Awareness – Canadian Pride Historical Society

Category: Awareness

22 March 2026

Each year around the spring equinox, communities across Canada observe Two-Spirit and Indigenous 2SLGBTQIA+ Celebration and Awareness Day. Held on or near March 20, the day highlights the leadership, resilience and cultural importance of Indigenous people who identify as Two-Spirit and within the broader 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

The spring equinox symbolizes balance and renewal, making it a meaningful moment to recognize identities rooted in both cultural tradition and contemporary community life.

For many Canadians, the term Two-Spirit may still be unfamiliar. Understanding the identity also means understanding a history shaped by colonial disruption and a powerful movement of cultural resurgence.

What “Two-Spirit” means

The term Two-Spirit was proposed in 1990 by Elder Myra Laramee during the Third Annual Inter-tribal Native American, First Nations, Gay and Lesbian American Conference held at the Sandy-Saulteaux Spiritual Centre. The term is a translation of the Anishinaabemowin phrase niizh manidoowag, meaning “two spirits.”

Indigenous 2SLGBTQIA+ participants adopted the term to describe gender and sexual diversity within Indigenous cultural frameworks. It also helped move away from colonial terminology historically used to describe Indigenous gender diversity and created language rooted in Indigenous perspectives.

Two-Spirit is not simply another identity within the broader 2SLGBTQIA+ community. It is an Indigenous-specific concept that connects gender, sexuality, spirituality and community roles.

The term may be used by Indigenous people who understand themselves as carrying both masculine and feminine spirits, or who embody forms of gender diversity recognized within their own cultural traditions. As an umbrella concept, it can include identities that Western frameworks might describe as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or gender diverse.

It is also important to recognize that not all Indigenous gender-diverse people identify as Two-Spirit. Some people may use other terms, including identities drawn from their own languages or cultural traditions.

Gender diversity before colonization

Before colonization, many Indigenous nations across North America recognized and respected people whose identities or roles existed outside rigid European gender categories.

In some communities, individuals who carried both masculine and feminine spirits were understood to have special gifts. They often held respected positions in their communities as healers, mediators, counsellors, artists, knowledge keepers or matchmakers.

Two-Spirit individuals were frequently seen as people who could move between roles associated with men and women, contributing to community life in unique and valued ways.

Different Indigenous nations have distinct traditions and teachings related to gender and identity, meaning that understandings of gender diversity vary widely between communities.

Colonization and the erasure of gender diversity

European colonization disrupted many Indigenous traditions, including diverse understandings of gender and sexuality.

Missionaries and colonial governments imposed strict European gender norms and Christian moral frameworks. Institutions such as residential schools reinforced these beliefs and punished expressions of gender diversity.

Colonial authorities also condemned Indigenous gender diversity and often attempted to erase these identities through violence, forced assimilation and cultural suppression.

Over time, many teachings about gender roles and identities were pushed underground. These policies created lasting impacts and contributed to the marginalization of Two-Spirit people both within and outside Indigenous communities.

The rise of the two-spirit movement

In the late twentieth century, Indigenous 2SLGBTQIA+ people began organizing to reclaim space within both Indigenous and queer communities.

The 1990 conference at the Sandy-Saulteaux Spiritual Centre, where the term Two-Spirit was introduced, marked an important turning point. The term helped create shared language for Indigenous gender and sexual diversity and strengthened connections among activists and community members across North America.

Since then, Two-Spirit societies and community organizations have formed in many regions of Canada. These groups support cultural revitalization, community healing and advocacy for Indigenous 2SLGBTQIA+ people.

The growing recognition of Two-Spirit and Indigenous 2SLGBTQIA+ Celebration and Awareness Day, first promoted nationally in 2021, reflects increasing awareness of the important role Two-Spirit people continue to play within Indigenous communities.

A time to learn and celebrate

For many communities, the spring equinox observance is both a celebration and a reminder of ongoing work.

