Wow! Another wonderful Bill 7 Award celebration has come and gone, and we had a fantastic time saluting our 27 recipients at this week's event in downtown Toronto. 2025 marks the Bill 7 Award's biggest year yet, with 27 scholarships given to 2SLGBTQI+ students across Ontario. Huge thanks to all the Bill 7 supporters, donors, and sponsors, including EY, RBC Royal Bank, Manulife, IGM Financial, CommunityOne Foundation, TD, Malivoire Wine Company, Left Field Brewery, and new sponsor for 2025, Qtrade.

Of course, the Bill 7 Award Trust also relies on donations and contributions from individuals — if you're feeling generous, and want to support the next generation of queer Ontario youth, please visit the Bill 7 page on CanadaHelps. (Donations are tax deductible!)

Before we meet our recipients, one more huge thank you to everyone involved in putting these awards together. From the trustees, to the applicants, their supporters and loved ones, to the team who reviewed over 300 incredible applications: thank you! Every year, you help make dozens of dreams come true.

Congratulations to our 2025 Bill 7 Award recipients

Now, enough preamble! Let's meet our 27 recipients, each of whom is a member of the 2SLGBTQI+ community, and is in financial need while pursuing their first degree or diploma at an Ontario college or university. At $4,500 per scholarship, this year totalled over $120,000 given to deserving students! Kudos!

(Please note: not all recipients are highlighted here due to privacy concerns.)

Multi-year Bill 7 Award recipients

Thanks to ongoing support from committed donors, the Bill 7 Award Trust is able to offer a handful of "multi-year" awards each cycle. These recipients will receive a scholarship each year of their education, for up to four years. Check out 2024's recipients for some familiar names!

Morgan Davis is our newest multi-year recipient. Pursuing first-year humanities at the University of Toronto, Morgan admitted that, when he was informed he was a scholarship recipient, he couldn't believe that he "cried in a Farm Boy." Once, he thought post-secondary was impossible, but his colleagues at Sherbourne Health lifted him up, and he's now a proud UofT student. He promises to "pay it forward" for the next generation — in about four years!

Arjun Kalra's in his final year of performance and acting at Toronto Metropolitan University. Arjun couldn't make the event, but he shared a message with attendees: receiving the Bill 7 Award fuels his purpose as a queer and racialized artist to embody the positive representation he wants to see in the world.

Ray Lumare, in 2nd year health sciences studies at Western University, wasn't present at this year's event, but he continues to work towards his goal of supporting trans athletes through a career in law.

One-time Bill 7 Award recipients

Leena Bui's in her second year of psychology, with a minor in neuroscience, at the University of Waterloo. She couldn't attend the event, but she's an active volunteer in her community and grateful for the Bill 7 Award.

Erik Cherski attends Lambton College in the social service worker program. Once, he told himself his story didn't matter, but on reflecting for the Bill 7 Award application, he realized he needed to stand up for his ethics and beliefs. Applying for this scholarship ignited his passion and opened his eyes to his own history. Erik also relayed Jacob Riis' story of the stonecutter, reproduced below.

"When nothing seems to help, I go and look at a stonecutter hammering away at his rock, perhaps a hundred times without as much as a crack showing in it. Yet at the hundred and first blow it will split in two, and I know it was not that last blow that did it, but all that had gone before."
- Jacob Riis

Luka Connelly's in a transitional program at the University of Toronto, and has lived experience of the foster system, fueling their commitment to creating a brighter, more optimistic tomorrow for all.

Viktor Everheart is in George Brown Polytechnic's transition to post-secondary program. He spoke from the heart on being a first-generation student, using his art to show queer folks of all forms, in all kinds of light. He's preparing for further studies: as a working artist, he faces many challenges, and he's committed to overcoming every one of them.

David Feboke is a biochemistry student in his final year of undergrad at McMaster University. As a Black, queer, newcomer to Canada, he looks to support intersectional people like him. He's a consistent, constant volunteer at Mac and the community. "Family is blood," he says, "but it's also chosen." David is applying to medical schools "to dream and to heal."

Royce Weir Fiedler is another returning recipient, now in his second year of police foundations at Durham College. Attending the Bill 7 celebration reminds him he's on the right path, and though he spent many years in bad situations, he's in a loving home now. If he could speak to his younger self, Royce would tell him, "Your strength will save your life."

