Pride

St. George

Subheadline

"Let us celebrate the progress we have made while acknowledging the work that still lies ahead"

Flags have been raised across the University of Toronto’s three campuses to mark the start of Pride month.

At the St. George campus, the Progress Pride flag was hoisted above Varsity Stadium during an event hosted by the Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education (KPE) and the Sexual and Gender Diversity Office.

Gretchen Kerr, dean of KPE, welcomed guests at the event and noted that June is also the start of National Indigenous History Month – a reminder that fighting for 2SLGBTQ+ rights also means fighting for an end to all forms of oppression. “I’m old enough to remember the Toronto bathhouse raids in 1981 and the violence exerted against the 2SLGBTQ+ community. We’ve made progress since then, but we can’t take our feet off the gas pedal,” Kerr said.

"Raising the Progress Pride flag today at U of T is essentially important as we mark Pride within the context of our ongoing efforts to address many systems of oppression, discrimination, and harassment,” said Jodie Glean-Mitchell, U of T's executive director of equity, diversity and inclusion.

"Pride Month is a time to celebrate the contributions that 2SLGBTQ+ people and communities have made – and continue to make – across the university. It is a time to educate ourselves on the past and present lived experience of queer and trans people. Most importantly it's a time to push back, a time for resistance... There is purpose in us being here. We have work to do. But we can only do it together."

At U of T Scarborough, the More Colour, More Pride and Trans Pride flags were raised to mark the beginning of Pride Month.

“Each of us will choose to mark this day in different ways,” said Cherilyn Scobie Edwards, senior director of the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Office (EDIO) at U of T Scarborough.

Left: U of T Scarborough community members gather to mark the start of Pride Month. Right: Cherilyn Scobie Edwards, senior director of equity, diversity and inclusion, delivers remarks (photos by Don Campbell)

Edwards noted that not everyone has the privilege of being able to celebrate Pride. “It is my hope that today we continue to note that the struggle for freedom and acceptance has not ended and that the fight for true freedom continues,” she said.

Professor Linda Johnston, acting vice-president of U of T and principal of U of T Scarborough, and Diana Pearson, equity, diversity and inclusion coordinator with the EDIO, also offered remarks.

The ceremony was followed by a courtyard celebration in front of the Arts and Administration Building featuring snow cones, a Pride balloon display, interactive floral mural and a welcome table set up by the Positive Space Committee.

Pride flags were also raised at U of T Mississauga last week.

The Progress Pride flag is raised at U of T Mississauga (photos by Nick Iwanyshyn)

Back at Varsity Stadium, Jasmine Lew, a kinesiology major and track-and-field athlete who was nominated by their peers as the 2SLGBTQ+ community impact honouree, said the raising of the Progress Pride flag is a deeply meaningful moment. “Let us celebrate the progress we have made while acknowledging the work that still lies ahead,” said Lew, “and let us recommit ourselves to building safe and brave spaces that empowers us to love who we love and live authentically.”

Wrapping up the event, Terry Gardiner, KPE’s director of equity, diversity and inclusion, said the raising of the Pride flag represents “a rallying call for all of us, as a community, to continue to work together to bring to life our vision of truly inclusive societies for everyone, everywhere.”

U of T kicks off Pride Month with flag-raising ceremonies across its three campuses

siddiq22 — Thu, 01 Jun 2023 19:26:13 +0000

U of T kicks off Pride Month with flag-raising ceremonies across its three campuses

siddiq22 Thu, 06/01/2023 - 15:26

Cutline

Flags were raised at U of T Mississauga, the St. George campus and U of T Scarborough to mark the beginning of Pride Month (photos by Angelia Meffe, Polina Teif and Don Campbell)

Topic

St. George campus

The University of Toronto kicked off Pride Month celebrations on its three campuses Thursday with flag raising ceremonies and associated events.

As the Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education (KPE) prepared for its annual flag-raising on the St. George campus, Ivan Canete thought back to when Toronto hosted WorldPride back in 2014 – in particular, the flags that lined Bloor Street.

The event prompted the assistant manager of merchandise, apparel and ticketing sales for the KPE’s sport and recreation department to suggest a flag at Varsity Stadium. So, Beth Ali, U of T’s director of athletics and physical activity, tasked him with developing an accompanying ceremony.

