Indigenous 
Written by Krista Stephenson, Pride Committee member
Angel, Angie, and Wisteria (pseudonym) are students on SLC’s Kingston campus. They are active in the 2SLGBTQ+ community here, participating in the Queer THRIVE Huddle and volunteering for the Pride Committee. The students also attend drag shows, the Pride parade, and other events in the Kingston area.
Angel, Angie, and Wisteria have all enjoyed positive experiences during their time at SLC so far. “The Huddles have been a nice experience that I really appreciate,” Angie shared. “I want to thank the College, THRIVE, and Huddles for opening this safe and encouraging space.”
The students also expressed a strong desire to see more 2SLGBTQ+ visibility and awareness on campus, to help ensure safety for 2SLGBTQ+ students. “Now more than ever, we need to be uplifting queer voices,” Wisteria said.
In particular, they want to ensure students, employees, and faculty are educated on 2SLGBTQ+ issues, including the proper use of pronouns. “I want those who may not quite understand the queer community to know I’m a person just like you,” Wisteria said. “I don’t want to be treated as a creature who should be banished from society.”
Indeed, according to Egale’s Still In Every Class In Every School report, 62% of 2SLGBTQ+ respondents feel unsafe at school, compared to 11% of cisgender heterosexual students. 2SLGBTQ+ people deserve safe spaces, especially in places of learning, but across Canada, they continue to face high rates of violence, hate, and harassment.
Pride Month can help increase the visibility of the queer community, and the students encourage their peers and SLC employees from all walks of life to attend Pride events on campus and in their communities. “Everyone can benefit from these events,” Wisteria shared. “It’s important to be aware of other people’s experiences.
Additionally, seeking information to stay updated on 2SLGBTQIA+ communities and experiences, using gender-inclusive language, and creating inclusive course content can go a long way in helping to create safer and more inclusive environments.
Expressing gratitude for those who work to create safe spaces on campus, Angel thanks “the people out there who put the effort in to help make the world a better place.”
Additional learning resources
· 2SLGBTQ+ Rights in Canada – Where We’ve Been, and What’s Next (SLC article, June 2024)
· Pride 101: Your Questions Answered (SLC article, June 2024)
· Affirming and Inclusive Language
· Affirming Adults: A Guide to Supporting Gender Diverse Children and Youth
· What should you do when a 2SLGBTQI young person comes out to you?
· 2SLGBTQIA+ Affirming and Equitable Teaching and Learning Practices
· Putting Trans Inclusion into Practice
· 5 Ways to Create Safer Spaces for Queer and Trans Youth in Physical and Health Education Classrooms
· Raising the Bar for 2SLGBTQ+ Youth