September’s Awesome Ottawa award goes to Scott Sharma to support Generation Queer’s advocacy for non-binary bathrooms in Ottawa schools.

“The reason why non-binary bathrooms are needed,” explains Scott, “is that often people who are transgender or non-binary may be harassed or physically or sexually assaulted. What non-binary bathrooms do is create a safe place for people to go and use the bathroom. It should not matter your gender or gender expression when you need to go to the bathroom.”

Generation Queer, a new for-youth, by-youth group, will engage community partners and local decision-makers to make non-binary bathrooms a reality. “As someone who is gay,” Scott continues, “I was compelled to help make a change in my broader and LGBTQ2+ communities. I felt that I could provide support for people who want to come out and be proud of who they are.”

Scott is a student at Colonel By Secondary School, where he is President of the Model United Nations club. He has worked on Parliament Hill and played on the Ontario provincial rugby team.