Bow Valley College celebrates diversity in Calgary Pride Parade
Bow Valley College students, faculty, and employees celebrated our community’s diversity and inclusion on September 4 during the Calgary Pride parade. Joined by President and CEO Misheck Mwaba, the group danced and, when the music was right, lip-synced their way along the 9th Avenue route to the Pride Festival at Fort Calgary.
This year marked the return of the Pride Parade since 2019, as well as the College’s fifth year marching. The College was one of more than 160 groups participating in the parade.
Whether members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community or allies, the group’s participation demonstrated the College’s commitment to diversity and support of the gender and sexually-diverse community.
“Our College community is so diverse in its makeup, whether we’re talking about age, cultural diversity, or gender and sexual identity,” says Fraser Tripp, Bow Valley College’s Senior Communication Specialist and co-chair of the College’s Pride Committee. “We celebrate the rich tapestry of our community whenever we can, but it’s still so inspiring to see our students and employees come together in events like the Pride Parade.”
On Friday, September 2, for the first Queer First Friday of the Fall Term, the Pride Committee hosted a virtual opportunity for the College and those walking in the parade to learn more about the gender and sexually diverse community and why the 2SLGBTQIA+ community continues to march.
“For students and employees of the College, participation in the Pride Parade is not only a fun celebration for our community to join, but also an opportunity to make all learning count,” says Lynn Connell, Vice President, Learner Experience. “Opportunities like this are a great example of our community coming together to collaborate, learn, and grow together.”
Bow Valley College’s participation in the Calgary Pride Parade was organized by Learner Success Services in collaboration with the SABVC and the College’s Pride Committee.
A gallery of photos from the parade can be seen here on Facebook