Mona Luxion
Executive Director
(they/them, e/em)
Mona Luxion has been an advocate and change-maker for over 25 years, and has experience leading and working with nonprofits in the areas of human rights, housing, food security, and environmental and social justice. You may recognize them as the former President of Queer Yukon's Board of Directors.
Since first coming out in the early 2000s, in a midwestern-American small town, Mona has actively volunteered and contributed to diverse queer and trans communities across parts of the US, UK and Canada. They first came to Whitehorse in 2014, attending Queer Yukon's second-ever Pride festival, and moved to the territory permanently in 2020.
Mona is inspired on a daily basis by the creativity and persistence of queer, trans and Two-Spirit communities and by the legacies of care and struggle that our queer forebears have built. They're thrilled and grateful for the opportunity to support, celebrate and advocate for the Yukon's 2SLGBTQIA+ communities full-time, and they're looking forward to getting to know many more of you.
Austria Lopez
Community Engagement Coordinator Watson Lake
(she/her)
The community engagement coordinator in Watson Lake Develop and implement community engagement programs that promote inclusivity, diversity, and understanding for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, Collaborate with local organizations, businesses, to create partnerships that enhance support networks, Plan and organize events, workshops, and activities that educate and raise awareness about 2SLGBTQIA+ issues and celebrate diversity, Provide resources and support for 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals, addressing their unique needs and concerns in a rural context.
My name is Austria López, my pronouns are She/Her. I was born and raised in Mexico City, with my mother and siblings.
When I reached adulthood I had the opportunity to undertake the adventure that would change my life and brought me to Watson Lake. Here I discovered and accepted myself as a lesbian, I found love in the company of my wife, I met my best friends, 5 dogs that share their lives and heart with me.
Today I have the enormous opportunity to work at the Yukon Pride Centre and be part of a team that seeks to help the 2SLGBTQIA+ community by creating a physical place where we can find resources, programs and support not only in Whitehorse but also in Dawson City and Watson lake. Excited to continue working with this team on this adventure.
Calhoun Keating Malay
Community Engagement Coordinator
Dawson City
(they/he)
The community engagement coordinator in Dawson City develops and implement community engagement programs that promote inclusivity, diversity, and understanding for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, collaborate with local organizations, businesses, to create partnerships that enhance support networks, plans and organizes events, workshops, and activities that educate and raise awareness about 2SLGBTQIA+ issues and celebrate diversity, provide resources and support for 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals, addressing their unique needs and concerns in a rural context.
Calhoun was born to two wonderful artists and raised in Halifax on Mi'kmaq Ancestral Territory. Their passion for music inspired them to travel this beautiful world while his passion for cooking helps him connect to the communities he's been grateful to be a part of. Most notably, they are grateful to participate in the community of Dawson City on Tr'ondek Hwech'in Traditional Territory where he now happily resides. Calhoun has recently returned to school and is working towards earning their Bachelor of Social Work at Yukon University.
Jules Bee
Community Wellness Coordinator
Dawson City
(they/them)
The Community Wellness Coordinator develops and assists with Dawson programs and events, works with local partner organizations, and provides the community with education, harm reduction supplies, and training on how to use them safely.
Indigiqueer Dawsonite and SOVA alumni, Jules Bee, has been supporting and advocating for human rights and dignity in Dawson since they moved to Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in territory in 2015.
Emily Brooks
Communications
(she/they)
The communications team is responsible for communicating the work that Queer Yukon does with the public and the media. We do this mainly through social media, our website, our monthly newsletter, and local advertising. The communications team is also responsible for sharing information and resources with local partner organizations in the Yukon.
Emily is originally from Treaty 4 Territory in Saskatchewan but feels grateful to have been living in Whitehorse as a guest on Kwanlin Dün First Nation and Ta’an Kwäch’än Council territory for the past 3 years. Emily holds a degree in Environmental and Social Sustainability from Dalhousie University and is passionate about creating strong communities and social networks as a way to build resiliency and joy in the face of the climate crisis.
In her free time, Emily likes to knit, read, and spend time with friends. You can usually find her at the monthly Charmed Stitches craft night at The Cache.
Finley Parkes
Administrative Manager
(they/them)
The Administrative Manager is responsible for the general day-to-day operations of the office and The Cache, our queer community centre. The Admin Manager is also responsible for people management and HR.
