and psychiatric professions. Her website was a comprehensive guide of medical resources and information for other transgender people. She received over thirty awards and honours for her work in both electrical engineering and trans activism, and she and her husband (also a professional engineer) enjoyed whitewater canoeing and motocross racing.

Sally Ride

Sally Ride (1951-2012) was an American astronaut and physicist. She was the first American woman in space, and she flew on two Space Shuttle missions. She made her journey into history on June 18, 1983.

In 1977, Ride answered a newspaper ad placed by NASA. NASA began a search for young scientists to serve as “mission specialists” on future space flights. Ride was one of five women in 1978. Her natural athletic ability was an incredible asset as she trained with NASA in 1977.

Dr. Sally Ride was passionate about improving science education and helping young women and girls foster an interest in science.

Not only is Ride the first American woman in space, she is also the first acknowledged gay astronaut. Close to her death she revealed she was in a 27 year relationship with another woman.