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.

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.

Learn about CK Pride's history on the CK Pride website.

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 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.

How Can We Create an Inclusive Workplace for 2SLGBTQIA+ People?

Because we have such a large workforce, and we work so closely with community members, Municipalities play a key role in combatting discrimination against 2SLGBTQIA+ people and communities. Through our hiring, policies, communications, and face-to-face interactions with people, we can create a welcoming and inclusive Municipality for 2SLGBTQIA+ colleagues and community members. We’ve included some ideas below.

1. Participate in training and learning opportunities.

To understand and use inclusive language and your own biases (we all have them!). For example, options are offered through Rainbow Health Ontario and by contacting CK Pride. Find more resources to support learning on the DEIJ Employee Portal resources section.

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

Avoid comments that assume someone is heterosexual, whether a client, colleague, or their family member. 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. Re-think questions asked on forms.

Do you really need to know someone’s gender or sexual orientation? What will the information be used for? These can be incredibly sensitive questions for folks who have experienced discrimination or who want to keep these parts of their identity private.

If you are asking, ensure the options are inclusive and avoid using ‘other’ as a catch-all. Let people know why you’re gathering the information, and how it will be used.

5. Reach out to diverse 2SLGBTQIA+ communities and people.

When gathering information to develop a policy or program, reach out to various 2SLGBTQIA+ people and communities to learn about their unique needs.

6. Interrupt homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia.

If safe to do so, do not stay silent when you are witnessing or experiencing homophobic, biphobic, or transphobic comments or jokes. Egale Canada has a helpful resource for how to respond with allyship.

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

Report incidents of discrimination and harassment to your Manager, Supervisor, or Human Resources.

We all have a part to play in making our organization a great one for colleagues and community members who are 2SLGBTQIA+.

Happy Pride Season to folks who are celebrating!