I’d like to acknowledge use of the following song titles as chapter titles: “The Hockey Song” by Stompin’ Tom Connors; “Working for the Weekend” by Loverboy; “Constant Craving” by k.d. lang; “Underwhelmed” by Sloan; “High for This” by The Weekend; “Lost Together” by Blue Rodeo; “All the Things I Wasn’t” by The Grapes of Wrath; “Brother Down” by Sam Roberts; “Wake Up to the Sun” by Limblifter; “Your Ex-Lover is Dead” by Stars; “Five Days in May” by Blue Rodeo; “This Could be Anywhere in the World” by Alexisonfire; “Sudbury Saturday Night” by Stompin’ Tom Connors; “We’re Here for a Good Time” by Trooper; “Rockin’ in the Free World” by Neil Young; “We’re All in This Together” by Sam Roberts. I’d also like to acknowledge the quote taken from the film The Blues Brothers (1980; written by Dan Aykroyd and John Landis).
My personal thanks go out to Mary-Jo Dingwall for setting me on the writer’s path; to my partner Daniel and his family, whose loving spirit is the spirit of this book; and to the Pride & Prejudice team at Central Toronto Youth Services, for the opportunity to learn and grow in so many ways.
I’d like to express my gratitude to Michael Mirolla at Guernica Editions, for seeing something relevant in this work of fiction and opening the door; to my editor Julie Roorda for her kindness and expertise; and to my book designer David Moratto, for his openness and creativity.
Most importantly, I’d like to thank the queer, trans and two-spirit youth who have guided me over the years, for their courage, their heart, and their truths.