Every June, people across North America come together to celebrate, honour, and show support for 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. Pride Month commemorates the uprising following the Stonewall Uprising, a direct response to police raids of the Stonewall Inn in New York City in June 1969. Protest/support marches were held every subsequent year, and grew internationally into Pride events.

For 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, their families and their allies, this is a time to reflect on past hardships, and also consider how they’re striving towards greater social justice and equity.

The design in the photo above (and in our cover photo) is by Chase Gray, trans-Indigiqueer, Two-Spirit Musqueam and Tsimshian artist. In Chase's words: "The design features a raven spindle whorl with two ravens to represent what many Indigenous people identify with; two-spirit. Ravens, known as tricksters, transformers, and catalysts for change, embody profound symbolism. Their playful and wise nature resonates with people throughout the northwest coast. The spindle whorl, inspired by traditional wool-spinning methods, holds great significance as weaving created from this wool is considered a form of wealth among Coast Salish peoples."

Why is Pride Month important at PHSA? 

British Columbia Emergency Health Services' (BCEHS) Pride-themed ambulance parked in New Westminster in 2019 – photo courtesy of Nick Mann.

Recently, there has been a concerning increase in health misinformation campaigns, high-profile legal cases and negative media coverage which is affecting 2SLGBTQIA+ people, their families, and their health-care providers.

As a provincial health authority, PHSA has an ongoing responsibility to reverse the effects of misinformation and create a welcoming, positive and safe space for all 2SLGBTQIA+ (Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and/or Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, and the countless affirmative ways in which people choose to self-identify) people. PHSA is firmly committed to establishing a safe and inclusive environment for everyone; respect through inclusion is at the core of the work we do. 

For Pride Month, PHSA is encouraging action through learning. Pride Month is an opportunity for all of us to acknowledge and appreciate our 2SLGBTQIA+ staff members and clients to take action by educating ourselves on practicing allyship as a means of showing respect, both inside and outside of the health-care landscape.

What can I do to support 2SLGBTQIA+ communities?

Trans Care BC staff (pictured left) attended the Prince George Pride celebration on June 4, 2023.

Join PHSA by celebrating and honouring Pride season by taking personal action to learn and broaden our understanding of 2SLGBTQIA+ history, diversity, ongoing struggle for rights and the contributions and successes of the Pride movement since the Stonewall riots, which happened 54 years ago.

Activities, learning opportunities and resources

Here are a few suggestions on where to begin:

• Take Trans Care BC’s free online training courses that are available to everyone with topics including: Introduction to Gender Diversity, Indigenous Gender Diversity, and Supporting gender creative children and their families.
• Trans Care BC also offers online support tools. They offer practical strategies for creating welcoming, accessible, and gender-affirming environments, places, and services:
  
• Making Mistakes and Correcting Them (PDF)
  
• Understanding Gender
  
• Resources for peer support groups
  
• Attend events held throughout B.C. during Pride Season.
• Check out a list of additional provincial resources in our 2022 Pride Month article.
  

Our colleagues at the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) have created a list to get you started on educating ourselves on practicing allyship:

From all of us at PHSA, happy Pride Month!