This notice is from the archives of The Notice Board. Information contained in this notice was accurate at the time of publication but may no longer be so.
The University of Lethbridge is at its best when it can show off its campus culture and the supportive, connected and welcoming community that helps students, faculty and staff thrive in their roles. Although the COVID-19 pandemic has made it difficult to celebrate the rich diversity on our campus, this year during Pride Month, the University of Lethbridge has an opportunity to be a part of not only celebrating but honouring the many voices of our 2SLGBTQ+ students, staff and faculty.
Pride month is a celebration of the diversity of the 2SLGBTQ+ communities, an acknowledgement of 2SLGBTQ+ history, and a continued recognition of the achievements of queer and trans individuals and groups. Take some time to check out the Pride Month web page and the many activities taking place this month, including our Pride Flag raising event on June 20. It’s a time to re-examine our personal and collective commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and to engage in celebration of those ideals while also raising awareness of the vital work that remains in the fight for the rights of all queer and trans individuals.
The University of Lethbridge plays a major role in changing attitudes and shifting culture. We educate, we broaden perspectives, and we inspire generations of students to speak out against injustice towards marginalized groups — our students' actions and their message growing organically throughout society as the changemakers of tomorrow.
What can we do as a collective and what can you do personally to make our campus inclusive and better for all? It starts by creating spaces for brave conversations to discuss and address the systemic inequities that impact the lives of the ULethbridge 2SLGBTQ+ campus community.
It continues with our everyday actions with physical signs or symbols showing 2SLGBTQ+ communities that they are in a safe place. It is using pride flags, buttons or posters and utilizing language and behaviours that affirm a person’s identity and autonomy. It is learning and using a person’s preferred name and recognizing some individuals utilize different pronouns and respecting that choice. It is calling out behaviours and becoming an active ally.
Doing the work by taking time to listen, educating ourselves and those around us, and speaking out against the discrimination and exclusion of queer and trans folks engages everyone in meaningful and active allyship.
Our work towards creating a truly safe campus space for everyone is ongoing and with each day, each student, each graduating class, each staff and faculty we are helping to create the culture shift we all seek.
As we recognize Pride Month, celebrate the strides that have been made, it is important to remember how much farther we have to go to achieve a society that is truly just and accepting of all.
Martha Mathurin-Moe
Executive Director, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Mike Mahon, PhD
President & Vice-Chancellor
Contact:
Martha Mathurin-Moe | martha.mathurinmoe@uleth.ca | ulethbridge.ca/equity-diversity-inclusion/pride-month-return-pride