28Mar

“You’re an unconventional hire.” – Trans Visibility in the Workplace

March 28, 2024 editor 54

Being a trans person in the job market is a hard sell. We’re too often told that “you’re not the right fit,” or “you’re an unconventional hire.” Coded language for we aren’t sure about hiring someone who is trans. Today trans people in Canada are still disproportionately unemployed, underemployed, or hiding who they are at work. Trans, non-binary, and Two-Spirit people are denied employment opportunities at 3-5 times the rate of cisgender people, with 30% of trans women having been denied employment opportunities due to their gender within the past five years (Women & Gender Equality, 2023). Today we are...

08Mar

Queer and Trans Women’s Leadership

March 8, 2024 editor 73

Gender equality has been a topic addressed by women for centuries, and many organized movements have promoted discussions to advance equity and inclusion of women in decision-making levels. This year, the UN Women’s campaign ’Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress’ focuses on leadership, equality and opportunities for women. Pride at Work Canada is committed to creating and promoting workplaces that celebrate all employees regardless of gender expression, gender identity, and sexual orientation. Our programming and resources are designed to elevate gender equity and address intersectional issues. Queer and trans women leaders are trailblazing in a world filled with sexism, homophobia, and...

17Nov

Celebrating gender identities with Chris Bergeron

November 17, 2023 editor 88

Last week, Chris Bergeron, Vice President of Inclusive Creativity at Cossette, gave this beautiful and emotional speech at the Musée de la civilisation, during an event organized as part of the exhibition “Love Me Gender,” presented by TD. With this exhibition, the Musée seeks to play a role in these important discussions by demystifying and celebrating the plurality of gender identities. Bergeron explored how the shadows covering our shining queer and trans communities are impacting the way we recognize ourselves in the world. We look at places and see that they have been taken from us, while we end up...

14Nov

Trans Awareness Week 2023

November 14, 2023 editor 84

Trans communities are a vital part of the 2SLGTBQIA+ movement, and they have been the main target of the violence perpetrated against us. While we have observance dates to celebrate, commemorate and give more visibility to queer and trans people, we also have dates to create awareness and honour the lives lost to transphobic and systemic violence. Transgender Awareness Week (TWA) builds the momentum for Trans Day of Remembrance (TDoR) on November 20, honouring the lost lives of trans people. TDoR started with Gwendolyn Ann Smith to mourn the loss of Rita Hester, a Black trans woman killed in her...

11Oct

Out and Safe

October 11, 2023 editor 102

For generations, we have heard “live your best life,” “always tell the truth,” or “you won’t be happy if you don’t live your authentic life.” However, there is always a “but” for members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. If we were to follow the “recommendations,” we would have to come out. But we would also encounter people saying we cannot show who we are and fully disclose our identities. It becomes an ongoing hide-and-seek game with no winner. The coming out process is complex and could create unsafe situations. Many queer and trans professionals experience that in their lives, and the...

30Sep

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation & Orange Shirt Day

September 30, 2021 editor 153

Over the past several months, many of us have been closely following the tragic discovery of the remains of almost two thousand First Nations children across Canada, not including the documented deaths in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Reports. This development prompted the creation of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. September 30 is now a federal statutory holiday honouring the lost children and Survivors of Residential Schools, their families and communities. This day presents an opportunity for all Canadians to have meaningful discussions about the legacy of Residential Schools and to take action by directly supporting Residential School...

17Jun

National Indigenous Peoples Day

June 17, 2021 editor 120

This Monday, June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day. That this day takes place during Indigenous History Month and Pride Month is of great significance to the communities Pride at Work Canada serves, which include Two-Spirit, Indigiqueer and LGBTQ+ Indigenous people. This year these concurrent celebratory months take place following the tragic discovery by the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation of the remains of 215 First Nations children at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School. For Indigenous people in Canada the orange shirt is a symbol of the residential school survivor Phyllis Jack Webstad. She shared her story of having...

20Nov

Trans Day of Remembrance 2017 – Pride at Work Canada Interview with Susan Gapka

November 20, 2017 editor 63

The words below have been adapted from an interview with Susan Gapka, which took place on November 17, 2017. Pride at Work Canada would like to extend our immense thanks for all community members who continue to do inspiring work, which changes our world for the better. Today marks the 18th annual Trans Day of Remembrance, which began to commemorate the death of Rita Hester – a trans woman whose murder remains unsolved to this day. Trans Day of Remembrance commemorations and celebrations happen all over Canada, and should be events driven by and for trans communities. Gwendolyn...

Observance Days