diversity

My stunning friend, Elise, walked in an exclusive for Rudsak. Bringing it for the redheads! (Edward James via Getty Images)

As always, I am impressed when I see gorgeous diversity on the runways. It makes me feel like fashion is finally listening. So, yes, there were waifish, glam skeletors, but there were also toned, lithe, curvy, quirky and interesting faces of all ages, races and backgrounds. While I grew up always wanting to emulate the Kate Moss-types, I feel really thrilled that the clothes hangers are starting to look more like a well-edited version of our sidewalks. I’m happy to have gotten to a place where I feel great in my skin and confident in my fashion choices, regardless of what my scale says. On with the parade.

Rudsak fashion show at David Pecaut Square on March 17, 2016 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Edward James/FilmMagic)

Rep-ping the National Ballet of Canada, at the Farley Chatto 2016 collection during Toronto Fashion Week Fall 2016 at David Pecaut Square on March 17, 2016 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by George Pimentel/Getty Images for IMG)

One of our homegrown iconic faces. Courtesy of Huff. Post: Stacie McKenzie walks the runway wearing Farley Chatto 2016 collection during Toronto Fashion Week Fall 2016 at David Pecaut Square on March 17, 2016 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by George Pimentel/Getty Images for IMG)

Farley Chatto 2016 collection during Toronto Fashion Week Fall 2016 at David Pecaut Square on March 17, 2016 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by George Pimentel/Getty Images for IMG) – Silver Fox!!!

Hayley Elsaesser fashion show at David Pecaut Square on March 17, 2016 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Edward James/FilmMagic)

MARCH 17: Models walk the runway wearing Triarchy 2016 collection during Toronto Fashion Week Fall 2016 at David Pecaut Square on March 17, 2016 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by George Pimentel/Getty Images for IMG)

The bridal look from the Farley Chatto 2016 collection during Toronto Fashion Week Fall 2016 at David Pecaut Square on March 17, 2016 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by George Pimentel/Getty Images for IMG)

2016 collection during Toronto Fashion Week Fall 2016 at David Pecaut Square on March 17, 2016 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by George Pimentel/Getty Images for IMG)

TORONTO, ON – MARCH 17: Designers Luca Daniel, Mario Christian and Heng Tang present their 2016 collection during Toronto Fashion Week Fall 2016 at David Pecaut Square on March 17, 2016 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by George Pimentel/Getty Images for IMG)

Detail.

Hilary Macmillan 2016 collection during Toronto Fashion Week Fall 2016 at David Pecaut Square on March 16, 2016 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by George Pimentel/Getty Images for IMG)

Helder Diego fashion show at David Pecaut Square on March 16, 2016 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Edward James/FilmMagic)

A model walks the runway during the Mackage fashion show at CBC Studios on March 16, 2016 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Edward James/FilmMagic)

Unttld fashion show at David Pecaut Square on March 15, 2016 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Edward James/FilmMagic)

model walks the runway during the Malorie Urbanovitch fashion show at David Pecaut Square on March 15, 2016 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Edward James/FilmMagic)

Sosken Studios X Marisa Minicucci 2016 collection during Toronto Fashion Week Fall 2016 at David Pecaut Square on March 15, 2016 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by George Pimentel/Getty Images for IMG)

Designer Ellie Mae walks the runway during the Ellie Mae fashion show at David Pecaut Square on March 15, 2016 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Edward James/FilmMagic)

Designer Sid Neigum presents his 2016 collection during Toronto Fashion Week Fall 2016 at David Pecaut Square on March 14, 2016 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by George Pimentel/Getty Images for IMG)

Narces 2016 collection during Toronto Fashion Week Fall 2016 at David Pecaut Square on March 14, 2016 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by George Pimentel/Getty Images for IMG)

Christopher Paunil fashion show at David Pecaut Square on March 14, 2016 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Edward James/FilmMagic)

Mikhael Kale featuring Neenyo Fall 2016 collection during Toronto Fashion Week Fall 2016 at David Pecaut Square on March 14, 2016 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by George Pimentel/Getty Images for IMG)

At Bustle, these two cuties sure know how to hustle. I couldn’t help it, they’re so adorable. Models walk the runway wearing Bustle 2016 collection during Toronto Fashion Week Fall 2016 at David Pecaut Square on March 15, 2016 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by George Pimentel/Getty Images for IMG)

I never send out ‘Like’ requests, but this is something I feel passionate about. Ontario’s government wants to update their antiquated Health and Sex Ed Curriculum. This is a VERY good thing. However, many parents are protesting, due to religious views, concern for age appropriateness, or general discomfort with schools teaching their kids about things like ‘gasp!’ CONSENT, DIVERSE IDENTITIES AND SEXUALITY, SAFER SEX PRACTICES, and GENDER IDENTITY. If you live in a country where diversity is protected, that means you don’t get to erase us, marginalize us and pretend we don’t exist when you teach children about their bodies and their relationships. Your child is who they are and pretending people like me don’t exist won’t ‘protect’ or ‘prevent’ your child from becoming a queer person, a gay person, a trans person. We already ARE these people. Discussing a variety of identities builds respect. The only thing these conversations change is how people are treated and what kind of future kids have. Including informed, balanced education on these topics will prevent generations of children from facing voicelessness, ignorance, discrimination and the gross, misinformed views that have hurt, not helped, diverse people. We should strive to create a society where no child is afraid to tell the people they love who they are, and where (more generally) sexual violence, abuse and pressure to conform, which create dangerous situations for young people, are replaced by support, confidence, informed choices and respect between consenting individuals. If you can’t get behind a less homophobic, transphobic society, at least (I would assume) you are in support of a less rape-y one. This is crucial in a world where violence, assault, exploitation and pressures of all kinds exist for people of all ages. Pretending sex doesn’t exist in our world creates easy targets with few support systems. Talking about sexuality, consent and identity can help to raise critical thinkers who make choices that positively impact youth, their relationships and, ultimately, their communities.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/People-for-Ontarios-Sex-Ed-Curriculum/108307772833627?notif_t=fbpage_fan_invite

StyleSaVie

Life lived beautifully.

Toronto Fashion Week – In Review

Sex Education: Proactive Ed for A Healthier, Happier Society