In telling the tale of Dianna Boileau, who grew up in Fort Frances and was the first person in Canada to receive gender-affirming surgery in 1970, the Ontario Historical Society has recognized the role of Borderland Pride.
Dr. Harold Challis provided gender-affirming care to her for the first time when she was a girl in Fort Frances.
For the installation of an Ontario Heritage Trust Plaque and a number of exhibition events honoring Boileau’s historic significance, Borderland Pride was awarded the 2022–2023 Russell K. Cooper Public Programming Award.
The Russell K. Cooper Public Programming Award honors efforts that have increased public awareness of a historical aspect of Ontario over the past three years.
The historical society stated in a press release that “Dianna’s groundbreaking autobiography (‘Behold, I Am A Woman’) provided the public face for transition when few existed.” She raised awareness of transgender rights and the journey of transition through her bravery and visibility.
A limited-series radio show called ‘Behold Dianna,’ created by Borderland Pride for the 2021 Transgender Day of Visibility, is also part of the program.
