THE GOOD PLACE
Skipping Stones and Making Waves
After nearly a decade of supporting trans and gender-diverse people across Alberta, Skipping Stone defines success as a future where its work is no longer necessary.
By Tolu’lope Omoyeni
(From top) The organizations’s co-founder, Lindsay Peace; Kameron Heughan, community programs lead. | PHOTOS: COURTESY OF SKIPPING STONE
When Lindsay Peace’s child came out as transgender, she witnessed first-hand the difficulties they faced in finding appropriate support. Inspired by her experience as a parent, Peace teamed up with advocate Amelia Newbert to create Skipping Stone, an organization dedicated to helping trans and gender-diverse people and their families access the care and resources they need. Nearly 10 years on, Peace and the team have supported more than 10,000 individuals across Calgary, Edmonton, and other communities in Alberta — and this is just the beginning. “A lot of change still needs to happen, and equity needs to be redistributed, but I do believe that meaningful change in this lifetime is very possible,” says Kameron Heughan, community programs lead at Skipping Stone. “The world has enough people paying attention to how power, privilege and equity [are] structured, so there is potential for systemic progress.”
The hope for change is already taking shape in Calgary. Skipping Stone receives support from local businesses that understand the value in creating welcoming and inclusive spaces for those in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Known as the Trans Affirming Network, this group of local business owners actively invests time in learning about and implementing trans-affirming practices in their daily operations.
Heughan recalls the over 5,000 people who came together at the McDougall Centre, the offices of the provincial government in Calgary, last November for the Transgender Day of Remembrance. “They filled the space, connected with one another and left messages of support.”
Reflecting on what inspires the team, Heughan says, “most of us know first-hand the reality of trans existence, and we understand that it’s a contentious topic. But we love this community, and we’re always willing to have difficult conversations with people who don’t agree with us. We recognize that people’s world views are shaped differently, and we may never be able to change that, but we’re always happy to plant the seed that makes folks question things.”
Skipping Stone’s mission, according to Heughan, is to no longer have a reason to exist. “We aim for a time when trans people can be themselves, without barriers, and without having to carry much of the load themselves. That would be the ultimate success.” AMA
“I do believe that meaningful change in this lifetime is very possible.”
Skipping Stone frequently participates in events such as the Calgary Pride Parade. | PHOTO: COURTESY OF SKIPPING STONE
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(From left) The organizations’s co-founder, Lindsay Peace; Kameron Heughan, community programs lead. | PHOTOS: COURTESY OF SKIPPING STONE
(From top) The organizations’s co-founder, Lindsay Peace; Kameron Heughan, community programs lead. | PHOTOS: COURTESY OF SKIPPING STONE
When Lindsay Peace’s child came out as transgender, she witnessed first-hand the difficulties they faced in finding appropriate support. Inspired by her experience as a parent, Peace teamed up with advocate Amelia Newbert to create Skipping Stone, an organization dedicated to helping trans and gender-diverse people and their families access the care and resources they need. Nearly 10 years on, Peace and the team have supported more than 10,000 individuals across Calgary, Edmonton, and other communities in Alberta — and this is just the beginning. “A lot of change still needs to happen and equity needs to be redistributed, but I do believe that meaningful change in this lifetime is very possible,” says Kameron Heughan, community programs lead at Skipping Stone. “The world has enough people paying attention to how power, privilege and equity [are] structured, so there is potential for systemic progress.”
The hope for change is already taking shape in Calgary. Skipping Stone receives support from local businesses that understand the value in creating wecoming and inclusive spaces for those in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Known as the Trans Affirming Network, this group of local business owners actively invests time in learning about and implementing trans-affirming practices in their daily operations.
Heughan recalls the over 5,000 people who came together at the McDougall Centre, the offices of the provincial government in Calgary, last November for the Transgender Day of Remembrance. “They filled the space, connected with one another and left messages of support.”
Reflecting on what inspires the team, Heughan says, “most of us know first-hand the reality of trans existence and we understand that it’s a contentious topic. But we love this community and we’re always willing to have difficult conversations with people who don’t agree with us. We recognize that people’s world views are shaped differently, and we may never be able to change that, but we’re always happy to plant the seed that makes folks question things.”
Skipping Stone’s mission, according to Heughan, is to no longer have a reason to exist. “We aim for a time when trans people can be themselves, without barriers, and without having to carry much of the load themselves. That would be the ultimate success.” AMA