Celebrating Pride Month: A Call for True Inclusion and Equity

June is International Pride Month, a time when the 2SLGBTQQIPAA+ community celebrates their unique and diverse lives. Many corporations display rainbow flags to show solidarity. However, the intersection of queer identities, disability, and workplace equity reveals a more complex reality.

A 2020 US study found that one-third of queer adults self-reported having a disability, with the figure rising to over 50% among trans adults. These dual barriers can be overwhelming, and repeated rejection often leads to worsening mental health as individuals struggle to find equitable employment in safe environments. In Canada, LGB adults, particularly bisexual women, report poorer mental health and show a higher prevalence of mood and anxiety disorders compared to their heterosexual counterparts. Bisexual individuals are also more likely to consider their general health fair or poor. Additionally, research from Trans Pulse Canada (2020) showed that trans people are five times more likely to be below the low-income cut-off.

While corporations may display rainbow flags during Pride Month, these symbolic gestures often fail to lead to meaningful improvements in workplace equity and safety. The lack of truly inclusive work environments contributes to economic instability, making the community more vulnerable to poverty. This raises questions about whether such displays are merely acts of performative activism and how we can foster real change.

Steps Toward Real Change

1. Be Vocal: Don’t let discrimination go unchallenged! Question why corporations only highlight their support for the 2SLGBTQQIPAA+ community once a year instead of committing to equal opportunity and safety year-round.
2. 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.
3. Advocate for Better Employment Practices: A diverse workplace fosters innovation and creativity. Ask your employer what steps they are taking to ensure 2SLGBTQQIPAA+ individuals with disabilities are safe at work. Encourage them to bring in new perspectives to solve problems and complete tasks.

Conclusion

Pride Month is a time for celebration, but it should also be a time for reflection and action. We must strive for true inclusion and equity in the workplace, ensuring that every individual, regardless of their identity or ability, can work in a safe and supportive environment.

Support for 2SLGBTQQIPAA+ Individuals with Disabilities

If you are a 2SLGBTQQIPAA+ person with disabilities, Canadian Council on Rehabilitation and Work (CCRW) is here to help. CCRW can assist you in your job search and connect you with safe, inclusive employers that provide equitable employment opportunities. For more support and resources for Canadian 2SLGBTQQIPAA+ individuals with disabilities visit these sites:

1. Canadian Council on Rehabilitation and Work (CCRW)

• Provides employment services and support for people with disabilities, including those from the 2SLGBTQQIPAA+ community.
• Website: CCRW

2. Egale Canada

• Offers programs and services that promote LGBTQI2S human rights and inclusion, including support for those with disabilities.
• Website: Egale Canada

3. Rainbow Health Ontario

• Provides health information and resources specifically for the LGBTQ2+ community, including those with disabilities.
• Website: Rainbow Health Ontario

4. QMUNITY

• A non-profit organization that provides support and resources for LGBTQ2S+ individuals in British Columbia, including those with disabilities.
• Website: QMUNITY

5. .Trans PULSE Canada

• Conducts research and provides resources focused on the health and well-being of trans and non-binary people in Canada, including those with disabilities.
• Website: Trans PULSE Canada

6. Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA)

• Provides mental health resources and support, including services for LGBTQ2+ individuals with disabilities.
• Website: CMHA

Sources

Trans Pulse Canada: Health and well-being among racialized trans and non-binary people (2020) -

https://transpulsecanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Health-and-well-being-among-racialized-trans-and-non-binary-people-FINAL-ua-2.pdf

StatCan: Studies on Gender and Intersecting Identities – Functional Health Difficulties among lesbian, gay, and bisexual people in Canada 2023 - https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/45-20-0002/452000022023003-eng.htm

Human Rights Campaign (n.d.): Understanding Disability in the LGBTQ+ Community. 2018 - https://www.hrc.org/resources/understanding-disabled-lgbtq-people