Two-Spirit leaders, artists and knowledge keepers continue to strengthen communities and reclaim cultural teachings that were once suppressed. Their work reflects a broader movement of Indigenous resurgence and cultural renewal.

Recognizing this day invites Canadians to learn more about the history, resilience and leadership of Two-Spirit people across the country.

By Admin

Awareness

1 February 2026

Long before rainbow crosswalks and Pride sponsorships, Black 2SLGBTQIA+ Canadians built something quieter and more enduring. They built chosen families.

These were not symbolic relationships. They were practical, emotional and often lifesaving. Friends shared housing, food, job leads and protection. Elders mentored youth navigating racism and homophobia at the same time. Parties, house gatherings and informal social spaces doubled as places of joy and refuge.

Chosen family emerged not because it was trendy but because it was necessary. For many Black 2SLGBTQIA+ Canadians, biological families, churches and institutions could not or would not offer safety. Community stepped in where systems failed.

Chosen family as historical infrastructure

From a historical perspective, chosen families functioned as infrastructure. They provided care in the absence of social services. They preserved culture when mainstream 2SLGBTQIA+ spaces were unwelcoming or outright hostile. They passed down knowledge about survival, style, language and resistance.

In cities like Toronto, Montreal and Halifax, Black 2SLGBTQIA+ communities created networks that operated largely outside formal recognition. These spaces were rarely documented in official archives. They did not always leave flyers, meeting minutes or photographs. Their work was relational and often intentionally private.

That invisibility matters. When history prioritizes institutions over relationships, entire forms of community labour disappear from the record.

What Pride remembers and what it overlooks

Canadian Pride history often centres milestones that are easy to document. Legal victories. Parades. Organizations with charters and boards. These moments matter. But they are not the whole story.

Chosen families challenge how we define progress. They remind us that liberation was not only pursued through visibility but through care. Not only through celebration but through consistency. Many Black 2SLGBTQIA+ Canadians did not experience Pride as a safe or welcoming space, even as movements advanced.

If these histories are absent from our collective memory, it is not because they were insignificant. It is because they were harder to categorize and easier to ignore.

What Black 2SLGBTQIA+ history can teach Pride today

As Canadian Pride movements reflect on inclusion and relevance, Black 2SLGBTQIA+ chosen families offer a lesson rooted in history. Pride was never just about being seen once a year. It was about who shows up the other 364 days.

Care-based models of community ask different questions. Who is resourced year-round. Who is protected when attention fades. Who is trusted to lead.

Black 2SLGBTQIA+ communities answered those questions long before corporate floats or official stages existed.

Remembering forward

Black History Month invites us not only to add stories to the archive but to rethink how history is told. Chosen family is not just a chapter from the past. It is a reminder that community is built through responsibility, not branding.

If chosen families once kept Black 2SLGBTQIA+ Canadians alive, they may still point us toward the Pride we need next.

By Admin

Awareness

27 January 2026

Each year on Jan. 27, International Holocaust Remembrance Day invites reflection on the millions of people murdered under Nazi persecution. While the Holocaust is often discussed in broad terms, remembrance also requires attention to the groups whose stories were ignored or erased for decades. One of those stories is represented by the pink triangle.

During the Holocaust, people imprisoned in Nazi concentration camps were forced to wear coloured badges that identified the reason for their detention. Jewish prisoners were marked with yellow stars. Political prisoners wore red triangles. Men imprisoned for homosexuality were forced to wear a pink triangle.

Under Paragraph 175 of the German criminal code, homosexuality was criminalized. Gay men were monitored by police, arrested and sent to prisons and concentration camps. Historians estimate that tens of thousands were imprisoned. Many died because of forced labour, violence, medical abuse and starvation.

Within the camps, men marked with the pink triangle were often treated with particular cruelty. They were isolated from other prisoners and subjected to abuse by guards and fellow inmates. Survival rates for these prisoners were among the lowest in the camp system.

