HRU 2024 SPEAKERS
HRU 2024 SPEAKERS
Kendall Gender
As a performer, host, model and 2SLGBTQIA+ activist, Kendall Gender is a bonafide Canadian drag sensation. With grassroots in Vancouver, she has performed coast to coast since 2014 and shows no signs of slowing down.
Kendall is best known for being on season 2 of Canada’s Drag Race, where she placed in the top 3. She was also most recently seen on All stars - Canada VS the World. She is also known for being the queer ambassador for Annabelle Cosmetics, Fairmont Hotels and was a member of infamous drag group ‘BRATPACK’. Kendall is also a past winner of elite drag competition “Vancouver’s Next Drag Superstar” in 2017. She was also elected as the “Empress of Vancouver” and raised over $25,000 for for various charities as a part of the Dogwood Monarchist Society. In 2020 she was also the first drag performer to do a halftime performance at the Rugby 7’s game, performing for a crowd of 50,000 people. Kendall was also the first drag artist in history to be listed as one of Vancouvers “Power 50” by Vancouver Magazine.
As a biracial artist, Kendall started the show ‘VISIBLE’ which is designed as a platform to raise money and awareness for visible minorities. In 2020, the events moved digital and raised over $9,000 for Black Lives Matter during a single event. Kendall has recently signed on to be on the board of directors for Canada’s first LGBT2SIA+ Treatment and recovery centre , hoping to kick off in late 2023
Loretta M. spent years battling alcoholism, believing she was alone in her struggle. A profound moment led her to AA, where she found hope and healing. Now sober since 1992, she embraces her identity as a lesbian and Hispanic woman. Today she remains committed to helping others and is a proud member of the Austin recovery community.
Loretta
M.
Michael D.
At 15 Michael snuck down to the gay district along the Detroit Delta got a job at the Gas Station Gay Bar after driving by it with his family and becoming enthralled. Complete with old gas pumps, Drag Queens, GoGo boys, runaway hustlers, Michael quickly became a part of the all night party scene, keeping this secret from his family. He barely graduated from his fourth high school, getting drunk and smoking pot in downtown Detroit. Alcohol and substances was part of his life until April 2007, at the age of 43. When he got sober, the magic of the city and the night life had collapsed to a nightmare. He went directly to the LGBTQ Center to find the only person he knew who was sober to ask him how he could make these nightmares stop. The answer was the 12 steps of AA. That person is Michael’s sponsor to this day. Michael finished his degree in Cape Town, South Africa. He has travelled all around the world, and shared his story with people in detoxes and at the Rikers Island NYC correctional facility. The joy he gets in life everyday is so connected with he sobriety because he feels like he has a purpose: to help others.
Melissa S.
Melissa had a nearly 20 year career as director of collections in Actors Federal Credit Union in New York City. She also has a long history of politics and community affairs. She is recently retired and now travels the world scuba diving. 3 weeks ago, Melissa celebrated 34 years of sobriety.