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June is Pride Month, a time to reflect on how far we’ve come in regards to supporting members of the LGBTQ2S+ community, while also recognizing how far we have to go. At Osler, a dedicated committee is working together to carry out this work throughout the year, focused on embedding inclusion in the care we provide and creating a safe space for all within our walls.
We spoke with Ryan, Communication Specialist and Laura, Occupational Therapist, co-leads of the Gender and Sexual Diversity Committee, about the work and goals of the committee.
Can you tell us about your role and why you joined the committee?
Ryan: Joining was a really natural fit for me. I am a member of the LGBTQ2S+ community and also support the Equity, Inclusion and Anti-discrimination (EIAD) portfolio through my role as a Communications Specialist. I first became interested in health equity when I was in university. HIV and STI rates were rising among young gay/bi/queer men. As a student leader, I was passionate about community and sexual health, so I participated in a sexual health leadership program. Since then, the bulk of my career has been in various health care environments, and my passion for equitable and respectful care for all, and particularly the LGBTQ2S+ community, has only grown.
Laura: I work as an Occupational Therapist. I joined because I believe there are improvements to be made in health care across the board in regards to gender and sexual diversity. As a health care provider, I believe everyone deserves to feel comfortable while being cared for. This is something I advocate for in my own practice and by joining the committee, I help others have the education and tools to do the same in theirs.
Tell us about the goals of the committee.
Ryan: Inclusion is a continuous process. Osler has made great strides on its diversity and inclusion journey, but there is always room for growth and improvement. Our goal is to help establish an even more LGBTQ2S+ friendly environment – not only for patients, but for our team members as well. We plan to work with the EIAD team to establish helpful education materials for staff, but also to improve visibility through social events and creating an open space for LGBTQ2S+ people and allies. We are dedicated to informing staff on best practices when it comes to health care and the LGBTQ2S+ community.
Laura: I couldn’t have said it better. Working towards developing more educational materials, accessible to staff and patients is certainly key. We recently had a virtual trivia social event with prizes and people had a lot of fun. More of that!
In your own words, what does it mean to be an ally in health care settings?
Laura: As a clinician, because we're working with those who are vulnerable and seeking our help, we have a professional obligation to treat them in an equitable way. It's really, really important to have an open mind and create a safe space where patients feel comfortable sharing with you. A non-judgmental approach and fostering open communication is key to being an ally.
Ryan: I think being able to build rapport with an LGBTQ2S+ person is incredibly important. From my own personal experience, some clinicians can be uncomfortable when asking questions about your identity and sexuality. Educating yourself and having an open mind, even if the context is foreign to you, is very important. To avoid potentially coming across cold or awkward, aim to ask questions in a non-judgmental, optimistic way.
What advice do you have for allies who want show support, but aren’t sure how to start?
Ryan: Honestly, I think the best thing to do is to begin educating yourself. You can go at a pace you're comfortable with and know that inevitably everyone will make a mistake, and that’s okay. Just keep going and get better at it. If you say the wrong thing, don't get hung up on it. If you are genuine and authentic about your intentions and making a conscious effort, that will come across.
Laura: If you want to be an ally to any community, it involves engaging with them, understanding their struggles and advocating for them any chance that you get. I leave space for my colleagues to ask any questions about how they can best incorporate and build a safe space for their patients and fellow colleagues. It can encourage them to take a look at the care they provide and recognize how they can make small, inclusive changes.
What does “Pride” mean to you?
Ryan: Pride is about tapping into the LGBTQ2S+ community’s legacy of resistance—from Compton’s Cafeteria Riot in 1966 to the Stonewall riots just three years later, to the Toronto bathhouse riots in 1981, to the ongoing struggles that many LGBTQ2S+ people still face. In that regard, Pride is about bold, unapologetic, self-celebration.
Rainbow washing (or ‘washing’ of any kind) is something every organization needs to be conscious of. Pride is so much more than putting up a flag, using rainbow colours, or featuring LGBTQ2S+ people in your advertising. You need to ‘walk the talk’. You need to be deliberate and intentional about embedding equity and inclusion into your organizational cultures and practices everyday.
Laura: During Pride Month, we acknowledge how far we've come and acknowledge how far we still need to go. During this time, I also feel a sort of responsibility to reflect on my own practices as an ally and how I can improve and grow. Pride inspires us to celebrate each other's similarities and differences, not just in June, but always.
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