June 2, 2025
Happy Pride Month from New Westminster Schools!
At New Westminster Schools, we celebrate Pride Month as a powerful reminder of the importance of human rights and equality in Canada and British Columbia. Our country and province are built on the values of respect, dignity, and inclusion, which are principles that extend to every individual, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation.
Human rights matter. In Canada, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms ensures protection against discrimination and promotes equality under the law. In British Columbia, the BC Human Rights Code prohibits discrimination and works to create safe, equitable spaces for all individuals, including the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
Education is key to fostering understanding, acceptance, and change. By teaching students the importance of human rights and inclusivity, we empower them to become compassionate and informed citizens. Throughout Pride Month, we encourage our staff to engage in discussions, learning, and actions that uphold these values because everyone deserves to live authentically and safely in their community.
Here are some resources educators, students, families and communities can use to have courageous conversations about belonging, community, support and care for everyone:
General learning
- Advancing 2SLGBTQIA+ Rights in Canada for over 50 Years
- What are gender pronouns and why is it important to use the right ones.
- A Guide to Gender Identity Pronouns
- What does it mean to be 2 spirited?
- 2SLGBTQIA+Pride Flags and what they mean
Organizations
- www.vancouverpride.ca
- https://egale.ca/resources/#category=resources
- https://qmunity.ca/
- https://www.transcarebc.ca/
- https://www.shervancouver.com/
- https://outonscreen.com/out-in-schools/