SAC CELEBRATES FIRST PRIDE WEEK By Julie Caspersen
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ell-rounded people are adaptable to a wide range of activities, open to considering other people’s ideas, and interested in the world around them. True to our mission statement, which states we are dedicated to the development of well-rounded citizens, St. Andrew’s strives to be free of harassment, intolerance, and discrimination. We aim to instill the concepts of fairness, balance, and acceptance in all students, starting in Grade 5 to graduation. Our first Pride Week, Oct. 18-22, was one more step toward providing a safe and supportive space for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, two-spirit, questioning (LGBTQ2+) members of the Andrean community and beyond. The week’s events also spoke to straight ally students and staff, ensuring all people on campus are charged with creating a safe place for everyone. “We can’t ignore the LGBTQ2+ Old Boys, current students, and prospective students,” says Claudia Rose-Donahoe, a Middle School teacher who led the rainbow-infused week. “We want to make this a welcoming environment for people to express themselves.”
24 The ANDREAN Fall 2021
SAC’s inaugural Pride Week was set in motion during a casual nachos and beer gathering in September when 13 MEDIC (Masculinities: Equity, Diversity, Inclusivity Committee) members formed a sub-committee and started planning a multi-discipline schedule that included guest speakers, art and music, and decorations throughout the school.
Conner Rowntree ’13 spoke with the Middle School boys in Ketchum Auditorium. He was also interviewed by Broadcast Journalism students for an episode of SAC TODAY shown to Upper School students (check it out at youtube. com/StAndrews1899).
Here is a sampling of some of the activities and initiatives:
The Honourable Justice James C. MacPherson joined Upper School
students in Memorial Chapel to talk about same-sex marriage and how it became legal in Canada. James was one of the judges who presided over the landmark decision by the Ontario Court of Appeal, finding the prohibition of same-sex marriage to be unconstitutional.
Stacy Kelly, director, philanthropy of The
519, was a virtual visitor in Ketchum Auditorium speaking with Middle School students about LGBTQ History Month. The 519 is Canada’s most prominent LGBTQ service provider and community centre, delivering programs, services, community engagement, capacity-building, and advocacy.
