Bill 7 award supports academic journey for 2SLGBTQ+ students
Jeanne Bilap-Nsegbe, a first-year biomedical science student, at the Bill 7 Award event, with a community of 2SLGBTQ+ students supported by Ontario's largest and oldest scholarship for undergraduates.
On November 4, seven Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) students received the Bill 7 Award, a scholarship for 2SLGBTQ+ students in Ontario. The award helps ease their financial burden and supports their pursuit of post-secondary education. Since 1987, the Bill 7 Award has distributed over $400,000 to more than 150 students, helping them pursue their first degree or diploma.
Named after the 1986 Ontario Human Rights Code amendment that included sexual orientation as a protected ground, the Bill 7 Award plays a key role in helping 2SLGBTQ+ students reach their full potential.
TMT connected with two of the recipients, Finch Assadoullaev and Jeanne Bilap-Nsegbe, to learn how the scholarship has empowered them. Their achievements reflect growing support for 2SLGBTQ+ students at TMU.
Bill 7 Award recipient Finch Assadoullaev, a fourth-year student in new media, is inspired to elevate their educational, personal and creative endeavours, drawing support from both peers and past generations of 2SLGBTQ+ individuals.
Finch Assadoullaev
Fourth-year, New Media, The Creative School
Why did you apply for the Bill 7 Award?
I had known about the Bill 7 Award for a while, but it wasn’t until my final year that I decided to apply. It felt like the right time—not just for financial relief, but as a way to celebrate myself, my identity and my community. As I enter my final year of study, the weight of financial pressures felt even more intense, especially with personal challenges like my family being displaced. Applying for the award gave me the chance to ease that burden and focus more on my academic, personal and artistic endeavours. Thankfully, it all worked out!
What does receiving the award mean to you, and how does it empower you?
Receiving the Bill 7 Award felt like a beacon of hope, especially with the recent setbacks facing queer identities. The award ceremony, surrounded by fellow 2SLGBTQ+ youth and a community of queer elders, was incredibly moving. The presence of these elders, who have paved the way for us, was a profoundly impactful experience. It was powerful to see not only that they had achieved success and happiness, but also that the youth today have their unwavering support. Hearing their stories and encouragement was deeply inspiring.
Biomedical student Jeanne Bilap-Nsegbe encourages 2SLGBTQ+ students to embrace their identities and contribute to the strength of the community.
Jeanne Bilap-Nsegbe
First-year, Biomedical Science, Faculty of Science
Why did you apply for the Bill 7 Award?
As a refugee claimant, I’m considered an international student, which means I don’t qualify for financial aid such as OSAP. Most Ontario universities, except TMU and York, require refugees to pay international student fees, which is challenging. I've funded my education by myself while being raised by a single mother who has financially supported both of us. Scholarships like the Bill 7 Award help ease the stress we face.
The Bill 7 Award ceremony also made me realize how important community and representation are in my life. I wanted to connect with others and explore the opportunities available to me. I have always sought spaces where my full identity is recognized and it was delightful to see that other recipients shared this goal.
What does receiving the award mean to you, and how does it empower you?
As a Black and queer youth, advocacy and representation are key to my identity and academic pursuits. The Bill 7 Award has motivated me to give back to my communities and pursue my dreams. It has also made attending university possible, as I’ve faced many barriers in trying to complete my degree due to immigration and financial issues.
The award has empowered me in ways I didn’t expect. Hearing inspiring stories at the ceremony and connecting with like-minded individuals gave me a renewed sense of purpose and belonging. I spoke in my recipient’s speech about the beauty of feeling supported. It reminded me that being true to myself—my identity, dreams and goals should be celebrated, not hidden. For me, this award is a chance to break down barriers, uplift others and make a real difference. That’s what it means to me.
Bridging the gap
Despite progress since the 1990s, 2SLGBTQ+ students continue to face challenges that can disrupt their education. Michael Turco, co-chair of the TMU Positive Space committee, and manager of operations, administration and equity at TMU’s School of Journalism, has long been committed to advocating for social justice and creating an inclusive environment for 2SLGBTQ+ individuals. As a trustee of the Bill 7 Awards and co-chair of the Positive Space 2SLGBTQ+ Faculty and Staff Network, Turco sees firsthand the impact of the scholarships.
"As an undergraduate student in the early 2000s, I received a similar scholarship for queer students doing community work," says Turco. “As a self-supporting, working-class student in university from age 16, that scholarship was critical to completing my degree and laid the foundation for my future success.
"Access to higher education is one of the most transformative ways a young person can take control of their future. Queer and trans youth continue to face violence, bullying and discrimination in schools and in their families. Bill 7 awardees demonstrate a need for support as well as strong achievements in academics, community organizing, part-time work and athletics,” Turco says.
Vice-President, Equity and Community Inclusion Tanya (Toni) De Mello highlights the Bill 7 Award's role in supporting 2SLGBTQ+ students facing financial and social barriers. “For 2SLGBTQ+ students with less family support or those living in unstable conditions can make it difficult to navigate the demands of attending university. The Bill 7 Award helps bridge these gaps, providing financial support that allows students to focus on their academic goals,” says De Mello.
De Mello adds, “With the significant rise in anti-2SLGBTQ+ sentiment and actions both in the broader public and in legislated activities, this award is crucial for increasing access to education and supporting the intersectional identities of queer students.
“At TMU, 2SLGBTQ+ undergraduate students now make up 10 per cent of the population and graduate students 12 per cent, underscoring the importance of fostering an inclusive and equitable environment. I am heartened and motivated by the dedication across TMU to reduce barriers so all students, regardless of their identity, can thrive.”
Save the date
Applications for the Bill 7 Award will open in May 2025. 2SLGBTQ+ students are encouraged to apply and be part of this important legacy of support. To learn more, visit the Bill 7 Awards website (external link) .