“I drafted a modest model and we held the inaugural ceremony in 2016,” Canete said. “We added the Trans flag in 2017 and transitioned to the Progress Pride flag – which includes black and brown stripes to represent marginalized LGBTQ+ communities of colour, along with the colours pink, light blue and white, which are used on the transgender Pride flag.

(photo by Polina Teif)

KPE’s annual event, hosted in collaboration with the Sexual & Gender Diversity Office, takes place alongside similar ceremonies at U of T Mississauga and U of T Scarborough, as well as other Pride-related events at the university throughout the month.

At U of T Mississauga, the Pride Month launch barbecue and flag-raising opened with a performance by Danielle Migwans, an Indigenous drummer from M'Chigeeng First Nation and the community of Wikwemikong.

For the first time on the campus, U of T Mississauga is displaying a 2-Spirit flag alongside the More Colour, More Pride flag.

(Photo by Angelia Meffe)

Professor Nicholas Rule, incoming vice-principal, academic and dean, said the chance to speak at the U of T Mississauga’s kickoff event was meaningful in multiple ways.

“As someone who identifies as part of the 2SLGBTQ+ community, [I] recognize that in many parts of the world – including in my own place of origin in the U.S. – issues such as anti-Trans bills and attacks on gender-affirming care continue to be pervasive,” he told a crowd gathered in front of the U of T Mississauga Student Centre.

“Many people are suffering, dying and fighting for rights of equality – something that a lot of us in Canada take for granted. But today I want to focus on the positive by reflecting on how fortunate we all are to be able to gather here on this beautiful campus – on a beautiful day, in the spirit of comradeship – to commemorate and honour this month.”

(photo by Don Campbell)

At U of T Scarborough, the More Colour, More Pride flags were raised for the fifth year in a row.

“By raising this flag, we honour the experiences and resiliency of gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans and queer people and the experiences of Black, Indigenous and racialized people in the 2SLGBTQ+ community. Additionally, we raise the Trans Pride flag to represent 2-spirit, trans, non-binary and gender non-conforming people,” said Nadia Rosemond, U of T Scarborough’s assistant dean, co-curricular programs and student leadership, during her opening remarks.

“I want to pause and express gratitude and love to our 2SLGBTQ+ students, staff, faculty and librarians at UTSC. I don’t know how often you hear or feel this outside the month of June, but I want you to know that you belong here. You are welcomed here.”

The ceremony was followed by a courtyard celebration in front of the Arts and Administration Building with snacks, a unique floral mural marking Pride Month and a welcome table set up by the Positive Space Committee.

(photo by Don Campbell)

Back at the Varsity Stadium event, Sport and Recreation aquatics instructor Alex Jung was selected as the KPE staff guest of honour for his dedication to improving trans pool hours and launching upcoming trans swim lessons.

“As we swim through eliminationist policy and transgender athlete bans, I look to the spaces we trans folk grow for us,” Jung said. “I’m excited for more of us to be in the pool, comfortable in our own skin and in the water.”

Allison Burgess, U of T’s acting executive director of equity, diversity and inclusion, reminded guests that June is also National Indigenous History Month and said raising the Progress flag should be viewed both as a gesture of support for 2SLGBTQ+ communities and a stand against all oppression.

“All of this might feel like ancient history – but we know that, sadly, the fight for equity is not over,” said Burgess, adding that Pride is a time to celebrate the invaluable contributions of 2SLGBTQ+ members of the U of T community and get involved in Pride Month initiatives across the three campuses.

“Simply being here today to help us raise the Pride flag is a political act, but I hope this won’t be the only action you take during Pride Month.”

U of T raises Progress Pride flag to mark the beginning of Pride Month

Christopher.Sorensen — Wed, 01 Jun 2022 19:56:14 +0000

U of T raises Progress Pride flag to mark the beginning of Pride Month

Christopher.Sorensen Wed, 06/01/2022 - 15:56

Cutline

The Progress Pride flag flies over Varsity Stadium on the St. George campus to mark the start of Pride Month (photo by Seyran Mammadov)

Jelena Damjanovic

Topic

St. George

The clouds cleared just in time for the beginning of Pride month celebrations at the University of Toronto this week.

The university marked the occasion with a flag raising at Varsity Stadium that was hosted by the Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education (KPE) in collaboration with the Sexual & Gender Diversity Office (SGDO).

Flags were also raised at U of T Mississauga and U of T Scarborough.

At St. George, Caroline Fusco, an associate professor at KPE specializing in social justice and equity issues in sport, kicked off the ceremony by sharing what the flag raising meant to her, an Irish-Catholic member of the LGBTQ community who grew up in Northern Ireland during the Troubles.

