��ݮ��Ƶ

During the Community Corner hosted by the Office of EDI-R, this is where we wanted to center our reflections on Pride Month and Pride events on campus. What is the story of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community in Kitchener-��ݮ��Ƶ? What did community, progress, and dissent look like before, during, and after calls for legal recognition and equality? And what do milestones and celebration for the community look like outside of institutional acceptance?

�ճ����Trans and Non-Binary Equity Strategy was informed and co-created by members of our 2SLGBTQIA+ communities—students, staff, and faculty who showed deep courage in sharing their experiences and speaking up in the hope of sustainable change. They didn’t just point to problems—they helped imagine solutions. They spoke up not only for themselves, but for those who couldn’t, or didn’t feel safe enough to. That is leadership. That is community in action.��

As of June 2, 2025, University of ��ݮ��Ƶ students and employees have the option to set or add pronouns (i.e., words we use to replace someone’s name in a sentence, such as “he”, “she”, or “they”) to their (the card with your picture or initials in the circle). It may take up to 24 hours before this feature is visible on your Microsoft 365 profile card.

In Canada, we celebrate Asian Heritage Month during the month of May, an initiative introduced in the 1990s and made official by Senator Vivienne Poy in 2001. The Asian population of Canada has established itself over the past two centuries, adding to Canada’s rich diversity across the provinces.����

The Government of Canada’s theme for Asian Heritage Month 2025 is: “Unity in Diversity: The Impact of Asian Communities in Shaping Canadian Identity”. This theme recognizes the profound and enduring ways in which Asian communities have helped shape Canada’s social fabric. From the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway by Chinese labourers in the1880s, to the election of Douglas Jung as the first Chinese Canadian Member of Parliament in 1957, to trailblazing figures like Adrienne Clarkson, the first Asian Canadian Governor General.

We are constantly surrounded by headlines, data, and official stories about how the world works. But how often do we stop to ask: Where do these ideas come from? Who benefits from them? What’s being left out?

Muslims across the globe are celebrating the Holy month of Ramadan this March. Ramadan began in Canada on March 1, 2025, and many members of the University of ��ݮ��Ƶ Muslim community are observing this month of fasting and prayers.

What is Ramadan/ Ramzan about?

Ramadan/ Ramzan is a sacred month for the Muslim faith, where those observing it refrain from any food and water from dawn to sunset. This would translate to 12.5-hours to 14-hours long fasts (accounting for the varying sunrise and sunset times through the course of this month). Muslims dedicate the month (which can be 29 or 30 days long) to fasting, charity, spiritual reflection, seeking forgiveness and bonding with community. They often engage in long late-night prayers. Most people understand that Muslims may be a little low on energy during the day, but most don’t know that they also might be sleep-deprived

Fostering belonging and inclusion for the Muslim community on campus

In keeping with University of ��ݮ��Ƶ’s values of inclusivity and working together, here are some practices that foster the feeling of belonging within the Muslim community on campus.

Today marks International Pronouns Day, an annual event that raises awareness on the importance of respecting and using individuals' chosen pronouns. Observed on the third Wednesday of October each year since its inception in 2018, the day encourages the proper use of pronouns and their role in affirming identities to create an inclusive society.��

The Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Anti-Racism are hosting sessions for 2SLGBTQIA+ students, faculty and staff with special attention for those who identify as Two-Spirit, Trans, Non-Binary, and Gender Non-Conforming (2STNBGNC+). These insights will play a vital role in shaping the new Trans & Queer Equity Strategy for our University.

On International Women's Day, the call is extended to all of us: To inspire inclusion by openly embracing diversity irrespective of race, age, ability and gender.��

U��ݮ��Ƶ's dedication to fostering an inclusive campus necessitates addressing the systemic barriers around gender equity. On this International Women's Day, it is essential that we actively engage in understanding these challenges to collectively build an institution that fosters a community valuing diversity and respect for everyone, mitigating the impact of gender inequity on our campus.��