Let's Celebrate Inclusivity, Love, and Mental Health This Pride Month

quinnillustrations
May 29, 2025
4 min read

As Pride Month gets closer we are reminded of inclusivity, love, and mental health awareness in the LGBTQ2S+ community. Pride celebrations go beyond parades, parties, and colorful flags. Pride is a celebration of love in all its forms and promotes mental health in our growing diverse communities.

The Importance of Inclusivity

Inclusivity is honoring every identity within the LGBTQ2S+ spectrum. Everyone’s experience is unique and deserves recognition and respect. Queer folks from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds face more complex forms of discrimination. A study from the Center of American Progress shows that 73% of LGBTQ2S+ people of color have reported discrimination from both their sexual orientation and race. Amplifying these voices is so important. Inclusivity means creating spaces where everyone feels safe to be themselves without judgment. Having a sense of belonging fosters better understanding, connection, empowerment, and progress within folks in all of our communities.

Love in Every Form

Everyone should be able to love who they choose without fear. What makes this month so special is recognizing all kinds of love... self-love, romantic, friendships, family, communal, and environmental love. Pride is about celebrating that challenges societal norms. Sharing stories from folks who have faced discrimination in their homes, workplaces, healthcare facilities, and then have found strength in each other can inspire hope, strength and action for our openly queer, closeted folks, and allies.

Our allies are vital to us. Their support elevates underrepresented voices and helps contribute to a more accepting society. Having allies that educate themselves on LGBTQ2S+ challenges empowers us all to provide more informed support, whether it be actively standing against discrimination or using more inclusive language. Openly talking about relationships, vulnerabilities, discrimination, wins and losses - creates more empathy, and makes it easier for allies to support our community. Allies can engage in mental health discussions, showing individuals they are cherished and respected.

Prioritizing Mental Health Awareness

Mental health awareness is critical during Pride Month. LGBTQ2S+ individuals face higher rates of mental health challenges. National Alliance on Mental Illness reports LGBTQ2S+ youth are five times more likely to experience depression than heterosexual folks, showing the need for targeted resources and support. Promoting awareness encourages open conversations. Identifying signs of stress or depression leads to understanding and help-seeking, reducing stigma and creating safe environments.

Treaty One's Queer Community

In Treaty One, our queer community is growing and strengthening every day. Manitoba's networks and support groups like Pride Winnipeg, Queer Manitoba, Queerspace Winnipeg, QueerBiz Winnipeg, Rainbow Resource Center, Matter Manitoba, Pembina Valley Pride (just to name a few) provide vital resources and create a sense belonging. The programming they offer fosters self-care practices like exploring art, music, movement, and nature to enhance community and mental well-being.

Out There Winnipeg provides a healthy, inclusive, and accessible space for adults in the LGBTQ2S+ community to get active and have fun! Matt runs the "Gaymers" video game group, and Thomas runs "Out There Hiking" - but they offer so many more activities to check out and get socializing.

Free programs from the Rainbow Harmony Project offer an inclusive space for individuals aged 13-18 to sing your heart out at youth choirs. There are no auditions, and the space is available for queer, questioning, and ally folks!

Keystone curling fosters a safe and inclusive space to get moving by offering over 20 years of 2SLGBTQ+ curling events where all skill levels and everyone is welcome!

Artsjunktion Manitoba is a creative reuse organization that creates opportunities for making and creating, reducing environmental impact, and community building. On average, they distribute around 1200kg of donations monthly, and assist 980 folks with programming with around 45 crafting events annually.

University of Winnipeg Queer Students Association (UWQSA) is an inclusive space for U of W students to connect on campus and on Discord, with canvas & rock painting events, movie nights, drag shows, anti-valentines day parties, queer mixers, and much more!

The Manitoba LGBT Chamber of Commerce offers many beneficial resources such as workshops, volunteer opportunities, mentorships, and so much more to support, connect, and empower queer entrepreneurs, professionals, non-profits, and businesses across Manitoba!

Celebrating Pride Month Together

We need to celebrate our shared humanity. Emphasizing inclusivity, love, and mental health creates a safe environment for LGBTQ2S+ individuals and allies alike. Participating in events can strengthen connection and understanding. Supporting queer businesses or joining workshops is a great way to demonstrate solidarity. Pride is a time for us to unite in celebration, reflection, and support. Sharing these experiences with one another and prioritizing mental health will create healthier and more inclusive communities.

By uplifting and amplifying underrepresented stories, and recognizing the diverse mental health challenges faced, we build stronger, more connected communities. As we wave our flags this month and throughout the year we can embrace our differences that make us all unique. The greatest gift in this life lies in promoting the freedom for folks to be who we truly are.