Students find peace and support through cookie decorating
On Mushy Chenier’s cookie, a broken heart was covered in bright colours. She carefully applied a new layer of icing and took a big bite.
“I made some friends this summer, and they ended up bullying me,” she said, “but now I took my energy back to the right people, like other students in the community, and I feel better and safer now.”
Chenier is a business student at Algonquin College and she was one of the students who joined Pride Week’s Cookie Decorating and Sharing Circle, hosted by the Students’ Association on Sept. 23 in the E-building.
Students from diverse backgrounds walked into a room filled with the scent of icing and the sounds of music. The tables were covered with colourful frosting, shimmering sprinkles and cookies of various shapes.
Students gathered around, carefully decorating their cookies while quietly chatting and bursting into joyful laughter. Everyone was encouraged to share their stories through their cookie designs.
Chenier introduced herself as a queer student with a physical disability. When she first arrived at Algonquin College, she felt lost and often isolated. However, the mentors, staff, and professors at the college have made her feel accepted and supported.
“Now I feel like I have a million friends,” she said. “Even though I know the staff are not my friends, I feel like I can tell them anything.”
Among the students, a figure in a shimmering purple blazer swayed to the music, moving between students and engaging in conversations.
Zak Zinya is a 2SLGBTQ+ member who has worked in social justice for nearly 20 years as a lawyer, life coach and drag king. She was also the main reason Chenier attended the event.
Zinya said she has a clear mission during her appearances.
“It’s part of the work I do to make sure I’m advocating for queer people and ensuring that businesses, communities, workplaces, colleges, and universities are more queer-friendly,” Zinya said.
As a special guest, Zinya has participated in three different 2SLGBTQ+ events hosted by the SA.
Her role extends beyond performing as a drag king. It is dedicated to listening to and addressing the needs of queer students, ensuring they feel safe and accepted on campus.
“People don’t feel safe these days because homophobia is on the rise and affects our daily lives,” she said. “As it starts to trickle down, and then students don’t feel safe.”
Nguyen Thi Thuy Duong, an early childhood education student at Algonquin College, felt a greater sense of acceptance and inclusivity through the Cookie Decorating and Sharing Circle.
“I was a little bit surprised,” she said. “Because in Vietnam, the 2SLGBTQ+ community doesn’t have that kind of resource at school, and we don’t usually talk about them.”
As the event coordinator for the SA, Tatanisha Giggan explained that the cookie decorating process promotes a sense of calmness and focus, while also providing an opportunity for students to openly discuss their lives.
“Sometimes when you get into a new environment, you might get nervous,” she said. “But doing something creative with your hand can kind of cut down some of those barriers.”
Algonquin College and the SA have expanded from a one-day Pride Day event to a week-long celebration starting this year.
Giggan emphasized SA’s commitment to providing ongoing support and resources for 2SLGBTQ+ students, ensuring they feel a sense of belonging and safety on campus.
“We want to make sure that we’re bringing activities throughout the year, throughout the semesters, in the fall, the spring, summer, and winter,” she said. “And then again, make the queer community feel safe and their voice serve.”
