Learn and celebrate with us during this Pride season.
June is Pride month, a time to celebrate the vibrant 2SLGBTQIA+ community. We encourage you to take part in the Pride celebrations on UBC campus and throughout British Columbia. This month is also a perfect opportunity to deepen your understanding of 2SLGBTQIA+ issues and support through UBC’s Positive Space course. Engage with your community through events, educational opportunities, and public demonstrations of support to promote inclusivity and understanding. Let’s come together to honor the progress achieved and advocate for the ongoing pursuit of equality and justice
What is 2SLGBTQIA+?
“Two Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer (or Questioning), Intersex, Asexual. The placement of Two Spirit (2S) first is to recognize that Indigenous people are the first peoples of this land and their understanding of gender and sexuality precedes colonization. The ‘+’ is for all the new and growing ways we become aware of sexual orientations and gender diversity.”
(Source: https://equity.ubc.ca/resources/equity-inclusion-glossary-of-terms/)
History
Violent police raids of well-known gathering places for young gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender people on June 28, 1969 in Greewich Village, New York, sparked the watershed Stonewall riots. These demonstrations by members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community have become a symbol of resistance to inequality and discrimination and a catalyst for political gay rights activism.
Why We Celebrate
Pride is about personal rights, visibility, and acceptance. It promotes inclusion and equality by celebrating self-affirmation and dignity in the lives of 2SLGBTQIA+ and non-gender conforming people. Pride is a powerful counter to gender discrimination and the social stigma of anti-2SLGBTQIA+ discourse that historically equated homosexuality with mental illness.
Pride celebrations recognize the impact that 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals have had on promoting equal rights and challenging discrimination. Pride marches have helped to transform 2SLGBTQIA+ shame and guilt to self-acceptance and celebration.
Pride Events
Explore the many Pride activities at our Vancouver and Okanagan campuses, connect with your community, and reflect on what each of us can do to support 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusion.