School of Graduate Studies host first annual Pride Extravaganza !
To celebrate Pride month this year, the School of Graduate Studies presented a virtual pride event like no other ! The event showcased queer stories, artists, designers, performers, and thinkers. Here’s a re-cap video of the event! https://ocadu.techsmithrelay.com/AxdN
Featuring:
Drag Show by Jada Hudson
Artist talk & facilitated discussion: “Supporting Queer and Trans Art and Design education” w/ nicole killian
Performances by David Bateman and Keith Cole
Dance Party! w/ DJ Josh Karmin
#prideRemembers
As we celebrate Pride in Toronto and around the world, it’s important to remember the political roots of pride festivals, including honouring those festivals which started as protest marches. Though we are celebrating Pride Month, we are saddened to hear of the alleged “honour killing” last month of Ali Fazeli Monfared, a 20-year-old gay Iranian man, and more recently, the disturbing homophobic assault of David Gomez at Hanlan’s Point, Toronto Island. A grave reminder that there’s still much work to be done in Canada and abroad in order to raise awareness of the issues, systematic injustices, and phobias that affect those in 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.
Why do we celebrate pride?
This year also marks the 40th anniversary of Pride in Toronto, which was founded in 1981 as a grassroots collection of organizers, activists, and advocates in Toronto’s Queer community who banded together to demonstrate against the infamous bathhouse raids. As we reflect on that history, it is important that we recognize what progress has been made while also acknowledging that we still have much more work left to do. Pride Month is a time to show support to the 2SLGBTQ+ community by participating in programming throughout the month. (Source: Pride Month – City of Toronto)
Did you know…?
2SLGBTQIA+ stands for: 2-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, Ally, and + more Queer Identities.
The acronym is used when talking about the 2SLGBTQIA+ community because there are many identities within the community and the language and terms are always evolving. It is very important to be inclusive, understanding and patient when it comes to the diverse forms of identity that exist in society. (Source: What does LGBTQ2+ mean? – Canada.ca)
Tips on using preferred pronouns:
She, her, hers, he, him his, they, their, them, etc…
A preferred gender pronoun is a third-person pronoun that an individual prefers others to use to reflect their gender (or lack thereof). Preferred pronouns help promote the inclusion and equity of transgender and/or gender non-conforming people. A person’s pronouns may not always be what you assume them to be. Asking for and/or volunteering your preferred gender pronouns is a way to signal support and acceptance for transgender and/or gender non-conforming people. Do not refer to people by an incorrect pronoun once the correct pronoun has been established. If a mistake occurs, acknowledge it and work to correct it. (Source: SpeakOUT Foundation)
More resources and information:
