Norie arrived at The 519 a day after moving to Toronto from Japan in 2014. “I learnt all I could about this place even before I got to Canada!” she says with a smile.

Originally from Tokyo, Norie often visited Shinjuku Ni-chōme, the city’s LGBTQ+ neighbourhood, and she hoped to find a similar community space in Toronto, but her journey to find a place where she could be her true self began much earlier.

At 25, Norie moved to Vancouver, BC for a job. She quickly felt at home. “It wasn’t my first time abroad, but I was amazed by how much more acceptance there is for LGBTQ+ people in Canada. In Japan I still had to hide who I was.”

After 10 years in Vancouver, Norie went back to Japan. She would spend another 10 years there knowing all the while that her heart belonged in Canada. She came back, this time to Toronto.

“I landed at Pearson Airport on April 1 and came to The 519 the very next day,” Norie says. The first program she visited was the Sunday Drop-In.

“I felt seen and welcomed. I didn’t have to hide who I was.”

(Above: Norie with Jan at Beach Day)

It was Jan, a Sunday Drop-In volunteer, who told Norie about The 519’s 2SLGBTQ+ Older Adults Program and encouraged her to join. “I made so many friends there and enjoyed the arts-based activities. I even went biking with Jan to Tommy Thompson Park, and I could barely keep up with her!” Norie laughs.

From a young age, Norie dreamed of becoming a kindergarten teacher, but her mother told her it was only a woman’s job. That didn’t stop her from going back to school a few year ago and pursuing Early Childhood Education.

A year ago, Nicole, one of the Older Adults Program coordinators, encouraged Norie to volunteer at The 519’s EarlyON Centre. Since then, she’s been reading stories to little ones and their caregivers.

Norie is living life authentically, choosing joy in each moment.

“Wearing dresses and makeup affirms who I am. I didn’t have access to many trans-affirming resources, and so I had to learn everything on my own, even how to put on makeup. I’m happy that trans youth today have so much more support.”

Whether at our Beach Day or holiday parties, it’s hard to miss Norie. Her infectious smile and vibrant energy remind us of the importance of trans joy every day. She’s a source of wisdom whom many will look up to for years to come.

“Don’t hide who you are, let’s be proud!” she says.

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Support The 519’s programs for 2Spirit, trans, and non-binary communities. Donate today at The519.org/donate. 

Words by Dean Lobo. Photos by Eli Carmona.