International Day of Pink is honoured every year at the Toronto District School Board in support of creating a more inclusive and diverse world by encouraging young people to challenge social norms, ask more of their educators and stand up against bullying towards their 2SLGBTQIA+ peers.
On April 12, students and staff from across the system wore pink in celebration of this important day and the Board’s work to create and maintain safe and inclusive spaces in which to learn and work.
This year, York Mills Collegiate Institute hosted the TDSB’s International Day of Pink event. Our keynote speaker was Martin Boyce, a prominent Gay rights activist from New York City. Martin is one of the last known survivors of the Stonewall Riots. The riots are widely considered a watershed event that transformed the gay liberation movement and the twentieth century for gay rights in Canada and the United States. Martin delivered a powerful speech about his journey and answered questions from the TDSB community.
Students from the Hospitality and Culinary Arts program at Eastdale Collegiate Institute once again provided delicious baked pink treats for the event, under the guidance of program director Sean Meikle.
TDSB Chair Chernos Lin and Director of Education Colleen Russell-Rawlins were joined by Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie and representatives from the Toronto Police 2SLGBTQIA+ Committee to celebrate the occasion.
For more information about International Day of Pink, please visit www.dayofpink.org.
Learn about what the Toronto District School Board is doing to create more safe and inclusive spaces for students and staff, including the 2SLGBTQIA+ community: