'Island boy and hot girl': McMaster valedictorian speaks on homophobia and how to be authentic

From a very young age, Shawn Hercules knew he was “different.” He also knew that he wanted to “impact populations” and “work with underrepresented groups … and people who are not able to advocate for themselves.” 

Hercules — a postdoctoral researcher at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, developing novel prevention tools for women at high risk for breast cancer — says he is all about being authentic and wants to encourage others, especially young people, to be the same.

In addition to being a scientist, Hercules, 31, who identifies with he/they pronouns, says he’s “an island boy and hot girl.” 

“Island boy, [because I was] brought up in the island