Seven members of the Pride Staff Community Group are standing outside Kingston General Hospital, holding a large Progress Pride banner that says Kingston Health Sciences Centre supports Pride.
With 35 members, the Pride Staff Community Group is celebrating, educating and amplifying 2SLGBTQIA+ voices and experiences at KHSC throughout the year, not just during Pride Month.
Credit
Matthew Manor

Let’s get loud, let’s get proud!

Pride Month may be in June, but there’s a special group of people at Kingston Health Sciences Centre (KHSC) spreading 2SLGBTQIA+ love all year round.

Meet the Pride Staff Community Group.

“Navigating identity can be a complex journey for many queer individuals, as they often grapple with deciding which parts of themselves to reveal and which to conceal,” explains Terry Shi, an inclusion advisor with KHSC.

“The Pride Staff Community Group is a place where you can authentically be yourself. I joined because I wanted to be in a safe space where I could be myself and find a sense of community and belonging with other 2SLGBTQIA+ folks and allies at KHSC.”

Allies like Kelly Hamlet, who jumped at the chance to show her solidarity.

“I joined KHSC in March and signed up for the Pride Staff Community Group straight away,” beams Hamlet, a change management advisor.

“I was a member of the ally network at my previous employer and wanted to continue to be part of supporting inclusivity and diversity. People should get to bring their whole selves to work and as an ally, I want to help make that happen.”

A woman is standing outside Kingston General Hospital smiling directly at the camera. She has long, bright red hair, blue eyes and is wearing black, cat eye framed glasses. She’s wearing a multi-coloured floral blouse over a black shirt, and a multi-colour flower crown on her head.
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The Pride Staff Community Group is made up of individuals who either identify as 2SLGBTQIA+ or are allies and friends of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

A man is standing outside Kingston General Hospital smiling directly at the camera. He has salt and pepper hair, brown eyes and a beard. He’s wearing a blue and green plaid shirt.
Featured

The Pride Staff Community Group is made up of individuals who either identify as 2SLGBTQIA+ or are allies and friends of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

A man is standing outside Kingston General Hospital smiling directly at the camera. He has brown hair, slicked back and brown eyes. He’s wearing a blue plaid blazer over a white collared shirt.
Featured

The Pride Staff Community Group is made up of individuals who either identify as 2SLGBTQIA+ or are allies and friends of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

A woman is standing outside Kingston General Hospital smiling directly at the camera. She has long, straight medium brown hair, blue eyes and is wearing clear glasses. She’s a white tank top with multi-colour flowers on it.
Featured

The Pride Staff Community Group is made up of individuals who either identify as 2SLGBTQIA+ or are allies and friends of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

A man is standing outside Kingston General Hospital smiling directly at the camera. He has short, salt and pepper hair, is wearing transitions glasses and had a long white beard. He’s wearing a bright red collared top over a white t-shirt.
Featured

The Pride Staff Community Group is made up of individuals who either identify as 2SLGBTQIA+ or are allies and friends of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

With 35 members (and growing) the group is not only celebrating, educating and amplifying 2SLGBTQIA+ voices and experiences throughout the year, but also helping KHSC with one of its top priorities: creating an inclusive and supportive environment for everyone, including patients and families.

“Gender-diverse people regardless of their sexual orientation and gender identity deserve to be their true authentic selves and have access to health-care services that are safe and stigma-free, so they can lead happy and healthy lives,” says Kyle Sayeau, a safety, quality and project coordinator.

“Celebrating Pride is one of the ways we can raise awareness about priority 2SLGBTQIA+ health concerns, but also ultimately celebrate each other.”

A woman is standing outside Kingston General Hospital smiling directly at the camera. She has short, brown wavy hair, and brown eyes. She’s wearing a KHSC pride long-sleeve t-shirt that says equality for all.
Featured

Pride Month may be in June, but Pride Staff Community Group hosts events throughout the year to spread 2SLGBTQIA+ love 24/7.

A man is standing outside Kingston General Hospital smiling directly at the camera. He has short brown hair, blue eyes and wears black framed glasses. He’s a blue sweater over a blue collared shirt.
Featured

Pride Month may be in June, but Pride Staff Community Group hosts events throughout the year to spread 2SLGBTQIA+ love 24/7.

A woman is standing outside Kingston General Hospital smiling directly at the camera. She has long, wavy dark brown hair and brown eyes. She’s wearing a blue pinned stripped collared shirt with a grey t-shirt underneath.
Featured

Pride Month may be in June, but Pride Staff Community Group hosts events throughout the year to spread 2SLGBTQIA+ love 24/7.

A man is standing outside Kingston General Hospital smiling directly at the camera. He has short, black hair and brown eyes. He’s wearing clear or see through framed glasses, and a white collared button down shirt.
Featured

Pride Month may be in June, but Pride Staff Community Group hosts events throughout the year to spread 2SLGBTQIA+ love 24/7.

A man is standing outside Kingston General Hospital smiling directly at the camera. He has short, dark brown hair and brown eyes. He’s wearing silver glasses, and a beige collared shirt with brown stripes on it.
Featured

Pride Month may be in June, but Pride Staff Community Group hosts events throughout the year to spread 2SLGBTQIA+ love 24/7.

That’s why the door is always open to new members.

"The Pride Staff Community Group is here for you whenever you choose to join," adds Shi. "Know that you are always welcome here.”

We couldn’t be more proud of the Pride Staff Community Group for all the exceptional work they’re doing at KHSC to shine a spotlight (or rainbow) on 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, all in an effort to promote equity, diversity, inclusion, and of course… love 24/7.