Todd Ross
Reclaiming Place and History with Todd Ross
In this episode, we speak with speak with Todd Ross, a two-spirit Métis activist and advocate for Canadian LGBTQ+ veterans. Todd shares his personal journey—from growing up closeted in New Brunswick to experiencing discrimination in the Canadian military during the LGBT purge, and eventually emerging as a prominent advocate for justice, reconciliation, and inclusion. Todd’s reflections highlight resilience, intersectionality, and the power of collective action to correct historical wrongs.
In this episode, we speak with speak with Todd Ross, a two-spirit Métis activist and advocate for Canadian LGBTQ+ veterans. Todd shares his personal journey—from growing up closeted in New Brunswick to experiencing discrimination in the Canadian military during the LGBT purge, and eventually emerging as a prominent advocate for justice, reconciliation, and inclusion. Todd’s reflections highlight resilience, intersectionality, and the power of collective action to correct historical wrongs.
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Highlights
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Guest Biography
Todd Ross is two-spirit and an activist with a focus on advocacy for Canadian 2SLGBTQIA+ veterans. At the age of 18, he joined the Canadian Navy and served on the HMCS Saskatchewan. A year into his service he was extensively investigated by the Military Police for homosexuality. He was immediately released. Todd struggled after being released and worked numerous jobs to gain new skills. Over time he worked as a senior advisor to the Deputy Premier and Minister of Health in the Province of Ontario and as a senior advisor to the President of the Métis Nation of Ontario, assisting with rights negotiations with Canada. He is currently the Interim Piluwitahasuwin, or Associate Vice President Indigenous Engagement at the University of New Brunswick. In 2016, Todd was one of three lead plaintiffs in a class action lawsuit against the government of Canada on behalf of former civil servants who faced harassment and discrimination as part of Canada’s LGBT Purge. The class action was settled in 2017 and included a formal apology by the government of Canada. As part of the settlement the LGBT Purge Fund was established to oversee memorialization and reconciliation efforts through a $24 million fund. Todd serves as co-chair of that fund and of Rainbow Veterans of Canada. He also serves on the board of the local pride committee and was appointed by the government of Canada as a commissioner to the Roosevelt Campobello International Park. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from York University and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in interdisciplinary studies in Political Science and Sociology from the University of New Brunswick.Todd lives in St Andrews, New Brunswick, Canada with his partner Kirk. |
Show Notes
Season 3, Episode10 Credits
Guest: Todd Ross Host: Liz Cavallaro Host: Bree Fram Audio: Frieda Garcia Show Notes: Alexa Goodrich-Houska |