Student Resources & Support Services Pride
Pride at Langara
On June 1, 2023, snəw̓eyəɬ leləm̓ Langara raised the Pride Flag on campus with a short ceremony in partnership with the student club, Langara Genders and Sexualities Alliance (LGSA). It’s continued flying since that date indicates that Pride is not just a month-long event at Langara College, but rather, it is a commitment to acceptance and freedom all year round.
This flag is a symbol of the college’s commitment to 2SLGBTQIA+ staff, students, and community members, and the hope for a strong sense of pride at Langara as a safe and inclusive space for the Queer community. However, simply having the Pride flag on campus does not automatically make our campus that place; intentional, informed, and consistent action from our whole community is needed. The executive leadership team is committed to lead an institution that celebrates equity, diversity, and inclusion, reflected in operations, policies, procedures, curriculum, and classroom and department management. The flag will hold us all accountable in this regard. The Pride flag’s presence on campus is a visual reminder for us all to think about how we, as a community, can work together to be a place where everyone feels like they belong - from the cafeteria to the classroom, and everywhere in between. Learn more about the Pride flag design and view Langara's Flickr Album for the raising of the Pride Flag.
Additionally, in June 2023, the stairs located on the northeast side of campus (opposite from the main entrance to A Building) were re-painted to represent the colours of the Pride Flag. Learn more about what the colours represent.
Pride Month
June is Pride Month, a celebration and commemoration of love, activism and liberation which coincides with the Stonewall Uprising, often seen to be the start of the 2SLGBTQIA+ civil rights movement in the West. In Canada, Toronto’s Pride Week in June similarly evolved out of protests and collective action in response to Operation Soap. Vancouver’s Little Sister’s Book and Art Emporium also occupies space in this fight for civil rights with its successful Supreme Court decision, filed in June, allowing 2SLGBTQQIA+ literature to be imported into Canada.
Langara College is proud of the diversity of its dynamic students and employees. They reflect the same range of 2SLGBTQQIA+ voices at Stonewall, Operation Soap, and Little Sisters, with specific emphasis on the identities of these pioneering leaders who are Two-spirit, trans, Black, and Brown individuals. These leaders who rebelled, then and now, continue to fight against the systems of oppression that seek to erase their existence within the greater society and even within 2SLGBTQQIA+ communities and spaces. Langara College stands in solidarity with the ongoing work these community members do to advance justice and progress.
Pride is many things:
It is a riot.
It is a movement.
It is activism.
It is collective action.
It is progress.
It is a celebration.
It is love.
Join us on June 2, 2026 from 11:30 am - 1:30 pm in A Foyer for our Pride Launch Event to learn about the origins of the Pride Flag and its evolving meanings, explore local and global 2SLGBTQQIA+ histories, and enjoy hands-on activities like DIY nail art, button making, and pride ribbon crafting. No registration is required.
The Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion wishes everyone, but particularly the Langara 2SLGBTQQIA+ community, a wonderful Pride Month with the reminder that Vancouver’s Pride Season usually happens in July and August. Mark your calendars for August 2, 2026 with Vancouver Pride Society’s Pride Parade.
Resources
LGSA
Langara Genders and Sexualities Alliance (LGSA) is currently inactive. If you're interested in reviving the club, please reach out to clubs [at] langara.ca (clubs[at]langara[dot]ca).
History of Canadian Pride
When asked about the history of pride, often the first thing that comes to people's minds are the Stonewall Riots. Canada, however, has it's own rich history and turning points in the struggle for and eventual celebration of LGBT rights.
It’s Pride Month: Here’s what you need to know
Cover your Pride Month basics with this overview published by CNN.
The Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion is aware that these resources are not exhaustive and welcomes input from the community. If you have suggestions for articles, podcasts, webinars, events, etc., we invite you to reach out to our office at edioffice [at] langara.ca (edioffice[at]langara[dot]ca).
Learn
Use this collection of 2SLGBTQIA+ resources for reference all year long.
What Does "Two-Spirit" Mean?
Geo Neptune explores the history of the term "Two-Spirit" and who it pertains to. Does it mean two genders? Can anyone use it to describe themselves?
Breaking down the LGBTQIA2S+ acronym
Time for another episode of Get Smarter with Blair Imani. This segment answers a question from a Smartie named Kennedy: "Why are there so many letters in the LGBTQIA2S+ acronym?" Let's break it down and Get Smarter in the process. #GetSmarterWithBlairImani
Langara Library LGBTQ+ Reading List
This reading list recommends titles in Langara's library collection that address the LGBTQ+ community, representation, and equity.
Langara Pronouns 101
Get a crash course on the who, what, when, why, where, and how of pronoun use with a voiceover PPT recording from the Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion and People and Culture.
Queer Terminology from A to Q
Inclusive language is complex and evolving. This resource booklet gives you a thorough breakdown of Queer terminology from A-Q!
Glossary of Terms: Transgender (GLAAD.org)
A resource on terminology used for trans and non-binary people with many helpful examples and even terms to avoid.
Bakau Consulting Strategies for LGTBQIA2S+ Inclusion (pg. 14)
Resources for reading, listening, watching, and actioning.
8 Ways to Support the Black LGBTQ+ Community for Pride Month
Information on how to step up to support queer Black movements and organizations.
LGBTQ+ Rights by Country (World Population Review) or LGBTQ+ Rights by County or Territory (Wikipedia).
Many LGBTQ+ people around the world face inequality, discrimination, and in some cases, violence. Rights and protections for those who are a part of the LGBTQ+ community vary greatly by country or jurisdiction. These links provide an overview of the history of and the current layout of LGBTQ+ rights around the world.
IN Magazine
IN Magazine is a national magazine celebrating Canada’s 2SLGBTQI+ communities that is committed to providing opportunities, amplifying voices, featuring current events, culture, op-eds and news, and supporting not-for-profit community organizations and service providers with a mandate or mission to serve diverse LGBTQ2+ communities across Canada through our community partners program.
Listen and watch
Tune in to a wide variety of content about the 2SLGBTQIA+ community at home or on the go.
SOGI UBC: Gender & Sexual Diversity Inclusion for Educators
Listen to other educators in this short video on the importance of preparing inclusive educational professionals for the benefit of students and the world.
SOGI UBC: Gender & Sexual Diversity Inclusion for Faculty
This video explores what it means to develop inclusive excellence in post-secondary settings. Growing Up with Pride. Tune into the recording of this powerful webinar,
Growing Up with Pride
A Story about Love, Strength, Determination, and Resilience, with now former employee and alumnus Maggie Stewart—much appreciation to Maggie for being so open to sharing with us her deeply personal experience.
Stonewall Forever - A Documentary about the Past, Present and Future of Pride
Stonewall Forever is a documentary from NYC’s LGBT Community Center directed by Ro Haber. The film brings together voices from over 50 years of the LGBTQ rights movement to explore queer activism before, during and after the Stonewall Riots.
19 podcasts to listen to during Pride and all year
Mashable explores the modern LGBTQ world with this list of podcasts – from the people who make up the community to the spaces where they congregate, both online and off.
The ABCs and 123s of LGBTQ2+ Inclusion
In this recorded discussion, Michael Bach, author of the upcoming Alphabet Soup: The Essential Guide to LGBTQ2+ Inclusion at Work alphabetsoup.lgbt, and guests Farrell Hall (Chief Inclusion Officer, 9 Story Media), Lenore MacAdam (Head of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Corus Entertainment), DS "Shep" Sheppard (Senior Manager, Equity Diversity & Inclusion at Equitable Bank/EQ Bank), and Steve Yan (Director, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, BDC) chat about LGBTQ2+ inclusion, and what it means to LGBTQ2+ people who share their stories.
Widening the Lens on Gender with Vivek Shraya
This video features Vivek Shraya, a visual artist, musician, and writer whose work over many years has explored and challenged ideas about gender. Her latest book, "I'm Afraid of Men," has captured the attention of a wider audience and sparked conversations about identity and masculinity, and what it will take to see one another without the lens of cultural norms. Tune into this segment with Nam Kiwanuka who talks to Shraya about her life, her art, and her journey to self-understanding.
Trans 101: Gender Diversity Crash Course
This video playlist from Ygender presents topics like The Basics, Being an Ally, and more!
Gender Reveal Podcast
Tuck Woodstock in The Gender Reveal podcast explores the vast diversity of trans experiences through interviews with a wide array of trans, nonbinary and Two-Spirit people.
Translash Podcast
TransLash tells trans stories to save trans lives. This biweekly podcast was launched in 2020 and shares trans-affirming content and community offerings.
Training
Courses and Training options for education around important 2SLGBTQIA+ related topics
Positive Space Training
This free online course and resource is free for all employees and students. It engages learners in an ongoing journey of growth, reflection, and connection by gaining valuable insights into what community and a positive space really mean at snəw̓eyəɬ leləm̓ Langara College. See the video for an introduction from our President and CEO, Dr. Paula Burns, and to learn more about the course contents and goals.
After completing the training, learners have the opportunity to obtain an “I Heart Community” or “Positive Space” sticker from the EDI Office (Building A - 171a) as a symbol of their commitment to inclusivity and support of 2SLGBTQIA+ individual(s) and communities
To access the course, please login into Pebblepad using your Langara IT credentials. You'll find the Positive Space Training under the Resources Store from the Landing Page.
Transcare BC: Online Courses
Educational opportunities for learning about gender diversity and creating gender-affirming environments.
GO2Knowledge On-Demand Webinars
Langara employees have access to this online professional development portal
- Supporting Non-Binary Students: Creating Institutional Inclusion Strategies
- Strategies to Foster LGBTQ+ Inclusion in the College Classroom
- Making Health & Wellness More Inclusive for LGBTQ+ Students on College Campuses and more!
Supports
Support for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
Langara 2SLGBTQ+ Support Circle
Langara 2SLGBTQI+ Support Circle for students is a place where 2SLGBTQI+ people can come together as a community and share their knowledge, wisdom, and life experiences with one another.
Trans Care BC Support
Tools Resources include foundational knowledge, how to provide gender-inclusive services, how to support gender diverse Indigenous and Two-Spirit people, and how to support children, youth, and their families.
Trans Care BC Gender Affirming Care
Trans Care BC supports the delivery of equitable and accessible care, surgical planning, and peer and community support for trans people across the province.
Trans Lifeline
Trans Lifeline provides trans peer support for our community that’s been divested from police since day one. Run by and for trans people.
Catherine White Homan Wellness Centre
Provides low-barrier wellness and legal services to Two-Sprit, transgender and gender non-conforming people in a way that is respectful and celebratory of clients’ identity and self-expression. Offers free services to people who need them, regardless of factors like citizenship or health insurance.
Saige Community Foodbank
A Two-Spirit, trans, and gender-diverse safe space providing a low barrier food share in East Vancouver twice a month and a community kitchen, in addition to other programs.
QMUNITY
QMUNITY is what happens when queer, trans, and Two-Spirit folks looking for a sense of community come together to meet, guide, and support each other.
Egale
Egale is Canada’s leading organization for 2SLGBTQI people and issues, aiming to improve and save lives through research, education, awareness, and by advocating for human rights and equality in Canada and around the world. Find resources, research and more on this page.
Justice Institute of BC: Resources for 2SLGBTQIA+ Students
This page includes resources that provide support to 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals. These resources enable us to build our knowledge and familiarity with positive inclusion and acceptance regardless of how we identify.
Pathways Vancouver LGBTQ+ Community Resources
Community service programs, information handouts, videos, and websites.
Langara Health Services
Check our Langara's Health Services website for more information on 2SLGBTQIA+ resources.
MOSAIC "I belong Program"
I Belong is a program welcoming all LGBTQIA2+ refugees and newcomers, providing a safe space to connect and receive personalized support.
DIVERSEcity: LGBTQ+ Newcomer Services
DIVERSEcity is here to support LGBTQ+ newcomers on their settlement journey with free one-on-one support services or peer group support.
QCHAT
A peer support line and resource database for 2SLGBTQ+ youth in British Columbia, Canada.
Refuge Restrooms
This web application seeks to provide safe restroom access for transgender, intersex, and gender nonconforming individuals. Users can search for restrooms by proximity to a search location, add new restroom listings, as well as comment and rate existing listings. Trans led, Refuge seeks to create a community focused not only on finding existing safe restroom access, but also advocating for transgender, intersex, and gender nonconforming people’s safety.
The Trevor Project: Navigating LGBTQ+ Identities and Religion
This site provides resources for people from the LGBTQ+ community who are navigating their often complicated relationship with religion.
Building Bridges: 2SLGBTQI+ & Affirming Faith Workbooks
These Affirming Faith Workbooks offer foundational concepts, guiding principles, and promising practices to support anyone seeking to create more inclusive programming and services. It aims to provide readers with foundational knowledge on Canada’s major faith groups, considerations for supporting 2SLGBTQI people of faith, and strategies for creating respectful and tolerant workplaces and community spaces.
