{"id":24609,"date":"2025-06-16T13:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-06-16T17:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/innovationhub\/?p=24609"},"modified":"2025-06-12T15:49:28","modified_gmt":"2025-06-12T19:49:28","slug":"ihub-staff-u-of-t-pride-june-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/innovationhub\/ihub-staff-u-of-t-pride-june-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"iHub Staff & U of T Pride \u2014 June 2025\u00a0\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"
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In this blog, Chayan and Ruth share their reflections on U of T Pride events. iHub staff participated in a #DisplayYourPride craft event and attended KPE & SDGO\u2019s Progress Flag Raising to celebrate Pride and show support.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Written by Chayan Anand, Project Assistant, Master of Engineering in Materials Science and Engineering and Ruth Rodrigues, Research Lead, Master of Education in Social Justice Education\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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June is Pride Month here at U of T. It\u2019s a time to pause, to celebrate, and to speak up. Across the university, Pride is marked in many ways\u2014through events, education, and acts of visibility that remind us of who we stand with and why it matters.\u00a0At the Innovation Hub, we\u2019re joining this collective celebration in ways that feel local and intentional. From crafting our own Pride display to attending the university\u2019s Pride Flag Raising, we\u2019re finding ways to show up\u2014blossoming with creativity, care, and community.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Staff Voices \u2013 Why is Pride important to you?<\/h2>\n\n\n
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iHub staff members share their thoughts and reactions to our two Pride prompts, \u201cWhy is Pride important right now?\u201d and \u201cWhat comes to mind when you think of Pride Month?\u201d<\/em>\u00a0<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Innovation Hub staff used Post-it notes to answer the prompt , \u201cWhy is Pride important right now?\u201d. Answers included \u201cFeeling safe\u201d, \u201cRepresentation\u201d, \u201cVisibility\u201d and \u201cMaintaining progress\u201d. With the goal of improving campus experience for all students, we know LGBTQ+ students have unique experiences to take into consideration. We hope to continue our advocacy by intentionally including LGBTQ+ students in our work. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When asked \u201cWhat comes to mind when you think of Pride month?\u201d, Innovation Hub staff wrote \u201cCommunity\u201d, \u201cIdentity\u201d, and \u201cAcceptance\u201d. Over the years, we learned that students want a place of refuge on campus where they can be their authentic selves. Despite trying to remain apolitical whenever possible, fostering a safe place for LGBTQ+ staff and students is an equity priority. For these reasons, we prioritize Pride events at U of T that increase visibility and demonstrate vocal support for LGBTQ+ rights. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pride at U of T \u2013 KPE and SDGO Flag Raising<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0The iHub team attended the 10th<\/sup> Progress Pride Flag Raising this year and felt the strong solidarity emulated by the U of T community. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

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iHub staff pictured in front of the hoisted Progress flag at the 10th<\/sup> annual flag raising at the Varsity Stadium.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

The event took place on June 4th<\/sup> and was hosted by the Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education (KPE) and the Sexual & Gender Diversity Office (SDGO). The event speakers included outgoing President Meric Gertler and the Dean of KPE Gretchen Kerr. Gertler highlighted that the SDGO\u2019s Positive Space campaign was turning 30 next year, a major achievement in welcoming U of T students. Gertler also reminded the crowd that U of T was the first Canadian university to have an LGBTQ+ student group (LGBTOUT). With many iHub staff reflections centered on maintaining the progress we\u2019ve made, reminiscing on past successes was a welcome change of pace.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pride at iHub – Display Your Pride<\/h2>\n\n\n
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The iHub\u2019s 2025 #DisplayYourPride art piece, a contribution to a university-wide competition.<\/em>\u00a0<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

To celebrate Pride Month, the iHub team gathered in a space filled with creativity, community and visibility.  As a part of the university-wide #DisplayYourPride<\/strong> initiative, we came together to create a collaborative art piece that felt distinctly us<\/em>\u2014a vibrant iHub Pride sign, decorated with a garden of hand-crafted blossoming flowers made from colorful pipe cleaners.  <\/p>\n\n\n

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What began as a Friday social grew into something more meaningful. Students and staff sat side by side, getting crafty, laughing, and choosing colors that reflected not just aesthetics\u2014but care, joy, and identity. The space was filled with warmth, and the process of creating something together reminded us how deeply Pride is rooted in presence, participation, and shared intention. It wasn\u2019t just about flowers or signs\u2014it was about claiming space, showing up, and creating something that reflects who we are. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beyond Pride<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For many, the Innovation Hub is a place where they feel seen, respected, and free to show up as they are. These events were not just about pride, but about the everyday acts of inclusion and belonging that define our space. Whether it\u2019s the Positive Space campaign or #DisplayYourPride, our participation is more than decorative\u2014it\u2019s a reflection on how people feel when they\u2019re here. This is iHub Pride: blossom as you are.<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

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After participating in activities and events for Pride, staff and students alike were inspired to build allyship and solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community. To look for sources of inspiration and encourage your own community to reflect, see these educational resources:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n