On August 3, we transformed Lee Square into a colourful and happening place as we kicked off Vancouver Pride Week with UBC’s first-ever Pride Picnic to celebrate 15 years of Positive Space campaign on campus. This free, fun and inclusive party at Lee Square showcased UBC’s commitment to providing an environment where equity, diversity, and inclusion are valued and respected. We were delighted by the incredible turnout!
The Pride Picnic was also home to one of UBC’s first outdoor pop-up library decked with rainbow garland and offering a wide variety of Pride literature. The button-making turned out to be as popular as reading at the pop up library. Thanks to UBC Library for making it happen!
CiTR Radio’s Tim Fernandes brought life to the party and got everyone grooving to classic disco tunes. The UBC Slam poetry Club kept the audience captivated with their snappy slam poetry and mesmerizing verses.
At the event, we also invited people to think about how they are creating a Positive Space on campus. Our installation panels highlighted research from our very own students, staff and faculty that fosters a Positive Space on campus. In the photo below are pictured Olivier Ferlatte and Madeliene Hannan-Leith from the Still Here Art Project who are raising awareness about suicide amongst the LGBT2SQIA+ community.
We are thankful to everyone who came out to the event and made it a huge success. And cheers to all our partners including Equity and Inclusion Office, University Sustainability, UBC Pride Collective, CiTR Radio, UBC Food Services, Loafe Café and all others that helped to make this event happen, which many hope will turn into a new UBC tradition.