"I am happy to announce that I will be receiving the Meritorious Service Medal (MSM) from the Governor General of Canada for founding Sher Vancouver," said founder Alex Sangha in a press release to media. "I am happy to receive this honour that recognizes a deed or an activity that has been performed in a highly professional manner, or according to a very high standard: often innovative, this deed or activity sets an example for others to follow, improves the quality of life of a community and brings benefit or honour to Canada," Sangha added.

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SURREY – The founder of the first Gay Indo-Canadian group in the lower mainland has been awarded the Governor General's Medal.

"I am happy to announce that I will be receiving the Meritorious Service Medal (MSM) from the Governor General of Canada for founding Sher Vancouver," said founder Alex Sangha in a press release to media.

"I am happy to receive this honour that recognizes a deed or an activity that has been performed in a highly professional manner, or according to a very high standard: often innovative, this deed or activity sets an example for others to follow, improves the quality of life of a community and brings benefit or honour to Canada," Sangha added.

Sangha said Sher Vancouver has always been a collective effort over the last ten years and he acknowledged a number of people for the group's success.

"I would like to thank members of the Sher Vancouver Board of Directors – Ash Brar, Josh Soronow, Kayden Bhangu, and Alvaro Garcia, as well as our many supporters, members, and volunteers," said Sangha, who was awarded the Extraordinary Achievements Award by Darpan Magazine.

"I would like to thank Charan Gill who is the Founder of the Progressive Intercultural Community Services (PICS) Society and who supported Sher Vancouver since its onset. I would also like to thank Pall Singh Beesla for inviting Sher to the Vancouver Vaisakhi Parade in 2017."

 The young activist, who writes many Op-Ed pieces in local newspapers as well as on social media, dedicate the medal to his mother Jaspal Kaur Sangha who raised Sangha and his two brothers largely as a single parent.

He said he is hoping this recognition will provide him and his group with a platform to continue to advocate for LGBTQ people around the world who are victims of abuse, discrimination, oppression, and even torture and death.

LGBTQ people are very vulnerable as sexual and gender minorities.  Despite our contributions to humanity throughout history, LGBTQ people are still at-risk of being targeted and rejected and shamed for being who they are.  They are essentially persecuted for being true to themselves and living a life that is natural to them.

 "Someone once said a society is judged by how it treats its most marginalized members.  Many of us are different and unique in some way.  We all need to stick together and support each other and defend ourselves from the forces of ignorance, fear, and hatred," Sangha said.

 "Let us all celebrate the diversity and differences that make up our communities and country.

"Thank you to the Governor General for this recognition and God bless Canada and fellow Canadians for the opportunities you have provided me and my family. In Pride and In Gratitude."