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In the Beginning...
In January 2004 a group of young energetic youth, set out to complete a
project that they had little or no knowledge about. This assignment would
be, to create a website for young gay, lesbian, bi, transgender and
transsexual new comers to Canada. This website would educate queer and trans
youth about the social, fun and entertaining side to living in Canada, as
well as give support and resources to legal and social services.
The name of our group is EXPRESS, as we were vibrant young people who are
not afraid to express ourselves in a political way or manner.
The Project...
The assignment would be completed in about 6 months time, where every 1st
Thursday of each month while working offsite throughout the month, we would
meet up and work tirelessly to create this website that we named Rock The
Boat. We didn't have a clear idea of what we were getting into, but we all
knew that it would be something that we would
enjoy doing and at the same time learn from.
Working on a project of this caliber could be a bit challenging. There were
times when we wanted to give up, but with the encouragement from our
coordinator Suhail, we continue to persevere and strive really hard to
complete the project on time.
With hard work and dedication we managed to complete our project and the
site is now ready and fully operated.
We meet every Tuesday at SOY from 6:45pm-9pm. New members are always welcome
to join us each Tuesday, where we meet with each other and socialize,
get and give support and talk about our week and other personal issues that
a member might be facing.
So come on out and
Express yourself.
The Rock the Boat
team
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Meet the
Fabulous Team...
Asam:
Asam Ahmad is a
precocious - yes, precocious - 18 year old who came out in April 2003.
He just finished High School and will be starting a double major in
English Lit and Philosophy this September 2004 at University College,
University of Toronto. He enjoys swimming, reading, dancing, watching
great little-known indie flicks, and precipitating change.
Yutta:
 I
was born and raised in Jakarta, Indonesia until I was 17. From there I
decided to continue my highschool education to the all girls bording
school in a small town in Pennsylvani, called Tyrone.
As an active tennis player, I was offered a half scholarship to pursue
my college degree in a university nearby. However, my enthusiasm to live
in a big city had brought me to register to York University. Four years
later, I graduated with a bachelor of science from York University. Here
I am now, at 24 years old, living in Toronto and actively take part of
SOY.
Aamer:
 Aamer
is a mysterious, fun-loving, adventurous newcomer from Miami, Florida
who likes to explore, create bonds, and make the best of life. He become
a member of the SOY Express group in March of 2003 and joined a family
of sweet and caring people! Look out world, theres tons of Aamer to see!
:)
Becky:
Morlon:
Born under the astrological sign of Virgo, I am a very down to earth
young
man who enjoys life to the fullest and take it one day at a time. My
name
is Morlon; I was born in the beautiful island of Antigua and Barbuda on
September 09, 1982. I migrated to Toronto, Canada in December of 2002,
seeking a better life as a young gay male from the Caribbean. I have
completed 13 years of educational studies from primary to college level,
and
soon hope to go back to school here in Toronto.
I am not a man of many words but I do express myself extremely well in
poems
and short stories. In my spare time if I get any, being that I am doing
three (3) jobs, I enjoy watching T.V, playing music and spending time
with
my partner. I am an extremely huge fan of Toni Braxton, and I have all
her
cds, including singles and more.
I love living and working in Toronto as I can be my self and enjoy my
life
without having to hide who I am and lying to myself. It was not and is
still
not easy to migrate from a small Caribbean country to live in North
American, one of the seven continents in the world. The transformation
was
really difficult for me but with the support of my partner, the few
friends
that I have made since I have been here, and support groups like
Supporting
Our Youths (SOY) and Express, I have learnt to deal with the culture
shook
and many more challenges that I may have to face in the near or far
future.
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