Happy Pride Month!
Pride Month is a time to celebrate identity, honour resilience, and take action to defend the rights of people who are 2S/LGBTQIA+ (Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and/or Questioning, Intersex, Asexual). This month is a reminder that everyone deserves to be seen, safe, and supported for who they are.
Pride Month began in 1970, commemorating the one-year anniversary of the Stonewall Inn Riots, which took place in 1969 in New York City. That first march was peaceful and without dress restrictions, allowing people to express themselves and their sexuality freely. In Canada, the first Pride demonstrations were held in Ottawa and Vancouver in 1971.
In our school district, we’re proud to support SOGI-inclusive education and to uphold our commitment to "ensuring a safe, inclusive, equitable, and welcoming environment for all members of the school community, regardless of real or perceived sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions" (Administrative Procedure 176).
Understanding what SOGI-inclusive education is and isn’t — is crucial. Research published in the fall of 2024, based on over a decade of studies, confirms SOGI 123's benefits for all students, not just a specific group. It fosters safety and belonging while reducing bullying, including among heterosexual students, creating a school environment where all students feel safe being themselves.
Throughout June, schools across the district will celebrate Pride Month in creative and engaging ways, giving students opportunities to express themselves, learn, and connect. GSA (Gender & Sexuality Alliance) kicked off the Pride season with a celebratory picnic and will go on to host lunchtime activities at their individual schools. Some activities include creating a collaborative rainbow collage, writing messages of pride and allyship, making rainbow bead bracelets, and colouring pages that highlight queer history and affirming messages.
Schools will also feature Pride-themed book displays that showcase diverse families and identities, have special guest readers visit, hold film screenings, share daily announcements with inspirational messages and fun facts about Pride and 2S/LGBTQIA+ history, and more! The District’s SOGI Committee will also provide access to curated resources and professional learning opportunities for all staff members to continue in our own learning and allyship.
Happy Pride Month ā¤ļøš§”šššš
Resources for more learning:
SOGI Truths & Lies – A one-pager created by the Parksville Qualicum School District
The history of the Stonewall Inn Riots - An explanation of the origins and significance of Pride.
Stonewall: A building, an uprising, a revolution. A non-fiction picture book written by Rob Sanders and Illustrated by Jamey Cristoph.
Operation SOAP – A YouTube animation from The Canadian Encyclopedia
Tips to Practice 2S/LGBTQIA+ Allyship – infographics from Egale Canada
Intersections: Indigenous and 2SLGBTQQIA+ Identities – from the Native Women’s Association of Canada
What Is Two-Spirit? - An explanation from the term’s founder, Myra Laramee (Cree)
Introduction of the term “Two-Spirit” - Video from Canada Post stamp series
qathet Pride Society - @qathetpride on Instagram for Parade & Celebration details