Liz Fagan (they/them) is a multilingual artist from St John's, Newfoundland. They strive to make spaces more inclusive. They have been out for approximately 7 years and has worked in the public as a French journalist, Official Languages coordinator for the Canada Games and Language Monitor in 4 of the province's French as a First Language schools. Liz enjoys sharing resources and making connections with regards to multilingual inclusion.

Ellen Miller (she/they) is a queer folklore graduate student at Memorial working towards a masters thesis. She holds an undergraduate degree in anthropology, where I focused on an interdisciplinary and decolonial study of culture. They have an interest in creative expression of culture created in the context of resistance; leading to an understanding of resilience to power systems that prioritizes racialized voices. She started with climate change activism, which led her towards all of the intersectional social justice shaped by the ways our environment is impacted by colonialism and racism. I have a strong passion for material art and craft application activism and creating community. She is very outdoorsy and love crafting; as well as a huge fan of literary horror novels. They are incredibly excited to support the queer community making efforts in St. John’s.

Liam (he/him) is the outreach coordinator at Fishing for Success, a non-profit based in Petty Harbour with the aim to transmit the intangible cultural heritage of the inshore settler fishery here in Newfoundland & Labrador. He is also the treasurer of the newly founded Women’s Fishing & Cultural Co-operative, a fishing co-operative for women and gender diverse folks offering meaningful engagement in an industry that often excludes such groups. With a background in history and political science, Liam lives in St. John’s with his cat, Cone.

Julia (she/her) is an experienced program coordinator with a strong background in social services, recreation, and project management. Passionate about community development and wellness, she brings extensive experience in the non-profit sector and a proven record of advancing inclusive, community-driven initiatives. Since joining the NLQRI Board in January 2023, Julia has served as Secretary and now as the Fund Development Director. She has successfully managed six-figure program budgets, secured grants exceeding $50,000, organized major events, and built lasting community partnerships. Julia holds a Social Service Worker diploma from Durham College, is a Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM®), and a HIGH FIVE® Trainer. She is currently completing a Certificate in Non-Profit Management through Mount Royal University. Dedicated to the long-term sustainability of NLQRI, Julia is excited to strengthen the organization’s capacity to support 2SLGBTQIA+ research and advocacy across Newfoundland and Labrador. In her spare time, Julia can be found powerlifting, finding live music to listen to, or playing Magic the Gathering.

Rivers (he/him) has lived in St. John’s his whole life, on the ancestral homelands of the Beothuk and Mi’kmaq. He identifies as trans and advocates for mental health and disability. He is passionate about ethics, philosophy, volunteering, and community. He currently volunteers with the NLQRI, Planned Parenthood, and MUN SAGA. He is committed to advocating for himself and others whenever he can, and standing up when it is difficult or impossible for others to do so. He likes routine and organization, as well as facilitating clear communication. He has a B.Sc. in psychology and a certificate of criminology, and is working towards his goal of attending medical school. He hopes to someday become a psychiatrist, and provide advocacy and representation for trans and queer people in the medical field. His goals in working with the NLQRI are to give back to the community, help in the development of an invaluable archive of our history, and develop his skills and abilities to participate in the nonprofit sector. He is emboldened by stories of queer people who lived, worked, and loved unapologetically over the years and hopes that someday we can all live peaceful lives as our true selves. In his free time, Rivers enjoys reading, running, watching anime, and playing horror games.

Ashley (she/her) is a communications professional with over 6 years of experience in various roles relating to writing, community engagement, advocacy, event planning, and developing / implementing communication strategies. She is currently serving her third year as a Member and Communications Coordinator in a non-profit association for folks who work in the municipal government sector. Ashley is a deeply community-minded person who enjoys spending time volunteering with the Gathering Place and Planned Parenthood, and now as NL Queer Research Initiative’s Communications and Outreach Director!

Each of these organizations represent various issues and injustices in which Ashley is passionate about–housing as a human right, reproductive justice, and queer visibility in the world of academia and research. She holds the belief that community building and mutual aid fosters resiliency and will keep us safe in times of crisis. Ashley is a Political Science grad student with an educational background in Journalism and Communication Studies.

Her specific research interests include international relations and the intersection between mass media and political behaviour. While in Journalism school, she wrote for a number of publications, worked for a local magazine, and was awarded the Geoff Stirling Memorial Atlantic Journalism Award. The proceeding years at Memorial University included work with Memorial Press, CHMFR-FM, and various freelance work in communications and photography. 

Her identity and relationship with queerness has influenced the way Ashley has moved through the world in many different ways, and is foundational to the work she hopes to do with the NL Queer Research Initiative. She is keen to meet and connect with more folks within the local queer community and work with them to make 2SLGBTQI+ history and research more accessible. As a hobby-enthusiast–Ashley enjoys various activities such as cooking (especially for loved ones), baking, weightlifting, reading and photography! She is a self-proclaimed film nerd and can often be found watching movies with her adoring partner and two cats or spending quality time with her chosen family.

Originally from Ktaqmkuk (Newfoundland), and the ancestral homelands of the Beothuk, Mi’kmaq, Innu & Inuit (Labrador), Ryan McDonald (they/he) is a multifaceted performer and artist currently residing and performing in Tkaron:to (Toronto). An award winner from the Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition, Ryan has appeared as a soloist in concert with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra, Theatre of Early Music, Nota Bene Players, Cellar Singers, Elora Festival Singers & Symphony in the Barn. Ryan joined Opera on The Avalon during the 24/25 season as an Emerging Artist, during the 21/22 season, Ryan was a Young Artist with Pacific Opera Victoria’s Civic Engagement Quartet and Confluence Concerts inaugural Young Artistic Associate.

Ryan believes being an artist involves much more than singing, and they have created opportunities to explore the many facets of their artistry. As a portfolio artist, Ryan actively works as an Artistic Producer, Arts Administrator and continues to facilitate workshops on exploring one's own identity through music. Ryan is the co-founder of OperaQ; a company focused specifically on presenting queer theatre by queer artists for queer audiences. Ryan led the company’s original composition to a nomination at the 2023 Opera America Digital Excellence in Opera Awards.

Additionally, Ryan serves as the operations manager for Exultate Chamber Singers, manager of artistic operations for The Toronto Consort and the strategic project associate for the Association for Opera in Canada. 

In addition to their musical activities, Ryan is currently pursuing a DMA in Historical Performance at the University of Toronto, where they are researching the life of Klaus Nomi and investigating the ever-expanding queer performance practice guide.

Denielle Hill (they/them) is a master’s student of folklore at Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador, with a double major in Anthropology and English Literature from UBC. Their current research explores what trans and gender-diverse people do when denied access to the rituals that mark a so-called “good death.” Denielle approaches this work through the concept of “Living Archives,” examining how memorialization emerges through protest, performance, storytelling, and community care.

Their recent ethnographic fieldwork took place in Vancouver, at Saige Community Foodshare and Canada’s first trans-focused housing project, as well as during the Trans and Dyke marches, and through interviews with trans and queer elders. As Garden Director at Saige, Denielle helped build accessible garden spaces, organize community dinners, and facilitate food shares. Now based in St. John’s, Denielle is eager to deepen their engagement with Newfoundland and Labrador’s queer communities. At Memorial University, they serve as an associate editor for Culture and Tradition, the graduate folklore journal.

Denielle brings experience in archival research, public programming, and hands-on community engagement. Inspired by approaches that center accessibility and collaboration, they are committed to ensuring that queer and trans histories are not only preserved but actively celebrated and sustained for generations to come.

Bio coming soon!