Latest news with #2SLGBTQI
Cision Canada
a day ago
- Health
- Cision Canada
RNAO celebrates Pride at events across Ontario
TORONTO, June 27, 2025 /CNW/ - Carrying colourful banners and dressed in their brightest attire, members of the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO) and members of its Rainbow Nursing Interest Group (RNIG) will continue an annual tradition of marching at several Pride events across the province this summer. "RNAO remains committed to supporting sexually and gender-diverse individuals, especially during Pride Month," says RNAO President NP Lhamo Dolkar. "Many of our members identify with the 2SLGBTQI+ community and/or provide care to community members. We are proud to march alongside them and will continue to advocate for safe, equitable and barrier-free care across all health sectors and settings. Our association values inclusivity and protecting the human rights of people of all sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions in Canada and around the world." RNAO members support 2SLGBTQI+ clients and colleagues in various roles throughout the health system on a daily basis, and the association has long advocated for equality. Registered nurses, nurse practitioners and nursing students across the province are determined to improve access to health services for equity-deserving communities, including Ontarians who identify as transgender. "RNAO is unwavering in its commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI). We are honoured to walk alongside our 2SLGBTQI+ family and friends again this year," says RNAO CEO Dr. Doris Grinspun. "At a time when we are witnessing a troubling rise in anti-2SLGBTQI+ sentiment and a broader backlash against diversity – including the recent decision by companies like Google, Home Depot, Nissan Canada and Clorox to withdraw their support for Pride – it is more important than ever to speak out, says Grinspun. "We call on all Canadians of conscience to expose corporate sponsors who backtrack on their EDI programs and retract their support at the first threat to their profits. These actions, influenced by President Donald Trump and Canadian far-right movements and fearmongering, are unacceptable and shameful," adds Grinspun. "We must not allow intimidation to roll back decades of progress. Nurses will continue to lead with compassion, evidence and courage to ensure the dignity, health and rights of every person are upheld," insists Dolkar. WHAT: Members of the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO) will march in Pride parades in communities across Ontario. HOW: Register online to attend one or more of the events. Reporters interested in interviewing an RNAO representative are encouraged to reach out to one of the contacts below. To learn more about RNAO's work related to 2SLGBTQI+ communities, visit the dedicated In Focus web page. The Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO) is the professional association representing registered nurses, nurse practitioners and nursing students in Ontario. Since 1925, RNAO has advocated for healthy public policy, promoted excellence in nursing practice, increased nurses' contribution to shaping the health system, and influenced decisions that affect nurses and the public we serve. For more information about RNAO, visit or follow us on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. SOURCE Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario
CTV News
a day ago
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Toronto Pride parade: where to watch and what to know about road closures
FILE - Participants carry a pride flag as they walk in the Toronto Pride Parade, on Sunday June 25, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young The city's Pride Month celebration is culminating this weekend with the annual Pride Parade. Over 25,000 marchers and 250 groups are expected to participate, with hundreds of thousands more lining up downtown Toronto to celebrate the 2SLGBTQI+ community. The parade will begin at 2 p.m. on Sunday at Park Road and Rosedale Valley Road and will travel south along Yonge Street. It will end at Bay Street and Queen Street West. CP24 will have special coverage of the parade from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., hosted by Bill Coulter and Jee-Yun Lee. They will be joined by event organizers and community groups during the parade. You can stream CP24's Toronto Pride Parade 2025 special on and the CP24 and CTV News apps. Meanwhile, the Trans March and Dyke March are happening on Friday and Saturday, respectively. Here are the road closures you need to know: Trans March (June 27, starting at 7 p.m.) and Dyke March (June 28, starting at 1 p.m.) Hayden Street from Yonge Street to Church Street Yonge Street from Bloor Street East to Gould Street Gould Street from Yonge Street to Church Street Church Street from Gould Street to Hayden Street Pride & Remembrance Run (June 28) The following roads will be closed from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Wellesley Street between Jarvis Street and Queens Park Crescent Queens Park in both directions between College Street and Bloor Street West. Pride Parade (June 29) Toronto Pride Parade route Toronto Pride 2025's Festival map include the route for the parades and marches. (Toronto Pride) At 8 a.m., Rosedale Valley Road will be closed form Park Road to Bayview Avenue At 11 a.m., the following road closures will come into effect: Church Street from Yonge Street to Bloor Street East Park Road from Rosedale Valley Road to Bloor Street East Asquith Avenue from Yonge Street to Park Road Collier Street from Yonge Street to Church Street At 12 p.m., the following road closures will come into effect: Bloor Street West from Bay Street to Ted Rogers Way Yonge Street from Church Street to Queen Street East Dundas Street West from University Avenue to Victoria Street Bay Street from Queen Street to Dundas Street Police say all roads are expected to reopen at 8 p.m. Pride Toronto Street Fair (June 27 to June 30) From 9 a.m. on Friday to 7 a.m. on Monday, Church Street will be closed between Dundas and Bloor Street East. Wellesley Street East will also be closed between Yonge and Jarvis Streets.
