Meet Pepper: A Voice for Trans Refugees

International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia

Meet Pepper, Programming Supervisor at Homes First

By Ana Cisneros, DEI Supervisor | Homes First Society

Pepper is a non-binary Trans person originally from Mexico City, where they worked as an opera singer and performance artist. During the pandemic, after returning to their hometown, Pepper survived a brutal homophobic attack—an incident widely reported in national media. Following the attack, a representative from the Canadian government offered them protection. In November 2021, Pepper migrated to Canada and applied for refugee status, beginning a challenging journey shaped by trauma, language barriers, and the need to rebuild from scratch.

“I am a survivor of hate. In Latin America, terrible things are happening. These acts of violence are not just statistics—they’re personal. I carry this trauma, and I carry the memory of friends lost,” Pepper shares.

They speak about the brutal murder of Sara Miley, a Trans woman in Colombia whose death was livestreamed earlier this year—an act of extreme violence that resurfaced painful memories of their own experience.

Pepper also mourns the assassination of Judge Jesús Ociel Baena—Mexico’s first openly non-binary political figure—and their partner. Jesús was more than a symbol of progress for Mexico’s LGBTQ+ community; they were Pepper’s friend and supporter during the migration process.

After arriving in Canada, Pepper joined programs at The 519, completed peer support training, and found their path in community service. Today, Pepper is the Programming Supervisor at Homes First’s Delta Hotel Shelter Program, where they support residents with dignity and care. Working openly as a Trans person has been both healing and empowering, even as subtle microaggressions persist. Still, they describe feeling supported and welcomed at Homes First.

In a proud milestone, Pepper was recently named Trans Ambassador of Pride Toronto 2025. In this role, they will attend events, speak publicly, and advocate for non-binary visibility—particularly in a time of rising anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric worldwide, including under political figures like Donald Trump.

Outside of work, Pepper enjoys dancing, video games, movies, and spending time with close friends. Looking ahead, they dream of founding an organization to support Trans individuals in their community, although financial barriers remain a challenge. They also plan to travel to Turkey for a hair restoration procedure—a personal goal they’ve long held.