Pride Month

June is Pride Month. This is a time to celebrate 2SLGBTQQIA+ communities and histories. As well, this is a time to engage in community and allyship by amplifying voices within the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community.

In Canada, about 1 in 10 youth between the ages of 15 and 24 report being a member of the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community. 77% of 2SLGBTQQIA+ youth have been the target of bullying, and are twice as likely to report poor mental health and consider taking their own life compared to straight, cis-gendered youth. 2SLGBTQQIA+ individuals are overrepresented in homelessness populations in Canada, with mental health struggles and conflict with parents being the most cited reasons for homelessness within this population. These issues can be heavily exacerbated for some 2SLGBTQQIA+ populations, especially gender non-conforming populations such as transgender and two-spirit populations. Acknowledging, supporting, and walking alongside 2SLGBTQQIA+ individuals, especially 2SLGBTQQIA+ youth is incredibly important to the mental health of 2SLGBTQQIA+ individuals. Pride and year-round allyship are ways to acknowledge and learn more about walking alongside the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community. 

Pride celebrations in Canada started in 1971 in solidarity with the Stonewall movement, and by 1973 had spread all across Canada. These celebrations started as protests against unfair treatment and policies against 2SLGBTQQIA+ communities. Pride now functions both as a time to gather and celebrate 2SLGBTQQIA+ communities, but also to call for an inclusive society where everyone can freely be themselves without fear. 

Although June is Pride Month, it is important that community and allyship are celebrated throughout the year, and not only during Pride Month. For more information, please see the links below. 

For information

For action

For allyship information

For support