Read more about the article International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, & Transphobia

International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, & Transphobia

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May 17 marks the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) This date commemorates the decision in 1990 to remove homosexuality from the International Classification of Diseases by the World Health Organization (WHO). IDAHOBIT serves as a rallying point for global activism, uniting voices across more than 130 countries in the fight for equality, respect, and human rights for all.  Standing in solidarity with the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, Unifor proudly champions this journey towards equality and justice. As an ally, Unifor emphasizes the importance of inclusivity and advocates for the rights of all individuals, recognizing that love, identity, and expression should never be stigmatized. By supporting initiatives that promote awareness and acceptance, Unifor helps to create safer spaces where everyone can thrive without fear of discrimination.  In a landmark moment of progress for 2SLGBTQIA+ rights, the American Psychiatric Association’s board of trustees made a historical decision on December 15, 1973, unanimously voting to remove homosexuality from its list of mental disorders. This pivotal shift marked a significant acknowledgment of the dignity and validity of 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals, fostering a sense of belonging and acceptance within society.  

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Read more about the article Big Gay BBQ™ 5: Rainbow Nation

Big Gay BBQ™ 5: Rainbow Nation

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Welcome back to our FIFTH instalment of the annual Big Gay BBQ™! We are delighted by the ever growing support and excitement for this event year after year. The Big Gay BBQ™ is intended to raise awareness for International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia, which falls on May 17 every year. We hold our BBQ a week early because May 17 is a long weekend, and people tend to go camping and be out of town. Join us on Saturday, May 10, 2025 from 11am to 2pm at the Lower Hume Park Picnic Area in New Westminster (by car, enter where North Road becomes East Columbia Street, north of Holmes Street; 660 EAST Columbia Street). The park is easily accessible from Braid Skytrain Station and is also serviced by the 109 bus! Just make sure you are navigating to LOWER Hume Park Picnic Area! The walk from Braid Station is about 15 minutes (10 minutes if you're Gay™ ;). While the event is technically free, we have a tradition of collecting donations on-site which are given to Saige Community Food Bank and Rainbow Refugee! Donations are cash only at the event, and any amount is welcomed! Please RSVP by clicking the "GOING" button near the bottom of the page so we can get a sense of how much food we need! See you there!

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Read more about the article Let’s Talk About SOGI and TDOR

Let’s Talk About SOGI and TDOR

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The inclusion of SOGI education in Canadian schools has been a hot topic lately, and November 20 is Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR). Let's talk about these things, and how they relate. What Is SOGI? First of all, what does SOGI even mean? It stands for Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity. Maybe you've seen or heard it referred to as "SOGI 123." The "123" has no meaning other than to imply that it's "as easy as 123." So why are we talking about Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity? And why are we trying to make it seem easy?  Because everyone has a sexual orientation and a gender identity. Every. Person. On this planet. And it is easy. There are groups out there who are trying to make a mountain of this mole hill. They're trying to make it sound complicated and scary and difficult to understand. But if you understand that you are, for example, a straight man, then there's your sexual orientation (straight) and your gender identity (man) and that's all there is to it. It's that simple. Examples of Sexual Orientations: Straight (attracted to the opposite sex) Gay (attracted to the same sex; male) Lesbian (attracted to the same sex; female) Bisexual (attracted to more than one sex) Pansexual (attracted to all sexes) Asexual (not sexually attracted to anyone) Examples of Gender Identities: Cisgender Man (assigned male at birth; still identifies as male) Cisgender Woman (assigned female at birth; still identifies as female) Transgender Man (assigned female at…

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Victoria Pride Parade

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Join the Unifor BCRC Pride Committee at the Victoria Pride Parade TODAY! Staging is from 9:30 - 10:00am on Chatham Street, just off Douglas Street. Look for the 12ft rainbow Unifor trailer! Parade starts at 11:00am. See you there!

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Read more about the article International Day of Pink

International Day of Pink

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Today is International Day of Pink, an anti-bullying and anti-homophobia initiative held during the second week of April each year. Day of Pink has the same origins as Canada's federally recognized Pink Shirt Day in February, except its focus remains on issues specific to the LGBTQ2SIA+ community. Today, and every day, make sure you stand up for your coworkers, friends, and family and denounce hateful speech, actions, and attitudes.

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Read more about the article Join Us at the Vancouver Pride Parade!

Join Us at the Vancouver Pride Parade!

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For the first time since 2019, the Vancouver Pride Parade is BACK for its 44th year! The parade is on Sunday, July 31 from 12:00 to 15:00, and Unifor's BC Regional Council has an entry! If you are able, please come out and march with the Unifor BC Regional Council, the Local 111 Pride Committee, and our rainbow float! You are welcome to bring your kids along, too! Unifor's staging location is ES-6, on Alberni Street between Thurlow and Burrard. Please arrive at noon. It will probably be a hot and sunny day for the 3km march, so please wear light clothing, comfy shoes, a hat, and sunscreen. You should also consider bringing water with you, but we will have some on hand. We look forward to seeing you there! We also need volunteers to help us put the float together on Saturday, July 30. If you are available to help, you can sign up here!

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