Finley Parkes (they/them) is a Non-Binary Transmasculine Neuroqueer (Neurodivergent Queer) Settler from the unceded territories of Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh & Musqueam Nations.
Finley prides themself on being a facilitator of connection, ideas, and social innovation through music, art, education, advocacy, and activating public space. They are an interdisciplinary cultural producer and curator that wears a variety of different hats, depending on the project.
Finley has been a vocal advocate for artists, cultural producers, and grassroots venues and initiatives in Vancouver, BC. The majority of the projects they’re involved with are community-based at their core. Many have revolved around supporting and providing a platform to emerging, underrepresented artists and queering the industry, especially as a visibly trans person. They offer consulting within the realm of 2SLGBTQIA+ and neurodiversity language and sensitivity and are active on social media to educate the public. Educational initiatives they facilitate revolve around societal topics such as transphobia, transmisogyny, homophobia, ableism, sexism, power dynamics, and white supremacy.
Finley recently moved to Whitehorse in Fall of 2023 and is working as the Admin Manager.
When not working on creative projects, Finley loves to read, with a keen interest in sociology, history, gender, sexuality, neurodiversity, and anti-racism. They are a runner, love to swim, bike and be in nature. Finley’s love of music and deep connection with the music community in Vancouver developed on the dancefloor. They fell in love with the feeling of connection and freedom of expression in these DIY spaces and found their chosen family through queer community and care. It is these spaces that many communities hold dear to their hearts and are often pillars for mental health. It is these spaces that are a safe place to be ourselves. Something to advocate for and protect.
Sharing knowledge and ideas is something they find to be deeply connecting and enjoy listening to the stories of those with different experiences and helping to bring other folks’ ideas to life through mentorship and collaboration.
Kai McNeill
Drop In & Referrals Coordinator
(they/them)
The Whitehorse Drop In & Referrals Coordinator is responsible for operating Drop In at The Cache, Queer Yukon’s community space in downtown Whitehorse. This includes programming, administration, and on-site support for visitors to Drop In. They facilitate the use of the Queer Yukon space, assisting visitors with awareness of and access to Queer Yukon services & programming and direct them to other internal and external support.
Kai (rhymes with they) was born in Halifax on Mi'kmaq Ancestral Territory and grew up in Tthebacha (Fort Smith, NWT), the traditional and current lands of the Akaitcho, Denendeh, Dëne Sųłı̨né Yatıé, and the NWT Metis Nation. They are grateful to be an uninvited visitor on the beautiful lands of the Kwanlin Dün First Nation and Ta’an Kwäch’än Council.
Kai has experience in post-secondary education, healthcare, and elections where they have always worked to support queer and trans communities and develop policies & programming that advance equity. They’re eager to support Two-Spirit, trans and queer people in the Yukon.
Kai is a nonbinary queer femme who loves to express themself through fashion, photography, and their current passion, miniature figures & dioramas. They are a cat person but delighted to meet all dogs who visit the Queer Yukon Drop In space. They look forward to connecting with humans too, so please drop by and say hi!
Kara Garcia
Policy Development Coordinator
M.S.W., R.S.W. (she/they)
The Policy Development Coordinator supports Queer Yukon Society during a period of significant focused growth and capacity building.
The Policy Development Coordinator reviews and updates existing Queer Yukon Society policies & procedures, identifies gaps, objectives and existing practices, and researches, develops and recommends new policies & procedures in consultation with QYS Stakeholders to ensure the policies & procedures reflect QYS’ unique organizational culture, values and practices.
Born, raised and educated in the unceded, traditional territory of Mi'kma'ki, the ancestral homelands of the Beothuk, and the One Dish One Spoon Territory (also known as Newfoundland, New Brunswick and Toronto), Kara joined Queer Yukon as it grows as a vibrant workplace, community center and influence in the Yukon.
Kara is a registered Social Worker and has contributed to safer spaces in the fields of women, children and families, mental health and trauma, gender and social justice, housing and decolonization, truth and reconciliation. Kara enjoys organizational capacity building, because well-built infrastructure supports people to pursue their passions.
Outside of work, Kara loves spending time with family at home and on the Millenium Trail.
Maren Sinclair-Eckert
Community Research & Engagement Coordinator
(she/her)
As the Community Research and Engagement Coordinator, Maren is responsible for the Broadening the Circle Project, a 30 month research project which aims to address systemic barriers for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community by advancing inclusive policies and practices in Yukon services. Maren oversees all Whitehorse-based elements of this project, including coordinating community engagements, data collection and analysis, and the gathering of resources.