After the war

The injustice did not end with liberation. After the war, homosexuality remained illegal in Germany and other parts of Europe. Many survivors were not recognized as victims of Nazi persecution. Some were returned to prison to finish their sentences. Others were denied compensation and excluded from official remembrance. For decades, their experiences were largely absent from Holocaust education and memorials.

This absence matters. Holocaust remembrance is shaped not only by what is remembered but also by what is left out. The delayed recognition of pink triangle victims shows how prejudice continued long after the fall of the Nazi regime. It also highlights how memory can reflect the values of the societies preserving it.

Reclaiming the symbol

In the late 20th century, 2SLGBTQIA+ activists reclaimed the pink triangle as a symbol of resistance and remembrance. During the AIDS crisis, it became a sign of protest and solidarity. Over time, it evolved into a marker of resilience and survival. Today, it appears in museums, memorials and queer history projects around the world.

For historical organizations, this history is particularly significant. It connects Holocaust remembrance to broader struggles for recognition, safety and dignity. It also reminds us that 2SLGBTQIA+ history includes persecution and loss alongside progress and celebration.

That context matters when we talk about remembrance today. Remembering the pink triangle means acknowledging victims who were marginalized both during the Holocaust and long after it ended. Their stories were excluded from public memory for decades, not by accident but by choice. On International Holocaust Remembrance Day, taking time to remember these lives helps make the historical record more complete and more honest.

By Admin

Awareness

16 October 2025

Every October, purple takes over. Landmarks across Canada are lit in violet hues.
School halls fill with purple shirts and ribbons. For one day, a single colour links millions
in a quiet act of solidarity. This year, Spirit Day falls on October 16.

In 2010, Brittany McMillan, a high school student in British Columbia, read about a
series of LGBTQ+ teen suicides in the United States. She wanted to create a way for
young people to see that they were supported and valued. Her idea was simple: ask
people to wear purple on a single day to stand against bullying. She posted the idea on
Tumblr, and it spread quickly. The colour was intentional. On the original rainbow flag
designed by Gilbert Baker, purple represents spirit.

From resistance to belonging

Spirit Day grew fast. Schools, workplaces and community groups across Canada took
part. Media networks adopted it. Landmarks like the CN Tower began to glow purple at
night. The day became a symbol of resistance against bullying and discrimination. It
also became a collective moment of visibility for LGBTQ+ youth and their allies.
Over the years, Spirit Day evolved. What started as an act of mourning and protest
shifted toward celebration, education and solidarity. Schools used the day to teach
about inclusion and queer history. Pride organizations wove it into community
programming. The message expanded from “you are not alone” to “you belong here.”

Each October, it now serves both as a reminder of the harm caused by homophobia and
transphobia and as a celebration of the communities that continue to grow despite them.

The power of purple

Purple has carried that evolution. A simple T-shirt or ribbon has become more than a
symbol. It’s a shared ritual that links generations. For older activists, it reflects decades
of struggle and resilience. For young people, it can be their first visible act of allyship or
identity. For everyone involved, it’s a way to hold history in the present.
A shared moment that endures
In Halifax, a teacher recalls the first time her students wore purple for Spirit Day. She
didn’t know how many would participate. That morning, she walked into a classroom full
of violet sweaters and homemade pins. Students had made posters about queer history and anti-bullying campaigns. “It felt like the room changed,” she said. “It wasn’t just
about wearing a colour. It was about claiming space together.”

That shared moment is what keeps Spirit Day relevant 15 years after it began. Each
purple light and piece of clothing honours the past while signalling commitment to the
future. It shows young people they’re seen and valued. It reminds communities that
belonging is built through action, not slogans.

This Spirit Day, remember that purple isn’t just fabric or light. It’s a living memory,
carried forward each time someone chooses to wear it.

References

https://www.glaad.org/spiritday
https://www.gilbertbaker.com

By Claris Lam

Awareness

28 August 2025

In the winter of 1971, a small but determined group of activists in Ottawa stepped into
the cold air outside Parliament Hill to demand a new vision for Canada. Known as the
We Demand Rally, it was the country’s first large-scale demonstration for gay rights.
While the crowd numbered fewer than 200, the event marked the beginning of a
national conversation about equality for gay, bisexual, and lesbian Canadians, and what
we now call the wider 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

The rally was not spontaneous. It was grounded in a carefully prepared 13-page brief
sent to the federal government, outlining specific calls for reform. The demands ranged
from ending discriminatory practices in immigration law to eliminating inequalities in the
age of consent. Activists also pressed for changes in the way the military and civil
service treated employees suspected of being homosexual. In short, the brief was a
direct challenge to laws and policies that reinforced stigma and curtailed basic
freedoms.
On August 28 of that year, demonstrators carried those demands to the public square.
Their message was simple but urgent: Canadians deserved the right to live openly,
without fear of arrest, dismissal, or harassment. Many participants had faced social
isolation, loss of employment, or rejection by their families. By gathering on Parliament
Hill, they placed their lives and livelihoods on the line to show that discrimination was
not an abstract legal matter but a lived reality.
Although change did not arrive immediately, the rally is remembered today as a turning
point. The demands highlighted the gap between Canada’s reputation as a fair society
and the experiences of its queer citizens. The demonstration also provided a model for
future activism. It showed that coordinated, public advocacy could capture media
attention and push issues of sexuality and human rights onto the political agenda.
Some of the reforms called for in 1971 took decades to achieve, and others continue to
be debated. But the We Demand Rally gave voice to people who had been silenced in
policy discussions. It reminded Canadians that progress is rarely granted without
persistence. Many of the freedoms and protections enjoyed today – including workplace
rights, recognition of same-sex relationships, and the ability to serve openly in the
military – trace their roots back to that snowy day in Ottawa.
For young Canadians learning this history, the rally stands as more than a lesson in
politics. It illustrates how small acts of courage can ripple outward. The participants did
not know whether their protest would succeed, yet their choice to gather helped spark a
movement that grew in strength over the decades.
Today, the We Demand Rally is recognized as a milestone in Canada’s human rights
history. It is a reminder of the power of ordinary citizens to hold governments
accountable and to insist on dignity and equality. Half a century later, the rally remains a
touchstone for Pride celebrations and for ongoing struggles to make Canada a more
inclusive country.

By Claris Lam

#DYK Pride Week 1973 - image of several people holding up signs advocating for gay rights in Kitchener Waterloo.

Awareness

22 August 2025

In August 1973, something quietly remarkable happened across Canada. For the first time, LGBT communities in cities like Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal organized a coordinated week of events that would later be known as Canada’s first Pride Week.

It didn’t look like the large, colourful parades we often see today. There were no floats, no big corporate sponsors, and media coverage was limited. But for those who took part, it was a turning point.

At the time, it was still risky to be open about your sexual orientation or gender identity. Homosexuality had only been decriminalized in Canada four years earlier, and discrimination remained widespread. But the energy from the Stonewall uprising in New York in 1969 had reached Canadian cities. Activists, community members and allies began coming together, determined to be seen and heard.

Pride Week 1973 was spread across the country. In Toronto, hundreds gathered for a picnic on the Toronto Islands, an event that offered a rare chance for LGBT people to connect openly. Vancouver and Montreal held rallies and discussions, creating space for people to speak about human rights, social barriers and the need for legal protection.

The events that week weren’t just about celebration. They were about taking up space and making it clear that LGBT people were part of Canadian society, whether the public was ready to accept it or not.

Looking back, Pride Week 1973 might seem small by today’s standards, but its impact is hard to overstate. It was the first time Canadians across different cities came together to push for change in a public, visible way.

Since then, Pride events across Canada have grown in both size and visibility. But the roots of these celebrations go back to those early days, when speaking up could come with real risks.

