Latest news with #2SLGBTQIA
Fox News
3 days ago
- Business
- Fox News
Airline celebrates Pride month with 'all-2SLGBTQIA flight'
Air Canada celebrated its "first all-2SLGBTQIA+" in posts on social media Monday. "Our first all-2SLGBTQIA+ flight was a heartfelt celebration reflecting our unwavering commitment to inclusivity and equality, in the air and on the ground," Air Canada said in a post on X, accompanied by a video. 2SLGBTQIA+ stands for two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, intersex and asexual. The plus sign is meant to show the various ways people express themselves under the 2SLGBTQIA+ name. "I thought it was a great initiative for the whole community," Jean-François, identified as a station attendant, said in the video. "It's somewhat of a thrill being on this flight today." Another station attendant, René JR, felt similarly. "I'm here to support my daughter," he said. "One of my four children is part of this community. When I saw there was an opportunity to support her even more, I signed up for it right away." Juan, a first officer, also featured in the Air Canada video, said, "What this means today is that this is a really special moment. It has to do with visibility, with the possibility of telling everyone that we truly feel welcome and accepted for who we are." Some reactions to the post on X, however, were not as positive. Curtis Houck, managing editor of NewsBusters, posted on X, "This is a parody, right?" Canadian blogger Mark Slapinski said, "Air Canada has gone FULLY WOKE. Raise your hand if you'll never fly on their airlines AGAIN." Fox News Digital reached out to Air Canada for comment, but did not immediately receive a response.
CBC
4 days ago
- General
- CBC
Thunder Bay schools honour Pride Month
Pride Month is a time to honour the dignity, rights and diversity of 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals. Conseil Scolaire de District Catholique des Aurores Boréales, Lakehead Public Schools and the Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board all kicked off Pride Month on Monday with flag raising ceremonies. Here's what those at the Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board shared about what pride means to them.
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Air Canada sparks wild debate with its VERY progressive Pride month ad
Air Canada made a high-flying bid to kick off Pride Month on Monday and found itself in a social media firestorm. The airline was met with overwhelming backlash after launching what it proudly touted as its first-ever 'all-2SLGBTQIA+ flight.' They were forced to shut off replies on the celebratory post on X within hours. The airline shared a glossy, 90-second video across its platforms, featuring employees from pilots and engineers to ground staff and cabin crew who identify across the 2SLGBTQIA+ spectrum - Two-Spirit (2S), Lesbian (L), Gay (G), Bisexual (B), Transgender (T), Queer or Questioning (Q), Intersex (I), Asexual (A). Each shared heartfelt reflections on what the historic flight meant to them. 'Our first all-2SLGBTQIA+ flight was a heartfelt celebration reflecting our unwavering commitment to inclusivity and equality, in the air and on the ground,' Air Canada posted on X. But what began as a polished attempt to champion inclusivity quickly unraveled. The comment section turned hostile almost immediately, flooded with negative responses that overwhelmed the likes and shares. Despite the airline's initial enthusiasm, by midday the replies were disabled, a rare and telling move signaling that Air Canada's Pride celebration had gone anything but smoothly. The airline shared the video across its platforms but was forced to disable comments after sparking a backlash In the video, Captain Maciej, who commands one of the airlines the Airbus A319's, candidly acknowledged the complexity of the moment. 'It was a bit of a range of emotions this morning coming here and getting dressed for this flight,' he said, before carefully reciting the lengthening acronym. 'Now let me get that one straight — a few letters have been added — 2SLGBTQIA+. I do identify with the progress flag. There's something in there that represents me as well, so there's a bit of joy having the opportunity to do this flight today.' Alongside him, First Officer Juan, speaking in French, called it 'a really special moment' that signaled visibility and tolerance. 'It has to do with visibility, with the possibility of telling everyone that we truly feel welcome and accepted for who we are.' Ground staff and engineers chimed in too, including one employee who said they joined the crew in honor of their daughter, a member of the LGBTQIA+ community. The mood among the passengers seemed more muted who were only informed of the 'specialness' of the country's first all-2SLGBTQIA+ flight by gate agents Danny and Michael. Once onboard, Captain Maciej took to the intercom to frame the flight as a 'watershed moment in Canadian history,' ending his address with a cheeky reference from RuPaul's Drag Race: 'Shantay, you all stay!' Onboard, Captain Maciej took to the intercom to frame the flight as a 'watershed moment in Canadian history,' ending his address with a cheeky reference from RuPaul's Drag Race: 'Shantay, you all stay!' Yet the celebration quickly turned into a public relations debacle. While the airline attempted to showcase diversity, critics on social media hammered Air Canada for what they deemed to be tone-deaf virtue signaling. 'This is absolutely ridiculous — all we need and care about is competent employees, regardless of what they're doing in their bedrooms. Get a grip,' one commenter wrote bluntly. 'Why would we care who sleeps with whom? At this point in history, is this really necessary?' another user fumed. 'I'm sorry, but the safety and well-being of your passengers seems to come second place to virtue signaling,' another critic added. 'It will be a cold day in hell before I fly Air Canada.' The reaction revealed a deeper discontent simmering among the public and a backlash not just against this particular initiative, but against broader efforts to weave identity politics into commercial life. Many commenters expressed frustration that sexual identity, rather than professional competency, was being showcased. Many commenters expressed frustration that sexual identity, rather than professional competency, was being showcased. Six years ago Air Canada removed 'ladies and gentlemen' from its on-board announcements, replacing them with the more gender-neutral 'hello everyone' or 'tout le monde' in French. At the time, the airline said was meant to 'modernize' and 'remove specific references to gender' and defended the shift as part of an effort to make all passengers and employees feel respected. But Monday's reaction suggests that many customers remain unconvinced that such changes are necessary, or welcome.
