A Great Way to Celebrate Pride Month is to Educate Ourselves and Become Allies

June 4, 2018 - Marine Atlantic

Pride month is a celebration of love, acceptance, differences, and diversity and is proudly supported by Marine Atlantic.

We strive to create a workplace where everyone feels safe, respected and hope for the same for members of all communities across Newfoundland and Labrador, and Nova Scotia.

The month of June was chosen for LGBTQ2+ Pride Month to commemorate the riots held by members of the LGBTQ2+ community against a police raid that took place at the Stonewall Inn in New York City on June 28, 1969.

The ‘Stonewall riots’ were a “tipping point” for the gay liberation movement in the United States, according to the Library of Congress. The riots paved the way for the modern fight for LGBTQ2+ rights.

Pride month raises awareness of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, two-spirit and queer communities from coast to coast, and worldwide, while providing an opportunity for government, media and the public to engage in conversations around issues that these communities face.

One of the most important conversations we can have during this month surrounds providing safe spaces for adults, and more importantly youth.

Support for those who are navigating the challenges associated with coming out to, or being accepted by friends, family or co-workers and their respective communities is key to ensuring they feel the love and respect they deserve.

Pride Month is a celebration of love, acceptance, differences, and diversity on a white background with a rainbow Marine Atlantic waves logo

Some of the following locations offer these LGBTQ2+ services:

Corner Brook

Western Pride was officially created in 2010. They have initiated many events, including the Day of Purple and first official day Against Homophobia Proclamation.

On the last Friday of each month, Western Pride hosts an LGBT Meet and Greet – a social gathering where people can meet one another, create new friendships, and share in our Pride.

They also provide information on many other pride activities in Western Newfoundland.

St. John’s

Planned Parenthood – Newfoundland Sexual Health Centre (PPNLSHC) is a non-profit charitable organization that promotes positive sexual health through education, community partnership, information and services within an environment that supports and respects individual choice.

Their Education Coordinator offers educational workshops across the province and reaches over 4,000 people annually. They love attending health fairs and collaborating with other groups on their educational events.

They also offer “train-the-trainer” workshops for teachers, nurses, and community organization staff and volunteers.

Cape Breton

The Cape Breton Youth Project is a satellite centre of the Youth Project of Nova Scotia, which has been operating in Halifax for over 25 years. The Cape Breton Centre is a permanent home for support, information, and camaraderie for youth 25 years and under who identify as LGBTQ2+. Their mission is to make Nova Scotia and Cape Breton a safer, healthier, and happier place for youth through education, resource expansion, and community development.

Grand Falls-Windsor

LGBTQ Group, Grand Falls-Windsor holds weekly meeting at the College of the North Atlantic. This group meets regularly to support the LGBTQ community of Central Newfoundland and their allies.

Labrador

Safe Alliance Labrador provides support and resources to individuals regarding LGBTQ issues, while raising awareness throughout Labrador on issues relating to homophobia and heterosexism.

Services provided include public awareness materials educational workshops for youth and adults focused on the effects of homophobia and heterosexism, a resource library, and a safe monthly meeting place for all to share ideas and resources. Please email the Safe Alliance at [email protected] for scheduled meeting times and location.

If you aren’t able to access a centre or program like these in your community, there are a number of web resources available to you, including:

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