You will notice Pride displays at all Niagara Health sites in June. Niagara Health is proud to show its support of Pride Month and demonstrate our commitment to a kind, accepting and inclusive culture.
“Diversity and inclusivity matter a great deal to Niagara Health,” said Niagara Health President Suzanne Johnston. “We are committed to extraordinary caring for everyone who comes into our hospital and that means providing a safe space to all. Niagara Health is proud to recognize the LGBTQ+ community this month and celebrate Pride at all of our hospital sites.”
Niagara Health staff at the Pride displays will hand out 3,000 Pride Niagara Health stickers to patients, visitors and staff. These stickers, based on the iconic rainbow flag, symbolize our support for the LGTBQ+ community.
Pride Niagara Health
Niagara Health is using this year’s Pride Month to learn more about issues and experiences of the LGBTQ+ community, to raise awareness of challenges and successes, and to educate people about how to better support the LGBTQ+ community.
We have an Inclusivity and Anti-Stigma Committee, Chaired by Robert Cosby – Clinical Manager in the Mental Health and Addictions Program. Niagara Health hosted three sessions last December to educate staff about reducing stigma, promoting education and establishing best practices to ensure Niagara Health is a supportive and safe and welcoming place for all.
Visitors to the Pride Niagara Health displays this month will have access to resources and handouts, produced by our partners, including:
- How Can I Be An Ally, from Mount Sinai hospital
- Resources for Sexually and Gender Diverse Community in Niagara, from Quest Community Services in St. Catharines
- GLBTTIQ2 Key Terms, from Quest Community Services in St. Catharines
- When Your Child or Someone Close to You Is Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, or Transgender, from Lifeworks
As a hospital, we are committed to treating everyone with dignity and respect. We are proud to offer support to the LGBTQ+ community. By publicly displaying our support with Pride displays, digital signage, stickers, and resources at all our sites, we are living our CORE value of Compassion in action.
A Safe Space for Everyone at Niagara Health
“It’s great to see the Pride colours,” Robert said. “It’s about inclusivity, it’s about embracing diversity, it’s about love and respect and there’s a sense of dignity and self-worth that I get when I see that. When I go somewhere the Pride flag is displayed, I feel comfort in it.”
Be kind. Help us create a safe space for everyone.
