UTS marks the International Day of Pink with two thought-provoking panels

For the eighth year in a row, UTS participated in the International Day of Pink. UTS students and parents held two panel discussions in April that explored topics such as their experience coming out, safety for queer individuals during the pandemic, and how their adolescent experiences impacted their lives in both positive and challenging ways. 

M4 (Grade 10) students Maya Spence and Jaya Choudry moderated the daytime discussion with some very special guests including former Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne; University of Toronto doctoral student Ali Greey; artist, activist, scholar and Black Lives Matter co-founder Syrus Marcus Ware; York University postdoctoral fellow David Pereira; and Morgan Davies from Sherbourne Health.

With thoughtful moderation by Maya and Jaya, the panelists provided both personal and diverse perspectives on their journeys with their sexual and gender identities and in the LGBTQ2SI+ community. The age range of panelists and various experiences in coming out provided a sense of reassurance that whenever – and whether – individuals choose to come out is a personal decision that only they can navigate. The panelists agreed that while there are some aspects of being in the queer community that may have become easier, it is not an easy path, and even today it can be challenging to share the decision with family and friends.

The conversation explored how layered social identities – particularly minority identities – can compound the experiece of inequity and discrimination. As diverse members of the LGBTQ2SI+ communities, the panelists were incredibly open and supportive, while acknowledging the complexity inherent in coming out. Former Premier Kathleen Wynne remarked, “there is a lot of wisdom on this panel.”

Panel for parents, hosted by UTS Parent's Association and the Day of Pink Committee

A second panel was hosted by the UTS Parents' Association, in collaboration with the UTS Day of Pink Committee, focussing on how parents can strengthen the culture of inclusion and equity at UTS. The event discussed how their role in supporting their children who identify as LGBTQ2SI+ or who are allies of this community can greatly impact positive youth mental health. 

Panelists included Donald Ainslie '84, former principal at University of Toronto's University College and a University of Toronto philosophy professor; Jessica Ware '95, assistant curator in invertebrate zoology at the American Museum of Natural History; Syrus Marcus Ware, artist, activist and scholar, a CLA Assistant Professor in the School of the Arts at McMaster University, and also identical twins with Jessica Ware; Ali Greey, a doctoral student in the Department of Sociology at the University of Toronto; and UTS Day of Pink Committee members Cameron Miranda-Radbord ’21 and Catherine Wachter, UTS teacher and Guidance Counsellor and Founder of Pink Day at UTS. Dr. Lee Airton, Assistant Professor of Gender and Sexuality Studies at Queen’s University was unfortunately unable to join the event; however, their work on gender diversity and language including Gender: Your Guide has been instrumental in guiding our work at UTS.

On April 30, our Pink Day Assembly screened the debut of a documentary written and directed by UTS S5 (Grade 11) student Patrick Nova. The documentary, which Patrick “poured his heart and soul into” explores the journeys of members of the queer community and their experiences understanding their sexual identities and in their reflections on coming out or articulating their sexuality.

Every year, the Day of Pink brings people together to be seen, be heard, advocate for their rights and finally, to celebrate progress that is being made by individuals in different ages and stages of their queer and trans lives. The panelists expressed hope that their messages help shape a community culture of support for our students to allow all of them to flourish and experience joy. UTS is proud to support the LGBTQ2SI+ community through these events. 

Students can reach out to their guidance counselors as well as social workers at UTS if they would like support, and resources for both parents and students are also available at the Beyond Bullying Project and Pflag Canada.