CTV News
2 days ago
- General
- CTV News
Toronto Pride parade: what you need to know about road closures
FILE - Participants carry a pride flag as they walk in the Toronto Pride Parade, on Sunday June 25, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young The city's Pride month celebration is culminating this weekend with the annual Pride Parade. Over 25,000 marchers and 250 groups are expected to participate with hundreds of thousands more lining up downtown Toronto to celebrate the 2SLGBTQI+ community. The parade will begin at 2 p.m. on Sunday at Park Road and Rosedale Valley Road and will travel south along Yonge Street. It will end at Bay Street and Queen Street West. Meanwhile the Trans March and Dyke March are happening on Friday and Saturday, respectively. Here are the road closures you need to know: Trans March (June 27, starting at 7 p.m.) and Dyke March (June 28, starting at 1 p.m.) Hayden Street from Yonge Street to Church Street Yonge Street from Bloor Street East to Gould Street Gould Street from Yonge Street to Church Street Church Street from Gould Street to Hayden Street Pride & Remembrance Run (June 28) The following roads will be closed from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Wellesley Street between Jarvis Street and Queens Park Crescent Queens Park in both directions between College Street and Bloor Street West. Pride Parade (June 29) At 8 a.m., Rosedale Valley Road will be closed form Park Road to Bayview Avenue At 11 a.m., the following road closures will come into effect: Church Street from Yonge Street to Bloor Street East Park Road from Rosedale Valley Road to Bloor Street East Asquith Avenue from Yonge Street to Park Road Collier Street from Yonge Street to Church Street At 12 p.m., the following road closures will come into effect: Bloor Street West from Bay Street to Ted Rogers Way Yonge Street from Church Street to Queen Street East Dundas Street West from University Avenue to Victoria Street Bay Street from Queen Street to Dundas Street Police say all roads are expected to reopen at 8 p.m. Pride Toronto Street Fair (June 27 to June 30) From 9 a.m. on Friday to 7 a.m. on Monday, Church Street will be closed between Dundas and Bloor Street East. Wellesley Street East will also be closed between Yonge and Jarvis Streets.
