{"id":91370,"date":"2024-03-07T15:57:52","date_gmt":"2024-03-07T20:57:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/?p=91370"},"modified":"2024-03-07T17:02:40","modified_gmt":"2024-03-07T22:02:40","slug":"brock-pride-president-receives-honour-for-edi-work","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/brocku.ca\/brock-news\/2024\/03\/brock-pride-president-receives-honour-for-edi-work\/","title":{"rendered":"Brock Pride President receives honour for EDI work"},"content":{"rendered":"

As Chance Rashid prepares to receive an award related to equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI), she knows there\u2019s more work to be done.<\/p>\n

Rashid is the current President of the Brock Pride club, which aims to create a safe and social environment for students of diverse gender and sexual identities. For her ongoing efforts, the fourth-year Concurrent Teacher Education student has been named the first EDI Changemaker of the Month by the University\u2019s Office of Human Rights and Equity (HRE).<\/p>\n

EDI Changemakers are students, staff or faculty at Brock who have made a significant contribution to equity, diversity and\/or inclusion.<\/p>\n

While leading Brock Pride as well as initiatives in the Niagara region to promote Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and\/or questioning, intersex, asexual\/aromantic (2SLGTBQIA+) rights, Rashid has set out to create a space at the University and beyond that allows people to be themselves.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe want to give members of our community the ability to see that they are supported, and for those who want to show their support or to fight for their rights the ability to do it in a space they feel safe,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Included in Rashid\u2019s efforts on campus have been eliminating charges for students who wish to change their name on their student card, which is now being supported and covered by the Gender Affirmation Fund through the HRE office. Additionally, Rashid continues\u00a0to contribute edits to the transgender inclusion guide and support the ongoing initiative to provide all gender signage on washrooms throughout the University.<\/p>\n

Rashid said she is driven by the need to continue to inspire positive change.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s exhausting, but when you see the change happen and you see students are able to live their lives better because of those changes, that is everything,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Alana Lowe, HRE\u2019s Manager of EDI Education and Outreach, said the office is honoured to showcase Rashid as its first Changemaker of the Month.<\/p>\n

\u201cChance courageously stands against the rising tide of hate against the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, and her commitment to inclusivity and resilience is a beacon of hope and progress in the ongoing struggle for queer rights and liberation,\u201d said Lowe.<\/p>\n

Changemakers can be nominated for:<\/p>\n