Day of Pink Speakers Bureau
Sharon Blady
(She/her) English
Sharon’s career began as a decolonization scholar where her love of sharing knowledge for social change first thrived. This desire for change also came from being a single mother who never felt safe coming out to her family because of the homophobia she witnessed and her dependence on them in the years she raised her eldest son alone. Her experience of biphobia and bi-erasure meant that she continued to pass as straight for physical and financial security, despite the psychological toll.
Sharon was elected into the Manitoba Legislature in 2007. In her first months in office, Sharon began her ongoing support of the Rainbow Resource Centre’s Camp Aurora for LGTBQ+ youth. She participated in RRC, PRIDE, TDOR, and International Day of Pink events and gave several Member’s Statements in the Legislature celebrating achievements in the LGTBQ+ community.
Before being appointed to Cabinet, Sharon crafted two pieces of first-in-Canada human rights legislation. Her first portfolio, Minister of Healthy Living and Seniors, included all government files associated with supporting the LGTBQ+ community. The work she began here would come to fruition with her appointment as Minister of Health.
Since leaving office, Sharon has become a mental health advocate, healthcare consultant, and public speaker. She is a member of the Manitoba TransHealth Coalition. Her appearance here marks her public coming out as a member of the LGTBQ+ community.
