Day of Pink Speakers Bureau
Shandi Strong
(She/her) English
With a long history of volunteerism and organizing, Shandi became a fixture in the 2SLGBTQ* Community in 2008 through Gio’s, which served as “The Heart of the Community” for the 2SLGBTQ* community for over 35 years. Eventually becoming the board’s first ever female Vice President in the organization’s final years.
She continues to support Winnipeg’s 2SLGBTQ* community by volunteering, participating, providing content and photography for various community events and for the Rainbow Resource Centre. She wrote regularly for Outwords Magazine and has been involved for many years in minor roles for Pride Winnipeg.
Throughout all of this she maintains a profile in local media speaking on Transgender related issues, and enjoys speaking to groups, schools, and organizations about her personal journey in an effort to foster understanding and raise awareness on Transgender issues. February 2018 saw the publication of her autobiography “Growing A Pair”. And for the past several years has been a mentor for Big Brothers Big Sisters and their PRISM program for 2SLGBTQ* youth.
In 2015 she was honoured as the first ever transgender Grand Marshall of Winnipeg’s Pride Parade for her work in the community. In 2016 received a “Trailblazer” award from the Manitoba LGBT* Chamber of Commerce. For many years she organized and spoke at the annual Trans Day of Remembrance (TDOR) and in 2018 she instigated and lead a group of volunteers to create Winnipeg’s Annual Trans March to celebrate trans lives by bringing the community together. And most recently she was recognized by L’Oreal Canada as a “Woman of Worth” honouree, and on her behalf $10,000 was donated to Big Brothers Big Sisters PRISM program.
She currently sits on the boards of several non-profit organizations including Manitobans for Human Rights (MHR) a group focused on Human Rights education and awareness; Pride Winnipeg, as a Community Liaison; Our Own Health Centre (OOHC) a not-for profit healthcare provider for 2SLGBTQ* people with the goal of improving services for transgender patients; and is part of a newly formed coalition to create shelter for homeless Trans, Non-binary and other 2SLGBTQ* youth.
During the 2016 Provincial election she was nominated and ran as the first ever openly transgender provincial candidate in western (or possibly all of) Canada for the Manitoba Liberal party. She ran again in the 2019 provincial election. Since 2016 she has stayed active in politics working as the constituency assistant to Dr. Jon Gerrard, the MLA for River Heights, the Manitoba Liberal Caucus, and as the secretary for the Manitoba Liberal Women’s Commission/Manitoba Liberal Women's Association, the as Interim President for the newly reformed Fort Garry Constituency Association and sits on the 2SLGBTQ* Commission of the Manitoba Liberal party. She expects to run again in the upcoming 2023 provincial election.
Since coming out and losing a 15-year career and 20-year marriage, her life has had it’s share of ups and downs, including a suicide attempt, living on EIA, balancing with a new career, new love, and reconciliation with her children. She has other projects in the works, including a youth friendly version of her book, and a science fiction novel. She lives in Wildwood Park with her fiancé Kate and their two cats. She enjoys science fiction movies, golf, curling, playing guitar and adventure.
