At the OCDSB, we are proud to welcome and celebrate students, parents/caregivers and staff who identify as 2SLGBTQ+. Ensuring our schools and workplaces allow everyone to feel a sense of belonging is core to our mandate as a public educational institution. This support and commitment will not change.
We have been involved in Capital Pride for multiple years, including leading the parade on a number of occasions. Through this participation, it has always been our intention to demonstrate that all members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community deserve to feel welcome at the OCDSB.
Ahead of this year’s Capital Pride, organizers of the parade issued a statement concerning events in the Middle East. In response to this statement, some members of the community have expressed feeling unsafe and unwelcome. For an event seeking to promote equity and inclusion, the impact of this decision sadly runs counter to what we have always embraced about Pride.
As a result, we have come to the difficult decision that the District will not participate in the parade this year.
We know that the decision not to participate will be upsetting to some members of our community. Indeed, we deeply regret that we will not be there to showcase our pride.
No matter where you come from, your religion or creed, race or background, or intersectional identities, we believe that every member of this community deserves to feel welcome and safe.