U of M official sponsor in Winnipeg Pride Festival

President and Vice-Chancellor David T. Barnard gave the following message to the University of Manitoba community: 

I am proud that this year the University of Manitoba is participating as an official sponsor in the Winnipeg Pride Festival. I invite and encourage all members of the university community, including our alumni, to engage in this vibrant event in support of the LGBTTQ* community.

The Pride festival’s 2016 theme is Be Authentic. I know that within the University of Manitoba community, our students, staff and faculty are committed to allyship and maintaining a welcoming work and learning environment. Many members of the University of Manitoba family count themselves with pride as members of the LGBTTQ* community. As well, across many disciplines, researchers and scholars are exploring LGBTTQ* themes on an ongoing basis.

Ours is undeniably a meaningful and authentic engagement with this subject, helping generate deeper understanding of complex and emerging issues, and I invite everyone – during this week and throughout the year – to explore our faculty’s rich scholarly output on the subject.

Beginning on Monday, May 30, and throughout Pride Week, the Pride flag will be raised and flown on both campuses. To find out more about the many activities happening on our campuses, visit news.umanitoba.ca/show-your-pride/. Members of LGBTTQ* communities and allies are welcome to join us in showing their pride and support of inclusion and diversity.

This is our opportunity to be authentic and take our place in support of this important community celebration.

David T. Barnard, President and Vice-Chancellor