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More Than a Rainbow: The History, Significance and Power of Pride

Written by: Rainy Lu, 2nd Year Medical Science

As we step into June, it might be worth noting that the significance of the month originates from more than just the nice weather. June is Pride Month! While I am sure most of us know this, we should all reflect on the fact that Pride Month is more than a month of rainbows and parades. Pride Month is a time for a global celebration of love, resilience, and the continuous fight for equality. In June, we honour the courage of those who stood up at Stonewall and the activists who made every step forward. We especially want to recognize the 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals who live their truth every day, even when the world pushes back.   

However, Pride is not only about looking back and acknowledging the past. It is also about marching forward as a community. In a time when 2SLGBTQIA+ rights are still under attack in many places, celebrating Pride means amplifying voices, demanding justice, and refusing to be bystanders. Pride Month is a reminder to everyone that love and equality are what we fight for.   

Without further ado, let us dive into the heart of Pride—its history, its meaning, and how we can become allies in the celebration of pride.   

History of Pride Month   

If I ask a random person on the street about the history of Pride Month, the first thing that comes to mind is probably the Stonewall Riots in the United States. People do not often realize that Canada also has a fascinating history and turning points for 2SLGBTQIA+ rights.   

One day before the Stonewall Riots, on May 14, 1969, Canada decriminalized homosexual acts between consenting adults. In 1971, the first Gay Liberation Protest and March took place at Parliament Hill in Ottawa. By 1973, multiple Canadian cities started hosting regular Pride events. Today, Pride celebration has become a national practice when 2SLGBTQIA+ communities and allies come together to spotlight the resilience, talent, and contributions of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.  

What is 2SLGBTQIA+?  

The first step in becoming an ally in the celebration of pride is to understand what 2SLGBTQIA+ means.  

2S -  Two-spirit, a culturally specific identity used by some Indigenous communities to refer to a person who embodies both male and female spirits in their gender identity, spiritual identity, and/or sexual orientation.  

L - Lesbian, a woman who is sexually or romantically attracted exclusively to other women.  

G - Gay, a man who is sexually or romantically attracted exclusively to other men.  

B - Bisexual, a person who has the potential to be physically, romantically, and/or emotionally attracted to people of more than one gender, not necessarily at the same time, in the same way, or to the same degree.   

T - Transgender, a person whose gender identity differs from the sex they were assigned at birth.  

Q - Queer or questioning, a non-universal term used when existing categories are perceived to be too limiting and/or fraught with cultural connotations that individuals may feel do not apply to them.  ‘Questioning’ has come to mean someone who is in a process of exploration and self-definition of their gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation.  

I - Intersex, a person with one or more innate sex characteristics, including genitals, internal reproductive organs, and chromosomes, that fall outside of traditional conceptions of male or female bodies.  

A - Asexual or 'ace', someone who does not experience sexual attraction, or who does so only under certain situations such as after forming a strong emotional bond with someone.  

+ - Inclusive of people who identify as part of sexual and gender-diverse communities and use additional terminologies.  

The EDI Office at Western provides a comprehensive Inclusive Language Guide which provides infromation on gender and sexuality. 

Ways to get involved  

Throughout the blog post, you can see how as a community, we celebrate pride in promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Pride is a powerful celebration rooted in a peaceful protest to expand the perspective of people who struggle to understand that gender and sexuality are fluid. Our differences are what makes everyone unique. If you want to participate in some Pride Month events, we have lots of options for you!  

If you are staying in London this summer, here are some events offered by the Western:  

  • June 2 - Flag raising and lighting of Alumni Hall in the morning.
  • June 15 - SOGS Run with Pride!
  • July 11, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. - Out at the Beach, in line with London Pride Kickoff (launch of Western’s Pride Guide)

If you are away from London, no worries! There are also remote options for you to get involved in pride celebration events and learn more about how to be an ally. You can also search for local in-person events.

Key Dates  

Here are some other key dates that you might want to add to your calendar for Pride celebrations happening locally this summer:  

Support system  

In the Western community, we value everyone’s wellness and well-being. If you identify as 2SLGBTQIA+, you can reach out to the Mental Health Support services offered by Western specifically for 2SLGBTQIA+ students.  

Sources:
https://www.cbc.ca/kidsnews/post/timeline-50-years-of-lgbtq-pride-in-canada/  
https://www.canada.ca/en/women-gender-equality/pride-season.html
https://www.canada.ca/en/women-gender-equality/free-to-be-me/what-is-2slgbtqi-plus.html   

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