June is Pride Month, an annual celebration and opportunity to honour and recognize the LGBTQ2IA+ community. This year, U of G will fly the Pride flag from June 1 to 30.
LGBTQ2IA+ represents lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, two-spirit, intersex, asexual and many other identities that fall outside of heterosexual and cisgender paradigms.
“Celebrating Pride is about recognizing the importance of love, acceptance, perseverance and inclusion,” says Indira Naidoo-Harris, AVP of Diversity and Human Rights. “As we celebrate Pride this year, let’s commit to working hard to ensure the LGBTQ2IA+ community can live without fear of violence, hatred or persecution.”
Read the full statement on the Diversity and Human Rights website.
U of G has planned a variety of programs and resources available to help celebrate the month and support our community.
“I encourage everyone to get creative this Pride Month,” says sexual and gender diversity advisor Jarred Sanchez-Cacnio. “Even if we can’t be together, Pride is still happening! I hope you will find your own virtual ways to celebrate.”
Pride Month Events
Celebrate on social
Check out the Student Experience Instagram account (@uofgstudentexp) throughout June for ways you can celebrate Pride Month with U of G. On the U of G (@uofg) Twitter account, read stories featuring LGBTQ2IA+ members of the U of G community and ways U of G is fostering inclusion.
Pride Month Collection: Queer Bodies
To celebrate Pride 2021, the library has developed an online collection that focuses on queer bodies. It includes over 30 books written by or about queer people and recognizes queerness as it’s enacted through the body.
SHINE for LGBTQ2IA+ students
Sessions start June 1
SHINE is a seven-session workshop series that concentrates on building well-being skills while creating a community of like-minded people. Sessions cover topics that include mindfulness, gratitude, optimism, self-compassion and effective stress management strategies. Participants from previous sessions described SHINE as an incredibly safe space to be themselves, learn and grow.
LGBTQ2IA+ Identity and Employment Workshop for Students
June 10, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
This workshop hosted by U of G’s Experiential Learning Hub and Student Experience department will provide an overview of employment issues as they relate to LGBTQ2IA+ students. Learn about employment rights, harassment and discrimination, disclosure of identity, responding to inappropriate interview questions and more.
Guelph Pride
June 4 to 13
The annual Spring Pride Festival from Guelph Pride runs June 4 to 13. Check out online events happening all week.
Positive Space Training
Later this month on CourseLink
The Positive Space Training module is designed to increase faculty and staff’s awareness of LGBTQ2IA+ issues on campus and in the community, and to develop their skills and confidence in working with LGBTQ2IA+ individuals. All faculty and staff are encouraged to complete the training module when it becomes available later this month. Help make our University a safer and more positive space for all those who work and learn here.
LGBTQ2IA+ Student Experiences in the Pandemic Panel
June 29 from 7 to 8 p.m.
In this panel discussion, we elevate the voices and experiences of LGBTQ2IA+ students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Panelists will share their experiences and expertise on the unique challenges this community has faced during – and as a result of – the pandemic. They will offer ideas and strategies on ways that LGBTQ2IA+ students can navigate and manage these complexities.
Registration is required to attend, please complete the registration form prior to the event.
Diverse and Converse BIPOC Pride panel
Check back for date and time
U of G grad Kween will speak with Sanchez-Cacnio about issues facing the LGBTQ2IA+ BIPOC community.
Resources and Community
For more information on resources to support our community, visit U of G’s LGBTQ2IA+ Campus and Community Resources webpage. The page includes student clubs and organizations, on-campus resources to support the LGBTQ2IA+ community and address their concerns, and links to organizations in the Guelph community.