Thursday, March 3, 2011

Celebrating Pride. Creating a Culture of Respect.

PRIDE
It is a celebration of the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender community. 
It is a recognition of the human rights, equality, and diversity of this community.

In Episode 5 of our “How to be a Sexpert” podcast series, we celebrate Pride. (click the pic below to view our podcast, or check it out on our YouTube Channel.) 


LGBTQ pride celebrations happen every year around the world and are a way to celebrate our diversity. 
In Calgary, pride events have become a true celebration of the community – a celebration that no longer carries fear of protests and violence.   Lesbian and gay activists and their allies in our country have worked very hard to ensure LGBTQ citizens have the same human rights as other Canadians. 
But Pride must also be an acknowledgment that in many parts of the world, homosexuality remains illegal, that basic human rights of LGBT citizens are not respected. 
Beyond Gay:  The Politics of Pride” is a moving documentary that examines the blatant homophobia and violence that happens in many parts of the world.  (find it online at http://biggaymovie.com/)   Yet, pride marches and celebrations still occur in the face of this homophobia.  It is a reminder that pride is about a global fight for human rights.
By celebrating Pride, here at home and around the world, it is a show of our collective commitment to work in solidarity for change.
At the Calgary Sexual Health Centre, we work every day to reduce the impact of homophobia.  We offer the DARE (Diversity and Respecting Everyone) program to youth and the “Creating A Culture of Respect” workshop for professionals.  Our goal is to reduce the impact of homophobia and heterosexism, and to give our city the tools to be allies to LGBTQ communities. 
We’re here to help.