Pride Month is an opportunity to reflect on an important part of our shared history. In June 1969, 2SLGBTQ+ community members at the Stonewall Inn in New York City responded to long‑standing discrimination and inequitable treatment. This moment, now known as the “Stonewall Riots”, became a catalyst for the global modern movement toward equal rights and recognition.

Pride Month exists because this history shaped the world we live in today.

In public education, part of our role is to teach history in a way that helps students understand the events, movements, and people who have influenced society. We teach about civil rights, women’s suffrage, Indigenous history and resistance, disability rights, and many other moments where individuals and communities worked toward fairness and dignity. Pride fits within this broader context of learning about human rights and social change.

Supporting Pride at a school board level aligns with our commitments to curriculum, human rights, and student well‑being.

Ontario’s education system is grounded in the principles of equity, inclusion, and respect for human rights. These principles guide our responsibility to help students understand the world around them — including historical events that were challenging, complex, or overlooked.

Learning about Pride helps students explore:

• what happened and why it mattered

• how rights and protections have evolved over time

• the real experiences of people affected by discrimination

• what allyship and inclusion look like in practice

• why every individual deserves to feel safe, respected, and valued

Supporting dignity, respect, and belonging benefits every learner, and celebrating the many ways in which the 2SLGBTQIA+ Community makes our schools and communities better places to learn, grow and live is a vital part of Pride as well.

Pride is about people, learning, and understanding. In public education, supporting that learning is part of our responsibility.