At the Canadian Pride Historical Society, we believe it’s important to keep these stories alive. Not just to mark how far things have come, but to recognize the work that’s still needed to make sure everyone can live openly and safely, no matter who they are or who they love.

To learn more about how Pride started in Canada and the people who helped lead the way, visit our website: https://cphs.ca/.

By Claris Lam

Awareness

14 July 2025

This year, Non-Binary Awareness Week takes place from July 14 to 20, 2025. It is a time to highlight the experiences of non-binary people, challenge misconceptions, and encourage greater understanding across communities.

While the term non-binary has become more familiar in recent years, the experiences and identities of non-binary people are not new. Across cultures and throughout history, people have expressed gender in ways that go beyond the categories of male or female.

What does non-binary mean?

At its simplest, non-binary is a term for gender identities that do not fit strictly into the categories of man or woman. Some non-binary people may feel like a mix of both. Others may feel like neither. Some may identify as gender fluid, agender, bigender or in other ways that reflect their own experiences.

It is important to remember that there is no one way to be non-binary. Just as gender expression varies among men and women, the same is true for non-binary individuals. How someone looks, dresses or expresses themselves does not define their identity.

Why awareness matters

Non-binary people continue to face barriers, including misunderstanding, lack of legal recognition, discrimination and violence. Research and community reports show that many non-binary individuals feel pressure to fit into the binary for safety or acceptance, which can affect mental health and well-being.

Awareness weeks like this one create space for conversation, education and change. They remind us that gender diversity has always existed, and that building inclusive communities means respecting all gender identities.

A part of Canadian history and future

Here in Canada, non-binary people have always been part of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and the broader social fabric. Many Indigenous cultures have long recognized gender-diverse individuals, including those who identify as Two-Spirit. This term is used by some Indigenous people to reflect a sacred and historical understanding of gender beyond the Western binary.

In recent years, Canada has made progress in recognizing non-binary identities, such as offering gender-neutral markers on identification documents in some provinces and territories. But there is still work to do to ensure that non-binary Canadians have access to safety, healthcare, legal rights and respect.

How can you show support

Listen to and amplify non-binary voices
Respect people’s names and pronouns
Learn about the experiences of non-binary individuals
Advocate for inclusive policies and spaces

At the Canadian Pride Historical Society, we believe understanding the past helps build a more inclusive future. Non-Binary Awareness Week is a reminder to listen, learn and support the non-binary community, not just during this week, but as part of how we show respect for one another every day.

By Admin

Awareness

26 June 2025

You might have seen June 26 called “LGBT Equality Day” in some articles or social posts and there’s a reason for that. On June 26, 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage across the United States. That ruling (Obergefell v. Hodges) was a major moment in global LGBTQ+ history, and it’s often recognized as a symbolic date for marriage equality.

But here in Canada, we have our own milestone worth celebrating.

On July 20, 2005, Canada became the fourth country in the world – and the first outside Europe – to legalize same-sex marriage nationwide. That’s the day our federal Civil Marriage Act received Royal Assent, confirming that same-sex couples across the country had the right to marry, regardless of province or territory.

That’s why many Canadian advocates observe July 20 as LGBT Equality Day – a moment to reflect on the progress made, the people who led the way, and the work still ahead.

Getting to that point took decades. In 1969, Canada decriminalized same-sex activity. Through the 1980s and ’90s, activists pushed for anti-discrimination laws, partner recognition, and equal access to benefits. A turning point came in 1995 when the Supreme Court of Canada ruled in Egan v. Canada that sexual orientation was protected under the Charter. By the early 2000s, several provinces had already legalized same-sex marriage through court rulings, paving the way for the federal law.

July 20 isn’t just about marriage. It marks a broader affirmation of dignity, inclusion, and human rights. But as we know, the fight for equality didn’t end there. Many 2SLGBTQIA+ Canadians, especially trans, racialized, Indigenous, and disabled individuals, continue to face barriers in healthcare, housing, employment, and safety.

