Pride Month with The Grove

What does Pride mean to The Grove? 

Pride Month is a time of celebration that recognizes and honours the history, society, and culture of the 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. It is an important time to support the 2SLGHTQIA+ communities and bring awareness to allies. Pride month is a diverse experience for everyone; it can mean celebration, increased awareness, or a time of reflection. Each and every experience holds great importance and it is vital to ensure everyone’s story is told and listened to.  

At The Grove, first impressions are very important. We are committed to fostering a safe and inclusive environment for every young person who walks in our doors. By providing unconditional, non-judgemental support, we aim to inspire youth to be their most authentic selves, offering space for conversation, stories and personal experiences. At The Grove, Pride Month is as much of a celebratory occasion as it is a reflective one. While we want to recognize progress, we also want to understand how we can improve support for the youth in the 2SLGHTQIA+ community.

We sat down with The Grove staff members Nic, Caden, and Marisa to learn more about what Pride Month means to them and what advice they can offer youth and caregivers within our community:  

What does Pride Month mean to you?

Nic: Pride is as much of a celebration of authenticity and diversity as it is a protest against oppression and harm. Pride brings the community together to use our visibility and voices to take up space and show that we are here to stay. Many are still forced to hide their identities and true selves for their own safety, on this land and across the globe. Pride month means remembering those who have fought before us, and embracing that we still have far to go.

Caden: To me, pride month is about three things.

First, Pride Month is about visibility and showing everyone who might be a part of the

community that they have support from a large group of queer people and allies.

Second, Pride Month is about rights. In Canada, we are lucky to have a solid foundation of rights, but we still must be vigilant and fight aggressively, if anyone’s rights are

transgressed.

Lastly, pride month is about finding joy in being queer. It's a time to celebrate yourself

and/or other queer people. Show the world how beautiful it can be to be queer.

Marisa: Pride month is about being yourself and being proud of who you are. It is a celebration but also a recognition of the history and bravery of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities around the world in their fight for basic human rights. As someone who is not a part of the community, this is a time for me to educate myself on the history of pride and how to truly be an ally and help members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. It is also about recognizing the discrimination that is still present against 2SLGBTQIA+ communities and helping to fight for solidarity, acceptance, and equality.

What would you want youth to know about Pride Month?

Nic: There are so many ways to celebrate and get involved in your local Pride Month events. Pride doesn’t have to look one specific way and you don’t need to be ‘out and loud’ to celebrate Pride. Huge crowds and loud music aren’t everyone’s cup of tea – and that’s okay! Many cities will have youth events in their Pride celebrations or quieter event

options for those who want them. Any way that you choose to celebrate Pride is valid.

Caden: No matter who you are or how you identify, you can have fun at pride. Take some time to take part in pride events. Straight and cis people are welcome too, just respect that queer people and culture are the focus.

Marisa: Pride month is meant to show young people that they are not alone. It is an opportunity for them to share their experiences and identities and be proud of who they are. It is also an opportunity for them to learn about the history of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities and the importance of celebrating Pride not only once a year, but every day.

What do you think parents and caregivers should know about Pride Month?

Nic: Representation can have a huge positive impact on our youth and their mental health. During Pride month, there are so many ways that the visibility of the 2SLGBTQIA+

community can help our youth feel safe, comfortable and confident in being

themselves. It’s not only about being in the community: youth should know that the

restrictions and expectations that society enforces, such as the gender binary or gender

roles in heterosexual relationships are harmful and unfair. Pride is a time where

everyone can push back against rigid gender roles, and celebrate who they truly are.

Caden: There are pride events for every age and showing your youth powerful, happy and proud 2SLGBTQIA+ people is an effective way to ensure that your youth see a good

representation of the community. Also, it can humanize the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, so

that they do not pick up harmful prejudices of the community found in classrooms or

online.

Marisa: Parents and caregivers should know that this is an important time for them to listen to, support, and understand their children who are a part of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. It is important for parents to help advocate for their children and work to foster safe and accepting environments that welcome conversations around diversity, equality, and the importance of continuing to fight against discrimination.

How can allies help members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community?

Nic: 2SLGBTQIA+ oppression in our communities is very real, and we need our allies to speak up. We cannot passively assume that these issues “don’t happen here”. They are

happening everywhere. There is a huge political focus currently on anti-trans legislation and denial of rights to trans youth, backed by misinformation and harmful stereotypes. Trans youth are at risk of losing their access to support and their own autonomy. Trans youth just want to be themselves, and they need allies to stand up for them.

Caden: If you are an ally, you should also have fun with it, go to pride, and show your support. When you're at pride, plenty of queer people will share their stories, and listen to them.

If you really want to be an ally, you can support your local pride events. There are plenty of opportunities to volunteer. If you do not want to volunteer, you can also donate or write a letter to your local politicians and councils and express your support for pride initiatives.

Marisa: Allies have an important role in supporting the 2SLGBTQIA+ community not only during Pride, but every day. Education is such an important part of helping allies understand and learn about the history, experience and terminology of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. To actively support the 2SLGBTQIA+ community allies can listen to experiences, stand up against discrimination, and celebrate Pride by attending events or parades to show solidarity and help to make a more inclusive and accepting society for all.

At the Grove, we are dedicated to supporting youth in their unique journeys. Our team is here to listen, to talk and to provide assistance in whatever aspect of life they may need. We understand that support should be an ongoing effort, and persistence is key to building trust in relationships and connections that last. That is why our services and support are available to youth not only during Pride Month but throughout the year. 

We are so excited to take part in Pride this year and celebrate with the 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. We are hoping to engage youth in the pride events within our community as we continue to provide support and encourage them to be their most authentic selves. 

Happy Pride from The Grove team!