Jade Pichette
/By: Sajdeep Soomal
Video still of Jade Pichette in interview at the Clga (2018).
Jade Pichette is a 31-year-old trans, non-binary femme, anti-oppressive social worker who was the Volunteer and Community Outreach Coordinator at the Canadian Lesbian and Gay Archives (now The ArQuives) at the time of their interview. Born and raised in Ottawa, Ontario by their bisexual mom, they were involved in a range of activist communities and projects since childhood. In the interview, we look through Jade’s large archive of digital photographs, as well as a few childhood photos before Jade started transitioning. As the only out trans student during high school, Jade was involved in LGBTQ2+ activism from a young age. After many years organizing protests for anti-war movements, spiritual gatherings and other causes beyond LGBTQ2+ politics, Jade turned toward other forms of community organizing to facilitate political change as they moved to Toronto – namely social work, anti-oppressive consulting and dedicating more time to their religious community – Heathenry (Ásatrú). In the interview, we learn about Jade’s Kindred, who they describe as family.
Photo of Jade at the Vindisir Kindred Winterfinding blót gathering taken by one of their kindred. Ridgetown Ontario. October 2017. Courtesy of Jade Pichette and the Canadian Lesbian and gay archives.
Jade's photos and interview can be accessed in The Family Camera Network public archive at The ArQuives: Canada’s LGBTQ2+ Archives (formerly the Canadian Lesbian and Gay Archives).
