On Sunday August 26, Skate Canada will participate in Ottawa’s Capital Pride Parade. This is the second year the organization will walk in the parade, demonstrating its support of our LGBTQI2S (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, intersex, two-spirit) registrants and members. Diversity, inclusion, and safe sport practices are important to Skate Canada and we welcome Skate Canada registrants and members to walk with us in the Ottawa Capital Pride Parade this year. If you are interested in joining, please contact Amy Levac ([email protected]) for further information.
Participation in the parade is one aspect of our focus and commitment to LGBTQI2S inclusion.
Other activities/initiatives to date include:
- Posting of educational resources on gender and sexual diversity for our membership on the Skate Canada website https://skatecanada.ca/safe-sport/
- Participation of National Service Centre employees in an all-day training session on diversity and inclusion. The session was led by Jennifer Birch-Jones from CAAWS (Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women in Sport and Physical Activity) and Rosie Cossar, 2012 Olympian and Inclusion Consultant for the COC (Canadian Olympic Committee). Both individuals are also members of the LGBTQI2S Sport Inclusion Task Force steering committee.
- Approval by Skate Canada Board of Directors of the organization’s trans inclusion policy, which other sport organizations are now considering adopting as well. (To be posted on the InfoCentre in September 2018)
- Ongoing involvement in a research project on LGBTQI2S inclusion conducted by Dr. William Bridel, who is a professor at the University of Calgary and former skater, official, volunteer, and administrator. William is currently conducting interviews with LGBTQI2S members of the organization and is still seeking additional participants. A survey will also be available in September for the membership to complete; watch Connections for an announcement when this anonymous survey is available online.