Two win 2026 Denise Latulippe Award in Cornwall for 2SLGBTQ+ advocacy

A Mohawk artist and person wishing to remain anonymous received the 2026 Denise Latulippe Awards before Cornwall raised its pride flag.

Article content For the first time since the Denise Latulippe Award was established in 2024, not one, but two recipients were announced in front of Cornwall’s City Hall on Monday before the Pride flag was raised. One individual, who wished to remain anonymous and be referred to as K.S., was honoured with the award. Recommended Videos The award was also bestowed to two-spirit Mohawk artist Kit Thomas.

Through art, drag, and community engagement, Thomas has created spaces that centre on 2SLGBTQ+ communities, encouraging opportunities for reflection and conversation about identity. Thomas has facilitated art and wellness workshops for community members, using Haudenosaunee principles to guide leadership and storytelling. Both K.S. and Thomas received a trophy and $1,000.

They were selected by Le Prix Denise Latulippe Award committee, guided by input from Diversity Cornwall, to receive the accolades because of their exceptional leadership, advocacy, and dedication to advancing the rights, inclusion, and well-being of 2SLGBTQ+ communities. Both recipients’ perseverance through adversity was recognized and commended. The award’s namesake, Denise Latulippe, was a registered nurse who dedicated her life to caring for others.

A graduate of the St. Joseph’s School of Nursing at Cornwall’s Hotel Dieu Hospital in 1961, she was deeply passionate about advancing equality for 2SLGBTQ+ people. She founded a chapter of PFLAG in Cornwall in 1994 and was an active supporter, mobilizer, and spokesperson for the community. Latulippe passed away at age 79 just six weeks after she was honoured with the first award during a Pride flag raising in Russell Township in 2024.

“Her boundless energy, compassion, and unwavering commitment made her one of eastern Ontario’s most respected allies,” said speaker Réjeanne Sylvain. “Her legacy lives on in the countless lives she touched and through this award which continues to recognize those who follow in her footsteps.” Mayor Justin Towndale said he was impressed by the turnout on Monday during the award ceremony and Pride flag raising, and that the large crowd was important to see.

“While we’re here in 2026, and it feels like we’re making progress, we’re not in a lot of places around the world, including south of the border, and in some places in Canada, we’re going backwards. And that’s unfortunate,” said Towndale. “Action is what matters, like painting today.”

Before K.S. and Thomas helped to raise the Pride flag outside of city hall, anyone was welcome to help paint Pride colours around the fountain outside of Cornwall’s Justice Building at 4 p.m. Following the flag raising, guests were welcome to attend a panel discussion at the Cornwall Public Library. The Pride events were hosted leading up to the city’s Pride parade happening at 11 a.m. on Saturday. The parade route starts at the Cornwall Aquatic Centre, goes north on Sydney Street, west on Fifth Street, south on Pitt Street, then east on Water Street back to the aquatic centre.