CK Tourism is looking for community models for the next Many Faces of Tourism Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Photo Shoot.

The Monday, July 25 shoot is geared towards accessibility and mobility, creating images that show people with different mobility abilities enjoying the activities and amenities that CK has to offer.

Community models (looking for families if possible) don’t need any prior modeling experience, just a willingness to come out and have some fun in front of the camera (after signing a photo release form).

Models will be compensated for their time at the end of the photo shoot and will have access to some of the finished images for their own use.

Please see above for some images from CK Tourism's previous Many Faces of Tourism DEI photo shoots to give you an example of the work they are trying to do.

If you, a client, or someone you know, are interested in participating, please contact Andrea McCulligh(External link) directly - 226.312.2025 ext. 4221

Check out this flyer below for the Newcomer's Event 2022.

Click the following link to register for this event: CKACA NEWCOMERS EVENT 2022 -RSVP (google.com)(External link)

Hope to see you there!

Note: We recognize that the terminology in this article may be new to some folks – we’ve linked to resources where you can learn more. If you’d like to deepen your understanding of 2SLGBTQIA+ terminology and communities, please reach out!

This month, we celebrate the diverse Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning, Intersex, and Asexual and additional identities (2SLGBTQIA+) people and communities[1] in Chatham-Kent!

The History of Pride

Many people are unaware that pride celebrations started as protests. In the U.S.A., in June 1969, police raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay club, in Greenwich Village, New York. The raid led to six days of riots and protests by residents, staff, and bar patrons, many of whom were racialized trans people. The riots, now known as the ‘Stonewall riots’ were a catalyst for the gay rights movement in the United States, and around the World.

In Canada, similar raids happened in Toronto in the early 1970s, leading to protests for rights and protections for 2SLGBTQIA+ people in Canada. The first pride week was held in major cities across Canada in August in 1973 to rally for equal rights. This is why some communities in Canada honour Pride in August instead of June.

Of course, throughout time and history there has been celebration of, and resistance among, what we now call 2SLGBTQIA+ people and communities.

Learn about Pride flags from the Canadian Museum of Human Rights(External link).

How is Pride celebrated today?

Although many people recognize Pride month in June, there is a growing movement to use the term Pride season in recognition of the diverse history of 2SLGBTQIA rights movements and the various times and ways Pride is celebrated. Now, Pride gatherings are used to honour the work that has been done and to raise awareness about the work still needed to achieve respect, dignity, safety, and rights for all 2SLGBTQIA+ people. It's also a time when people who may feel unsafe or marginalized because of their identities have a short window of time and place to honour their authentic selves. Events include parades, rallies, workshops, concerts as well as memorials and commemorations for community members, family, and friends who lost someone due to hate crimes and HIV/AIDS.

How is Pride Honoured in Chatham-Kent?

In Chatham-Kent, Pride is celebrated in August, with a week of events organized by CK Pride.

Learn about local Pride events on the CK Pride website(External link).

Learn about CK Pride's history on the CK Pride website(External link).

While celebrating 2SLGBTQIA+ people and communities is important, we also recognize that these communities continue to face barriers and inequities.

People who are 2SLGBTQIA+ can face negative employment experiences and significant inequities in the labour market. For example, recent research in Ontario (External link)found that despite having a higher level of education than the general population, on average, 2SLGBTQIA+ people experience stigma, exclusion, and discrimination during recruitment, hiring, and while working for organizations. As a result, people who are 2SLGBTIA+ are:

• Less likely to be employed*
• Earn less money
• More likely to face poverty
• Experience lower job satisfaction

People’s experiences are also impacted by the other identities they hold, including things like race, class, abilities, religion, and more. These identities overlap with people’s sexual orientation (attraction to others) or gender identity (sense of their gender) to shape their experience in the world. So, for example, a Black, Transgender, Straight, Woman may experience racism, transphobia, and sexism and, therefore, have a different experience than a White, Gay, Man, who is Cisgender (sense of gender aligns with sex assigned at birth). Learn more about the idea of intersectionality(External link).

How Can We Create An Inclusive Community for 2SLGBTQIA+ people?

We can work together to create a safe and inclusive Chatham-Kent for 2SLGBTQIA+ people and communities. We've listed some ways below.

1. Participate in training and learning opportunities.

To understand and use inclusive language and your own biases (we all have them!). CK Pride(External link) has many resources available on their website.

2. Don’t make assumptions about sexual orientation (who someone is attracted to).

Avoid comments that assume someone is heterosexual, or straight. For example, instead of asking whether someone has a boyfriend/husband, you might ask if they are in a relationship (if you need to ask at all).

3. Use gender-neutral language.

Practice using people, person, parent, customer, etc. vs he, her, man, woman, ladies, gentlemen, Mr. or Mrs. Even if you know the person you are talking with identifies with male or female, using gender-neutral terms signals that you understand that gender is more complicated than the male/female binary and value people who don’t fit in to either one of those categories.

Listen closely to the pronouns (i.e. they, she, he, etc.) people use to describe themselves, rather than assuming. If you make a mistake, apologize, and continue the conversation with their correct pronouns.

4. Understand that there is diversity within 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.

Because people hold many different identities, no two experiences of being 2SLGBTQIA+ are the same. People’s experiences are also impacted by the other identities they hold, including things like race, class, abilities, religion, and more. These identities overlap with people’s sexual orientation (attraction to others) or gender identity (sense of their gender) to shape their experience in the world. So, for example, a Black, Transgender, Straight, Woman may experience racism, transphobia, and sexism and, therefore, have a different experience than a White, Cisgender (sense of gender aligns with sex assigned at birth), Gay, Man. Learn more about the idea of intersectionality(External link).

