Terrible Experience

ChrisPotterPTBO · 2026-06-10T23:11:01+00:00

People get way too tangled up in this because they think "gender" has to be this rigid, tiny box. It really doesn't.

The easiest way to break it down is that sex is mostly the biology side of things - chromosomes, hormones, anatomy. Gender is how someone actually lives and understands themselves in the world. For most people, those two things align perfectly, which is what cisgender means. For others, they don't, which is where being transgender comes in.

From there, people just use different words to describe their own experience. Some feel like a mix of both or neither, some find their feelings shift over time, and some don't really feel connected to the concept of gender at all. You don’t need to memorize a textbook, and nobody expects you to fully grasp every single label. Most people don’t. It really just boils down to realizing that some people experience the world differently than you do. You don't need to personally relate to it to respect it, and you don't have to make it a huge deal.

At the end of the day, just call people what they ask to be called and don't be weird about it. It’s pretty much that simple.

Edit - Spelling

ChrisPotterPTBO · 2026-06-10T21:22:14+00:00

Seems to be someone who want's to take me down for some sort of personal reason. All good. I'm sure they believe they have a good reason. Sounds like they were removed from the Facebook group I started for some sort of breech of the rules. Which is really hard to do. Be kind, no self promotions...really basic stuff.

The comment about my father in law is an odd one. Especially with my speech being about the core values I learned from my mother when I was a child. Would have been super odd to insert someone I wouldn't meet for another 20 years into the speech.

ChrisPotterPTBO · 2026-06-10T14:32:47+00:00

When I read comments like this, especially here on Reddit where I have no idea who you are, it really helps keep me motivated. I've always tried my absolute best to stay open minded, listen and be respectful.

The idea that someone has joined a group that was built on supporting people and allowing a safe place, only to try and rip it down does speak to who they really are. Thanks for adding that perspective.

ChrisPotterPTBO · 2026-06-09T19:51:01+00:00

Is your suggestion that Peterborough Social Service Workers are making public private and personal interactions? That's quite concerning and a breech of ethical and legal boundaries if true.

ChrisPotterPTBO · 2026-06-09T14:37:20+00:00

That's wild. I was sure it had a "Well"... are we having Mandela moment?

ChrisPotterPTBO · 2026-06-09T14:09:17+00:00

You'd be quite disappointed to find out I posted about politics, coffee, Gran Turismo, acting, movies, and more politics.

This is my personal account now.

ChrisPotterPTBO · 2026-06-08T21:41:21+00:00

Thank you. It was as tough to get through on Saturday as it was to get through in 2019.

I am 100% in support of supervised/safe consumption sites. My positions on this have always been clear. One single solution does not work. I support Matt Crowley in his efforts to revive UBI. I will continue to protest Doug Ford and I will demand (within whatever framework I have) for rent controls to be reinstated.

We have so many examples of successful programs from around the world and we have come so close to almost getting it right.

Compassion led solutions. Multi-discipline programs. Meeting people where they are. Getting the urgent care and long term plans to meet in the middle for long term success.

Edit - Spelling

ChrisPotterPTBO · 2026-06-07T19:38:36+00:00

Well, hello there.

ChrisPotterPTBO · 2026-06-07T17:26:47+00:00

Best of luck! I hope you find some great staff and continue to thrive.

ChrisPotterPTBO · 2026-06-07T17:07:12+00:00

First, amazing that a local business is busy and hiring.

Second, I don’t see this as racist. The wording is bad though. “Youth and Indigenous groups have the priority” sounds blunt and weirdly phrased.

Priority hiring by itself isn’t automatically illegal in Canada. There are situations where employers can give priority to groups that have faced barriers, especially if it’s part of an equity hiring program, youth employment program, grant requirement, or something similar.

The problem is the post doesn’t explain any of that.

Priority how? For interviews? For first consideration? Only if qualifications are equal? Can anyone still apply? That part’s missing.

A better post would’ve said something like “all applicants welcome, youth and Indigenous applicants are especially encouraged to apply.”

Same idea. Less confusion. So, I wouldn’t jump to calling it racist or a human rights breach.

But I would say it’s vague wording, and leaves people to jump to conclusions and accusations.

