students raise the pride flag on campus

Pride Day

On October 18, RSGC held its second annual Pride Day. Organized by the Junior and Senior School social workers, Danielle Rovinski and Andrea Kaye, the important day for the LGBTQ+ community and their allies was a huge success. 
There were numerous activities and discussions held throughout the day, which kicked off with performance by a transgendered comedian from Yuk Yuks for the boys in Grades 7 and 8. Ms. Rovinski held workshops in the Grades 3 to 6 classrooms that involved discussions around important topics like sexuality, gender and inclusivity, while speakers during Senior School assembly and Evensong talked about the experience of being gay, coming out and the harsh realities of stereotypes. 

During Senior School assembly, Greg Seale, Head of the Arts department, spoke about the history of Pride and why it is still needed in 2018. His message was powerful and resonant with students. 

Lunch included a beautiful rainbow-coloured salad bar and a rainbow cake, and students and staff were given Pride Day ally pins to wear on their lapels. The day culminated with the raising of the Pride flag on the school’s flagpole. 

Ms. Rovinski, who has been working hard to ensure that RSGC is and remains a safe space for everyone, feels that days like this are incredibly powerful. 

“It’s very important for students and teachers to come together to learn about more about what it means to be part of the LGBTQ+ community and what it means to be an ally,” she said. “I think it really helps students feel that, as a community, we are open and supportive, and we want to educate our community more so that we can create an inclusive environment and a safe space for everyone.” 

Ms. Rovinski is happy that the day was a success. 

“Everyone was totally engaged, both students and teachers alike,” she said. “We had a lot of good discussions and thought-provoking questions.” 
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