June 24, 2024

Celebrating Pride

Contributors: Michelle Willson & Ramitha Muralitharan

June is Pride Month, a time to celebrate and honour the history, achievements, impact, and resiliency of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community¹. Pride celebrations started as protests for gay rights. While there were even earlier protests for the gay rights movement, Pride is most often linked to the 1969 Stonewall Riots in New York city, where activists and community members protested police-raids in Greenwich Village². The next year, folks gathered to march through Manhattan in recognition of the Stonewall Riots that had taken place. This march was an event which later came to be known as the “Gay Pride Parade”^2,3. Canadians also gathered for demonstrations advocating for 2SLGBTQIA+ rights. In 1971, people in Ottawa and Vancouver held the first big protests for 2SLGBTIA+ rights in Canada. These later expanded over the next few years to other cities across the country. Today, Pride events take place throughout the year, with many happening during the summer months, often called Pride Season, when communities across Canada come together to celebrate, reflect, and advocate for equity¹.

Pride is not only a celebration but is also a time to think about the unfair treatment that still exists for many people in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. This also includes people who are 2SLGBTQIA+ and are part of other groups that face discrimination such as women, Indigenous Peoples, racialized people, and people with disabilities⁴. To create a truly inclusive world, it’s important to understand the challenges that 2SLGBTQIA+ folks face, including those who identify with other groups that face discrimination. When we understand and acknowledge these barriers, we can start to break them down and create more fair and welcoming spaces for everyone. This includes recognizing the unique experiences of 2SLGBTQIA+ folks with disabilities, who often face barriers at the intersection of both ableism and discrimination based on gender and sexual orientation.

In 2022, the Canadian Survey on Disability collected data on 2SLGBTQ+* Canadians with Disabilities (CSD) for the first time⁵. Having this data available is a critical step in understanding and addressing the challenges that persist for 2SLGBTQ+ Canadians with Disabilities. Findings from the 2022 CSD revealed that 2SLGBTQ+ folks were more likely to have more severe and co-occurring disabilities. They also found that mental health-related and learning disabilities were the most common type of disability reported by 2SLGBTQ+ individuals⁶. Many 2SLGBTQ+ workers with mental-health related disabilities need productivity supports to help them succeed at work like modified work hours. In fact, according to the 2022 CSD, about 32% of 2SLGBTQ+ folks with mental-health related disabilities reported needing this kind of support compared to 24% of their non-2SLGBTQ+ peers. Even though these supports are needed, 2SLGBTQ+ workers are almost 10% less likely to tell their employers about their disability⁷. This can make it harder for them to get the supports they need to bring their best selves to work. Many people still face stigma around mental health and 2SLGBTQIA+ identities, and when these experiences overlap, it can create additional and layered barriers to being fully supported and included at work. Taking steps towards building inclusive workplaces is necessary to ensure people not only feel welcome but also feel comfortable asking for the supports they need to thrive!

Interested in learning more about the findings from the 2022 Canadian Survey on Disability? Check out the article: New Horizons: Intersectional Insights on Work and Disability Trends in Canada from CCRW’s 2024 Trends Report, Shaping Tomorrow.

While we celebrate this month, commitment to inclusion is needed all year round! Below are some actions you can take to make a difference long-term!

Steps Toward Real Change:

Be Vocal: Don’t let discrimination go unchallenged! Question why corporations only highlight their support for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community once a year instead of committing to equal opportunity and safety year-round.
Be a True Ally: If you witness someone being harassed at work for their identity, stand up for them. Make it clear that such behavior will not be tolerated. Your support can significantly reduce the anxiety of the person experiencing discrimination and increase their likelihood of staying in their job.
Advocate for Better Employment Practices: A diverse workplace fosters innovation and creativity. Ask your employer what steps they are taking to ensure 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals with disabilities are safe at work. Encourage them to bring in new perspectives to solve problems and complete tasks.

Support for 2SLGBTQQIPAA+ Individuals with Disabilities

If you are a 2SLGBTQQIPAA+ person with a disability, there are a variety of supports available. The Canadian Council on Rehabilitation and Work (CCRW) offers support with job searching and can connect you with inclusive employers committed to equity and accessibility.

Beyond employment, there are many organizations and online resources that provide community support, advocacy, and tools tailored to the unique experiences of 2SLGBTQQIPAA+ individuals with disabilities in Canada. Explore the following to find the support that’s right for you:

Canadian Council on Rehabilitation and Work (CCRW)
Egale Canada
Rainbow Health Ontario
LET’S (Live Education Transform Society)
PFlag Canada
The 519
QMUNITY
CampOUT!
Trans PULSE Canada
Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA)
LGBT National Hotline
2SLGBTQQIA+ Resource List – FNHA

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