“When I represented Ireland in international field hockey, I never got to stand under the Irish tricolour, the national flag of Ireland, because the governing body of Northern Ireland hockey wanted the Irish team to stand under a politically neutral flag,” she said. “And when I came out as a member of the LGBTQ community in Ireland, there was no flag to celebrate my identification.”

In fact, she said the first Pride flag was raised on a government building in Northern Ireland only a few years ago, and that while there have been hostile responses to Pride flags in Ireland over the years, the post office recently produced two special edition rainbow stamps with all proceeds from sales of the stamps going to LGBT Ireland.

“So, flags have stories and we have memories of them,” Fusco said.

This year, the university raised the Progress Pride flag for the first time. The flag was designed in 2018 by Daniel Quasar, who added a five-colored chevron to the classic Rainbow Flag, which is widely recognized as the symbol of the 2SLGBTQ+ communities, to place a greater emphasis on inclusion and progression.

The flag includes black and brown stripes to represent marginalized 2SLGBTQ+ communities – the black stripe doubly representing community members lost to HIV/AIDS and those currently living with AIDS – along with the colours pink, light blue and white, which are used on the Transgender Pride flag.

A flag-raising event at Varsity Stadium was hosted by the Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education in collaboration with the Sexual & Gender Diversity Office (photo by Seyran Mammadov)

Fusco said that recognizing Pride month also means recognizing that June 1st is the beginning of Indigenous History Month and emphasized that fighting for LGBTQ rights also means fighting for an end to all oppression.

“Our presence here at this flag raising is a dismantling of sorts, a disorientation and reorientation of our thinking – a provocation to look up at the progress flag and encounter the world differently,” she said.

Professor Gretchen Kerr, dean of KPE, spoke of the faculty’s strong history of leadership in the areas of equity and inclusion in sport, recreation and academics.

“In collaboration with SGDO, KPE has expanded training, programs and events to empower and include the 2SLGBTQ+ communities,” Kerr said. “These range from initiatives such as the Athlete Ally, a Varsity Blues program committed to ending homophobia and transphobia in sport, to the Sport & Rec diversity and equity team, a student-led group that organizes inclusive events throughout the year such as the trans-positive swim time at the Athletic Centre.”

Kerr also said the faculty has world-renowned researchers in the areas of equity and social justice who conduct research that informs its academic, sport and recreation programs.

“The act of raising the flag is another strong signal of our faculty’s and U of T’s continued support for the 2SLGBTQ+ communities,” she said. “Not only does this event signify the beginning of Pride Month, it also shows our dedication to promoting equity, diversity and inclusion at all levels – in research, education and our broad spectrum of Sport & Rec programs and student-driven initiatives.”

The Progress Pride flag is raised at U of T Mississauga (photo by Nick Iwanyshyn)

Professor Kelly Hannah-Moffat, U of T’s vice-president of people strategy, equity and culture, said that raising the Progress Pride flag to mark Pride is especially important within the context of renewed and ongoing efforts at the university to address racism and faith-based discrimination.

The Progress Pride flag is raised at U of T Scarborough.

Moffat reflected on the history and successes of the fight for equity, saying Pride is a time to recognize the invaluable contributions that 2SLGBTQ+ members of the U of T community have made – and continue to make – to research and teaching, campus life, services and operations, and across all disciplines.

She encouraged members of the U of T community to extend their celebration, advocacy and learning beyond Pride Month, noting that ceremonies such as this one serve to celebrate hard-fought progress and as a reminder that our work is never finished.

Last to speak was Raiya Thomure, who is graduating with a bachelor of kinesiology degree.

“It means so much to be able to be up here, taking up space as a queer member of the student body in KPE,” said Thomure, who identifies as a queer, non-binary, Muslim Arab. “As a queer Muslim, I am often tasked with explaining my connection to the faith or my embracing of queerness, but queer and trans* people should not be tasked with the sanitization or suppression of our identities for the comfort of others.

"The Progress Pride flag rejects this status quo.”

Thomure brought attention to Indigenous communities, saying that inclusion of two-spirit/queer Indigenous Peoples needs to be backed up by inclusion of Indigenous knowledge. They also spoke about the importance of not ignoring gender-based violence against trans* athletes.

