June activities at NC will feature tie-dye and donuts, a session on preventing sexual violence, and a conversation with NC’s Vice President of Students.
On May 30, a crowd of NC students and employees gathered in solidarity at both campuses to hoist the flag to mark the start of Pride Month.
The Pride flag stands as a powerful symbol of inclusion, visibility, and recognition to honour and uplift 2SLGBTQIA+ communities.
At the Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Dr. Chris McGrath – who will give a Living Library talk for Pride on June 18 – shared his reflections.
Dr. McGrath began by acknowledging Indigenous History Month and its meaningful intersection with Pride.
He recounted his own social and cultural background as the son of Irish immigrants during a time when 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals lacked fundamental rights such as marriage equality. He also reflected on coming into his own identity during the HIV/AIDS epidemic of the 1980s when systemic barriers to fundamental healthcare resulted in the deaths and erasure of a generation of 2SLGBTQIA+ elders.
Reflecting upon the first Pride month in 1969, Dr. McGrath underscored that it began not as a celebration, but rather as a protest, and that simply existing in your own identity on a day-to-day basis can be a powerful political act.
“As I move forward in my world as a cis-gendered white queer man, who is an educator and a leader, I have a responsibility to continue to fight the fight in the fullest expression of who I am,” said Dr. McGrath. “I invite you all to reflect upon the ways in which your own embodied identity and your sexual identity can become an effective tool of not only politics, power, and privilege, but also as one of opportunity for change for the greater good. I wish you all a happy Pride!”
Also speaking at the ceremony was Jacob Dell of the Niagara College Student Administrative Council (NCSAC), who described the day as one of “unity.”
“As the flag raises today, we begin to celebrate all that it represents: love, diversity, and equity,” said Dell. “We celebrate the inclusivity of all aspects of what it means to be an NC Knight. Most importantly, we acknowledge that it represents the struggle that the 2SLGBTQIA+ community have faced and continue to face today.”
At the Welland Campus, Stephanie Wilson, Director of the Centre for Organizational Excellence, gave remarks on behalf of NC, and Leighann Longo, NCSAC Director of Community Services and Board Chair, brought remarks on behalf of the NCSAC.
“Here at Niagara College, staff, students, and faculty are one big family, meaning we celebrate victories together and support each other through life’s challenges,” said Longo. “This is one of the many important aspects we celebrate of what it means to be an NC Knight.”
2025 also marks the 35th anniversary of the adoption of the term “Two-Spirit,” which highlights the identity of Two-Spirit Indigenous people noted at the start of the 2SLGBTQIA+ acronym. June is also Indigenous History Month.
This June, the College will celebrate Pride with activities for learning, connection, and celebration.
Tie-dye and donuts with Student Engagement and NCSAC
June 3 (WC) from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Courtyard (outside the cafeteria)
June 5 (DJP-NOTL) from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Courtyard
While supplies last.
Living Library: A conversation with Dr. Chris McGrath, VP, Students
June 18 from 1 to 2 p.m. (Virtual)
Join us online for Living Library #11 with Dr. Chris McGrath (he/him/his), NC’s Vice-President, Students for a positive, fun and uplifting conversation moderated by Ali Ryder, Outreach and Education Coordinator, Student Recruitment.
Register here.
Meet and greet with Kaytee Smith
June 3 (WC) from 2 to 3 p.m.
June 30 (DJP-NOTL) from 2 to 3 p.m.
NC’s Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Coordinator Kaytee Smith will host a meet and greet with new students, including colouring pages and a presentation on sexual violence prevention and violence for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
In the community
- Pride Niagara Festival 2025
A variety of events throughout the Niagara Region. Celebrating 2SLQBTQIA+ heritage and building traditions together.- June 4: Niagara Unity Awards
- June 8: Hieeee Tea! Learn more on Instagram @prideniagara
- June 2: Niagara Falls Pride Niagara Festival: Flag-Raising at City Hall at 1 p.m.
- June 2: Town of NOTL Pride Flag Raising at 1 p.m.
- June 2: Town of Lincoln Pride Flag Raising at 1 p.m.
- May 31: Pride Haldimand and Norfolk
- June 28: Fort Erie Pride Festival
About the Pride flag
Designed by American artist and designer Daniel Quasar, the design features the traditional rainbow colours, plus a five-coloured chevron and black and brown stripes to better emphasize inclusion and to represent marginalized members of the community. The black and brown stripes have been interpreted in two ways, 1) to represent racial diversity within the community and 2) to represent those lost to HIV/AIDS, and those currently living with AIDS. The inclusion of pink, light blue and white pay homage to the Transgender Pride flag. The purple circle overlaid over a yellow triangle in the chevron on the left side of the flag represents the intersex flag.