CBC
30-05-2025
- General
- CBC
Stamp set commemorates Calgary's first gay bar among other queer moments in Canadian history
A new stamp from Canada Post is commemorating the story of Calgary's first gay bar, Club Carousel, as part of a series of stamps featuring significant moments and places that shaped 2SLGBTQIA+ communities across the country. The series, called Places of Pride, also features the stories of Truxx, a bar in Montréal's gay village; the 1971 Gay Day Picnic in Toronto; and the 1990 North American Native Gay and Lesbian Gathering in Manitoba, where the term "Two-Spirit" was first introduced and adopted. Bronwyn Graves, the director of stamp services at Canada Post, said that while the selection process was tough, Club Carousel stood out as a unique female-led queer space. "When we're looking at queer history in Canada, very often the narrative tends to focus on men's experiences, especially in those early years," she said. "So it was a really wonderful opportunity for us to highlight queer women's role in terms of queer history and this ongoing fight for equality." The club opened March 20, 1970, less than a year since a bill had been passed in Ottawa decriminalizing homosexuality in Canada. Located on First Street southwest between 12th and 13th avenues, it quickly grew from about 20 members to a safe and inclusive haven for hundreds of folks in Calgary's queer community. Lois Szabo, the last surviving founder of Club Carousel, vividly remembers the joy on the faces of the young people who would frequent the club. "You know, these guys were out on the streets and then living their lives closeted seven days of the week — or at least six of them. And then one night of the week, they came to the club. They came down the stairs and the looks on their face, you know, they were just so happy. "It was just worth every minute." Enter Club Carousel Now at 89-years-old, Szabo is regarded as a pioneer in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. In 2021, the city named a park after her, the Lois Szabo Commons in Calgary's Beltline neighbourhood. Szabo came out as gay in 1964, and soon after, teamed up with local activist Jack Loenen to establish the club. WATCH | Lois on coming out and opening Club Carousel: Watch Lois Szabo tell her story of coming out in 1960s Calgary 8 years ago Duration 3:44 Lois Szabo, 81, co-founded one of Calgary's first gay clubs in the '60s and will lead the 2017 Calgary Pride Parade as grand marshal. "There weren't very many places that gay people felt safe in and that was why the club was needed," she told CBC News in a previous interview. The club didn't have a liquor licence, so club-goers would bring their own drinks, and a private members-only policy was in place to ensure the community would feel safe from harassment. "I'd say it [was] sort of the dawn of the organized gay community in Calgary. This space was so important," said Kevin Allen, research lead for the Calgary Gay History Project. "It saved lives and brought community together in a way that had never happened in Calgary before." Allen said he was delighted and proud to see Calgary's Club Carousel included in Canada Post's collection of stamps. "I think it's a really important nod to our history and our role in the nation's history for LGBTQ+ rights," he said. While the club closed its doors in the late 1970s, its legacy lives on through the stories of those who found acceptance within its walls. Sbazo recalls that a man in his 70s once approached her and said, "I just have always wanted to thank you. You saved my life. You and that club saved my life… I've never forgotten it." "So I think maybe we did some good," Sbazo said. "I like to think we did, anyway." Szabo said sharing its story for Canada's Post's stamp series is a way to recognize not just her, but to honour the founders and volunteers who have passed. Stamping Canadian history Beginning May 30, the stamps will be available to purchase at and select postal outlets across Canada. While Canada Post stamps have featured queer people and themes before, Graves said this series is the first deep dive into queer history for the Crown corporation. "We pride ourselves as being one of Canada's storytellers and that's a heavy responsibility," Graves explained. "That means telling stories that everybody knows, but it also means looking at the voices in the histories and the stories that have not been told. And when we looked at the past 25, 50 years of stamp storytelling, there were a lot of really amazing queer stories out there that we wanted to tell as part of the stamp series."
Cision Canada
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Cision Canada
New stamp set showcases pivotal moments in Canada's 2SLGBTQIA+ history Français
Stamp issue features four Places of Pride stamps honouring influential sites across the country OTTAWA, ON, May 29, 2025 /CNW/ - Today Canada Post announces Places of Pride, recognizing four vital places for 2SLGBTQIA+ in Canada. From early meeting spots to safe spaces for community organizing, these spaces were often the backdrop to pivotal demonstrations and hosted events that shaped 2SLGBTQIA+ communities across the country – and Canadian society. The four stamps honour the following locations and events: Club Carousel, Calgary's first gay bar, which created an innovative members-only policy and established a space for the community to gather free from harassment (magazine story; video). Truxx, a popular bar in Montréal's gay village where a 1977 police raid – and resulting widespread protests – led to legislation barring discrimination based on sexual orientation in Quebec's Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms (magazine story; video). Hanlan's Point Beach in Toronto, where the 1971 Gay Day Picnic was held – considered the first major gathering of queer people in Canada and an early example of what we now know as Pride (magazine story; video). The 3 rd North American Native Gay & Lesbian Gathering in 1990 near Beausejour, Man., where the term "Two-Spirit" was first introduced and adopted (magazine story; video). Each stamp shines a light on a particular moment and location, its significance then and now, and its role in working toward equality and freedom for all. For more information about the historic significance of each location, including video, visit our online magazine. About the stamp issue The Places of Pride stamps feature illustrations that capture turning points in the history of the 2SLGBTQIA+ rights movement in Canada. The stamp issue is designed by Kelly Small of Intents & Purposes Inc., illustrated by Tim Singleton and printed by Colour Innovations. The issue includes a booklet of eight Permanent™ domestic rate stamps and four Official First Day Covers. The stamps and collectibles will be available at and at select postal outlets across Canada beginning on May 30. Links to images of the stamps and other resources are below. Note that these will be added on the stamp's featured day: TM Trademark of Canada Post Corporation.