The award Royce received was in memoriam of the Honorable Michael J. Callaghan.

Lilith Hancock's in their second year of Algonquin College's social service work program, aiming to build a career supporting queer and trans folks as a social worker.

Ethan Klinck is a history, Greek, and Roman studies student in his third year at Carleton University. He aspires to work in community outreach, uplifting marginalized voices. The Bill 7 Award "shows there are people out there who believe in me," Ethan says.

Karissa Kopingon is a returning recipient, now in her final year of crime intelligence and analysis at Seneca Polytechnic, and she's a volunteer with Save Our Scruff Dog Rescue and PRJKT RUBY. For Karissa, as a queer, non-binary student, awards like these are an opportunity for recognition and affirmation. "Our dreams are valid," she says. "We do not walk alone."

Mordecai Kumalo is a biology student at Wilfrid Laurier University in his second year of study. His goal is to work at the intersection of pharmacy and health, treating patients with an eye towards their lived experience. Mordecai is "honoured to be a recipient of such an award."

Elizabeth Kuti is a business management student at Toronto Metropolitan University. Her goal is to create inclusive legal and economic frameworks to empower queer youth across the country.

Laura Lopez-Santos is a drama-and-music teacher-to-be, working on a concurrent education degree at Queen's University. Her own teachers helped her feel truly seen, but Laura understands that not everyone is so fortunate. She dreams of becoming an inclusive, welcoming teacher for the next generation.

Kardell McAfee's in his second year of graphic design studies at George Brown Polytechnic. Going through college alone, estranged from family, is a challenge, so receiving this award validates his hard work and discipline, allowing him to focus on success at school.

Isla Mukheef is pursuing computer science at Sheridan. Isla lost contact with her family and friends after coming out at 17, and ventured to Canada to build a new life. Going back to school is difficult, but it's "time to put the past behind me," she says, "and look forward to a better future."

Yenuli Munasinghe's pursuing her BBA at York University's Schulich School of Business, and still managed to co-found the Lighthouse Learning Project to support underfunded schools. For Yenuli, education is the strongest tool available, and receiving this award gives her a sense of "recognition, belonging, and hope."

Sammy Onikoyi's in the second year of her studies at the University of Toronto's Faculty of Information. She's an active volunteer with Rainbow Alliance Nigeria and Voices of Lesbians Malawi, and is committed to helping her Yoruba culture regain its pre-colonialism acceptance of queer identities. Supports like the Bill 7 Award don't stop at the recipient, Sammy says: it "travels through time and space."

Victoria Pessotski's in their final year of a Bachelor of Music degree at Western University. "Music is a path to authenticity," Victoria says. Receiving a scholarship like the Bill 7 Award helps queer students "feel so seen and recognized."

Jade Petgrave-Cayley is a psychology student at Carleton University in her final year. She dreams of becoming a therapist, and she volunteers with non-profits alongside her studies, juggling many responsibilities as she nears the end of her undergrad. Jade's looking ahead to master's studies, and spares a moment to thank her little sister, who has been such an ongoing inspiration.

Olivia Philips is in second year of a theatre and drama specialist degree from the University of Toronto Mississauga. She started her high school's GSA; as a BIPOC, neurodivergent, queer woman, facing down obstacles pushes her to create change. She hopes to open a theatre and production company to uplift artists of all backgrounds. Citing her own motto, she is "almost there!"

Amanda Stekel is a fourth-year arts & science student at McMaster University. She struggled with her identity and mental health, and she's grateful for the chance to continue her education and support queer youth by launching her career in social services.

Andi Syme is a studio art major at the University of Guelph, with a sexualities, genders, and social change minor. Their art focuses on "figures in community, exploring autobiographical themes of queer and trans identity, love, and safe spaces." Receiving a Bill 7 Award scholarship is an "incredible privilege."

Madison Sylvester is an electrical and AI systems engineering student at Western University, in her final year of study. Maddy aims to be a role model, inspiring future generations to pursue their passions. She hopes to make the engineering profession a welcoming, equitable space.

Clearly, we've had another wonderful year! Our 27 Bill 7 Award recipients have already achieved some amazing things, and we're certain they're on the road to even grander accomplishments in the future. On behalf of the Bill 7 Award Trust, our donors, supporters, and allies, a heartfelt congratulations to each and every recipient. Kudos!