5. Interrupt homophobia, biphobia, or transphobia.

If safe to do so, do not stay silent when you are witnessing or experiencing homophobic, biphobic, or transphobic comments or jokes.

If you see someone making assumptions, ask questions about it.

Egale Canada(External link) has a great resource on how to respond with allyship.

[1] Language and terminology change over time. For explanations of these terms and others, see page 8 of the Coalition for Inclusive Municipalities Toolkit for Inclusive Municipalities(External link) or Trans Wellness Ontario’s Glossary of Terms(External link).

Resources:

CK Pride(External link): Brings together members of Two Spirit, Trans, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Queer communities within Chatham-Kent.

Rainbow Health Ontario:(External link) Provides relevant and reliable LGBT2SQ health resources for Ontario LGBT2SQ communities, service providers and others with an interest in LGBT2SQ health.

Egale Canada(External link): National organization in Canada that improves the lives of 2SLGBTQI+ people through informing public policy and promoting human rights through research, education, awareness, and legal advocacy.

Positive Spaces Initiatives(External link): Support for organizations serving immigrants and refugees to share resources and increase organizational capacity to serve LGBTQ+ newcomers effectively, they offer free agency trainings.

Queer Events:(External link) Provides educational material, upcoming events, promotional material, and resources. Has a Queer Events Page for Queer Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour(External link), and Older Adults(External link).

What is today? PANSEXUAL AWARENESS AND VISIBILITY DAY!

Today we celebrate the pansexual community nationally and in Chatham. Today brings opportunities for everyone to reflect on how we can further educate others and ourselves on how to be better allies each and every day.

What is pansexuality?

The romantic and/or sexual attraction towards others regardless of their sex or gender.

Important things to keep in mind:

Pan means “all”, and the word pansexuality originally comes from Greek. However, pansexual people are not attracted to all other people, rather they are attracted to individuals from all gender-diverse backgrounds. Similar to how a heterosexual woman will not be attracted to all men. Pansexual individuals experience attraction to specific people, and not just others.

Pansexuality and bisexuality are different, and the two aren’t mutually exclusive. This means that an individual who identifies as bisexual means they are attracted to more than one gender. Someone who is pansexual means that they are attracted to people regardless of their gender identity.

Pansexuality is a part of what makes someone who they are but does not shape their whole identity. A pansexual person may also be trans, may live with a disability, or be a person of colour, or all three! There are many layers to one’s identity, and today is about celebrating everyone’s unique identities and the pansexual community!

If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to the DEIJ Team.

On May 21st, Canada celebrates World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue Development. Canada was the first country in the world to officially celebrate this significant day when it was first received at the 33rd UNESCO General Conference. Today is about celebrating diversity of cultures in Canada and Chatham-Kent.

What is Cultural Diversity?

A common misconception is that cultural diversity refers to only race or ethnicity. Culture helps shape individual’s identities, which makes every person culturally diverse.

Our community includes people from various walks of life, backgrounds, and corners of the globe. People come from diverse religions, racial identities, ethnic groups, speak many languages, celebrate various holidays, listen to all kinds of music, eat different foods, and have various values systems.

Benefits of Cultural Diversity in our Community:

This day highlights how important it is for communities to promote and celebrate cultural diversity. Cultural diversities bring in various perspectives, knowledge, expertise, literature, art, music, food, history, religion, food and more! Other benefits include:

• Creates safer communities and promotes social inclusion and feelings of representation
• Brings open-mindedness and empathy for one another
• Multiple voices, perspectives, and personalities bouncing off one another can give rise to out-of-the-box thinking and problem-solving
• Greater appreciation and opportunity to learn new languages, arts, history, foods, and ways of thinking

Benefits of Cultural Diversity in the Workplace:

Increased creativity: a culturally diverse workforce means unique perspectives, ways of thinking, problem solving, and talents to add to the team.

• Skilled immigrants bring in new education, work experiences, and a global business understanding which keeps Canadian businesses competitive.
• Increased customer satisfaction: better services for customers, organization, and partners especially with individuals who speak various languages.
• Welcoming and inclusive workplace encourages staff members to be themselves, and to embrace their differences to come together as one team.

Supporting Cultural Diversity:

Despite there being many policies, rights, and laws that protect people from various forms of discrimination, prejudices, and violence in Canada, people living in Canada are not always treated equally due to their cultural differences. In 2020, the number of police-reported hate crimes in Canada increased by 37%(External link).

At the Municipality of Chatham-Kent, we strive to ensure that as an organization, people feel welcomed and can work and live authentically and proudly with their unique identities.

We can support and celebrate cultural diversity by:

1. Purposefully interacting with people who have different cultures
2. Understanding the benefits of cultural diversity
3. Furthering our own learning: research and learn about customs, traditions, and practices and be respectful and open to learning
4. Engage in cultural competence training: learn about the benefits here(External link).
5. Remember that every individual has unique experiences, refrain from asking people to be a spokesperson for that group.
6. Speak up if you hear anyone being culturally insensitive
7. If you are exposed to any form of discrimination based on cultural differences ensure you report this to your manager, supervisor, or HR representative.

Resources:

Ethnocultural Community List:(External link) get connected with the various ethnocultural community here in Chatham-Kent.

Adult Language and Learning(External link): promote and foster personal growth and adjustment for all, including immigrants, in Chatham-Kent through education, training, and opportunities that support independence and employment.”

CK Local Immigration Partnership(External link): “a collaborative framework towards the development of coordinated, comprehensive and strategic approaches to immigration and integration that fits the needs of Chatham-Kent's recent immigrants, employers, and service providers.”

Windsor Women Working with Immigrant Women (W5):(External link) “assist immigrant and refugee women and their families to become full and participating members of Canadian Society.”