College raises Progressive Pride flag

By Lethbridge Herald on June 13, 2022.

Herald photo by Alejandra Pulido-Guzman Lethbridge College interim president Samantha Lenci speaks to those in attendance prior to raising the progressive pride flag outside of the college's main entrance Monday in support for the college's 2SLGBTQIA+ population at the college's centre core.

Alejandra Pulido-Guzman
Lethbridge Herald
apulido@lethbridgeherald.com

The Lethbridge College has raised the Progressive Pride flag once again outside the main doors of the college to support the community’s 2SLGBTQIA+ population. 

Lethbridge College interim president and CEO Samantha Lenci spoke to those in attendance Monday at the centre core prior to stepping out into the rain to raise the flag. 

During her speech she said the pride flag raising has brought the college community together through the years. 

“We raised the flag for the first time in 2016 and we started marching in the Lethbridge Pride parade in 2018,” said Lenci. 

She said the parade was called off due to COVID-19 restriction for the last couple of years but they are very excited to take part once again this year. 

“Back in 2020 our first on-campus event was actually raising the pride flag during the pandemic and last year for the first time we raised the progressive pride flag, which we’re very proud to support,” said Lenci. 

She said that throughout history there has been many affected by their education being denied simply because of who they are. 

“Supporting inclusivity and a sense of belonging is what we do here at Lethbridge College. We are committed to ensuring post-secondary education is inclusive accessible and supportive,” said Lenci. 

She said they are proud to fly the progressive pride flag as a visual reminder of the inclusive and supportive campus Lethbridge College is, and they will always strive to be better. 

President of Lethbridge Pride Fest Lane Sterr also spoke to those in attendance and said he always looks forward to attending the flag raising event. 

“June is an opportunity to come together and celebrate and reflect on the progress on the diversity and inclusion that we have made in our community,” said Sterr. 

After the flag was raised, Lenci spoke to the media and said this day is about a larger ecosystem. 

“It’s about understanding, belonging, equity, inclusion, diversity, but today is really about that celebratory part, that part where we get to say ‘look you belong here, whoever you are and whoever you need to be’,” said Lenci. 

This is the seventh year Lethbridge College has flown the Pride Flag on campus, and the second time it has raised the Progressive Pride Flag.

She said the progressive pride flag becomes more inclusive each time. 

“Last year we spoke about the inclusion of black and brown people on the flag, also recognizing HIV and AIDS and it just becomes more inclusive. The bigger the flag becomes, the more colours in it. It’s about understanding everyone in one place,” said Lenci. 

The latest variation features a chevron symbol of white, pink, light blue, brown and black on the left side of the original Rainbow Flag. It promotes inclusivity by recognizing trans individuals, marginalized people of colour, and those who are living with or who have died from HIV/AIDS. 

She said it is important to recognize the me-we piece, what each individual needs and how the college as a whole can accommodate to their individual needs.

In addition to celebrating Pride month, Lethbridge College has a dedicated pride lounge where members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and allies can meet and socialize. A student Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) ambassador is based in the Pride Lounge throughout the academic year. Employees are offered 2SLGBTQIA+ awareness and ally training, and there are several gender-neutral washrooms located across campus.

To further support Pride month, Lethbridge College will be entering a float in the upcoming Pride Parade on Saturday, June 25. College volunteers will make their way along the parade route from Civic Centre Park to Galt Gardens where the 14th annual Pride in the Park will take place. 

For details on the parade, Pride in the Park and several other events happening in the community this month, visit lethbridgepride.com 

Follow @APulidoHerald on Twitter