Latest news with #2SLGBTQIA+
CTV News
14 hours ago
- Health
- CTV News
Man undertakes 13-hour workout marathon in Waterloo for 2SLGBTQIA+ support program
A man in Waterloo is doing some heavy lifting to raise money for LGBTQ2+ supports. A man in Waterloo is doing some heavy lifting to raise money for LGBTQ2+ supports. A man is taking the phrase, 'a strong supporter' to a new level. Mark Griffien embarked on a 13-hour workout marathon at a gym in Waterloo to raise funds for a 2SLGBTQIA+ program. 'Normally I come here as a regular client of The Fit Club,' he told CTV News on Friday. 'We decided to do a fundraising event that involved me working out for the entire time that the gym was open.' Griffien began his campaign at 6 a.m. and continued working out until 7 p.m. as part of an effort to raise funds for Camino Wellbeing + Mental Health's OK2BME program. The initiative offers confidential counselling services, public education, consulting and a youth group for people between the ages of 12 and 18. 'Youth in that community are at a much higher risk of mental health issues and suicide and having these programs is really beneficial to a really great start in life,' Griffien said. Griffien may have been the one doing the heavy lifting, but he had the support of one of the gym's fitness coaches, Becca Sanchez Karley. She made sure he didn't overexert himself and carefully planned a routine. 'Each hour we're working a different muscle group. With that first hour we're working on an upper pull, then we'll work on the lower body, then upper body – mixing cardio in there just to make it doable so that he doesn't pass out on me,' she said. She was also there to offer moral support during the grueling challenge. 'The mental component, that's where I come into play. That's where a bit of the psychology kicks in where if I see him getting down I have the amazing connection with him that I know what brings him up again,' she said. The two had set a goal of $5,000 ahead of the marathon. After Griffien finally set the weights down for the last time, they had raised $9,069 according to Camino's website. Sanchez Karley said donations would be accepted online throughout the night and hoped they may be able to double their goal and hit $10,000.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
NIVEA Canada Celebrates Pride with Fourth Year of pflag Canada Partnership
TORONTO, June 10, 2025 /CNW/ - NIVEA Canada is a brand built on the foundation of care. For over a century, NIVEA has been dedicated to helping people feel comfortable and confident in their skin through trusted skincare products that prioritize quality and efficacy. With care at the heart of everything they do, NIVEA Canada continues to support initiatives and partnerships that reflect its ongoing commitment to nurturing both skin and community. NIVEA Canada is proud to announce the continuation of its support of pflag's Camp Rainbow Phoenix (CRP), for the fourth consecutive year. Over the last three years, NIVEA's support has enabled over 300 youth to attend CRP. From June through August, NIVEA will match one dollar from every sale of its limited edition NIVEA Crème tins and BRAND NEW limited edition NIVEA Essential Lip Balms, up to CAD $40,000, to support the camp's vital work with 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals across Canada. All proceeds from the initiative will support in sending 150 more youth to Camp Rainbow Phoenix, a youth leadership camp that focuses on nurturing the leadership potential and personal resiliency of the campers to help them become agents of positive social change in their schools, families, and communities. Canadians can show their support by purchasing the specially designed Pride-themed NIVEA products available at major retailers nationwide and Amazon. Every purchase contributes directly to creating safer, more inclusive spaces for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth and families. "At NIVEA, everything we do is rooted in care. We remain committed to inclusion, representation, and support for all" said Florian Valentin Wolfram, General Manager Beiersdorf Canada. "We're proud to stand with the youth and the community that rely on resources like Camp Rainbow Phoenix, to foster dialogue, and help build a more compassionate and understanding future." The limited edition Pride 2025 packaging features designs inspired by themes of pride, love, and unity—serving as a reminder to be #ProudInYourSkin. To NIVEA, Proud In Your Skin is more than a campaign—it's a celebration of individuality and community. By weaving together limited edition product releases, financial support, and amplifying authentic voices across the digital landscape with Canadian creators, NIVEA Canada hopes to create space for people to feel seen, heard, and valued. At its heart, it's an invitation to embrace everybody's unique story and stand confidently in their truth. How NIVEA Canada is Helping to Make a Difference pflag Canada, a national charitable organization founded by parents, offers peer support, education, and advocacy to help all Canadians understand and accept their 2SLGBTQIA+ loved ones. The ongoing partnership with NIVEA Canada helps extend pflag's reach and resources during Pride season and