Yesterday & Today
Pride Season is a term that refers to the wide range of Pride events that takes place over the summer when LGBTQ2+ communities and allies worldwide come together to spotlight the resilience, celebrate the talent, and recognize the contributions of LGBTQ2+ communities. Although special attention is put on Pride events during summer months, they happen throughout the year in many communities across Canada.
In Canada, 2021 marked the 50th anniversary of Pride gatherings that emerged from the first large-scale protests for LGBTQ2 rights that took place in Ottawa and Vancouver. Also in 1971, the document We Demand was presented to the federal government asking for changes to discriminatory federal laws and policies. By 1973, Pride events were held in several large Canadian cities, and today, many local events take place across the country throughout the year.
In 2017, the Prime Minister delivered a historic apology to LGBTQ2+ Canadians that has taken meaningful steps towards building a safer and consciously more inclusive country. In March 2022, a bold and dynamic design was chosen for the LGBTQ2+ National Monument to be built in downtown Ottawa by 2025. This monument will educate, memorialize, celebrate and inspire diversity and inclusion in Canadian society was revealed. Later this year, the first ever Federal LGBTQ2+ Action Plan will be released following a public engagement with more than 25,000 LGBTQ2+ Canadians; some preliminary survey results can be found here.
While great progress has been made since the days of protests and the federal public service purge, the Public Service Pride (PSP) Network acknowledges that the fight for equality is not over. As long as discrimination of sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or any other forms of discrimination exist, our voices will be loud and proud.
Part of making our voices heard is to actively participate in the PSP Network events, celebrations and programs including this year’s 4th Public Service Pride Week, which takes place from August 22 to 26, 2022.
Public Service Pride Week
Held virtually from August 22 to August 26, 2022.
The theme of this year’s PSPW is Being your Authentic Self at work.
Being Your Authentic Self
With a focus on expression and creativity, this theme of authenticity will act as a foundation for discussions, events and advocacy in 2022. The variety of expressions of this theme will highlight how members of the Public Service Pride Network (PSPN)—and the broader public service—are diverse and inclusive. Thus, “Being your authentic self at work” reinforces the Clerk’s call to action in meaningful and measurable ways.