TMU raises inclusive Pride flag on MAC rooftop to fly year-round
To kick-off Pride month, TMU leaders and members of the Positive Space Faculty and Staff Network raised the Global Inclusive Pride Flag (external link) on top of the Mattamy Athletic Centre (MAC). Replacing the 1978 version of the flag, the Global Inclusive Flag was designed in 2021 and is the official Pride flag that incorporates and celebrates the diversity and inclusion of everyone in the 2SLGBTQI+ (two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex) community. (Photo: Nicholas Paddison)
The Mattamy Athletic Centre, formerly the Maple Leaf Gardens, is an iconic and historic building in Toronto. Flying the Pride flag on top of an athletics and recreation centre is a meaningful way to support, welcome and include 2SLGBTQ+ people. (Photo: Nicholas Paddison)
Present at the momentous event were self-identified queer folks and allies including members of the Positive Space Faculty & Staff Network, TMU leadership and staff, and TMU’s mascot, Frankie B. Bold. Did you know: Frankie B. Bold is non-binary and goes by they/them pronouns. (Photo: Nicholas Paddison)
Pictured from left:
- Monique Simon-Tucker, coordinator, projects and initiatives, Presidential Implementation Committee to Combat Anti-Black Racism and ECI initiatives, Office of the Vice-President, Equity and Community Inclusion (OVPECI)
- Michael Turco, manager, operations, administration and equity, School of Journalism, the Creative School and co-chair, Positive Space
- Natalie Elisha, EDI specialist, institutional change, OVPECI
- Dan Cantiller, decision support analyst, Ted Rogers School of Management and co-chair, Positive Space
- Tanya De Mello, vice-president, equity and community inclusion
- Ryan Kerr, manager, institutional events and events lead, Positive Space
- Frankie B. Bold, TMU mascot
- Jen McMillen, vice-provost, students
- Tony Conte, executive director, Office of the Provost and Vice-President, Academic
- Roberta Iannacito-Provenzano, provost and vice-president, academic
Members of the Positive Space Faculty & Staff Network, who led the project to change the Pride flag at TMU, take a selfie with the flag and TMU’s mascot Frankie B. Bold. From left: Ryan Kerr, Michael Turco and Dan Cantiller.