Celebrating Pride at Western
Written by: Victoria Lam, 2nd Year Chemistry
Photos by: Western University
Happy Pride, Mustangs!
The Pride Month tradition began with the 1969 Stonewall Riots in New York. On June 28 of that year, police raided the Stonewall Inn bar and violently arrested 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals on the supposed grounds of “cross-dressing” laws that were designed to enforce binary gender expression norms. Instead of accepting this treatment, however, patrons and community members resisted. A year later, the first Gay Pride Liberation March took place in Manhattan to commemorate the uprising... and the rest is history!
While this incident, which defined much of the modern-day 2SLGBTQIA+ rights movement, occurred in the United States, Canada also has a long history surrounding Pride. From the decriminalization of homosexuality in 1969, to the coining of the Indigenous term “Two-Spirit” in 1990, to the first raising of the rainbow flag on Parliament Hill in 2016, queer Canadians and allies have continually fought for equality, visibility, and inclusion. Learn more about the history of Canadian Pride through the Canadian Pride Historical Society's timeline!
Celebrating Pride in London
Common Pride events worldwide include parades, shows, and festivals. London, in particular, hosts the Pride London Summer Festival from July 10-19! Held since 2003, the festival was built on the legacy of HALO, an organization supporting the queer community that began as a club at Western. More information on this history is available through the HALO Fonds Online Exhibition, housed in Western’s Pride Library. This year, the festival features fun events such as a screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show at Hyland Cinema, a London Majors vs. Guelph Royals baseball game at Labatt Park, and is, of course, closed out in true Pride fashion with a parade. Visit the Pride London website for information on dates, ticket prices, and additional events. Whatever you attend, you’ll surely have a blast!
Pride at Western
If you’d like to stay on campus, Western is celebrating as well! On July 8 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., enjoy live music and good company at the Out at the Beach Pride Celebration. On July 15 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m., head over to the Community Room at Weldon Library for a “Beyond Nonbinary: Perspectives on Existence and Expansiveness” keynote with PhD student Sydney Brouillard-Coyle. Last but not least, on July 28 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m., join the Zoom webinar “Building 2SLGBTQIA+ Allyship into Workplace Culture” with Victor Zhang from The 519. These occasions are great ways to socialize while learning something new! Additional information and registration links for all events are available on Western's Pride Month website.
Why Pride Matters
Everyone deserves to feel secure in and proud of their sexuality and gender identity, making Pride aptly named for its purpose. It isn’t just a month of celebration and fun - it is a time to commemorate those who couldn’t celebrate in the past and to champion progress in the hopes that everyone can celebrate in the future. It is also a year-round commitment, extending beyond just the month of June. Whether you identify as part of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community or as an ally, consider celebrating, learning, and showing your support this summer and beyond!
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