Highlighting Women in the 2SLGBTQ+ Community
Background
Pride month, originally rooted in the gay rights movements of the late 1960's, is an annual global celebration of the 2SLGBTQ+ identity, resilience, and progress.
Ongoing discrimination of 2SLGBTQ+ individuals led to the Stonewall Riots, in June 1969 in New York City. Seen as a pivotal moment in the 2SLGBTQ+ rights movement, the riots inspired the first pride parade of June 1970. Serving as a platform for fostering inclusivity, promoting 2SLGBTQ+ rights, and honouring the achievements of all those who have fought for the rights of the community, Pride Month is proof of the strength, resilience, and courage of this community.
Resources
Library of Congress: LGBTQ+ Resources in Business and the Workplace
UCSF: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Resource Center
Books:
On Being Different: What It Means to Be a Homosexual by Penguin Classics
Pride by Matthew Todd
How We Fight for Our Lives by Saeed Jones
Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit by Jeanette Winterson
Instagram Accounts:
Ways to Support the Community
Attend the Pride Parade (Sunday, June 25th: start on Bloor St)
Attend Pride Hamilton (August 27th: 12-8)
Attend the London Pride Parade (Saturday 1st July 2023)
Visit the Glad Day Bookship: the world’s oldest LGBTQ+ bookshop, serves delicious eats and drinks (on Church St)
Check out Sweaty Betty’s this pride month to enjoy numerous queer-friendly events
Try out Craig's Cookies in Toronto
Shop for unique antiques at Lou Brown Vintage in Peterborough
Explore more 2SLGBTQ+ -owned businesses at The Pink Pages Directory
Spotlight: Angelica Ross
Business Woman
Angelica Ross is an actress, producer, businesswoman and transgender rights advocate. She has been an open member of the LGBTQ+ community since the age of 17 years old. Ross was a self-taught computer programmer and went on to become the founder and CEO of TransTech Social Enterprises – a firm that helps employ the transgender community in the tech industry. She describes the goals of TransTech as including to foster skills in the technology industry, specifically for the transgender community. As the world became more digitized, Ross saw the opportunity for expanding remote working via telecommunication. In addition to this achievement, Ross was a featured speaker at the 2015 White House LGBTQ Tech and Innovation Summit. Additionally, on September 20, 2019, Ross hosted the 2020 Presidential Candidate Forum on LGBTQ Issues, which made her the first openly transgender person to host an American presidential forum.
