March 26th, 2024

The echoes of laughter and joy could be heard from the lobby at the Stork Family YMCA in Waterloo, as students from across the Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) came together for a special event called Visibility, celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Transgender Pride Flag.

Students had the chance to hear and learn from Monica Helms, the creator of the Transgender Pride Flag, along with members of the Brunswick Four: Pat Murphy, Sue Wells and Lamar Van Dyke. They spoke with students about their personal experiences with homophobia, transphobia and harassment. Students learned about progress made in the 2SLGBTQIA+ rights movement, but also how far we have to go.

That wasn’t all – Aja, performer and artist, shared about her lived experiences as a trans person, and students listened intently as she described the path that brought her where she is today. But before she left, she invited students on their feet to dance. With a crowd surrounding her, she encouraged the group to get moving and express themselves.

Sean is a secondary student in the WRDSB and explained that the event provided the opportunity to be his truest self and feel seen as an equal. He also remarked at just how much he learned about the history of 2SLGBTQIA+ community in Ontario.

Sean was struck by just how many members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community were at the event, and the diversity of the group. He was happy to have the chance to come together with his community.

Ivan, a secondary WRDSB student, explained that the event was a unique opportunity to learn about the progress made, to celebrate identity, and to feel accepted.

“We all came together from different schools, from different parts of the region,” said Ivan. “It felt really nice to see there’s more of a community than the people at our school.”

Hearing from and building connections with people who have similar lived experiences was a meaningful part of the day, explained Ivan.

“I’ve met a lot of people that are just like me, and deal with the same stuff that I have dealt with, being part of the community,” said Ivan. “The sense of belonging is heartwarming.”

Stuart Halkett was on hand representing Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada’s (TMMCs), 2SLGBTQIA+ Employee Resource Group Spectrum, a supporter of the event. He explained that the experiences of Ivan and Sean were exactly what they were hoping to help make happen for students, for community members and for their employees.

“[We want them] to be their authentic selves in all spaces,” said Halkett. “We support our team members wholeheartedly, and we’re here for the community as well.”

Amie and Megan, both secondary school teachers in the WRDSB, took a moment as the event came to a close to reflect on what the day was like for students, and for themselves.

For Megan, the opportunity for students to learn about the accomplishments and experiences of people who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+ and build intergenerational connections, was an especially important part of the event.

“They get to hear other people’s stories,” said Megan. “I think students really learned what it’s been like for older generations.”

It was an opportunity for students to spend time learning about the history of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community in Ontario, and to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Transgender Pride Flag, but it was more than that, explained Amie. It was an opportunity to celebrate just how much we have to be proud of.

“I am so unbelievably proud today: of our school, of our board, of our students,” said Amie. “It’s a moment of pure joy, and pure acceptance of self.”

Fabian Fletcher is the Volunteer and Operations Manager for SPECTRUM, Waterloo Region’s Rainbow Community Space. He explained the value of creating, fostering and supporting events like this for students.

“These events are life-changing for youth,” said Fletcher. “It’s crucial for youth to have space to be visible, to be queer and to hear from the older generations about their experiences.”

Fletcher wanted to express his gratitude for the WRDSB staff whose efforts helped to make this opportunity possible, and for their efforts to support and champion students who are recognized by events like this.

“Thank you for creating this space for youth, who can be queer, happy and have that space to learn from each other,” said Fletcher.

Ultimately, offering events like these is about helping to support student academic achievement, which is directly tied to their mental health and well-being, explained jeewan chanicka, director of education for the WRDSB.

“Carving out spaces where students are able to show up as their full selves, and be able to unapologetically be who they are gives them moments where they realize that they are cared for and supported,” said chanicka. “It allows them to be able to come to school in a way that supports them in doing their best work in the classroom. They’re not trying to hide; they’re not worried about being who they are and that allows them to be able to perform from their best place, and that’s the most important thing.”

This work is at the core of the work we do as a public education system, and fundamentally as educators who are interested in supporting students in achieving their full potential, explained chanicka.

“Students show up, and we accept them; we make sure they are safe and included so that it allows them to be as successful as they can be,” said chanicka. “As the adults in the system, it’s on us to make the system work better so that students feel supported and welcomed.”

With the knowledge that 2SLGBTQIA+ children are some of the most marginalized, the importance of the work that creates opportunities like this lies at the heart of the WRDSB Strategic Plan.

“The kind of work represented by this event sits right at the core of our Strategic Plan,” said chanicka. “It is the job of the system to help lift them up and to be able to provide opportunities and resources to allow them to be their best self.”