Pride Season kicks off in June!

Happy Pride Season! Through the summer months, we celebrate the resilience, strength and spirit of 2SLGBTQIA+* communities, acknowledge the work still to be done and learn about the history of Pride in Canada.

In the spirit of Pride Season, we encourage everyone to search for their local Pride Society website to learn how to get involved. BCAA is proud to be an ally to 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, celebrating diversity in love and identity across British Columbia.

Why is it important for BCAA and Evo to be involved in Pride?

BCAA is a Member-based organization empowering all British Columbians to move forward. We believe in the power of community and treating people with care and respect. This impacts how we support our Members, customers and people across BC and how we respect and celebrate diversity with our BCAA team.

For years, BCAA and Evo have partnered with pride societies around the province to convey our support for BC's 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, and stand up for freedom, dignity and equality for all.

We’ve partnered with the Vancouver Pride Society (VPS) since 2017, joining the Vancouver Pride Parade and supporting Drag Deliveries – local drag performers in Evos, engaging people in Pride trivia and generating buzz for Pride.

Throughout Pride season, we run a giving opportunity for our team members, Members and customers to raise funds together for organizations supporting 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.

Beyond Pride Season, we’ve actively taken steps to advance 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusion at BCAA, incorporating personal pronouns into our name tags, email signatures and recruitment materials. We've compiled a resource toolkit for team members to learn more about personal pronouns, gender inclusive language, gender identity, expression and more. We’ve started a new 2SLGBTQIA+ Employee Resource Group (ERG), a voluntary, employee-led group focused on fostering an inclusive and supportive environment where all voices within the 2SLGBTQIA+ community are heard and valued, and allies have opportunities for meaningful advocacy. 

We’re also supporting team members undergoing gender transition through gender-affirming benefits and medical leave, and we’re partnering with gender-diversity consultants, such as Ambit Gender Diversity Consulting, to offer training sessions on accessible and affirming workplaces.

To get a deeper understanding of Pride at BCAA and Evo, we asked some of our team members what Pride means to them:

Natalie – Learning & Development, BCAA, Pronouns She/Her
“Being a part of the Pride Parade and advocating for equality is very important to me. There are many reasons for biased motivated crimes (hate crimes) in both Canada and the United States, unfortunately race, religion and sexual orientation continue to be prevalent for these types of crimes. For me the Pride Parade represents a concerted effort to move away from these negative archetypes, it means accepting people for who they are, showing my solidarity in the face of adversity and having a great time with like-minded people.  It is an opportunity to stand and support my friends and family who have been judged for being and loving who they chose. At the end of the day we all want to be loved for who we are, and we should be able to do so safely and freely.”

Dave – Customer Operations, Evo, Pronouns He/Him
“Pride is important to me because all groups need avenues to be seen and heard… this is especially true these days. Acceptance and visibility go hand in hand. As a father I want my daughter to be able to see examples of all people being free to be who they truly are, this will encourage her to be her genuine self as she grows up and teach her to be accepting of others.”

Crystal – Real Estate & Facilities, BCAA, Pronouns She/Her
“As a person who has endured childhood bullying and seclusion as an adult, I stand tall with those who struggled with identity and are now in a long-term happy and loving relationship with themselves and others. I want to show support. Pride is important to me because it keeps the heart beating with love!”

What can you do?

We all play a role in creating an inclusive society for everyone in BC, so here are some steps you can take to celebrate and support the 2SLGBTQIA+ community:

• Check out your local Pride Society for their calendar of events coming up over the next few months.
• Volunteer your time or contribute donations to 2SLGBTQIA+ organizations.
• Support 2SLGBTQIA+ arts and culture – if you're in Vancouver, take in an event at the Queer Arts Festival.
• Host a movie night with friends. Some great viewing ideas are:
  
  • Go Fish
  • Boys Don't Cry
  • Carol
  • Moonlight
  • The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert
  • Milk
  • Rocketman
  • Paris is Burning
  • How to Survive a Plague
• Learn more so that you can be an ally**
  
  • Check out QMUNITY, BC’s Queer Resource Centre, for some fantastic resources.
  • Reach out to your local Pflag Chapter for resources and support.
• During your everyday meetings and discussions, consider who is at the table and whose voices might be missing: diverse perspectives add tremendous value to any conversation.
• Diversify your social media feed and follow influencers from the 2SLGBTQIA+ community – you’ll learn about issues they face and how you can be an ally.
  
  • @ilonaverly – is a drag artist from Nanaimo and now a Vancouver-based performer. She is the first Indigenous, Two-Spirit queen to appear on Canada's Drag Race.
  • @allthatbeth_ – Beth is a Vancouver-based 2SLGBTQIA+ drag queen, performer, activist and former Canada’s Drag Race contestant.
  • @spencer2thewest is a Toronto-based advocate for disability justice and the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
  • @pattiegonia is a Queer environmentalist, building a diverse community in the outdoors and for our climate.
  • @qmunity is BC's Queer, Trans and Two-Spirit Resource Centre.
  • @queerfmvan is Canada’s longest running #Queer Radio show!

*Definition of 2SLGBTQIA+
Acronym used to refer to Two-Spirit (2S), Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer, Intersex, Asexual, and Aromantic identities. The ‘+’ sign is used to denote other identities that are not reflected in the current acronym.

**Definition of an Ally:
A person who supports and celebrates 2SLGBTQIA+ identities, interrupts and challenges oppressive language and behaviours and willingly explores heterosexist and ciscentric biases within themselves. Being an ally requires action: telling colleagues that their jokes are inappropriate; advocating for the health, wellness and acceptance of 2SLGBTQIA+ family members, friends and colleagues, etc.

Resource: QMUNITY Queer Glossary