The cheering sounded different yet no less celebratory this year during the raising of the Progress Pride flag on campus. The threat of rain prompted organizers to move the Dal Pride launch event typically held on Studley Quad inside, but the shift didn't dampen spirits.听
The event featured speaking remarks from representatives听the听Queer Faculty & Staff听caucus, Student Affairs, and听听and was followed by a community BBQ.
Charlie Aelick, a PhD student in clinical psychology, counsellor with Student Health and Wellness, and president of DalOut, began their remarks with a quote by famed sex advice columnist and educator Dan Savage:
鈥淒uring the darkest days of the AIDS crisis we buried our friends in the morning, we protested in the afternoon, and we danced all night, and it was the dance that kept us in the fight because it was the dance we were fighting for.鈥�
鈥淲ith that in mind, there has been a lot of joy on campus this year," Aelick said in the atrium of the Weldon Law Building where the event was moved.听
Charlie Aelick prepares the flag for raising.
They pointed to events like the HaliQueer Formal where students can essentially relive their prom with the partners of their choice and in the gender expression of their choice.
鈥淎nd what I鈥檓 looking forward to in the next year is to continue to show up, find time to celebrate, connect with people, and meet people with compassion and kindness because that鈥檚 where change starts.鈥�
When I think about Pride, I think about the importance of cultivating and celebration queer excellence, opportunity, possibility and thriving
Dr. Rick Ezekiel, vice-provost student affairs, also touched on the sentiment of joy.听
鈥淚t鈥檚 important that we cultivate that sense of celebration and vibrancy. We know that hope and possibility help us combat despair in the world," he said. "When I think about Pride, I think about the importance of cultivating and celebration queer excellence, opportunity, possibility and thriving.鈥�
Dr. Rick Ezekiel.
For Dr. Wanda Costen, provost and vice-president academic, Dal's allegiance to providing a welcoming environment proved influential in her own life decisions.听听
"I came to Dal because it refuses to walk away from its commitment 鈥� it believes in and fully embraces EDIA [equity, diversity, inclusion and access] in every sense of the words," she said.
She offered a strong call to action with the community.听
We will do more than show up. We will advocate, vocally.
"We will do more than show up. We will advocate, vocally. And I invite you to hold us 鈥� me, the president, and senior leaders of this campus 鈥� accountable to that. We have work to do."
Dr. Wanda Costen.
Olivia Fader,听2SLGBTQ+ advisor, shared a heartfelt thank you to close out the launch.
"It can be heavy on me personally, as an office of one, so what I want to talk about today is the Queer Faculty and Staff Caucus and what it has meant to me in my last three years," says Fader. "A lot of you are here this afternoon, and I really appreciate you. Thank you."
Olivia Fader.
The launch event kicks off a series of events over the next couple of weeks. These include the , , and the . Dal also marched in the Truro Pride Parade on June 28.
See more photos from the flag raising below:
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