Thomure did a self-directed research study in their third year at KPE. They investigated online social media abuse towards a trans woman power-lifter and interviewed five different trans* athletes for their fourth year project. Each had experienced transphobic violence in their current or previous places of sport.

They and four other students, athletes and alumni of KPE – Val Gerlings, D Bell, Matt Dans and Katie Pajor – were guests of honour at the event and were applauded for work that positively impacts 2SLGBTQ+ peoples’ access, participation and inclusion at the university and beyond.

Reflection and celebration: June events mark Pride, Indigenous history and convocation

rahul.kalvapalle — Tue, 01 Jun 2021 17:10:32 +0000

Reflection and celebration: June events mark Pride, Indigenous history and convocation

rahul.kalvapalle Tue, 06/01/2021 - 13:10

Cutline

Flags fly at half-mast in remembrance of the 215 children who died at a former B.C. residential school; dancing is on the agenda at a June 19 virtual pow wow; U of T's virtual convocation airs on June 23 (photos by Makeda Marc-Ali, Hannah James & UTSC)

Topic

The event – hosted by U of T’s Sexual & Gender Diversity Office, Hart House, First Nations House, Office of Indigenous Initiatives and the U of T Mississauga Indigenous Centre – takes place from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on June 22. Registration is free.

June is among the most eventful months at the University of Toronto, with myriad opportunities for students, faculty and staff to express solidarity, build awareness and celebrate life-changing educational milestones.

U of T's virtual spring convocation takes place on June 23 this year. It will be book-ended by events that promote inclusion of people with disabilities and celebrate and advocate for LGBTQ+ communities. The month is also a time when the history, heritage and contributions of Indigenous Peoples are commemorated through National Indigenous History Month as well as National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21.

This year, with events being reinvented and moved to virtual spaces, there are more opportunities than ever to participate in some of the most important and highly anticipated events of the year.

Here’s a snapshot of the notable events taking place virtually across U of T in June:

May 31 – June 4

National AccessAbility Week: Reframing Disability, Embracing Difference

Each day from May 31 to June 4, the AODA (Accessibility for Ontarians With Disabilities) Office in U of T’s Division of Human Resources & Equity, as well as its partners, will host events and discussions aimed at commemorating the contributions of Canadians with disabilities, celebrating those working to foster greater inclusion and inspiring action on accessibility.

From inclusive curriculum design to accessibility in health-care settings and peer support networks for university employees with disabilities, the National AccessAbility Week sessions will explore a number of ways to eliminate barriers to accessibility, reframe disability and elevate intentional inclusivity.

All events will feature American Sign Language and live captions.

June 1

Pride and Trans Flag Raising

The first day of June sees U of T kick off Pride month with the official raising of the Pride and Trans Flag at virtual events hosted by all three campuses – the first of a broad range of virtual events celebrating diverse LGBTQ+ communities.

By raising these flags, the U of T community signals its commitment to representation and inclusion of LGBTQ+ across the university.

U of T Mississauga’s virtual flag raising ceremony will include remarks from Vice-President and Principal Alexandra Gillespie and a talk by Professor Elspeth Brown on the history of LGBTQ+ communities in Mississauga. U of T Scarborough’s flag-raising will kick off a month of Pride events around the theme of “Love is Here,” which seeks to embrace a diversity of sexualities and ethnicities while celebrating our differences.

June 3

Annual Rainbow Tie Celebration: Moving Forward Together

U of T Scarborough’s Positive Space Committee invites you to connect with the campus’s vibrant LGBTQ+ community at the Annual Rainbow Tie Celebration: Moving Forward Together.

The virtual celebration will include a number of special guests including Canada’s Drag Race winner Priyanka, musician, writer and artist Vivek Shraya, comedian Monica Garrido and writer/performer Heath Salazar.

June 16

U of T Pride Pitch

LGBTQ+ students and entrepreneurs can showcase their innovative business ideas and potentially share in $5,000 in prizes at the second annual U of T Pride Pitch.

Organized by U of T Mississauga’s Positive Space Committee in partnership with the ICUBE accelerator program, U of T Pride Pitch will also feature a keynote from Martha Chaves, a Nicaraguan-Canadian and LGBTQ comedian, actor, activist and playwright.

June 17

Display Your Pride

Use colours, creativity and your personal flair to showcase what your Pride looks like at the annual “Display Your Pride” event organized by U of T’s Positive Space Campaign.

