We acknowledge that Pride has become synonymous with diversity, rainbows, and love. Pride is a powerful celebration and acknowledgement of LGBTQ2S+ communities and their freedom to be who they are. The intersection of the LGBTQ2S+ community and people that are minoritized continue to face ongoing, systemic oppression, discrimination and prejudice.
Pride did not start as a celebration. Pride started as an uprising against police violence and injustice in June 1969 in New York City. Black and Brown trans women stood up to police violence to fight for the rights of the LGBTQ2S+ community. These acts of resistance, now known as the Stonewall uprising, led to the birth of Pride, Pride marches and the LGBTQ2S+ rights movement.
Pride marks a time for the LGBTQ2S+ community to create space to express and celebrate who they are. Pride events remind us that we still have work to do to recognize the rights of all LGBTQ2S+ people in our quest to achieve equity, equality, and inclusion. We will not stop until we live in a world without oppression and discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
In Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools, we continue to work towards goal #2: Safe, caring and healthy learning and working environment that is inclusive of the diversity of our entire learning community. All schools must be inclusive places where all students and staff feel safe, accepted, respected, welcome and proud of who they are.
While COVID-19 has presented many challenges and hardships, there have also been many opportunities for learning and growth. The opportunity we have been given to work virtually with colleagues has created these spaces. For the past few weeks, we have had the privilege of working with sponsor teachers from school GSA’s and Social Justice clubs to find a way to move Pride celebrations to an online opportunity where all people can access at home and in-school. Special thanks to the sponsor teachers from École Quarterway, École North Oyster, Chase River Elementary, and Ladysmith Secondary for putting these learning activities together.
The elementary learning menu can be found here.
The secondary learning module can be found here.
