June is Pride Month

The Lakeland Region is a network of caring communities where inclusion matters. June is Pride Month, a celebration of love, truth, and authenticity.

Leela Sharon Aheer, Minister of Culture, Multiculturalism, and Status of Women says this month, Alberta joins the world in recognizing the past struggles of 2SLGBTQ+ people as well as their considerable contributions to communities across the province.

“Celebrating Pride Month is an acknowledgment of the progress this province has made while committing to the work yet to be done,” Minister Aheer wrote in a statement. “We will not have achieved our goal until every Albertan, no matter where they come from, how they identify, or who they love, feels safe and valued here.”

Minister Aheer says this month is also a reminder that the only way we can make this future reality is by working together.

“Although large events are still on hold, there are many ways for Albertans to show their support,” Minister Aheer said. “Speak out against hatred and bigotry when you witness it, participate in virtual events and webinars, and commit to being an ally every day of the year. As we are better able to gather in groups again, it is my sincere hope that Albertans will keep the spirit of Pride alive over the coming year. Love is love.”

Chevi Rabbitt, Indigenous Advocate, Gender Identity Educator, and Human Rights advocate says June 1 is the beginning of pride month, and every Community across Canada will be doing their part in celebrating how far we’ve come but also recognizing how much further we need to go.

Chevi Rabbitt/Submitted Image

“We need to continue advocating for political representation that’s LGBTQ, we need to continue advocating for affordable housing for LGBTQ, and we need to continue advocating for employment opportunities for LGBTQ communities,” Rabbitt told Lakeland Connect. “From an Indigenous lens, we need to continue advocating for safe spaces within First Nation communities. We need to continue repatriating ourselves to Indigenous culture. We celebrate but we recognize the much-needed work and creating communities that actually welcoming to transgender community members. We definitely celebrate Pride in how far we’ve come but through my work, as an advocate, I recognize how much further we need to go. There are so many gaps and so many places still unwelcoming to people who are gender-diverse.”

Pride Month is celebrated every June, an entire month dedicated to the uplifting of LGBTQ voices, celebration of LGBTQ culture and the support of LGBTQ rights. Show your pride in the Lakeland at #PrideInTheLakeland on social media.