June is Pride Month and U of G is supporting and celebrating the LGBTQ2SIA+ community!
“To me, Pride Month is a chance to reflect on our history, to honour and celebrate our identities and to remind people that we are here, we are worthy and we are in these bodies all year long,” says Kyle Weitz, sexual and gender diversity advisor in Student Experience.
The month kicks off Wednesday, June 1 when U of G raises the Pride flag outside the University Centre. Join us at 10:30 a.m. and show your support.
If you’re attending the Pride Parade in Toronto, watch for members of OVC Pride, Weitz and other supporters as they represent U of G!
U of G resources
The University of Guelph offers numerous supports for students who are part of the LGBTQ2SIA+ community.
- The Department of Student Experience provides:
- LGBTQ2SIA+ programming
- Resources for support in changing your name, finding inclusive housing, and wellness services tailored to the specific needs of the LGBTQ2SIA+ community
- OUTline online chat to connect with trained volunteers in a discreet, confidential and private online environment
- Guelph Queer Equality (GQE) special status group for students
- Student Wellness on Instagram (@wellness_uofg) for posts about queer identities and bodies, safe sex and safe celebrations.
Representation Matters media collection
The McLaughlin Library, in partnership with the Sexuality and Gender Diversity office, has created a Pride Month collection focused on positive LGBTQ2SIA+ representation in the media. The Pride 2022: Representation Matters collection offers a series of books and videos with positive portrayals of LGBTQ2SIA+ lives, characters and experiences. The collection is based on a project by undergrad Tess Vardy that rates the quality of LGBTQ2SIA+ representation in popular media. Vardy’s goal with the project was to help students find stories about queer experiences that are positive and affirming.
Positive Space training
This June, take steps to become an LGBTQ2SIA+ ally by completing U of G’s Positive Space Training program, offered online through the Office of Diversity and Human Rights. Available on CourseLink to all students, faculty and staff, this training aims to increase awareness of LGBTQ2SIA+ issues on campus, and transform U of G into a more welcoming environment for LGBTQ2SIA+ faculty, staff and students.
Events in the community
U of G is a proud supporter of Guelph Pride, an annual series of events in the City of Guelph to celebrate Pride Month. Learn more about planned events running June 10 to 19 on the Guelph Pride website. GQE is hosting a Starry Night Queer Prom June 16!
By creating a welcoming and safe space to learn, work and live we improve life for everyone. #HappyPride!