That’s why this day still matters. It reminds us that progress is possible and that preserving and learning from our history helps ensure we don’t leave anyone behind.

At the Canadian Pride Historical Society, we’re committed to sharing these stories, uplifting the voices that helped shape them, and protecting Canada’s rich and complex 2SLGBTQIA+ history.

This July 20, take a moment to celebrate Canada’s commitment to equality and consider how we can keep building on it.

By Admin

Awareness

30 May 2025

On May 30th this year, we commemorate the forty-fourth anniversary of the Pisces Bathhouse Raid, a planned operation by Edmonton’s legal system to arrest Gay men in what was previously a safe space to gather and connect. The legacy of the raids has had an enduring and long-lasting effect on Edmonton’s 2SLGBTQIA+ community, and we take this day to remember the events and recognize not only how far we’ve come since, but also how far we still have to go.

Bathhouses have been gathering spaces for 2SLGBTQIA+ Men and masculine-presenting individuals for centuries, with the modern iteration coming into being around the end of the 19th century. They were used as safe places to meet for companionship of varying forms and were often popular cruising destinations for those who frequented them. They vary in clientele, expectations of anonymity, services offered, and discretion, but were by and large consistent pillars of the communities they were located within. Bathhouses could be found in hundreds—if not thousands—of major cities across the globe, and Edmonton, Alberta was no different.

The Pisces Health Spa, opened in 1978, was by no means the first bathhouse established in the city, but it rapidly became known as the best. This was in no small part due to the meticulous cleanliness standards kept by manager John Kerr, a choreographer who worked with the drag queens of the Flashback Follies. This commitment to hygiene was a large part of the exponential growth of the bathhouse’s clientele—at its peak, it counted over two thousand paying members and was by all accounts a beloved institution of the Edmonton 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

Bathhouses were a refuge in a hostile world, but by no means did that mean the world was ignorant of their existence, and it is unsurprising that in the social climate of the day, raids on bathhouses by law enforcement were recorded as early as the 1900s. Those unfortunate enough to be caught in these operations could and did face violence, public outings, and legal repercussions, and the spectre of possibility loomed large over everyone who entered what should have been a safe space.

Canadian law enforcement had been conducting raids on bathhouses since 1964, but it was in February of 1981 that “Operation Soap”—the raid of four bathhouses on the same night—would lead to the mass arrest of three hundred and six people under laws regarding ‘bawdy houses.’ This disregarded the fact that not only had Canada decriminalized homosexuality in 1969, but also that other patrons of so-called ‘bawdy houses,’ such as straight men hiring women as prostitutes, faced far less scrutiny or repercussions under the same laws.

Operation Soap, though, was just the beginning. Beginning in February, nine Edmonton detectives began acting in key roles as part of a massive surveillance endeavour. With other personnel hidden in a neighbouring building to track the comings and goings of the patrons, the nine detectives went into the bathhouse itself, posing as clientele, and using that cover to, among other things, take photos of patrons engaged in intimate activities. It is currently understood that all of this was sparked by a complaint from Fred Griffiths, a gay man who had never been inside the Pisces Health Spa but was nonetheless ‘disgusted’ about what happened inside its walls. These attitudes about—among other things—anonymous sex and establishments based around sex were not altogether uncommon among other members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and are still very much present today.

On May 30th, 1981, the Edmonton police stormed into the Pisces Health Spa, barging into private rooms and informing everyone they found that they were arrested for being ‘found-ins’ at a bawdy house. The men were not allowed to put on clothes until they had been photographed in whatever state the police had arrested them in, then photographed again once clothed, holding up signs stating their names and other information. This all happened as two crown prosecutors looked on—an extreme rarity at any such raid. Fifty-six ‘found-ins’ were eventually herded in vans and police cruisers down to the courthouse and were denied any legal counsel. At the same time, the owners of the Pisces Health Spa—Dr. Henri Toupin and Eric Stein—and John Kerr were all arrested as well.