National Post
4 days ago
- Business
- National Post
Modern living: Building belonging
Some residents of the new Story of Midtown rental tower were drawn to the 38-storey property by its location, two blocks northeast of Yonge and Eglinton. Others may have prioritized its amenities, like an indoor cycling studio and a rooftop terrace, while lease-signing incentives such as a month's free rent presented another enticement. Article content But anyone belonging to the 2SLGBTQI+ community now has another reason to move in: On May 29, Story of Midtown became the first residential rental building in Canada to receive Rainbow Registered accreditation from the Canadian 2SLGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce. Article content Article content As well as denoting the building's adherence to standards that aim to ensure 2SLGBTQI+ residents feel safe, supported and welcome, the designation reflects a broader shift in the increasingly competitive rental market. Beyond location, price and amenities, a new differentiator is emerging: inclusion. And while the term may conjure up images of symbolic gestures — Pride flags in lobbies or diversity-themed marketing — some developers and property managers are working to weave inclusion into their communities' fabric. Article content Article content 'For renters, top priorities will always include rent, location and convenience,' says Matti Siemiatycki, a professor of Geography and Planning at the University of Toronto. 'But feeling seen, supported and part of a community matters too, especially when property managers back their inclusive language with real policies and action.' Article content Siemiatycki points out that inclusion is increasingly becoming part of the toolkit landlords use to set themselves apart. Beyond perks like free rent or gift cards, inclusion offers a home where residents feel they belong. Article content At Story of Midtown, inclusion is now grounded in standards to which the tower's developer and manager, Hazelview Properties, must adhere. These include providing staff with a paid volunteer day to support community causes, as well as training in 2SLGBTQI+ inclusion, pronoun usage, unconscious bias and inclusive language. According to Jasmin Pirani, Hazelview's partner of marketing and social impact, the company is in the process of evaluating the benefits of Rainbow Registered accreditation as it considers applying it across its portfolio of 200-plus residential buildings, and to the 20,000 new rental homes in its development pipeline. Article content Similar priorities are reflected in the residential communities developed and managed by Tridel, the GTA's largest condo builder. 'Prioritizing inclusion helps shape vibrant, resilient communities where everyone has the opportunity to thrive,' says Samson Fung, senior vice-president of sales and marketing. Inclusion, he says can take various forms: 'Seamless design, where architecture and urban planning don't differentiate between income levels, promotes dignity, equity and a shared sense of belonging in mixed-income communities.'
Canada Standard
19-06-2025
- Politics
- Canada Standard
Catholic school board's regressive flag policy sets back reconciliation in a post-Papal visit Canada
Following the release of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's 94 Calls to Action in 2015, some Catholic school boards have made commitments to reconciliation in education. These boards include the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board (DPCDSB). However, the DPCDSB - located in the Greater Toronto area - has also introduced a flag policy that raises serious questions about a commitment to the wider progress being made in welcoming all students and promoting reconciliation. On Jan. 28, 2025 - following advocacy in different parts of Ontario and the country against the presence of the Pride flag - the board's trustees voted in nine to one to add more restrictions to its flag policies. These restrictions stipulated that only flags representing Canada, the provinces, territories and the school board can be be displayed inside schools or other DPCDSB facilities. The developments in Peel Region follow earlier policy changes to restrict the presence of the Pride flag and other flags at schools. Advocates from the board defending flag restrictions have said that in Catholic schools, the icon of the cross is the only symbol that should be promoted and that this represents inclusion and acceptance of all. However, members of the 2SLGBTQI+ community and opponents of restrictive flag policies argue that the Pride flag is needed to signal a welcoming environment. They say its removal is an act of erasure and that it calls into question how the board affirms the rights, dignity and visibility of 2SLGBTQI+ people and how it fosters their safety. The board says, and believes, its practices and policies comply with the Ontario human rights code, adding that supports are available for students who identify as 2SLGBTQI. The erasure of the Pride flag has the simultaneous effect of banning other important flags, such as Every Child Matters flags, Indigenous Nation flags and MMIWG2S flags (drawing attention to ending violence, disappearance and murder of First Nations women, girls and two-spirit people). In our analysis, this restrictive flag policy expresses colonial violence. We rely on the work of Sandra Styres, researcher of Iethi'nihstenha Ohwentsia'kekha (Land), Resurgence, Reconciliation and the Politics of Education, who examines how colonial violence is expressed in academic settings through "micro-aggressions, purposeful ignorance, structural racism, lateral violence, isolation" and also in "representations and spaces." Our concern