When strolling along Bloor Street, near Devonshire, you may notice something different this month – flying alongside the Canadian and Varsity Blues flag at Varsity Stadium is the Pride flag. During a ceremony held on June 7, the Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education raised the flag to signal its continued support of the LGBTQ community.
The month-long celebration launched on June 1, replacing the previous Pride Week, and will culminate with the popular Pride Parade on July 3.
“The idea originated from Varsity Blues staff member Ivan Canete when he saw other organizations along Bloor Street displaying the flag,” said Terry Gardiner, the Faculty’s assistant manager of co-curricular diversity and equity. “A huge part of our mandate is to promote inclusivity and equity, and our highly visible location is the perfect place to recognize Pride.”
This mandate extends throughout the Faculty, from its academic and sports and recreation programs to its student-driven initiatives. Every year the Faculty hosts two LGBTQ Days of Movement, featuring a wide range of physical activities at the Athletic Centre. Another initiative, called Athlete Ally, is a student-led campaign designed to end homophobia and transphobia in sport.
“Sometimes it can be tough for students in sport who identify as LGBTQ because they might feel isolated,” said Mary Beth Challoner, the Varsity Blues manager of events, marketing and sports information. “Through our Athlete Ally campaign and this flag raising, we’re telling students that we support them and that everyone is welcome on our teams and in our facilities.”
U of T has a long tradition of advocating for LGBTQ rights. The university’s internationally recognized Positive Space campaign, which raises the visibility of the LGBTQ community, was started 20 years ago.
“Since 1999 the university’s Sexual and Gender Diversity Office has greatly expanded its training, programs and events,” said Allison Burgess, a Sexual and Gender Diversity Officer with Human Resources and Equity. “U of T also has 13 LGBTQ student groups and has a long history of activism – the first on-campus LGBTQ association was created in 1969.”
Not only is U of T recognizing Pride on campus, but it is also joining the broader community in its celebrations. This year, the federal and provincial government and Toronto City Hall also raised flags to recognize Canada’s Pride Month. And Toronto’s annual Pride Parade attracts thousands of people from around the world.
“It’s amazing to see our idea come to life and to see the flag waving above Bloor Street,” says Canete, Varsity Blues programs and marketing coordinator. “I’m proud of the Faculty’s commitment to make this happen, and it will be exciting to see how this new tradition evolves over the years.”