2SLGBTQI+ Defence Team Champions' Message on Pride Season 2024

June 3, 2024 - Defence Stories

Happy Pride Month and Pride Season!

On behalf of the Department of National Defence (DND) and the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), we would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank all members of the Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and additional sexually and gender-diverse identities (2SLGBTQI+) communities for their contributions to the Defence Team.

Though there have been steps towards progress within our organization, there is still work to be done to ensure all members of the Defence Team feel empowered to bring their authentic selves to work.

One way to demonstrate our commitment to recognizing and celebrating diversity is to attend Pride activities throughout the year. This could include taking part in a local Pride parade, which will be taking place in various cities across Canada from June to September. Though it may seem like a small step, it is an important one on the path to full inclusion, and one where actions may speak louder than words to our colleagues who are members of 2SLGBTQI+ communities. Pride season is truly a time to celebrate and come together to show our support and commitment to building a safe and inclusive society and workplace. We also humbly recognize that amidst the celebrations there are still tough conversations to navigate about the harm experienced, especially when 2SLGBTQI+ rights on the world stage seem to be slipping backwards.

We encourage you to learn more about the challenges and discrimination members of 2SLGBTQI+ communities face and to challenge your unconscious bias. The rise of homophobic, biphobic, and transphobic narratives globally are disheartening, and as a Defence Team we need to do more to ensure all feel welcome. One way you can do this is by participating in the Positive Space Program (accessible only on the National Defence network) or by joining the Defence Team Pride Advisory Organization (DTPAO) (accessible only on the National Defence network).

We would also like to take this opportunity to encourage bases and wings who plan on doing a flag raising ceremony to use the Intersex-Inclusive Pride flag. This flag represents persons with diverse sexual orientations and those with diverse gender identities and expressions, while also explicitly including the intersex community.

More specifically:

• The rainbow section represents the diversity and unity of 2SLGBTQI+ communities;
• The chevron section on the left edge represents that progress still needs to be made for full equality but that there is forward movement. The colours of the chevron represent marginalized, 2SLGBTQI+ communities of colour, those living with HIV/AIDS and those who have been lost, and transgender and non-binary persons.
• The Intersex section represents the intersex community.

Pride season is a great opportunity to spotlight resilience, celebrate talent, and recognize the contributions of 2SLGBTQI+ people. Having a diverse and inclusive Defence Team creates an agile and innovative workforce that allows us to better serve Canadians through the fulsome participation of everyone.

We are grateful to be able to lift the voices of our 2SLGBTQI+ communities within the DND/CAF as your National Champions. We wish you a wonderful Pride Month, and we look forward to celebrating along with you this upcoming Pride Month and over the Pride Season.