Whether it’s decorating your room, office or student space, creating a piece of art or designing a virtual background, this is your chance to visually celebrate Pride and support LGBTQ-affirming spaces on all three campuses – and share your creation with the world using the #DisplayYourPride hashtag.

If you’re looking for inspiration, ideas and tips on how to create physical or virtual crafts, you can take part in a trio of sessions ahead of the event:

Zoom Pride Backgrounds – June 8, 3 p.m.
Hand crafts – June 11, 11 a.m.
Macrame – June 14, 2 p.m.

This is the seventh consecutive year that U of T’s Positive Space Campaign will participate in “Display Your Pride” alongside Ryerson University, York University, Humber College and OCAD University.

June 19-27

Virtual Pride & Remembrance Run

For the past 25 years, the Pride & Remembrance Run has raised funds for organizations providing cultural programming and health and wellness support for the LGBTQ+ community.

This year’s Virtual Pride & Remembrance Run will be held virtually from June 19 to June 27, with U of T staff able to register to take part in the interactive virtual run as part of a university team led by the Sexual & Gender Diversity Office and team captain Mark Seymour.

June 19

Honouring our Students Pow Wow

The Indigenous Studies Students' Union will be hosting this virtual pow wow on June 19, an event that will include dancing, drumming, teachings, contests, giveaways and more.

Held on the YouTube Premieres platform, the fifth annual Honouring Our Students Pow Wow will feature head dancers John Hupfield and Cedar Smoke, special guests and Elders.

June 21

National Indigenous Peoples Day

The city of Toronto is planning a virtual celebration of National Indigenous Peoples Day, which recognizes the cultural significance of First Nations, Inuit and Métis. Details to come.

June 22

U of T Pride Concert featuring Jeremy Dutcher

Take in a special live-streamed concert by Juno Award-winning singer-songwriter Jeremy Dutcher, a classically trained operatic tenor and composer whose music is deeply influenced by his roots in the Wolastoq First Nation. His debut album “Wolastoqiyik Lintuwakonawa” involved rearranging wax cylinder field recordings from his community dating back to the early 1900s.

In addition to showcasing his distinct musical style, Dutcher will also engage with the audience through a live Q&A.

The concert will be preceded by an opening performance by Nenookasi, an afro-Indigenous two-spirit queer wife, mother of three and artist-activist who draws on music and mixed media for the causes of Black, Indigenous, and 2SLGBTQI+ rights.

June 23

Convocation

Celebrate the hard work and accomplishments of U of T’s Class of 2021! This year’s virtual spring convocation ceremony will air on June 23 at 12 p.m. More than 15,500 students from 105 different countries will have their degrees conferred in absentia, with parchments mailed out around the world.

Graduating students can showcase their pride by renting optional gowns and hoods, while friends and family can purchase grad gifts at the U of T Bookstore. Customized Zoom backgrounds, GIPHY stickers and Instagram activities are also available to use for everyone tuning into the celebrations. Use the hashtag #UofTGrad21 to share your moments on social media.

June 24

Indigenous Toronto: Stories that Carry this Place

A panel discussion hosted by the Toronto Public Library will bring together contributors to the newly released book, Indigenous Toronto: Stories that Carry this Place, an anthology that explores the impact of Indigenous cultural continuity and settler colonialism on Toronto.

Panelists, who will include Chef Johl Whiteduck, visual artist Philip Cote, author and playwright Drew Hayden Taylor and creative director Denise Bolduc, will share their perspectives on how 12,000 years of continued Indigenous presence and nationhood.

June 26

Black Grad celebration

U of T’s Black graduating students will be honoured and recognized at the fifth annual tri-campus Black Graduation event. The student-run celebration is hosted by the U of T Black Students’ Association and takes place at 12 p.m. on June 26.

Due to overwhelming interest, two extra rounds of registration were added for students keen to take part in Black Grad 2021, with the final round ending on June 10. Students who register by the deadline will receive a Kente stole to showcase pride in their identities and academic accomplishments.

In a celebration of Pride and inclusion, U of T raises flags above Varsity Stadium

Christopher.Sorensen — Thu, 04 Jun 2020 16:36:23 +0000

In a celebration of Pride and inclusion, U of T raises flags above Varsity Stadium

Christopher.Sorensen Thu, 06/04/2020 - 12:36

Cutline

The Trans Flag, Canadian flag and new "More Colour, More Pride" flag fly above Varsity Stadium (photo by Jill Clark)

Jelena Damjanovic

Topic

Diversity and Inclusion

Equity

Varsity

When the Pride and trans flags were raised this week at the University of Toronto’s Varsity Stadium on St. George campus, there was no cheering audience to mark the occasion. Due to COVID-19, all public gatherings have been cancelled until further notice. But the empty stands weren’t the only thing that was different about the event this year: The Pride flag had black and brown added to its colour palette.

