Canadian pride began as a gay rights protest march on Parliament Hill in 1971, following Canada’s decriminalization of homosexuality in 1969 and the Stonewall Riots that took place in New York (McLeod, 1996). It has evolved into large-scale celebrations across Canada to acknowledge the progress made for the 2SLGBTQ+ community and call for continued efforts towards true equality, freedom and a socially just future.

Healthy Workplace’s mission is always to encourage staff and faculty at Carleton University to build meaningful social connections and champion wellbeing in the fullest sense. This documentary screening is part of a broader effort to centre the experience of 2SLGBTQ+ members within the Carleton community and foster educational conversations, advocacy, respect and safety for the 2SLGBTQ+ employees who work here and the students we support.

Documentary Description

Small Town Pride is a 2021 documentary by Chelle Turigan and Riley Sparks that “offers an intimate look at the joys and challenges of being queer in a small town. Filmed in Alberta, Nova Scotia and the Northwest Territories, the film follows LGBTQ2S+ people and allies as they prepare for their local Pride celebrations. Organizing in church basements, classrooms and around kitchen tables, they take on a conservative town council that won’t fly a rainbow flag and bend some rules to create a safe space for youth to come out. But despite experiences of isolation and discrimination, they love their communities and strive to make them places where everyone, no matter who and how they love, can live and thrive.”

About the Event

Healthy Workplace will facilitate a group debrief after the documentary screening and light refreshments will be served. Staff and faculty of all genders and sexual orientations are welcome to register and attend.