Happy Pride Month!
The University of Alberta joins members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community and allies worldwide in celebrating Pride Month. Pride events are an opportunity for our community to reaffirm our support for the U of A's 2SLGBTQ+ community and to shape future priorities and opportunities for greater diversity and inclusion within the academy. Saffron, my husband, and I both look forward to joining in this month’s celebrations.
As a young gay law student, Pride played such a significant role in making me feel welcomed and accepted, part of a thriving, visible and proud 2SLGBTQ+ community. My university studies were such a formative time, as I know they are for all our students. I want to ensure that all of our students, no matter their gender or sexual orientation, feel the same sense of community acceptance and support at such an important time in their lives. That is why Pride matters as much today as ever.
While the U of A also has its own Pride Week traditions in March, when most of our students are present, it is essential to support initiatives that promote equity, diversity, inclusion (EDI), and Indigeneity year-round. Pride exists in conversation with other events and initiatives across our campuses throughout the year, including National Indigenous History Month. Through collective efforts and actions we will see real change.
Recognizing and understanding intersectionality is a vital part of this commitment to EDI and Indigeneity. Intersectionality considers the multiple forms of discrimination an individual might face and the complexity of social problems. Our colleagues in the Intersections of Gender Signature Area support this kind of work every day.
Thanks to the Institute for Sexual Minority Studies & Services, the U of A is home to several Pride initiatives year-round. Saffron and I are looking forward to attending their annual Mayor's Pride Brunch. I encourage you to join us on June 19 in support of iSMSS youth programming. I look forward to seeing you there!
Bill Flanagan
President and Vice-chancellor