Fae Johnstone is the CEO of Momentum that works to advance transformation for 2SLGBTQIA+ people in Canada. Momentum devotes itself to developing an understanding of the relationship between mental health and social justice and has been successful in challenging the misleading tropes used by politicians to sow discord and fear.
They are challenging attempts to redefine who is entitled to freedom and who isn’t – and ensuring that it is not only the angriest voice that is the most powerful and the most listened to. They are also working to reframe the dialogue to be one that enables and encourages freedom and unity. As Fae says, they believe that we need to be preaching love, hope and defiance. In an era where there is polarisation and a lack of unity, it is important to have conversations with people who disagree with us and bring us back to those core principles of dignity, humanity and freedom for all.
What advice would she give to someone starting out now? She says: “When you’re in the right place at the right time count yourself in, work your magic because your magic will do something beautiful in that space.”