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In recognition of the International Day Against Homophobia, we are delighted to host our 9th annual breakfast exploring the theme of homophobia and transphobia in sport. Please join us:

Friday May 17, 2013
Doors: 7am
Program: 8am - 10am
Fairmont Hotel Vancouver
Details and tickets available here!

Event Host: Kathryn Gretsinger
Come be inspired by our incredible line-up of speakers:

Cory Oskam & Nicole Seguin, Hockey Player and Superstar Mother:

Cory is a 16 year-old hockey player from East Vancouver who loves his friends, his family, and playing sports.Cory was also born female, but has been gender non-conforming since he was 2. At the age of 9 Cory began taking hormone blockers to halt female puberty, and at the age of 14 began taking testosterone. On Cory’s sixteenth birthday he got to celebrate by skating on the ice with his namesake, Canuck Cory Schneider. Simultaneously he outed himself to his entire hockey team who didn’t know about his sex assigned at birth.As an advocate on issues of homophobia, transphobia, bullying, intersectional violence, and discrimination in schools, Cory is a role model in the community and remarkably grounded for a teenager. This may have something to do with his fabulous mother who has been his rock since he first started challenging gender norms as a toddler.Together, they make a powerfully dynamic duo, who are keen to share their story.Ben Rutledge, Gold Medal Olympic Champion and LGBTQ Ally:

Born on Nov 9^th, 1980, Ben grew up in Cranbrook, B.C. playing many different sports including hockey, volleyball, golf and soccer to name a few. However, it wasn’t until he attended the University of British Columbia that he tried the sport of rowing. His love for the sport blossomed quickly and three years later he was a member of the 2002 World Champion Canadian Men’s 8+, a feat which he and his teammates would repeat the very next year.“Getting to the top is one thing, but staying there is another” (Mike Spracklen; head coach Canadian men’s eight). This statement rang true for Ben and his teammates during the 2004 Athens Olympics when they finished a disappointing fifth place. After a brief time away, including the completion of a degree in Commerce, Ben decided that he would attempt to get back on top and pursue his quest for Olympic gold in Beijing, 2008.This began in 2006 when Ben and his university crew won the National Championships for the first time. In addition, Ben received the top male graduating athlete (Bobby Gaul Award) at UBC. In 2007, Ben and his Canadian teammates reclaimed their position at the top of the world by winning the World Championships in the Men’s 8+, leading them into the Beijing Olympics as top contenders. With the experience of Athens, and four more years of training, Ben and his team won Olympic Gold in a convincing fashion on Lake Shunyi in August of 2008.In Combination with his training, Ben volunteers his time with Right to Play, and coaching A the University of British Columbia, where he hopes develop more potential Olympians.Speaking is also one of Ben’s passions. He speaks with the Clean air Champions andVancouver’s Active Adventures program as well as being an athlete ambassador for Act Now BC. In addition, he enjoys encouraging people to achieve their best with his motivational talks.

Louise Cowin, UBC VP of Students and Diversity Advocate:

Dr. Louise Cowin began her five-year term as UBC’s Vice President, Students in October 2011, and has leadership responsibility for shaping the student experience and broad learning environment at UBC. Her portfolio includes Student Development and Services, Student Housing and Hospitality Services, and Athletics and Recreation.

Louise has held a variety of university administrative and teaching roles, the most recent as Warden of Hart House at the University of Toronto. Prior to her appointment as Warden of Hart House, Louise was the Director of Student Services and the School-University Partnerships Office at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education of the University of Toronto.

Dr. Cowin holds a Ph.D. in Educational Studies from McGill University, held tenure-stream positions at Queen’s University and Dalhousie University, and taught as an instructor at UBC, Dalhousie and the University of Toronto. Louise also spent 13 summers in the Berkshires in Western Massachusetts – 10 as the associate director of a fine and performing arts camp; 3 as the director of a non-profit camp for children who had had open-heart surgery or a heart transplant.

Outside of work, Louise enjoys the outdoors – kayaking, cycling and hiking are old favourites; and, since arriving in Vancouver, skiing and sailing are fun new additions.

Our deepest thanks to our sponsors without whom this would not be possible.

Gold Sponsors:

Silver Sponsors:

Hospital Employees Union (Out There For Medicare)

Bronze Sponsors:

Media Sponsors:

Venue Sponsors:

Fairmont Hotel Vancouver
PSAV