President Steenkamp: Celebrating with Pride
This week, we celebrate Pride at Royal Roads – a time to honour and uplift people of all gender identities, sexual orientations and relationship structures. It’s an opportunity to celebrate the vibrant diversity within in our community, and to stand together in our shared commitment to equity and belonging.
As a symbol of that commitment, I invited MA in Intercultural and International Communication student Ezra Torres Ruiz and Assoc. Director of Planning and Implementation Corey McPherson to join me in once again raising the Progress Pride flag atop Hatley Castle. As Ezra said so beautifully, “The flag moves with the air in a free way, which is a dream that millions of people in our community want and deserve.”
MAIIC student Ezra Torres Ruiz, President Philip Steenkamp and Associate Director of Planning and Implementation Corey McPherson take a selfie right after raising the Pride flag atop Hatley Castle.
Last week, I had the opportunity to sit down with Alejandro Campos-Garcia, associate director of Human Rights and Accessibility, for a conversation about leading with Pride. We spoke about the risks of silence from leadership and the power of visibility in advancing equity. It was heartening to see so many of you attend in-person and online for this important conversation. If you missed it, you can watch the recording online.
Associate Director of Human Rights and Accessibility Alejandro Campos-Garcia in conversation with President Philip Steenkamp at 'Leading with Pride.'
Continuing the spirit of celebration and reflection, we have a number of Pride events happening on campus this week. On Thursday, July 3, join hosts Student Services, RRU Proud, and the Diversity Action Group at the RRU Pride Social for drag performances, refreshments and interactive tables. On Friday, July 4, you can don your rainbows for a Pride Fun Run, a casual and inclusive run or walk along the campus trails hosted by the RRU Recreation Centre. On Sunday, July 6, invite your friends, family and colleagues to walk or roll with our Proud RRU contingent at one of the year’s most colourful events, the Victoria Pride Parade. And finally, watch Small Town Pride at the Pride Movie screening on July 9.
Learn more about all these events and more on our Pride webpage.
We are living in times where inclusion initiatives and 2SLGBTQI+ rights are facing growing challenges. At Royal Roads, we remain committed to fostering a community where everyone feels heard, seen and valued. While Pride Week is a special moment of recognition, our commitment to 2SLGBTQIA+ people and communities is year-round — because creating a welcoming, affirming space for everyone is work we must carry forward every day. This work takes courage and collective resolve and I’m grateful to be part of a university that continues to show up and speak up.