So, at the risk of identifying myself (which I’ve basically stopped caring about), I’d like to take a moment to honour a very, very good friend of mine who passed away on December 21st.
Kaylin was an incredibly smart, articulate person who had a wealth of passion and energy when it came to activism. She was active in many areas, but specifically harm reduction and homelessness. Just like myself, she had been involved in both these areas for a long time. We worked together at the Youth Services Bureau for quite a few years — she ended up as the of the committee that we worked on together.
An incredible leader, we got more done with her as leader than we ever did before. I got to go to Vancouver to do the closing keynote speech at the CSSDP National Conference 2009 (or was it 2010?). She went to Winnipeg for a conference with a close friend of hers who worked on the committee as well. Kaylin also got to travel to Toronto for a national harm reduction conference.
Her tireless work and lasting impact on our community will never be forgotten. I miss you, my friend, and wish we could work together many times again. But the universe said it was your time and it’s time I accept that and try to change things as best I can in this realm before I too move on.
So, in her and every friend I’ve lost’s memory, I will continue to fight. I will make my voice heard enough for the both of us. I will make sure that her work was not in vain, and that her ideals are held up for all to see and follow. Togetherness, queer, gender and user-positive, someone who never judged others based on appearances or actions but what was truly in their heart; if I can be half the person Kaylin was I will be satisfied.
Rest in peace, my friend.
KAYLIN MCGREGOR-NOLAN (1987-2012)