“The addition of the black and brown stripes serves to highlight the importance of representation and inclusion of queer, trans, Black, Indigenous and people of colour (QTBIPOC) communities and is a sign of U of T’s commitment to being intentionally inclusive,” says David Pereira, director of U of T’s Sexual & Gender Diversity Office.

“The newly added black and brown stripes are a visible symbol of the importance of including more voices and experiences in the LGBTQ2S+ community.”

The ‘More Colour; More Pride’ flag was designed in 2017 by Philadelphia’s Office of LGBT Affairs, which worked with the advertising agency Tierney on an inclusivity campaign. The added black and brown stripes were meant to address issues of racism and exclusion in Philadelphia’s gay neighbourhood, but the new symbol quickly raised the attention of communities of colour globally.

“Raising the ‘More Colour; More Pride’ flag along with the Trans Flag at U of T’s Varsity Stadium is a testament to our faculty’s commitment to the LGBTQ2S+ community and our ongoing work towards greater representation and inclusion of queer, trans, Black, Indigenous and people of colour,” says Robin Waley, assistant manager of co-curricular diversity and equity at U of T’s Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education (KPE).

“Through U of T Sport & Rec programs like the Diversity in Motion Conference, Black Excellence Kiki Ball and Move with Pride workshop series, we provide students with intersectional learning opportunities from the diversity of experiences that exist within the LGBTQ2S+ community.”

Professor Ira Jacobs, dean of KPE, says he regrets that the U of T community wasn’t able to come together this year to celebrate the raising of the flags in person.

“I enjoyed watching it on video with the rest of our supportive community,” he says. “It was a proud reminder of our faculty’s and university’s dedication to promoting equity, diversity and inclusion at all levels, not only in research and education, but also in our broad spectrum of co-curricular physical activity and sport programs.”

Reflecting on the protests against anti-Black racism and racial violence that have swept across the United States and countries around the world, Jacobs affirmed the faculty’s solidarity with the Black community.

“I am proud to be the dean of a faculty that intentionally embeds equity, diversity and inclusion awareness within its curriculum, and within the framework of sport and recreation opportunities for all U of T students,” says Jacobs, adding the faculty recently produced its first equity report to highlight its efforts to uphold these values.

“We know that sport and recreation are not immune to racism. But we also know that sport can be a powerful platform for positive individual, social, political and collective development.

“As a faculty, we are dedicated to studying, researching and advocating for physical activity and sport, not only because they are vital to personal health, but because they are so important to societal health.”

U of T Pride Flag Raising 2020 from UofT Kinesiology & Phys Ed on Vimeo.

Pride 2020: U of T to raise flags on all three campuses

Christopher.Sorensen — Wed, 03 Jun 2020 18:57:22 +0000

Pride 2020: U of T to raise flags on all three campuses Christopher.Sorensen Wed, 06/03/2020 - 14:57

Topic

The University of Toronto is kicking off its month-long celebration of Pride 2020 with a virtual raising of flags across its three campuses.

“From its inception, Pride has always been more than a celebration. Pride commemorates pain and loss within LGBTQ2S+ communities and highlights the importance of fighting discrimination,” said Karima Hashmani, U of T’s executive director, equity, diversity and inclusion.

“It is a reminder of the importance of resisting homophobia and transphobia and acknowledging the experiences of QTBIPOC communities. Pride programs intentionally centre queer, trans, Black, Indigenous, people of colour (QTBIPOC) experiences, with a focus on embedding and engaging LGBTQ2S+ Indigenous people, culture and stories.

“On all our campuses, both the Trans flag and the ‘More Colour, More Pride’ flag will be raised.”

Hashmani added that U of T is committed to being intentionally inclusive and the raising of the ‘More Colours; More Pride’ flag highlights the representation, experiences and inclusion of QTBIPOC communities.

Adding the black and brown stripes to the Pride flag is now more critical than ever, according to Hashmani. She said the most recent events of racialized violence against Black lives highlight the importance of continuing to educate, to act and respond to racism, and to be intentional.

