For the first time, Holland Bloorview raised the Pride flag on hospital grounds for Pride Month.

The flag raising was postponed until June 8, 2021 to ensure the Canadian flag could remain at half-mast for 215 hours to honour and remember the lives of 215 Indigenous children whose remains were uncovered at a former residential school in Kamloops, BC.

Pride month has always been more than a celebration. It is a reminder of our collective need and responsibility to continue advocating for equality for all. At Holland Bloorview, it serves as another opportunity to examine how we are working to create a world with no boundaries—free of stigma and discrimination of all kinds—within our hospital walls and beyond.

“My heart today is filled with pride to participate in the ceremony to raise the Pride flag on Holland Bloorview premises for the first time,” says Meenu Sikand, executive lead, equity, diversity and inclusion. “From organizing educational events to establishing Holland Bloorview’s first Employee Resource Group by inviting staff members of the LGBTQ2S+ community, we are reaffirming our commitment to continue our journey to create a culture of inclusion and belonging at Holland Bloorview.”

Ian Rogers, senior director, facility management, building and transportation services explains, “Participating in the first Pride flag raising at Holland Bloorview as well as being the inaugural chair of the first ever LGBTQ2S+ Employee Resource Group fills me with a sense of pride. I’m proud to be among so many incredible people to ensure Holland Bloorview continues trailblazing for inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility in healthcare.”

While in-person festivities and events are on hold once again this year, we wish all a joyous Pride.

Learn more about Pride month and the history of Pride in Canada:

• Fierté Canada Pride (FCP) – national association of Canadian Pride organizations
• Pride Toronto
• Being a PoC in the LGBTQ2S community – Living in Colour by Global News
• The 519 resources – education and training resources
• The ArQuives – Canada’s LGBTQ2S+ archives
• History of Canadian Pride and QBIPOC visibility by QueerEvents.ca