June is Pride Month, and on Monday, the Delta School District raised a rainbow flag at its board office in Ladner to recognize this global initiative.
“We want to honour the fact that it is Pride Month and reaffirm our commitment to establishing and maintaining a safe and positive learning environment for all students and employees, including those who self-identify as a member of a sexual minority,” said school board chair Val Windsor.
The School District worked with a dedicated group of students and staff to create formal procedures that ensure those who self-identify as a member of a sexual minority (including, but not limited to, those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, transsexual, two-spirited, queer, pansexual, or who are questioning their sexual orientation or gender identity) feel safe, included, and acknowledged.
“We continue to seek student and staff input to improve our progress towards providing a safe environment, free from harassment and discrimination and ensuring that sexual minority students, employees and their families are treated with respect and dignity at all times,” added superintendent of schools Doug Sheppard. “Monday’s ceremony reflects our commitment to the anti-discrimination principles and values contained in the B.C. Human Rights Code, Canadian Human Rights Act, and Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.”
LGBTQ+ Pride is the positive stance against discrimination and violence toward lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people to promote their self-affirmation, dignity, equality rights, increase their visibility as a social group, build community, and celebrate sexual diversity and gender variance.
The flag will fly until the end of June.
See more from the School District ceremony at: https://vimeo.com/429692795.