Maren is grateful to have grown up in Whitehorse, the beautiful Territory of the Kwanlin Dün First Nation and Ta’an Kwäch’än Council. She has a background in sociology, gender studies, and visual arts. Maren is excited to be a part of the Queer Yukon team and eager to use her role and privilege to uplift and engage queer and trans people throughout the Yukon.
Mirabel Sirois
Health & Education Manager
(she/her)
Artist, Activist, and Troublemaker.
Mira is the Health & Education Manager for Queer Yukon. With an incredible team of coworkers she is responsible for the organizations Health, Advocacy, Research, and Education services.
She has assisted the organization in developing some of its key programs such as the Health Navigator role, its Advocacy strategy, and equity workshops/training. She also runs the Gender Gear program and is an expert on Gender & Sexuality.
Isla Pelletier
Health Navigator
(they/them)
Meet our new Health Navigator, Isla!
The Health Navigator supports community members in accessing health services and gender affirming care in a safer and more relevant manner. The Health Navigator can assist 2SLGBTQIA+ community members with obtaining health documentation, finding health care providers, answering questions about gender affirming care, and other health related services.
Isla is a neurodivergent, non-binary trans femme raised in the traditional territory of the Syilx speaking people of the Okanagan Nation. They left the territory at the age of three and permanently returned twenty five years later. They are grateful to be joyously living in the traditional territory of the Kwanlin Dün First Nation and the Ta’an Kwäch’än Council. Before joining Queer Yukon they worked as a medical office assistant in a respiratory clinic where they assisted patients in navigating their health-care. They also have a diploma in Creative Writing.
You’ll often find Isla obsessing over a novel or writing their own stories. Isla is also an avid table-top player and enjoys communal storytelling.
Sara LeCheminant
Finance Manager
(she/her)
The finance manager oversees all reporting, budgeting, compliance and accounting related functions of the organization. The finance manager maintains accurate financial data so Queer Yukon can support the Queer community.
Sara was born and raised in the Yukon and is a neurodivergent pan/demisexual. She has worked with various nonprofits across the Yukon for the past 4 years helping them implement financial processes and bookkeeping tailored to their needs. She has also volunteer as a board member for Spring Home Society where she works to get second stage housing for individuals recovering from addiction, access safe housing and other community supports. When she is not advocating to obtain better supports for Yukoners, she enjoy pursuing a wide range of artistic outlets and spending time with her daughter.
Youkali Ménard
Community Research & Engagement Coordinator
(they/she/ielle)
As the Community Research and Engagement Coordinator, Youkali is responsible for the Broadening the Circle Project, a 30 month research project which aims to address systemic barriers for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community by advancing inclusive policies and practices in Yukon services. Youkali oversees all Dawson City-based elements of this project, including coordinating community engagements, data collection and analysis, and the gathering of resources.
Youkali is a gender fluid two-step dancer existing on the beautiful intersex spectrum. Over the past eight years, they found a sense of community as a guest on Tr'ondëk Hwëch'in Territory. Building systems of support and long lasting intentional relationships in the community is important to them. Youkali's work at Queer Yukon started in April 2021. They've been focused on Harm Reduction practices & Education. They're currently acting as the Communities Access Lead for Broadening the Circle Research Project, examining Gender-based Violence in the Territory.
Kiki Barua
Programming Coordinator
(they/them)
The Programming Coordinator is responsible for planning Yukon Pride, as well as developing programming and events throughout the year.
Kiki Barua is a Desi/white, non-binary, queer, disabled, 1st generation immigrant living and loving on Kwanlin Dün First Nation and Ta’an Kwäch’än Council territory. They were born in Utrecht, in the Netherlands and grew up all over Turtle Island. They first came to Dawson City in 2012 and have lived full-time in the Yukon since 2017.
Working as a mental health counsellor in Yukon communities from 2018-2022, they’ve witnessed how community, connection and representation can fight against internalized oppression and shame. They were drawn to QYS and pride planning to support and create spaces that celebrate a diversity of identities and ways of being.
They are a performer (drag, stand-up, wrestling etc..) and a visual artist inspired by intersectionality and nature. They hold one BA in fine arts and another in psychology and linguistics. You might catch a glimpse of them in full drag in the woods, foraging for medicine and mushrooms.