A show of 2021 Pride
This year’s events will feature community-specific opportunities to connect and engage, as well as activities for the entire Ryerson community.
As 2021 marks the second year that Ryerson’s Pride month will be celebrated virtually, the Positive Space team has made extra effort to ensure activities are diverse and inclusive.
“With what we have programmed, folks can either sit back and enjoy the show, they can passively engage or they can actively engage and be critical,” says Adam Anthony, chair of Positive Space, a volunteer-run staff and faculty community network for people of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions.
“We're also trying to incorporate an academic lens into this year’s programming,” Anthony says. As one example, Daphne Cockwell School of Nursing professor Erin Ziegler will be presenting some of her research on nursing and trans patients within Canada’s health care system.
Another new facet this year is a series of events that are exclusively geared toward the 2SLGBTQ+ community. “We took a look at some of the other community networks at the university and their mandates really are to support the community that they’re representing, and we felt that was a gap in our programming,” says Anthony. “So this year, we’re trying to give a safe space for our community to gather virtually, be candid and have programming that might benefit them and their unique lived experience.”
Many events remain open to everyone, including movie screenings, a drag performance storytime and discussion panels.
So whether you’re looking to be informed on issues experienced by folks in our community, respond to calls to action or just keep it fun and light, this year’s lineup of events has something for everyone.
This year’s events
Virtual Pride kick off 2021
Tuesday, June 1
Join Positive Space and the Ryerson community on Zoom to kick off Pride 2021 celebrations. Remarks will begin at 12 p.m.
Generous Futures: 2SLGBTQ+ Communities Impacting
Tuesday, June 1
Queer liberation has always come at a price. What role does philanthropy play in addressing 2SLGBTQ+ justice, and equity? How are queer leaders affecting positive policy changes, and increasing visibility of initiatives in support of 2SLGBTQ+ communities?
Join Alumni Relations for this discussion about the future of queer leadership in charitable giving.
Fay & Fluffy’s Storytime: Reading is FUNdamental
Thursday, June 3
Bring your kids to this all-ages event presented by Positive Space and the Ryerson Library. Fun for the young as well as the young at heart! Drag stars Fay Slift and Fluffy Souffle will host this special event to show that reading is FUN-damental! This event is aimed at providing support to families with LGBTQ2S parents and gender variant children.
The Power of Reflection: Gathering Optimism for the Future
Tuesday, June 8
The power of reflection is a learning opportunity open specifically to 2SLGBTQ+-identified employees to gather optimism for the future by looking back, and acknowledging the achievements, learning and opportunities that lead us to have a sense of optimism, as well as feel energized, effective, centred and engaged over the last year.
“MAJOR!” film screening
Friday, June 11
Join Positive Space in the screening of the film MAJOR! and learn about Miss Major Griffin-Gracy, a formerly incarcerated Black trans activist who has fought over 40 years for trans women of colour rights.
Positive Space Book Club listens to “Possibilities” podcast hosted by Umang Antariksh Sagar
Tuesday, June 15
Join Positive Space and the Ryerson Library, with “Possibilities” podcast host Umang Antariksh Sagar in a deep-dive conversation about queer and trans BIPOC artists and possibility makers.
2SLGBTQ+ Immigrant Inclusion in the Workplace
Thursday, June 17
Join Positive Space and the Immigrant Employee Community Network in a panel conversation on the intersectionality of 2SLGBTQ+ and immigration. Panellists will discuss how they have overcome systemic barriers, and how their unique lived experience has fostered their resilience.
“Love, Scott” film screening
Tuesday, June 22
Join Positive Space, the Employees with Disabilities Community Network and the Ryerson Library for a screening of the film Love, Scott, followed by a discussion. The film tells the story of a young gay musician who, after an attack, is paralyzed from the waist down.
2SLGBTQ+ Employee Games Night
Tuesday, June 29
2SLGBTQ+-identified staff and faculty are invited to join Positive Space in some fun, games, laughter and a prize draw in our first virtual games night.
2SLGBTQ+ Community Check-in with Positive Space
Tuesday, July 20
This event is open specifically to 2SLGBTQ+-identified staff and faculty, who are invited to check-in with Positive Space to help the community network understand how better to support the 2SLGBTQ+ employee community at Ryerson.
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