As communities across the globe marked the International Day Against Homophobia on May 17 with awareness events and celebrations, this photo essay shines a light on the activities at Charles P. Allen High School as they marked their first-ever Pride, Orientation and Awareness Day. Students from the school’s Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) organized the event with support from the school’s Youth Health Centre Coordinator, a Public Health role that exists in every high school across the Capital Health district.
Orientation and Awareness Day - Charles P. Allen High School
As communities across the globe marked the International Day Against Homophobia on May 17 with awareness events and celebrations, this photo essay shines a light on the activities at Charles P. Allen High School as they marked their first-ever Pride, Orientation and Awareness Day. Students from the school’s Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) organized the event with support from the school’s Youth Health Centre Coordinator, a Public Health role that exists in every high school across the Capital Health district.
-
Pride, Orientation and Awareness Day
-
Political and public perceptions
Scott Brison, MP Kings-Hants (left), Kelly Regan, MLA Bedford-Birch Cove (right), and Geoff Regan, MP Halifax West (not shown), discussed how political and public perceptions of LGBT issues have changed in the past few decades. Mr. Brison described his own experiences of being openly gay in politics and discussed the importance of legislating protection and change, most notably through Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
-
Showing support
Youth Health Centre Coordinator Jennifer LeLievre sported a rainbow-coloured bracelet as a symbol of support for the students and the cause.
-
GSA reps speak
CP Allen’s Gay-Straight Alliance representative Yasmin Kawar prepares for her first television interview of the day.
-
A rainbow of respect
Students stopped throughout the day in the lobby of the school to sign their name to a poster, pledging - in the colours of the rainbow - to respect and support fellow students who may identify as “LGBT-plus.” The plus, as students described it, was an important addition to the acronym because it allows other orientations or identities - like queer or questioning - to be included in their definition.
-
Guest speakers
Presenters from the Youth Project hosted a session entitled, Homophobia Hurts, describing the differences between sexual orientation, sexual behaviour and labels used by, or placed on, people who identify with certain terms.
-
What is an ally?
Posters like this one, inviting students to become “allies” in creating a safe school environment, can be seen posted along the halls of the three-floor high school. Although their work varies depending on the needs of the school, every Youth Health Centre Coordinator in the Capital Health District supports students to create safe and supportive spaces and activities throughout the year.
-
An artistic approach
Community artist Kate Leth encourages and teaches students to draw their own comic book strips in her session, Identity Expression through Art.
-
Wearing the colours
The school's GSA members wore multi-coloured clothing, pins and accessories to help set the stage for the Pride, Orientation and Awareness Day. A rainbow of colours is often used at LGBT-related events to demonstrate diversity and inclusiveness.
