With Pride Month just around the corner, Brock University is gearing up to host an array of events to celebrate and support the 2SLGBTQIA+ communities on campus and across Niagara.

“Pride at Brock is both a celebration and an opportunity to reflect on our shared responsibility to create a campus where all members of our community feel a genuine sense of safety and belonging. While these moments of visibility are important, they also remind us of the ongoing work required to build inclusive environments through meaningful allyship and everyday actions,” says Alana Lowe, Associate Director of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion Education and Outreach in the Human Rights and Equity Office (HREO).

Brock, which also hosted a number of Pride events in March, will kick off its celebrations by raising the University’s Pride flag on Thursday, June 4. Students, faculty and staff are invited to gather in front of the Schmon Tower from noon to 12:30 p.m. for the flag raising ceremony.

Ted Mouradian (BA ’99) is set to be the keynote speaker at the 2026 Speaking with Pride event hosted at Brock University on Thursday, June 4. Mouradian, president of The 2% Factor will also run one of the learning sessions for the event.

Also taking place on June 4 is the fourth annual Speaking with Pride event. Hosted by Brock Professional and Continuing Studies (Brock PCS) and Pride Niagara, the event offers a full day of professional development for 2SLGBTQIA+ community members and allies. This year’s theme, “Creating Space,” reflects the importance of fostering environments where people can experience both personal and professional growth while being their authentic selves.

“On behalf of the Board of Directors at Pride Niagara, we are proud to partner with Brock University Professional and Continuing Studies in presenting the fourth annual Speaking with Pride Day of Professional Development,” says Enzo De Divitiis, Chair of Pride Niagara. “Together, we continue building safer, more inclusive spaces across Niagara and beyond.”

Speaking with Pride will feature a keynote by local leader Ted Mouradian (BA ’99), whose work continues to advance inclusion, belonging and authenticity.

Attendees will also have the opportunity to attend one of three in-person learning sessions:

• “Should your personal life be kept out of the workplace?” with Ted Mouradian
• “Growing Space, from ground level” with Daniel Krowchuk
• “Inclusive practices in your spaces” with Ashlyn O’Neil and Ann Gagne

Following the learning sessions, participants are also welcome to join the flag raising ceremony at noon.

Guests who are unable to join in person can participate in an online lunch and learn session, The Queer Caribbean in Canada: LGBTQI+ Caribbean Community Organizing and the Politics of Belonging in Ontario, from noon to 1 p.m. hosted by writer and educator Ryan Persadie.

While Speaking with Pride is free and open to the public, space is limited. Anyone interested in attending the event is encouraged to register as soon as possible. Further information can be found on Brock PCS website and inquiries about the event can be directed to [email protected] or [email protected]

Pride Month celebrations at Brock will continue with a Mobilizing Queer a Social Justice Research seminar for graduate students, supervisors and researchers on Thursday, June 11 and a Queer Collage Drop-In on Tuesday, June 16.

Also taking place on campus is the Pride Niagara Hieee Tea event, presented by CAA Niagara, on Sunday, June 7. The free event, which runs from 3 to 5 p.m. in the Goodman Atrium, will feature a panel of 2SLGBTQ+ community members answering audience questions. Anyone interested in attending is asked to register by emailing [email protected]