The rainbow: recognized around the world as the symbol of unity, love, and acceptance, it’s synonymous with pride, celebrating inclusion, diversity, and respect. The rainbow is made up of seven different colours. Each one unique, vibrant, and strong on its own, but when joined together, creating something bold and beautiful. At ILSC and Greystone College, we are also a rainbow. We are comprised of different people with unique backgrounds, perspectives, and stories, that when combined, create something extraordinary.
Throughout the year, the rainbow can be found in the streets of cities globally. Pride events can be seen occurring from Montréal to Melbourne. Pride is how people of the LGBTQ2+ community celebrate steps forward for tolerance, equal rights, and societal acceptance, and protest against discrimination and violence. Pride welcomes everyone. It’s for the LGBTQ2+ community, their friends, families, and allies. At ILSC, we support everything pride stands for, and everything it means to us.
Pride means tolerance
ILSC is a colorful mosaic. A place where different peoples, styles, and ideas are joined together. We are blessed to have people from so many nations walk the halls of our schools. What does this mean for you? It means that everyone is welcome here. Every culture, religion, gender, sexual orientation, and person is welcome at ILSC. We understand that everyone has a light, and by including each one, we can all shine much brighter. The amazing thing about tolerance is that we are able to learn about, then respect, each other’s backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences so that everyone can bring something to the ILSC table. We are able to see beyond ourselves, as well as see ourselves in each other – and it’s then that we realize we are much more similar than different.
Pride means diversity
It goes without saying that one of the greatest benefits of attending ILSC is the diversity of its people. Both students and staff come from all over the globe: from Brazil to Ukraine, Korea to Turkey, Japan to Spain– and we meet in our classrooms in Canada, Australia, and India as one. When people of other cultures and backgrounds come together, everyone receives the rewards, and by learning more about others, we can learn more about ourselves. People’s walls come down, and bridges are built. In any classroom at ILSC and Greystone, you can find different countries and nationalities represented, all experiencing the same learning journey. Strangers become classmates, and classmates become friends, similarities are shared, and differences are celebrated – and that’s something we can all be proud of.
Pride means celebration
Above all, pride is a celebration. It’s a celebration of people’s differences and things that make them (and you!) unique. We don’t just tolerate, we celebrate. This celebration of people is not limited just to pride months. It’s something that can be seen at ILSC all year round. We take the opportunity to celebrate differences, accomplishments, overcoming obstacles, doing the right thing, and standing up for others. When we celebrate, we come together and bond through similarities. Going to a new city and immersing yourself in a new language and culture is worthy of celebration; so is someone being comfortable with who they are, fighting for equality, and choosing love. At ILSC, you’ll see all of this, we strive to create an environment of respect, safety, diversity, and tolerance.
So, join our #ILSCPRIDE by showing yours. Pride in who you are, where you’re from, and what you love. We are proud to include everyone, to find strength in diversity, to celebrate the things that make us unique, and the things that bring us together. We hope by doing so, people and places become more accepting, and schools, countries and the world will become a better place to be. We are proud to support those in the LGBTQ2+ community and create a space at ILSC where everyone feels safe to be who they truly are; we welcome you to add your very own color to the ILSC rainbow!
Follow #ILSCGIVES to see how ILSC and Greystone are making positive changes in the world, and be sure to share your pride moments with us #ILSCPRIDE!