Lyla Miklos is an award winning queer feminist activist, broadcast journalist, community organizer, education worker, publicist, vocalist and writer. Born in Frobisher Bay, Baffin Island, North West Territories (now Iqaluit, Baffin Island, Nunavut), Lyla currently resides in Hamilton, Ontario.
Lyla is a graduate of Mohawk College’s Media Studies program and a Mohawk College Alumni of Distinction. She has been working in the media and communications industry for over two decades. She is the Host and Producer of Centre Stage on INDI 101.5 FM and is the Owner of Lyla-The Publicist. Her wealth of broadcasting experience includes past roles with The Aboriginal Peoples Television Network, Bravo, Cable 14, CHML, Drive-In Classics, Showcase ACTION, Showcase DIVA, SPACE, Vision TV, and Y95.
An accomplished vocalist, Lyla has belted out anthems at sports arenas, recorded in studio with local area musicians, performed numerous musical theatre roles, added her voice to several choirs and shared her unique vocal talents as a soloist in countless venues throughout Southern Ontario. The Hamilton Spectator’s Theatre Critic, Gary Smith, named her one of the Top Theatre Performers of 2014 for her one woman cabaret show, Songs For A 40th Birthday. Lyla’s theatrical talents have been showcased in front of and behind the footlights with The Confidential Musical Theatre Project, Daycar Productions, Drury Lane Theatricals, HammerTheatre, The HamilTEN Festival, Hamilton Theatre Inc., Mixed Theatre, The Peninsula Players, Piccadilly Circus, The Players’ Guild of Hamilton, The Staircase, Stoney Creek Little Theatre, Theatre Ancaster, Theatre Aquarius, and Unveiled Productions.
Lyla has self-identified as a sex positive, queer, feminist, activist for over two decades. She helped create and served as President of Mohawk Pride, Mohawk College’s first official club for Two Spirit & LGBTQIA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, plus) students. She was instrumental in forming the LGBTQ Advisory Committee for the City of Hamilton, later sitting on it as a member and Interim Chair. Lyla was a part of the organizing committee of Hamilton Pride for over a decade, chairing it in 2005 and 2002. She was a support group facilitator for the Toronto Bisexual Network, Bisexual Women of Toronto and the Hamilton Bisexual Network and a volunteer with the Toronto Women’s Bathhouse Committee. Lyla was a co-staff advisor with the HWDSB (Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board) for Parkside High School’s Gay-Straight Alliance Club and Westdale Secondary School’s Positive Space Club. Lyla was a member of the OFL’s (Ontario Federation of Labour) Solidarity and Pride Committee representing OSSTF (Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation) from 2011 to 2014. Lyla was a member of the HWDSB’s Positive Space Committee; a Two Spirit & LGBTQIA+ staff advisory committee.
Lyla has had a varied and diverse career. She has worked for numerous organizations in the public, private and volunteer sectors. Along with her many experiences in media, arts, education and Two Spirit & LGBTQIA+ activism Lyla has also worked in administration, lay chaplaincy, food service, hospitality, retail, finance, customer service, sales, fundraising, manufacturing and event organizing.
Along with the groups already listed above Lyla has volunteered her time as a board or committee member with Arts Hamilton’s Theatre Arts Committee, CHUM Locals Council, CEP Local 723M (Communications Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada), Elect More Women, The First Unitarian Church of Hamilton, HTI (Hamilton Theatre Incorporated), Hamilton Centre Federal NDP Riding Association, Hamilton West Provincial NDP Riding Association, Mohawk College Alumni Association, Mohawk Students’ Association, OSSTF’s (Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation) Equity Advisory Work Group, OSSTF D21 OCTU, Status of Women Advisory Committee for The City of Hamilton, Strengthening Hamilton’s Community Initiative and The Hamilton Independent Media Awards.
Lyla was actively involved for over two decades in Southern Ontario’s science fiction fandom community supporting several fan clubs and conventions including: Ad Astra, Fan Expo, Filk Ontario, Gaylaxicon, Odyssey Trek, Polaris, Toronto Trek, The USS Venture, and Worldcon.
Lyla’s writings have been published in or broadcast on 101.5 FM, Ain’t It Cool News, CBC Radio, CHML, Entertainment Weekly, Fab, The Hamilton Spectator, Hard Core Nerdity, In Touch, Maclean’s, Mayday, The National Post, QueerTelevison, Rabble, Raise The Hammer, The Anvil, The Huffington Post, The Satellite, The Sentinel, Space, TV Guide, View Magazine, Wavelength, and XTRA!
Awards: City of Hamilton Arts Awards – Creator Nominee (2024, 2023 & 2021), Hamilton Spectator’s Readers’ Choice Award – Diamond Level Winner – Public Relations (2023, 2022, 2021, 2020 & 2017), OSSTF D21 – Human Rights Award (2020), OSSTF D21 – Status of Women Award (2019), Hamilton Spectator’s Readers’ Choice Award – Platinum Level Winner – Public Relations (2019), City of Hamilton Arts Awards – Established Artist Nominee – Writing (2020), City of Hamilton Arts Awards – Established Artist Nominee – Arts Management (2019 & 2018), Hamilton Spectator’s Readers’ Choice Award – Gold Level Winner – Public Relations (2018), Hamilton Spectator’s Readers’ Choice Awards Top Ten – Wedding Supplies & Services (2017 & 2018), Hamilton Independent Media Awards – Best Arts & Culture Journalist (2016), Hamilton Spectator’s Readers’ Choice Awards – Gold Medal Winner – Wedding Supplies and Services (2016), Hamilton Spectator’s Readers’ Choice Awards Top Ten – Public Relations (2016 & 2015), HTI – Unique Contribution Award Co-Winner (2014), OSSTF D21 OCTU Award for Meritorious Service (2014), Westdale Idol – 2nd Place (2007), Hamilton Pride Citizen of the Year (2007), HTI – Best Supporting Actress (2005), Hamilton Woman of The Year in Communications (2003), Mohawk College Alumni of Distinction – Creative Arts & Design (2003), Premier’s Award Nominee – Creative Arts & Design (2003), Hamilton Community Foundation Award (1998), Judge William K. Warrender Award (1998), Ontario Student Opportunity Trust Fund Award (1998), Radiocorp Award (1997, 1998), Mohawk College Alumni Association Award (1997), HTI – Best Performance in a Cabaret (1994), Ontario Scholar (1993), Hill Park Secondary School – OAC Art Award (1994), Hill Park Secondary School – Drama Award (1993), Hill Park Secondary School Proficiency Award (1989, 1990 & 1993), Hill Park Secondary School – Laura Miller Public Speaking Awards (1991, 1992 & 1993), Hill Park Secondary School – Sports Team Manager of The Year (1992), City of Hamilton Bronze Medal – Ladies Shot Put (1987) and Cable 14 – Kidz Quiz Finalist (1985).