throughout the year. Camp Rainbow Phoenix (CRP) is a life-changing leadership camp for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth, hosted by pflag Canada. This inclusive and affirming space provides youth with the opportunity to build confidence, develop leadership skills, and connect with peers who share similar lived experiences. ABOUT BEIERSDORF AG: Beiersdorf Canada Inc. is part of the Beiersdorf Group, a global leading provider of innovative, high-quality skin care products and has 140 years of experience in this market segment. The Hamburg-based company has over 20,000 employees worldwide and is listed on the DAX, the German benchmark equities index. The Hamburg-based company generated sales of €9.5 billion in fiscal year 2023. NIVEA, the world's No. 1 skin care brand*, is the cornerstone of the company's brand portfolio, which also includes brands such as Eucerin, Elastoplast and Coppertone in Canada.* Source: Euromonitor International Limited; NIVEA by umbrella brand name in the categories Body Care, Face Care and Hand Care; in retail value terms, 2024. SOURCE NIVEA Canada View original content to download multimedia:
Cision Canada
10-06-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
NIVEA Canada Celebrates Pride with Fourth Year of pflag Canada Partnership
TORONTO, June 10, 2025 /CNW/ - NIVEA Canada is a brand built on the foundation of care. For over a century, NIVEA has been dedicated to helping people feel comfortable and confident in their skin through trusted skincare products that prioritize quality and efficacy. With care at the heart of everything they do, NIVEA Canada continues to support initiatives and partnerships that reflect its ongoing commitment to nurturing both skin and community. NIVEA Canada is proud to announce the continuation of its support of pflag's Camp Rainbow Phoenix (CRP), for the fourth consecutive year. Over the last three years, NIVEA's support has enabled over 300 youth to attend CRP. From June through August, NIVEA will match one dollar from every sale of its limited edition NIVEA Crème tins and BRAND NEW limited edition NIVEA Essential Lip Balms, up to CAD $40,000, to support the camp's vital work with 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals across Canada. All proceeds from the initiative will support in sending 150 more youth to Camp Rainbow Phoenix, a youth leadership camp that focuses on nurturing the leadership potential and personal resiliency of the campers to help them become agents of positive social change in their schools, families, and communities. Canadians can show their support by purchasing the specially designed Pride-themed NIVEA products available at major retailers nationwide and Amazon. Every purchase contributes directly to creating safer, more inclusive spaces for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth and families. "At NIVEA, everything we do is rooted in care. We remain committed to inclusion, representation, and support for all" said Florian Valentin Wolfram, General Manager Beiersdorf Canada."We're proud to stand with the youth and the community that rely on resources like Camp Rainbow Phoenix, to foster dialogue, and help build a more compassionate and understanding future." The limited edition Pride 2025 packaging features designs inspired by themes of pride, love, and unity—serving as a reminder to be #ProudInYourSkin. To NIVEA, Proud In Your Skin is more than a campaign—it's a celebration of individuality and community. By weaving together limited edition product releases, financial support, and amplifying authentic voices across the digital landscape with Canadian creators, NIVEA Canada hopes to create space for people to feel seen, heard, and valued. At its heart, it's an invitation to embrace everybody's unique story and stand confidently in their truth. How NIVEA Canada is Helping to Make a Difference pflag Canada, a national charitable organization founded by parents, offers peer support, education, and advocacy to help all Canadians understand and accept their 2SLGBTQIA+ loved ones. The ongoing partnership with NIVEA Canada helps extend pflag's reach and resources during Pride season and throughout the year. Camp Rainbow Phoenix (CRP) is a life-changing leadership camp for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth, hosted by pflag Canada. This inclusive and affirming space provides youth with the opportunity to build confidence, develop leadership skills, and connect with peers who share similar lived experiences. ABOUT BEIERSDORF AG: Beiersdorf Canada Inc. is part of the Beiersdorf Group, a global leading provider of innovative, high-quality skin care products and has 140 years of experience in this market segment. The Hamburg-based company has over 20,000 employees worldwide and is listed on the DAX, the German benchmark equities index. The Hamburg-based company generated sales of €9.5 billion in fiscal year 2023. NIVEA, the world's No. 1 skin care brand*, is the cornerstone of the company's brand portfolio, which also includes brands such as Eucerin, Elastoplast and Coppertone in Canada. * Source: Euromonitor International Limited; NIVEA by umbrella brand name in the categories Body Care, Face Care and Hand Care; in retail value terms, 2024.