“There is still much more work to be done as we not only listen but continue to create change,” said Hashmani. “It is especially important to us right now that QTBIPOC communities know that their voices and experiences matter, especially as a member of the U of T community.”

The virtual flag raising will be followed by the traditional raising of the ‘More Colours; More Pride’ and Trans Pride flags on each of the university’s three campuses on June 4.

“The Pride flag, like the LGBTQ2S+ community, will continue to evolve and we hope that this ‘More Colour, More Pride’ flag will contribute to QTBIPOC being seen, heard, and valued on campus,” Hashmani said.

“We are immensely proud of the rich diversity in our LGBTQ2S+ community, and wish everyone at U of T a happy Pride.”

See U of T’s Virtual Pride Calendar for events

In photos: U of T shows its colours for Pride Month

geoff.vendeville — Fri, 21 Jun 2019 16:01:56 +0000

In photos: U of T shows its colours for Pride Month

geoff.vendeville Fri, 06/21/2019 - 12:01

Cutline

The rainbow flag, Maple Leaf and Trans Pride flag fly at Varsity Stadium (photo by Nick Iwanyshyn)

Topic

The University of Toronto came together to show its support for the LGBTQ+ community at multiple events across the three campuses this month. Here is a selection of images that detail the colourful displays:

(photo by Nick Iwanyshyn)

The festivities kicked off with the traditional flag-raising ceremony at Varsity Stadium on June 6. “The raising of the Pride and trans flags, along with other campus events, promotes necessary LGBTQ+ visibility, celebrates our differences and emphasizes our support and allyship with our queer and trans communities,” said Kelly Hannah-Moffat (fourth from left), U of T’s vice-president of human resources and equity.

(photo by Nick Iwanyshyn)

It's the second year that U of T has flown the blue, pink and white Trans Pride flag. Monica Helms, a U.S. Navy veteran and trans activist, designed the flag in 1999 using the traditional colours for boys and girls, with a white band separating the two to represent intersex, gender non-conforming or transitioning people.

(photo by Nick Iwanyshyn)

People in the audience snap pictures during the flag-raising ceremony at Varsity Stadium.

(photo by Nick Iwanyshyn)

One of the signature events on the Pride at U of T calendar, Pride Pub brings the community together for barbecue, dancing and a communtiy fair with local LGBTQ+ organizations. This year's edition featured Samba Elegua, a percussion ensemble inspired by Brazilian music.

(photo by Tina Adamopoulos)

The U of T Scarborough community came out in large numbers for a flag celebration.

(photo by Nick Iwanyshyn)

The Instagram-friendly rainbow frame at Hart House was a popular spot for pictures. Pride Pub is organized by U of T's Sexual & Gender Diversity Office and Hart House.

(photo by Nick Iwanyshyn)

Partygoers could also record their memories of Pride Pub at a photo booth installed for the occasion.

(photo by Nick Iwanyshyn)

Cuter than the real Elmo? A family poses for a portrait at the photo booth.

(photo by Drew Lesiuczok)

The festivities took place on each of U of T's campuses. U of T Mississauga held its flag-unfurling ceremony on June 6 at the UTM Student Centre with representatives from the Equity & Diversity Office, UTM students’ union, OUT @ UTM, human resources, dean of student affairs and the Indigenous Centre.

(photo by Blake Eligh)

Angela Lange, U of T Mississauga's acting vice-principal, academic and dean, and Amrita Daniere, acting principal, pose with Pride-themed cupcakes.

(photo by Leslie Seto)

U of T Mississauga's mascot, Eddy the Eagle, sporting colourful plumage in honour of Pride month.

Social media and sexual health: U of T researchers recruit 'health ambassadors' for popular gay networking app

rahul.kalvapalle — Fri, 14 Jun 2019 18:28:45 +0000

Social media and sexual health: U of T researchers recruit 'health ambassadors' for popular gay networking app

rahul.kalvapalle Fri, 06/14/2019 - 14:28

Cutline

As part of a research project, David Brennan, an associate professor at the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, is recruiting volunteers to serve as “health ambassadors” on Hornet, a networking app popular among gay men (photo by Nick Iwanyshyn)

Rahul Kalvapalle

Topic

Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work

Institute of Health Policy Management and Evaluation

Research & Innovation

Social Media

With Pride Month underway, Toronto’s LGBTQ community and allies will be out in large numbers meeting and mingling at events across the city.

But such face-to-face interactions are increasingly the exception to the norm in an age of digital and social media – a trend that poses challenges for those seeking to perform sexual health outreach initiatives among LGBTQ groups.