is informed by our combined research and personal engagement focused around reconciliatory education in elementary Catholic schools (Erenna) and Anishinaabe Catholic expressions of self-determination in the Church (Noah). Erenna is a settler and Noah is a member of Michipicoten First Nation. We are married writing partners who travelled to Quebec City in July 2022 to witness the long-awaited penitential pilgrimage of the late Pope Francis. We left with an awareness that this is a critical time for the righting of relationships that have been severely fractured by a Church complicit in genocide. The DPCDSB flag policy speaks to an unwillingness of many to sever emotional attachments to the white imperialism that preserves a western way of thinking, doing and being, in the name of faith. When a major Catholic entity like the DPCDSB introduces policies that may cause harm, concerned people, regardless of creed, must pay attention to such injustices. Delegate Melanie Cormier, representing the DPCSB's Indigenous Education Network, shared a statement relaying that the board's restrictive flag policy fails to acknowledge the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation whose traditional and treaty territory where the board resides. She states: "Your flag policy is in violation of our jurisdiction. To say that any of our flags can not be flown in our own territories is unacceptable." Brea Corbet, the only trustee with voting power who did not vote to restrict the Pride flag, told an earlier bylaw policies meeting: "When we remove rainbow flags and heritage flags, we are not protecting our Catholic identity; we are revealing institutional fragility. The Pride flag does not threaten Catholic education, policies of exclusion do." Three student trustees also opposed the restrictive policy, but their votes unfortunately aren't counted. We argue this too speaks to the suppression of student voice within the board. This fragility disproportionately threatens the safety of Indigenous, 2SLGBTQI+ and marginalized students and staff as they are overlooked and dismissed by the flag policy. Read more: New Brunswick's LGBTQ+ safe schools debate makes false opponents of parents and teachers Kanienkeha:ka (Mohawk) education professor Frank Deer speaks of educational programming "that is congruent with the identity of the local community." This programming, he writes, must go beyond curricula to address the school environment as well. Student safety, inclusion and identity affirmation must be prioritized in all aspects of school life. Jennifer Brant, a Kanienkeh:ka interdisciplinary scholar, speaks in depth about how silence during times like these equates to complicity in accepting injustices that are taking place within "the communities in which we live, the broader society and global communities." Inaction in response to this policy is negligent. Detrimental ramifications may also extend to reconciliation efforts in religious spaces more generally. This regressive policy poses lingering questions about the longevity of Catholic schools if they fail to protect and nurture all students. The primary target of the DPCDSB's sweeping flag policy is the 2SLGBTQI+ community. In addition, the flag ban attacks Indigenous sovereignty and Anishinaabek nationhood, perpetuating attitudes tied to the Doctrine of Discovery still present in the Catholic ethos. Read more: The Vatican just renounced a 500-year-old doctrine that justified colonial land theft ... Now what? - Podcast Flying the flags of First Nations (at their request) is not only a matter of inclusion, it is a matter of respect - respect for the land, the people and the treaties that connect us. In denying this step towards relationality, this governing body of a Catholic school board sets back the Church's reconciliation efforts riding on the momentum of the papal visit. Read more: Pope Francis showed in deeds and words he wanted to face the truth in Canada The board's ignorance of how this policy risks damaging relationships with students, families and staff at the board, as well as the broader public, partly reflects an indifference that Pope Francis warned Catholics about during his visit: "I trust and pray that Christians and civil society in this land may grow in the ability to accept and respect the identity and the experience of the Indigenous Peoples. It is my hope that concrete ways can be found to make those peoples better known and esteemed, so that all may learn to walk together." As we write this piece, we can see through the window a local Toronto Catholic Distric School Board elementary school, where an Every Child Matters flag is flown alongside a Pride and Canadian flag. Catholic education, despite its sordid history and contested perspectives about interpreting and practising Church doctrine, can be a tool to drive reconciliation. Catholics cannot let a narrow vision overshadow Pope Francis's pilgrimage and the global Church movement he, the Church's bishops and Catholic lay people have participated in - via a global synod - to respond to the call to walk together in solidarity with Indigenous, 2SLGBTQI+ and other marginalized people. We wish to continue to hear counter-narratives of hope and possibility for Catholic education. We wish to see active changes that move the DPCDSB, as scholar Sheila Cote-Meek of the Teme-Augama Anishinabai, writes, "to a drastically different way of being, doing and working." As other Catholic boards in Ontario initiate flag debates of their own, we are left with the lingering question. What is the future of Catholic education if it's not intended to support the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual well-being of all those entrusted to its care?