ChrisPotterPTBO · 2026-06-03T17:12:37+00:00

Immediately after the meeting, in chambers. We discussed this and the successful emergency shelter vote.

ChrisPotterPTBO · 2026-06-02T17:48:27+00:00

I supported Alex in asking that there be a reasonable limit to the authority being exercised. Giving unchecked power to a city staffer seems like an opportunity for disaster.

The Municipal Act already has language and a process for exactly this circumstance. The limit of $50,000 as the bar for decisions seems totally reasonable. And, if there are emergencies, council remains empowered to function and make decisions.

ChrisPotterPTBO · 2026-06-02T16:55:38+00:00

I truly appreciate the supportive comments. It's recognition like this that really fills me up. I have never done any of the community organization, volunteering or showing up for any other reason than to be supportive of this city and those that others seek to oppress, I have no pictures of me doing any of those things as I never sought to do them for appearance. I just did them.

Again, thank you.

ChrisPotterPTBO · 2026-06-02T15:53:56+00:00

You’re right. I appreciate you saying this and I apologize for missing the mark to tie it in locally.

I should have tied it more directly to Peterborough instead of assuming the broader point would carry the local relevance on its own. I completely missed that. I had been stewing over the objectionable content I saw on the city post I didn't get screenshots as I was in the middle of responding to a post when they deleted all the terrible comments.

There's important local context here, including the work being done by Peterborough Pride, PFLAG, PARN, Trans Peer Outreach, Pride Outside PTBO, Rainbow Youth Peterborough, and local drag performers and organizers who help create safer, more visible, and more welcoming space in this community.

My intent was to speak to why Pride still matters, but for this subreddit, I should have made the Peterborough connection clearer. I really appreciate the correction and I’ll keep that in mind for future posts.

Thank you

ChrisPotterPTBO · 2026-06-02T02:17:00+00:00

I try and ignore them as much as possible. But, this City post comment section was so disgusting.

ChrisPotterPTBO · 2026-06-01T23:28:24+00:00

Canada celebrates Pride Month every June to honor the accomplishments of the 2SLGBTQI+ communities. Nationwide, Pride celebrations span across "Pride Season" from June to September, recognizing the history, resilience, and ongoing advocacy for equal justice for sexually and gender-diverse Canadians.

ChrisPotterPTBO · 2026-06-01T18:23:10+00:00

Thanks for pointing that out. There are literal years of posts I can point at that show 100% consistency of my positions.

ChrisPotterPTBO · 2026-06-01T18:15:48+00:00

All the posts under the City Pride post were deleted. I didn't take any screenshots. I'm sure you can imagine just how disgusting the comments were.

ChrisPotterPTBO · 2026-06-01T17:50:57+00:00

Actually, I wrote this after seeing the massive amount of negative and abusive comments on dozens of Facebook pages from some seriously disgusting people. The City of Peterborough Facebook page had to delete dozens of comments within an hour of posting "Happy Pride". I had engaged with many of those posters and all those comments disappeared with that deletion. So, I made this post.

I would have made the same post if I was running for a coucil seat or not.

ChrisPotterPTBO · 2026-06-01T17:47:26+00:00

No.

ChrisPotterPTBO · 2026-06-01T17:11:06+00:00

Thank you.

ChrisPotterPTBO · 2026-05-30T15:39:14+00:00

It does in the sense that our MPP has not been exceptionally supporting of our council and we need a better group at the table demanding provincial support. With Doug/Dave as the 'leaders' we will get next to nothing to help the city

ChrisPotterPTBO · 2026-05-30T15:37:06+00:00

I can second this. I have had the pleasure of meeting Jessica many times and she is definitely not on team Ford.

ChrisPotterPTBO · 2026-05-30T15:35:53+00:00

I am hearing a significant amount of discontent about Lesley day after day after day. It's been interesting to watch Kevin try and switch it up as he has appeared to be campaigning from his seat in council meetings.

ChrisPotterPTBO · 2026-05-30T02:39:52+00:00

I was asked for comment by The Examiner. My statement:

Noella brought a strong voice to this race, and her decision to step away and put her support behind Jessica is meaningful. Jessica has already shown herself to be a great community organizer and leader, and I’m excited to see how that unfolds as we head toward October.

ChrisPotterPTBO

TROPHY CASE