Portage Collegiate Institute (PCI) students and staff gathered yesterday afternoon to raise the Rainbow and Transgender flags, officially marking the start of Pride Month.
Led by teacher Mr. Yeates and supported by PCI’s Queer Students Association (QSA), the event brought together students, staff, and allies for a short walk, student speeches, and an outpouring of support for 2SLGBTQ+ students. Mr. Yeates says the school has been working to make the Pride event an annual tradition.
“We try our best to host it every year. COVID-19 kind of affected it for a while, but we started strong again two years ago,” notes Mr. Yeates.
Though speeches have become a yearly staple, Mr. Yeates says previous attempts at a march haven’t always gone smoothly.
“We had extreme heat one year and heavy rain the next,” he says. “I’m very glad the weather is cooperating this year. It’s a little hot, but there’s a nice breeze and we’re making it a short walk to compensate.”
For Mr. Yeates and many involved, the day represents more than colourful flags and sunny weather.
“Today is a celebration of love, acceptance, and equality, but it is also a celebration of all of the struggles that 2SLGBTQ+ people have experienced. The fact that we can have a celebration where students can wear their flags and feel safe is a much different experience than I would have thought when I was in high school. I didn’t have something like this, and being a part of it now feels right,” he says.
Grade 10 student Briella Lavallee delivered one of the day’s most heartfelt moments, sharing a personal speech with his classmates and teachers.
“Mr. Yeates asked for someone to make a speech, so I volunteered,” says Lavallee. “I was nervous, I only wrote my speech the night before, but I poured my whole heart and soul into it. I think I made my teacher cry a little bit, and honestly, I almost cried too."
Despite the nerves and short timeline, Lavallee says the message he shared came from a place of deep truth.
“I want people to know that our school is a safe place for this community, and we try to be an inclusive school as much as we can. We want people to feel safe here and recognized within their identity and gender. It’s nice getting up in front of people and saying, 'hey, we see you, we hear you.' It’s a day to be proud."
Lavallee’s words resonated with many in the crowd as he reflected on his journey of self-acceptance and finding community at PCI.
“The LGBTQ community is not just a trend or a movement. It is a vibrant, diverse, and powerful part of humanity and includes people of every race, culture, and background,” Lavallee notes in his speech. “It includes our friends, our siblings, our neighbours, our teachers, our leaders, and maybe even ourselves. When I came to PCI, I was prepared for the worst until I found a group of people who were free to be themselves. Then a sense of relief came over me. Thank you to my friends and Mr. Yeates for making me feel safe at this school.”
As students cheered and waved their flags, the message of visibility, love, and inclusion echoed loud and clear.
“For too long, too many people have had to hide who they are out of fear of rejection, violence, or simply being misunderstood,” his speech continues. “But today we stand here to say you are seen, you are heard, and you belong. Let us celebrate love in all its forms, because love is not a threat. The more we embrace it, the better, kinder, and more human our world becomes."
As Pride Month begins, PCI shows that small actions can create a lasting impact. For many students, it’s not just about being accepted. It’s about being seen, supported, and finally feeling at home.
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