(rdnewsNOW/Sheldon Spackman)

By Sheldon Spackman

Central Alberta Pride Week

RDC raises pride flag for fourth year

Aug 12, 2019 | 12:12 PM

Red Deer College has once again shown its support for the local LGBTQ+ community by raising a pride flag outside its main entrance on Monday.

In recognition of Central Alberta Pride Week August 10–18, RDC president and CEO Joel Ward says flying the flag is all about tolerance, inclusiveness and diversity.

“In a world that seems to be getting more and more confused, it’s really important that we show and take a stand to support inclusion and diversity of all communities, particularly as we become a university,” he explains. “Whatever country you’re from, whoever you love, whatever you believe, you’ll always be welcome here at Red Deer College and Red Deer University to learn and to become the person that you’re meant to be.”

Ward says Monday’s raising of the pride flag outside RDC is the fourth year-in-a-row it’s been done.

“We’re all learning, we’re all becoming more understanding of the world around us and the people around us,” adds Ward. “We can’t continue to have a narrow minded view of the world and of people. If we want to be the type of institution that’s going to create graduates and send graduates into the workforce and into the world with a broad perspective and a broad understanding and a very liberal interpretation of humanity and who we are and how we treat each other, then we need to understand and support this type of event.”

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Members of Red Deer College, the Central Alberta Pride Society and other supporters gathered outside the College’s main entrance on Monday to help raise the rainbow flag in support of Central Alberta Pride Week Aug. 10 – 18.

Sharon Slate, board member of the Central Alberta Pride Society (CAPS) admits it’s important for their organization to have strong support from RDC and the surrounding community.

“The institution itself is a place for people to explore learning but also learning about themselves,” she explains. “So having that safe place to explore their identity and everything that they’re questioning or exploring is really important. So to see a flag, to see a safe place is on campus for the LGBTQ community is really important.”

A number of events have already taken place locally to celebrate Pride Week including CAPS hosting a drag show and dance, with Sunday’s events including a pride worship service, pride week proclamation and a fruit float held at Fort Normandeau. Several more events are planned throughout Red Deer this week.

Slate hopes everyone who attends these events takes away a strong sense of community and belonging.

“We definitely welcome everybody, so allies and parents and children and families,” exclaims Slate. “Just understand that we can all have space and all respect each other and just come together and have fun.”

Chaise Combs, past RDC Student’s Association president, says the pride flag raising ceremony is about celebrating how far we’ve come as a society, while acknowledging we still have a long ways to go.

“I think historically, students have been at the forefront of social progress and I like to see that continue,” says Combs. “I’d like to think that it symbolizes or signifies that they’re able to be who they are when they come to Red Deer College and that they can organize and express themselves freely and openly in an environment where they’re safe to do so.”

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