By: Kevin Robb, ORT Times Writer
The onset of June marks the beginning of Pride Month, a celebration of gender and sexual diversity in honour of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning and two-spirit (LGBTQ2S+) community. The occasion is rooted in activism and commemorates the New York City Stonewall Riots that helped ignite the gay rights movement internationally.
Pride Month is celebrated through a host of festivities, but it should also prompt reflection: “Pride Month is a time to remind the world of our history and that there is still a long way to go to have a world that is truly safe for all LGBTQ2S+ people,” says Angelico Obille, a PhD student working at Toronto General Hospital Research Institute. It is a time to promote inclusivity and community-building as well as to increase visibility of LGBTQ2S+ members. Pride is about “seeing other queer people everywhere you go, when typically, we’re an invisible minority,” adds Ariana Besik, a Clinical Research Coordinator at Toronto Western Hospital.
Here at UHN, Pride Month is an opportunity to recognize the important roles of inclusion, diversity and equity in shaping the research that we do, the care that we provide and the education that we deliver. UHN’s LGBTQ2S+ Committee (internal connection required) works year-round to advocate for and raise awareness toward queer issues, including those related to social and health disparities. These goals are accomplished not only through Pride events but also through “policy, practice and good resources,” says Jacqueline Silvera, the Senior Manager of Diversity and Mediation Services at UHN. The LGBTQ2S+ Committee is actively involved in UHN policy decisions related to the queer community and has spearheaded employee training on LGBTQ2S+ issues. Silvera emphasized the overall goal of the committee is to ensure individuals of all genders and sexualities feel safe and are embraced at UHN.
Given the COVID-19 pandemic, Pride Month is going to look different this year; however, it remains important to honour the occasion in meaningful ways. Dr. Arturo Ortin Martinez, a postdoctoral fellow in Dr. Valerie Wallace’s lab at the Krembil Research Institute, shared that his lab members will celebrate Pride Month together as a group this year. According to Dr. Ortin Martinez, the Wallace lab began celebrating Pride Month last year when “both members and allies came together and broke traditional gender roles through dance, music, performance and drag.” While he acknowledges that this year may pose challenges, the lab is planning to use virtual alternatives, including streaming films on LGBTQ2S+ culture and history.
Through whatever June may bring, it is important for everyone at UHN to celebrate and reflect this Pride Month. Physical distancing does not preclude social interaction, and creative solutions will help to unite our communities in these uncertain times. Stay safe and stay proud, UHN.
UHN Human Resources has curated lists of resources (internal UHN link) for LGBTQ2S+ individuals who may be struggling at this time, including the following:
- Rainbow Health Ontario: https://www.rainbowhealthontario.ca/
- Umbrella Mental Health Network: https://www.umhn.ca/
- The 519: https://www.the519.org/
- Trans Partner Network: http://www.transpartnernetwork.com/
- CAMH Rainbow Services: https://www.camh.ca/en/your-care/programs-and-services/rainbow-services-lgbtq