“It’s a safe space,” member says of Pride parade
Each year, 2SLGBTQI people gather in communities across the province to remember what their community has been through and to celebrate where it could go.
ONA has a long, rich history of taking part in the Toronto Pride parade – we first carried the rainbow flag in 2007 – and this year was no different.
About 75 ONA members, members of the Board of Directors and staff joined the event, many bringing their families and children. Participants wore purple t-shirts in honour of Steve Lobsinger, former Chief Negotiator for ONA and member of the 2SLGBTQI community, who passed away in 2023.
We asked two members of the ONA community who took part this year to share their thoughts and impressions. Leanne Cooke, Advisor, Office of the President and Board of Directors, organized ONA’s participation in the parade, and Helen Jones, RN, clinical educator, mental health and education at Bright Shores Health System, marched in the parade as part of ONA’s provincial Human Rights and Equity Committee.
The comments below have been edited for length and clarity.
“It was beautiful. I can't describe the joy we felt in the crowd,” says Cooke. “It was so validating as nurses and members of the 2SLGBTQI community. As an ally, it’s one thing I absolutely enjoy. The minute we get out there, I see our members marching, dancing and hugging each other, and I think ‘OK, this is why we do it.’”
Jones agrees that marching in the parade can have a profound impact.
“This was my second year marching with ONA. Last year, people told me that it would be a really emotional experience, and I didn’t believe them. But it was, and it was again this year.”
“It's our inherent right to march in Pride," Jones notes. “My first time at a Pride parade was 20 years ago and I hadn’t been back until last year. It's not exactly my comfort zone, but when I heard about ONA marching, I thought ‘let’s go.’”
“It's about visibility,” adds Cooke. “They're not all out at work or in their families or community, so they can march with us, and we give them that voice for that afternoon and they can yell and dance and sing.”
Both Cooke and Jones agree that having ONA’s Provincial President be an out member of the 2SLGBTQI community makes a big impact.
“Watching our Board members, especially our President, hugging people and interacting with them is great,” says Cooke. “And to have our members see that? It means a lot to them.”
Jones agrees. “It's liberating. It’s such a safe space for me, and a safe space to invite people into. Sometimes you don’t feel safe in the workplace, for a variety of reasons. Sometimes DEI [diversity, equity and inclusion] principles at work are just lip service, but ONA really lives it.”
I don’t hide anymore, and ONA has helped with that.
Jones brought up the rear of the group, waving an ONA flag all the way.
“As a member of ONA’s Human Rights and Equity Committee, it was also my job to make sure members had a safe experience.
“Everyone LOVES nurses. There were lots of people calling out that a nurse helped their mom or whomever. It makes me appreciate being an ONA member. It’s a very moving experience.”
Both Cooke and Jones also strongly encourage ONA members to join the fun at next year’s Toronto Pride parade.
“It’s really important to participate and to invite people in and allow them to be themselves,” says Jones.
Living in a conservative part of the province, she says it can be tricky to live a fully out life that is also safe.
“I don’t hide anymore, and ONA has helped with that.”
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