This is the fifth year that the University has raised the flag to celebrate lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual, transgendered and intersexed students, staff and faculty who are part of the wider York community.

Further to this highly visible recognition of its diversity is York’s Positive Space Program. The program, which is Canada’s first to include mandated educational training for all of its volunteers, is part of York’s commitment towards ensuring the full inclusion of persons representing all sexual orientations and gender identities on campus year round, not just during Pride Week.

The voluntary Program identifies places where there are people who have been trained and are prepared to provide supportive information and referrals to York’s community members.

“We want to create a positive environment where people of all sexual orientations and gender identities can continue to be an integral part of the university community and can thrive,” says OmiSoore Dryden, advisor, Race and Ethnic Relations / Sexual and Gender Diversity in York University’s Centre for Human Rights and Equity.

Adds Dryden, “For many people, university provides their first opportunity to "come out" and explore their own sexual and gender diversity. This can be a difficult and confusing time, especially if they do not have anyone to talk to, or don’t know what groups and resources are available. Volunteers involved in the program believe it is important to identify places where someone is equipped to handle queries, referrals and difficulties that may be specific to community members who are sexually or gender diverse and make the campus a more inviting, comfortable place for all York community members.”

The presence of a Positive Space decal indicates that a York member in that office has attended Positive Space training and knows about the wide variety of resources available at York and in the larger community and is familiar with discrimination and harassment policies.

The program, which is under the auspices of York’s Sexual and Gender Diversity Advisory Committee, has been in existence for more than seven years. Participants include students, staff and faculty members who are committed to supporting an open and inclusive environment for persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities.

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For more information or to arrange an interview, media should contact:

Ken Turriff, York University Media Relations, 416-736-2100, ext. 22086 / kturriff@yorku.ca

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