The month of June is designated as PRIDE month in Guelph and in many communities across Ontario. This month, and each and every month, our Catholic schools are committed to nurturing safe and inclusive learning environments where every student and every member of the community is welcomed, valued, and respected.
In the Ontario Catholic Elementary Curriculum Policy Document, Religious Education Grades 1-8, it states;
“A school climate based on the principles of equity and inclusivity is one where all members of the school community feel safe, welcomed and accepted, regardless of ancestry, culture, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, language, physical and intellectual ability, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or socio-economic status. Students see themselves reflected in the curriculum, in a physical environment which honours diversity and respects the dignity of all individuals. “ (Assembly of Catholic Bishops of Ontario, 2012, p. 59)
Throughout the month of June, the Pride Flag will fly at all Wellington Catholic properties, including the Catholic Education Centre. The Rainbow Flag has been part of the LGBTQ+ movement since 1978. Originally the flag was eight colours in composition – pink and turquoise were dropped to make mass production easier – and each colour means something. More recent versions of the flag have reintroduced pink, alongside light blue and white to include those who are non-binary or transgender. Red means life, orange means healing, yellow means sunlight. Green represents nature, turquoise art, blue harmony, and violet means spirit.