Pride Month

Pride month is a celebration of the diversity of the 2SLGBTQ+ communities within Canada and internationally. It is also an acknowledgement of the history and continued recognition of the achievements of 2SLGBTQ+ communities. But it is also the realization that the work must continue to fight for gay and trans rights.

Did you know that the very first pride parade was held in Toronto nearly three years after the stonewall riots in New York? This event marked a historic moment for the fight for equality for the 2SLGBTQ+ communities.

The University of Lethbridge, as part of its continued work to create safe, inclusive, and equitable campus for all students, staff, faculty and community will be doing its part as an institution to recognize the importance, not only of this month, but as a campus community. It is also about creating spaces for brave conversations to discuss and address the systemic inequities that impact the lives of the ULethbridge 2SLGBTQ+ campus community.

Doing the work to make our campus inclusive and better for all starts by calling out behaviours and becoming active allies. Please join the campus community by address the raising of the Progress Pride Flag on Tuesday, June 18 at 11 a.m.

To learn more about the campus resources, please visit this website.

Two-Spirit • Lesbian • Gay • Bisexual • Transgender • Queer or Questioning • The many other diverse genders and sexual identities of queer and trans individuals + Allies

Ally is not included in the 2SLGBTQ+ acronym, as an ally is not an identity, but an action. While it can make allies feel more included, ally is a quality that is chosen and can be as visible or invisible as desired. An ally supports 2SLGBTQ+ people and communities and educates themselves about the inequities faced by queer and trans communities. Allies speak out about these inequities and advocates for change at structural and individual levels.

Allies do not face the same systemic and structural inequities that trans and queer communities do. Allies have the privilege and power to uplift and support 2SLGBTQ+ initiatives but must do so in a way that centres 2SLGBTQ+ communities and does not impose further violence on them. 2SLGBTQ+ spaces are meant to be safe and supportive for individuals, and allies must be mindful of this when interacting with this space.

The term ally is an active verb, rather than an identity to foster good feelings within oneself without doing the associated work of allyship. Being an ally is not meant to be easy or superficial; it involves deep, difficult and ongoing meaningful engagement with 2SLGBTQ+ communities.

It is important that 2SLGBTQ+ communities see physical signs or symbols that let them know a place is safe. Using pride flags or buttons or posters in spaces can indicate this, but it important to recognize that displaying these symbols also comes with responsibility and commitment. Use language and behaviours to affirm a person’s identity and autonomy. It is also vital that we accompany these visible symbols with visible actions, such as utilizing best practices to ensure 2SLGBTQ+ students feel welcome, included and safe on campus and that their voices are heard on the issues that impact them.

One way that staff and faculty can engage in this work is to ensure that we are using the correct name for our students. This includes learning where to find a student’s “preferred” name if they have elected to chose one for our class lists, emails, and conversations. We can also help students who wish to be addressed by a name that is not their legal name locate information on how to legally change their name or register a chosen or “preferred” name. By prioritizing using the correct name and pronouns for our students and staff, we can take important steps towards a more inclusive and welcoming campus.

Everyone uses pronouns, it is not limited to trans folks! Pronouns are how we refer to one another when we are not using a name, such as she/her or he/him. Having an awareness that some individuals utilize different pronouns than we are used to (such as they/them or

they/she) or that we cannot assume someone’s pronouns based on physical appearance are ways we can help foster inclusive spaces for queer and transgender students and staff.

As allies, we can share our pronouns (such as in our lectures, email signatures and Zoom nametags) to normalize the practice of sharing and asking for pronouns to foster inclusive spaces and conversations. Using pronouns is a way of respecting and honoring an individual’s identity. Pronouns could be gender-specific or gender-neutral. If you are not sure what are someone's pronouns always start the conversation by introducing your own. Remember, no one has to share their pronouns.

Sample nametag with gender pronouns:

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