“I’m really passionate about the care we provide to transgender clients,” explains Issy. “I also want to help reduce the harm people experience because of their ethnicity, disability or how they identify. I haven’t personally experienced high levels of violence as an openly queer, non-binary trans person, but I have experienced harm. There are also very real challenges in being a nurse who uses they/them pronouns. I want to be part of change.”
Issy works as a mental health nurse on Lakeview 0 at Providence Care Hospital. It’s a unit focused on rehabilitative mental health and dual diagnosis care. As a full-time nurse on the unit for the past year and a half, Issy brings inclusion into their day-to-day work, using small, visible cues to help create a safer space for clients.
“I wear my pronouns on my badge or lanyard, along with the progress flag, as a signal to clients that I see them, especially those who might use different pronouns than others expect,” says Issy. “Even something small like that can help make it a safer space. It tells people, ‘these are my pronouns, you’re free to share yours too,’ and that’s how you start to build trust.”
Issy says their understanding of their identity began when they first heard someone online describe being non-binary as not male, not female, just a person. That resonated. Growing up in a conservative family, it wasn’t until the COVID-19 pandemic, when they spent more time alone, that they were able to more fully become themselves.
“It was a time full of a lot of introspection, and I started exploring what felt right for me. Over time, I realized I didn’t fit within the male, female binary, and in 2020, that’s when I came out to myself as non-binary. Later, I connected with the term genderqueer and started using they/them pronouns. It wasn’t one moment, more like a gradual understanding of who I am.”
Issy is open to answering questions and helping others learn, but acknowledges those conversations aren’t always easy.
“A client once asked me, ‘What are you? Are you a boy or a girl?’ and my initial reaction was, ‘I’m a nurse,’” they explain. “Then after a beat, I shared that I’m non-binary and use they/them pronouns.”
While those moments can create opportunities for understanding, they also require energy.
“I want to educate and help answer questions, because when you know more and when you know better, you do better,” says Issy. “But it takes a lot of energy to correct people all the time. I have my pronouns on my badge, and if people are trying, that means a lot.”
They also emphasize that not everyone experiences those moments the same way.
“Not everyone has the capacity to just let things go, and for many trans folks, being misgendered can be really harmful. So, if someone responds with anger or frustration, that’s valid too.”
Issy says their team on Lakeview 0 has been incredibly supportive, consistently showing respect and willingness to learn. But there have also been difficult moments.
“There was an incident where a client requested a different nurse because I’m trans, and when that nurse came in, they thought it was me and tried to attack her,” says Issy. “That was probably the most violent, scared-for-my-safety experience I’ve had.”
Experiences like this are part of why Issy continues to focus on creating safer, more inclusive spaces for others, and why opportunities for education and visibility, like Pride Month, matter.
“Having events at Providence Care that celebrate diversity and inclusion highlights the different communities that patients, clients, residents, staff and families are part of and creates visibility. It shows, ‘we appreciate you and want to celebrate you."
![Issy Dunn [left] stands with a volunteer and members of the Inclusion Advisory Council at the Providence Care booth at the 2 Spirit Awareness Day at Lake Ontario Park on June 7, 2026.](https://providencecare.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Pride-Event-June-2-2-Spirit-Event-1024x576.jpg)
The Events Planning Working Group has planned events across Providence Care sites with local performers and community members, bringing music, education and celebration together.
“A lot of the programming we have is interactive — like the song circles. Leaders from those will be guiding songs, so people who attend can participate. I love bringing music into community. It’s about people coming together, celebrating Pride, and just having that visibility across Providence Care.”
For the second year in a row, Providence Care will also be marching in the Kingston Pride Parade.
“I’m really grateful to the people who’ve done the work to have Pride celebrated at a Catholic organization. Being part of that now feels really meaningful.”
While a new member of the Inclusion Advisory Council, Issy’s leadership this year has been a vital part of advancing inclusion across the organization.
By showing up each day as themselves, Issy helps create a space where others can do the same. A space where, no matter who you are, you can feel safe and respected.
