The Niagara College Rainbow Knights Club celebrated a special ‘first’ on June 30: It was the first time the student club participated in the Toronto Pride Parade, capping four weeks of events and celebrations that the College planned or took part in to mark Pride Month.
The parade “marked a pivotal moment in the College’s commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, as well as in breaking down its colonial past,” said Rainbow Knights President Bruin Pol. “Months of planning by various college departments and individuals went into making this day happen.”
Among them were Community Relations and Events (CRE), which sponsored the cost of permits to participate in the parade, the purchase of Rainbow Knights-branded T-shirts to wear at the event and transportation for the day, and Student Engagement, which secured sponsorship through the College’s EDI team for a lunch in Toronto.
“Jaclyn-Rae Tanguay, Student Services Manager, and the NCSAC (Niagara College Student Administrative Council) marketing team with your NCSAC devoted countless hours assisting the Rainbow Knights executive team in planning and executing logistics,” Pol said. “Without (everyone’s) help this event would not have happened.”
Representatives from Niagara College attended local Pride Month events, including Pride in the Park (left) and Pride Niagara’s Unity Awards.
Rainbow Knights Vice President and the group’s parade marshal Stephen Mackett said it was “amazing” to see so many 2SLGTBQIA+ people in one place.
“(That’s) something we don’t get to see as much in Niagara, and to show off our pride in such a meaningful way,” Mackett said. “We are grateful to the College for giving us the opportunity to participate in the parade.”
According to International Student Engagement Coordinator Alfie Aguero, NC’s small-but-mighty team received plenty of love and support at their Pride Parade debut.
“While marching in the parade, hearing people yell ‘I went to Niagara College!’ and ‘That is my school!’ warmed my heart,” Aguero said. “Maybe seeing us there meant just as much to them as it did to the Rainbow Knights and the other students who came along.”
Inclusivity through purposeful action
For Ali Ryder, attending Pride Niagara’s Unity Awards for the first time was a special experience.
The Ali Ryder LGBT sandwich was a special menu item at MT Bellies in Welland. (Photo courtesy of Instagram)
Ryder, NC’s Outreach and Education Coordinator and a member of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, said it’s important that Niagara College – a 2024 Rainbow Sponsor for Pride Niagara – be represented at local Pride events to demonstrate its continued commitment to being a welcoming and inclusive environment.
“(We’re) not only saying that we strive for inclusivity, but we are also showing it through purposeful action, sponsorship and participation in local Pride events,” Ryder said.
NC was nominated for three Unity Awards: Pol was nominated for the Brenda Baldwin Award, NCSAC was nominated for the Community Involvement Award and the Rainbow Knights Club was nominated for the Outstanding School/Gay-Straight Alliance Award.
Although NC did not win in any of its categories, Ryder said it was significant to just be there with her colleagues to represent the College.
“Many event attendees are prospective, current and alumni students, as well as countless staff who are so excited to see NC at the event. It is an advantage for me to be an EDI catalyst, as I use my own experiences to reassure parents and students that NC is doing everything possible to provide a safe community of learning, and does its best to ensure all voices and perspectives are heard, respected and represented.”
Ryder attended a number of other Pride events throughout the month, too, including Pride in the Park at Montebello Park in St. Catharines, Fort Erie Pride and Haldimand Pride.
Attending the Rainbow Ball each year – an annual inclusive dance for high schools in Haldimand Norfolk – is a favourite of Ryder. This year’s ball was held at Dunnville High School.
“The 13 schools take turns hosting the event and invite me as a chaperone each year, as many of the students know me from speaking at their schools,” she said. “I personally love to attend the Rainbow Ball each year because this was something that was never offered when I was growing up, and I know firsthand how difficult it is to be ‘different’ in high school. To offer a safe space where everyone can truly be themselves without fear is amazing. I am also pleasantly surprised by the enormous support of the volunteer committee of teachers and allies who come out in droves to support these students and let them know they all belong.”
Ryder was also delighted to have a Pride Month sandwich named in her honour at Welland’s M.T. Bellies restaurant.
Offered as a special menu item for just one week during June, the Ali Ryder LGBT featured lettuce, guacamole, bacon and tomato on an inclusive everything sourdough bread.
“I’ve always supported MT Bellies,” she said. “They hire members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community (and) provide a safe and inclusive environment for all their guests. They were thrilled to have me promote the sandwich, ultimately selling more than double than any other sandwich feature ever with over 150 sold in the week.”
On-campus celebrations
Pride Month at Niagara College kicked off a day early with a flag raising at each campus on May 31, symbolizing the College’s allyship of the 2SLGTBQIA+ community and support for equity, diversity and inclusion. Over the course of the month, events inside and outside of the college celebrated the 2SLGTBQIA+ community, including “Here and Queer Through the Years: Some Highlights of 2SLGBTQIA+ History in Canada,” a 90-minute session hosted by the College’s Centre for Academic Excellence and EDI on June 6.
Facilitated by Whit Ross, Associate Director, Education Development, the presentation gave a detailed overview of the rich and often overlooked narratives that have shaped queer and trans experiences in Canada, and the key figures, events, and movements that have played pivotal roles in advancing equity and human rights for 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals and communities nationwide.
Elsewhere, the Student Engagement office at both campuses hosted a tie-dye event to celebrate Pride Month, and in the Academic Advising and Career Services office at the Daniel J. Patterson Campus, the celebration tree – decorated each month with a different theme – was adorned with Pride-themed ornaments for the entire month of June.
While the Student Engagement office at both campuses hosted a tie-dye event to celebrate Pride Month (left)academic , the celebration tree in the Academic Advising and Career Services office at the Daniel J. Patterson Campus was adorned with Pride-themed ornaments.
