Fae Johnstone is a trailblazing trans woman, small business owner and a leading voice on queer and trans rights in Canada. For 10 years, she has challenged Canadian governments to advance systemic change for 2SLGBTQ+ communities. She is an organiser, writer and frequent media spokesperson on queer issues.
Fae is the Executive Director of Wisdom2Action, a consulting firm that works with nonprofit, public and private sectors on queer inclusion, community engagement and organisational development. She is the President of the Society of Queer Momentum – a 2SLGBTQIA+ advocacy nonprofit challenging rising hate and stagnating government action on queer issues. She is the first trans woman to serve on the boards of directors of YWCA Canada and Oxfam Canada.
For her advocacy and visibility as a trans woman, Fae has been targeted by far right and anti-trans movements across North America. In March 2023, Fae was included in a Hershey’s Canada International Women’s Day ad initiative which spawned an international boycott campaign against Hersheys, and a tsunami of hate directed Fae’s way from far right figureheads and media around the world.
Fae has been named an “Emerging Social Impact Leader” by The Peak, a “Top 30 Social Purpose Newsmaker” by Future of Good, “One of Ten Spectacular Canadian Women to Watch” by Notable Life, and was the 2016 recipient of LGBT YouthLine’s Trans Activist Award.