CORBIN ELLIOT (he/him) is an emerging queer artist from North Bay. He completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts with Honours at Nipissing University (2022) and an internship as an assistant curator and an artist residency at the WKP Kennedy Gallery. Elliot explores curation alongside a concerned for gender, sexuality, human connection and relationship.

EMILY GROOT (she/her) Emily is a public health physician, born and raised in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario on the territory of Garden River and Batchewana First Nations. She now lives with her family in Sudbury, Ontario.

SAMSON BUSCH (he/him) is a queer transman who has been transitioning for 11 years. He currently lives in Thunder Bay, ON with his wonderful partner. Samson's artwork is drawn towards themes of pride, gender identity, drag, sexuality and femininity. You can find more artwork and information at: samsonbusch.com

TAJ BEAR (he/him) Taj Bear is a two-spirit multidisciplinary artist from Northern Ontario. Their work explores the nuance of Spirit and psyche from a queer, indigenous perspective. Through their dark night of the soul, "Taj" was created - embodying the union of feminine and masculine as an artform. "Who am I in the Silence?" speaks of the path to individuation in a period of great confusion. It's the un-meddling of external influence, choosing our own voice over those who call us further into the labyrinth. Ultimately, Taj's art is the transmutation of density into a breath of fresh air, and sharing the process along the way. Instagram: @taj.lilbear

VANESSA N. (she/her) Vanessa was born and raised in Thunder Bay, Ontario. She has a master degree in public health and is passionate about food security and sustainable agriculture. In her free time, you can catch Vanessa cooking new recipes or watching Survivor.

H. OMER FOURNIER (he/him) is a queer, transman born and raised in Sudbury, Ontario. He has often used poetry as a way to process and express his thoughts and feelings and is excited to have the opportunity to share "Coming Out", and "We Are Here" with the Northern Ontario Connection community.

ASPEN GROOM (they/them) Aspen is a queer and trans person,advocate, sexual health educator, and aspiring artist living in northern Ontario. They have been coordinating the creation of Test Life Real and provided the design for this issue.