“On a Saturday night 20 years ago, everyone would be out at a gay bar dancing,” says David Brennan, an associate professor in the University of Toronto’s Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work.

“Now, everyone’s at home swiping and watching Netflix. There isn’t the same sense of community.”

It’s a hurdle Brennan and other researchers at U of T’s CRUISElab – an interdisciplinary social work research lab that focuses on the health and well-being of gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men – hope to overcome by using social media apps to promote sexual health and then track the tactic’s effectiveness in reaching the desired audience.

The lab is currently recruiting men for a public-private-academic effort that will see volunteers serve as “health ambassadors” on Hornet, a popular social networking app for gay men.

The health ambassadors, as well as the regular Hornet users who they interact with, will then be given a chance to participate in focus groups and surveys so researchers can learn more about how social media apps, which are increasingly popular among people seeking out sex, romance, friendship and community, can be leveraged for sexual health outreach.

“We want to see whether these types of conversations make a difference in people’s lives, and whether these interactions cause people to take actions to take care of their health and wellness,” says Brennan, who is CRUISElab’s director.

Brennan says social media platforms enable the delivery of sexual health information to those who might not have anyone in their lives to turn to for advice (photo by Drazen via Getty Images)

Some 30 men will be recruited for the study. They will complete a training program designed by the AIDS Committee of Toronto and then have their Hornet profiles highlighted with a badge that marks them out as health ambassadors – meaning they’re open and available to share information about sexual health and discuss their personal experiences.

“We want a diverse range of guys – diverse in terms of race, age, gay or bisexual, trans and also in terms of life experiences,” says Brennan, who was recently appointed the associate dean, research at Factor-Inwentash.

“If you’re a Hornet user and you have questions about PrEP [pre-exposure prophylaxis treatment to reduce the risk of contracting HIV] or being HIV+ or mental health or substance abuse issues, you can ask a health ambassador. They’ve gone through training and they’ll talk to you about their experiences.”

After three months, the health ambassadors will be invited to a focus group to share their thoughts on the project. Next, the regular Hornet users who interacted with them will be invited to fill out a survey to share whether they remember interactions with health ambassadors, learned anything or took any decisions as a result of the interactions.

The project builds on previous work, including a 2015 study led by Brennan that found encouraging results about men’s experiences accessing this kind of sexual health outreach on websites and apps.

Brennan explains that AIDS service organizations have previously experimented with using trained volunteers and staff to deliver outreach services through websites and apps.

“One of our manifestos as social workers is to ‘meet the client where they’re at,’” says Brennan. “If people are online and that’s where they’re connecting with other guys and finding out about sexual health, then we need to be in these apps, too.”

Brennan also notes that social media platforms enable the delivery of important sexual health information to people who might not have anyone in their lives who they’re comfortable turning to for advice.

“If I’m 16 years old, realizing I’m gay and I’m thinking about engaging in sex with other guys, I don’t know that the first person I’m going to talk to is my family physician, my parents or my pastor or religious leader – probably not,” Brennan says.

“But I might be able to find some peers online who can tell me to think about this or that, so I can begin to build a supportive network.”

Hornet was selected as a partner for the study because of its demonstrated commitment to its users’ health and wellness, according to Brennan.

The network, which has over 25 million users, already runs health ambassador programs in various cities around the world, with the first such initiative trialed in Rio de Janeiro during the 2016 Olympic Games.

However, Toronto will be the first city to benefit from a rigorous research evaluation – in the form of the CRUISElab’s study – before any Hornet health ambassador program is launched here.

“If these apps can be used to help build community, that would be amazing,” says Brennan.

“In the future, I see us being able to use apps to very quickly get information and support out to people who need it. That’s what I’m hoping for.”

#DisplayYourPride and Convocation 2019: Check out these June events

Romi Levine — Mon, 03 Jun 2019 16:03:16 +0000

#DisplayYourPride and Convocation 2019: Check out these June events

Romi Levine Mon, 06/03/2019 - 12:03

Cutline

From marching in the parade to flag raising ceremonies on campus, there are plenty of Pride events to participate in this month (Carlos Osorio/Toronto Star via Getty Images)

Isabel Armiento

Topic

City & Culture

Black Graduation

Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy

Convocation

Dunlap Institute for Astronomy & Astrophysics

Hart House

Rotman School of Management

Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library

Sustainability