Cision Canada
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Cision Canada
The CCM x Erin Ambrose 2025 collection: hockey's never felt this real Français
CCM Hockey, a leading manufacturer of high-performance hockey equipment and apparel, teams up with hockey star Erin Ambrose for a second time to unveil a new iteration of their exclusive Erin Ambrose 23 collection. MONTRÉAL, June 2, 2025 /CNW/ - CCM Hockey and PWHL hockey star Erin Ambrose are taking their collaboration to the next level as they return with a powerful new iteration of CCM x Erin Ambrose 23. This limited-edition collection co-created by the number 23 of the Montréal Victoire celebrates the evolution of hockey and the powerful connections between the game, the players and the fans. The collaboration shines a light on Erin's influence and support of the 2SLGBTQIA+ communities on and off the ice. The second drop features new limited-edition apparel, from graphic tees to stylish hoodies and joggers, and adds new style and support to the first collection. It is a call to make hockey a space for self-expression that welcomes everyone. "With the 2025 Erin Ambrose 23 collection, we wanted to bring hockey into a space where it hasn't traditionally had a strong presence," Marrouane Nabih, CEO, CCM Hockey. "It goes beyond the rink, showcasing authenticity, style and a sense of belonging. Erin isn't just a collaborator—she's a force who's transforming her sport. Through CCM x Erin Ambrose 23, we're celebrating her voice, her leadership and the impact she's having on inclusivity in hockey." Erin Ambrose, Olympic gold medallist, three-time world champion and the reigning PWHL Defender of the Year, embodies a new era of hockey: unapologetic, inclusive and proud. "Sports haven't always been welcoming for everyone," said Ambrose. "Today, we're creating spaces where everyone can feel they belong. CCM x Erin Ambrose 23 is about inspiring new dynamics, where authenticity is a strength. Women's sports are drawing fans who've never felt the rink was for them. This collection is for them. It's where I can be myself, and they can too." CCM x Erin Ambrose 23 wants everyone to claim their place in hockey—on the ice, in the stands and everywhere the sport lives and breathes. Available in limited quantities online and in select stores, the collection offers a chance for fans to express what hockey means to them and show their support, and it's never felt this real. About CCM Hockey CCM Hockey is a leading designer, manufacturer, and marketer of hockey equipment. With its headquarters located in Montreal, the company has operations in Canada, the United States, Europe and Asia. CCM Hockey equips more professional hockey players than any other company, including NHL and PWHL stars like Connor McDavid, Auston Matthews, Sidney Crosby, Thatcher Demko, Kendall Coyne-Schofield, Sarah Nurse, Taylor Heise and Erin Ambrose. CCM Hockey is also an official supplier of the PWHL, and the official outfitter of the American Hockey League, the Canadian Hockey League, and several NCAA and National teams.
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Stamp set commemorates Calgary's first gay bar among other queer moments in Canadian history
A new stamp from Canada Post is commemorating the story of Calgary's first gay bar, Club Carousel, as part of a series of stamps featuring significant moments and places that shaped 2SLGBTQIA+ communities across the country. The series, called Places of Pride, also features the stories of Truxx, a bar in Montréal's gay village; the 1971 Gay Day Picnic in Toronto; and the 1990 North American Native Gay and Lesbian Gathering in Manitoba, where the term "Two-Spirit" was first introduced and adopted. Bronwyn Graves, the director of stamp services at Canada Post, said that while the selection process was tough, Club Carousel stood out as a unique female-led queer space. "When we're looking at queer history in Canada, very often the narrative tends to focus on men's experiences, especially in those early years," she said. "So it was a really wonderful opportunity for us to highlight queer women's role in terms of queer history and this ongoing fight for equality." The club opened March 20, 1970, less than a year since a bill had been passed in Ottawa decriminalizing homosexuality in Canada. Located on First Street southwest between 12th and 13th avenues, it quickly grew from about 20 members to a safe and inclusive haven for hundreds of folks in Calgary's queer community. Lois Szabo, the last surviving founder of Club Carousel, vividly remembers the joy on the faces of the young people who would frequent the club. "You know, these guys were out on the streets and then living their lives closeted seven days of the week — or at least six of them. And then one night of the week, they came to the club. They came down the stairs and the looks on their face, you know, they were just so happy. "It was just worth every minute." Now at 89-years-old, Szabo is regarded as a pioneer in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. In 2021, the city named a park after her, the Lois Szabo Commons in Calgary's Beltline neighbourhood. Szabo came out as gay in 1964, and soon after, teamed up with local activist Jack Loenen to establish the club. WATCH | Lois on coming out and opening Club Carousel: "There weren't very many places that gay people felt safe in and that was why the club was needed," she told CBC News in a previous interview. The club didn't have a liquor licence, so club-goers would bring their own drinks, and a private members-only policy was in place to ensure the community would feel safe from harassment. "I'd say it [was] sort of the dawn of the organized gay community in Calgary. This space was so important," said Kevin Allen, research lead for the Calgary Gay History Project. "It saved lives and brought community together in a way that had never happened in Calgary before." Allen said he was delighted and proud to see Calgary's Club Carousel included in Canada Post's collection of stamps. "I think it's a really important nod to our history and our role in the nation's history for LGBTQ+ rights," he said. While the club closed its doors in the late 1970s, its legacy lives on through the stories of those who found acceptance within its walls. Sbazo recalls that a man in his 70s once approached her and said, "I just have always wanted to thank you. You saved my life. You and that club saved my life… I've never forgotten it." "So I think maybe we did some good," Sbazo said. "I like to think we did, anyway." Szabo said sharing its story for Canada's Post's stamp series is a way to recognize not just her, but to honour the founders and volunteers who have passed. Beginning May 30, the stamps will be available to purchase at and select postal outlets across Canada. While Canada Post stamps have featured queer people and themes before, Graves said this series is the first deep dive into queer history for the Crown corporation. "We pride ourselves as being one of Canada's storytellers and that's a heavy responsibility," Graves explained. "That means telling stories that everybody knows, but it also means looking at the voices in the histories and the stories that have not been told. And when we looked at the past 25, 50 years of stamp storytelling, there were a lot of really amazing queer stories out there that we wanted to tell as part of the stamp series."