The media went into a frenzy almost immediately. The names of those arrested were shown on CFRN’s (now CTV) six o’clock news, effectively outing them in an incredibly hostile time. The two thousand-strong clientele list which had been seized in the raid, meanwhile, featured prominently and ominously in the coverage. It was other members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, notably the Gay Alliance Towards Equality, who stepped up to offer support, advice, and information to those caught up in the raid. Toupin, Stein, and Kerr all pleaded guilty to their charges, and unfortunately, once the first ‘found-in’ was deemed guilty in court, more soon followed. In the end, most of those arrested pleaded guilty in turn.

Yet, Edmonton’s 2SLGBTQIA+ community did not take this lying down. Sick of trying to hide who they were in hopes the legal system and the court of public opinion would overlook them, they began to plot more public acts of protest, such as a demonstration at city hall and the entering of the S.S. Pisces 2, crowned with a sail in the shape of a pink triangle, to the annual Klondike Days Sourdough Raft Race. The frustration galvanized a community which many felt had grown complacent to mistreatment from law enforcement and the public at large, and it would echo throughout the years—notably, Edmonton’s first Pride events, in the theme “Gay Pride Through Unity,” were held the following year in 1982. Twelve years after the raids, Mayor Jan Reimer officially instituted Gay and Lesbian Pride Day, and the Edmonton Police Service released a formal statement of apology in 2021, on the fortieth anniversary of the raids. While a true outrage, the Pisces Bathhouse Raids are always remembered as a turning point in the fight for 2SLGBTQIA+ rights not only in Edmonton, but all of Canada.

For a more in-depth look at the Pisces Health Spa and the raids of that fateful day, you might be interested in an article by the Edmonton City as Museum Project, posted a little before the 40th anniversary of the raids. A link can be found here.

The Pisces Bathhouse Raids were a critical turning point in the story of the Canadian fight for 2SLGBTQIA+ rights, and it’s a true shame they are not more widely known. It is stories like these—and the need to share them with Canada—that is the CPHS’s most cherished goal. On this day, we must remember to be grateful to those who fought and sacrificed for the freedoms and joy we now experience and also remember that the fight is not yet over.

By Admin

Pansexual & Panromantic visibility day, @ksu_lgbtq

Awareness

24 May 2025

According to the Canadian government, approximately four percent of the Canadian population is part of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. A portion of this population identifies as panromantic or pansexual. Considering panromantic and pansexual identities have not always received the same visibility or understanding as other orientations in the community, it is important to both acknowledge and celebrate those who are panromantic and pansexual. That’s why May 24 is devoted each year to celebrating these communities as part of Panromantic and Pansexual Visibility and Awareness Day.

For those unfamiliar with panromanticism, a panromantic orientation is one in which an individual is attracted to people of any gender romantically. More specifically, this might mean a person could be emotionally attracted to someone who identifies as male, female, gender nonbinary, or as trans. Panromantic individuals might not experience physical attraction to other people and instead often focus on emotional attractions to others regardless of gender. The term panromantic is often used by those on the asexual spectrum.

Pansexual orientation is defined as a sexual attraction to people of any gender and is not to be confused with bisexuality. Pansexual individuals can be sexually attracted to those with any gender identity, such as trans, gender nonbinary, male, or female. Pansexual people can be attracted to people of all genders, both romantically and sexually. A few famous pansexual celebrities include Cara Delevingne, Miley Cyrus, Demi Lovato, and Brendon Urie.

Panromantic and Pansexual Visibility and Awareness Day is critical to helping increase understanding regarding panromantic and pansexual communities and to ensuring that these communities do not face erasure, stigmatization, or harmful stereotypes and prejudice. Therefore, help celebrate the day by educating your friends, family, and community and serving as an ally and advocating to promote inclusion and acceptance of panromantic and pansexual people.

By Admin

Category: Awareness

From resistance to belonging

The power of purple

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