Non-binary Canadian activist reflects on recently travelling through the U.S.: 'I didn't know if I was going to get detained'

Late last month, Gemma Hickey watched from a departure gate window as their luggage boarded a plane without them. Hickey, who is nonbinary and is one of Canada's biggest activists for 2SLGBTQ+ equality, had the sinking gut feeling this was something bigger than a simple airport mix-up.

An airline agent, according to Hickey, "just said, 'Too bad. The gate's closed and you can't get on.' And I said, 'I was here 15 minutes ago. You said I could go to the washroom. The gate is closed? I can see the luggage being loaded on the plane.' He had marked me down as a no-show. He said, 'There's nothing I can do.' Can you believe that?"

To say Hickey is no stranger to travel is an understatement. During the Newfoundland and Labrador-born activist's interview with Yahoo Canada, they're squeezing in a chat on a break during a whirlwind trip to the Philippines. There, Hickey is working with the organization they co-founded, Advocacy for Clergy Trauma Survivors Canada (ACTS Canada). This globe-trekking is simply part of the gig, where Hickey has seen themselves working on everything from aiding survivors of religious abuse globally to helping end Canada's gay blood ban and conversion therapy.

A history of 'incredible' work that inspires other Canadians

The route to the Philippines was circuitous: It started back in 2020, when Hickey was in Rome with fellow survivors of clergy abuse and some survivors of residential schools, including ACTS Canada co-founder Evelyn Korkmaz. "We were being interviewed by reporters from around the world. All the survivors were sitting at a long table … and Gemma was sitting beside me," Korkmaz recalled of that first meeting. "They told their story of their abuse, ... and because they shared their story, I felt guilty of not sharing my personal story. So I shared my story with the group. It was the first time I did it publicly."

These days, Hickey is possibly best known for being one of the first Canadians to have an "X" on their passport, the gender-neutral alternative in the form's sex field that became an option in 2017. After realizing they were nonbinary in their mid-30s, Hickey recalled not wanting to change their first name. "And then I said, 'I'm going to change the law instead.' At that time, there had been talks about gender and transgender people and nonbinary people, but nothing done about it legally. I thought, 'I'm going to do something about that,' because there's more than two genders."

Having passports include this additional option nearly eight years ago was a seismic, systemic win for gender nonconforming people. Hickey became "Canada's Harvey Milk," according to fellow Newfoundland queer activist Greg Smith: "I remember growing up and not even knowing that I was queer, but knowing I was different. And seeing Gemma on the television, whether it was [advocating] for same sex marriage, or when Gemma ran previously in provincial election, and being so authentically them and being so vocal and taking up space and it inspired me."

Eventually, Hickey and Smith would both end up working to end the ban on blood donations from gay men in Canada, a victory won in 2022. "The incredible part about Gemma's work is that it's happening on the front lines — and that's where real change actually happens," Smith added.

Uncertainty in the U.S. as part of the 2SLGBTQ+ community

That change also happens in day-to-day spaces, like in an airport concourse with a newly-topical passport. It's a document that felt hot in Hickey's palm in late January when they stood at the departure gate in Seattle on their way to the Philippines. It was two days after U.S. President Donald Trump gave an executive order that only recognized two sexes, effectively saying nonbinary and trans identities will no longer be considered federally.

"My mother begged me not to go on this trip," Hickey explained, "because I had to go through the U.S., right? But I just told her, 'I've got to go because other people can't go. If we stop going, doing, being, trying, then we won't move forward.'"

Precautions had been put in place before Hickey set out for their multi-flight voyage: They had contacted embassies in advance and had shared their travel plan with allies on the ground at their destination. These are safety measures Hickey urges any nonbinary or trans people travelling right now to take.

But all that foresight didn't stop Hickey from sitting in limbo at the airport. "No one knew what was going to happen," they added. "Everything was so new. I didn't know if I was going to get detained. I didn't know if I was going to get sent back home. I didn't know anything; no one knew anything. So there was really nothing we could do except try."

Going through customs in Toronto came with a "different feeling," Hickey continued. They said the American customs agents asked more questions, required them to take some photos and asked them to pronounce their name. "There was definitely a different feel than what I experienced before — even going into other countries. I never thought I had to worry about this going into the U.S., but here we are."

Trump isn't the only politician who's recently made headlines for their comments surrounding gender. On Jan. 22, Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre responded to questions about Trump’s order in terms of Canadian passports. "I'm not aware of any other genders than man and woman," the politician noted.

2SLGBTQ+ activists and community members across the country feared this might be a sign that Poilievre did not have their interests or safety in mind. "Our community is being targeted, and not just in the U.S. — here in Canada," Hickey added.

Before they flew back to Canada, which had them pass through the U.S. again, Hickey was both direct and philosophical: "I do fear for the worst. And at the same time, I hope for the best. I'm going to do what I can to ensure that the rights of my community are protected in whatever way I can, and I'll continue to do that regardless of the risk — no question."

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