Sheridan Pride: Behind the scenes & Beyond the Boxes

On June 12, 2024, your Vice Presidents and student leaders came together to assemble our Building Positive Space (BPS) Kits. While they constructed, packed and stored colourful rainbow boxes full of resources, pins, flags, a true feeling of solidarity spread throughout the HMC Campus office.  

The thread between our student leaders and the Building Positive Space Kits goes all the way back to 2021. At the time, our Vice President of Community Engagement, Julia Bertola, wanted to create a physical kit of resources and supports for the 2SLGBTQIA+ within Sheridan, that could also be helpful for allies to support as well. Since then, the kits have been spotted in different locations throughout all three campuses and even showcased at a Mississauga City Council Meeting. But the visibility is only one side of the story. Much like in many other advocacy efforts, it’s the combination of the work you see and the work behind the scenes that makes all the difference.

If you looked behind the scenes, you would find a group of students building positive space together in real time - laughing, learning, and chatting inside Sheridan Student Union’s Office. As they placed postcards and bookmarks, Pride flags and buttons inside the colourful kit, it became evidently clear that this initiative is much bigger than the items inside its box. “Having access to 2LGBTQIA+ community supports and accommodations can impact student’s academic growth and performance” shared Vice President of Academics, Cat Pham. The kits offer a space to learn, engage and expand our worldly perspectives.

“When students go to a department office at Sheridan and see a SSU Building Positive Spaces Kit”, she continued, “they know they are in a safe, inclusive, and respectful space. As a result, students may feel more included, free, and empowered. And I believe that empowered students are most likely to excel in their studies academically.” The impact that sharing a variety of 2SLGBTQIA+ resources can have on a student’s overall wellness, college experience, and life trajectory is undeniable. After all, access to information is an important part of creating meaningful change.

Beyond academics though, the kits also affirm the right to self-identify, confidently express ourselves and participate in community in a variety of ways. One of the most unique aspects of the kit is that it provides a wide range of ways to show your Sheridan Pride. Whether you want a sticker, the Progress flag catches your eye, or you find yourself reciting the Inclusive Spaces Promises, there’s something for everyone.

”As an ally and the current VP of Engagement here at SSU, it is very humbling to take part and continue the Building Positive Spaces Kits initiative together with Sheridan students. Creating an environment where everyone feels safe, heard and included is one of our top priorities,” shares Ritz Cruz, another SSU Team member.

Now that the Building Positive Space Kits are ready to be picked up, the Sheridan community can look forward to seeing Sheridan Pride throughout the halls and offices on campus. We’re proud to offer faculty, staff and the Sheridan community the opportunity to support this initiative, but also recognize that ongoing work is needed to build positive spaces at Sheridan and beyond. Since it’ s our collective responsibility to continue to learn and advocate for inclusive spaces, we encourage all members of our vibrant community to get involved.

As your Sheridan Student Union, we are continuously inspired by the student advocates, leaders and community members who are committed to supporting inclusivity for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. We’re proud to be able to share 2SLGBTQIA+ resources specifically, in addition to our SSU services and Sheridan Health Centre supports, and thank all those who have supported this project.

Build Positive Spaces at Sheridan

All Sheridan faculty and staff interested in supporting this project, please complete this form to request a Building Positive Spaces Kit. To learn more about Sheridan Pride programming, resources and how to advocate for 2SLGBTQIA+ folks, visit thessu.ca/SheridanPride.