Full Name
Jess Glen
Speaker Bio
“ Hi, my name is Jess Glen. I’m 24 years old and I have been a resident of the Collingwood/Wasaga beach area for all my life. Currently I am working as an assistant manager and lead electrical engineering technician at an automation company in Kitchener. Wiring machines, panels and robots has become a huge passion of mine.
I am someone who loves social events and being able to express myself freely. I take pride in my ability to light up a room and making sure I am known to others as a friend; someone who will go the extra mile for others to feel included. Spreading positivity has always been a huge part of my life, and I’m thrilled to be given this opportunity to do so on a larger scale.
I feel honoured and excited to be invited to speak and participate in Collingwood’s first Pride Festival as this is just another way that I’m able to share my story and advocate for the pursuit of self-discovery, acceptance, and overall happiness. Growing up in a small town came with obstacles in not only feeling accepted by the community but feeling safe as well. I witnessed and experienced firsthand the struggles that a young trans person or anyone else in the LGBTQIA+ community would face as the concept of being diverse was still beginning to shine through.
A goal of mine is to be able to open doors and delve deeper into what it means to be a part of a community such as the LGBTQIA+ and speak up for those who do not have a voice or platform. I know how different everyone’s journey is in finding and coming to terms with your self-identity as well as what happiness means to each person, but I hope that in sharing my own experiences I will be able to connect with someone who may be experiencing something similar.
There is a sense of strength that comes along with being a part of this community. By having my story, advice or empathy resonate with anyone listening shows that no one is powerless. I look forward to being able to virtually meet and to listen to all these incredible, talented speakers that will be making Collingwood’s first Pride Festival memorable.”
I am someone who loves social events and being able to express myself freely. I take pride in my ability to light up a room and making sure I am known to others as a friend; someone who will go the extra mile for others to feel included. Spreading positivity has always been a huge part of my life, and I’m thrilled to be given this opportunity to do so on a larger scale.
I feel honoured and excited to be invited to speak and participate in Collingwood’s first Pride Festival as this is just another way that I’m able to share my story and advocate for the pursuit of self-discovery, acceptance, and overall happiness. Growing up in a small town came with obstacles in not only feeling accepted by the community but feeling safe as well. I witnessed and experienced firsthand the struggles that a young trans person or anyone else in the LGBTQIA+ community would face as the concept of being diverse was still beginning to shine through.
A goal of mine is to be able to open doors and delve deeper into what it means to be a part of a community such as the LGBTQIA+ and speak up for those who do not have a voice or platform. I know how different everyone’s journey is in finding and coming to terms with your self-identity as well as what happiness means to each person, but I hope that in sharing my own experiences I will be able to connect with someone who may be experiencing something similar.
There is a sense of strength that comes along with being a part of this community. By having my story, advice or empathy resonate with anyone listening shows that no one is powerless. I look forward to being able to virtually meet and to listen to all these incredible, talented speakers that will be making Collingwood’s first Pride Festival memorable.”
