CREDIT: MELISSA NOVACASKA
Students and staff of the FSU were outside up and early for the raising of the Fanshawe Pride Flag.

In a sign of solidarity with its LGBTQ+ community, Fanshawe raised the Pride flag in front of F building on Thursday July 20.

After a rainy morning, VP of Student Services Michele Beaudoin, suggested the possibility of a rainbow appearing before beginning the announcements.

“The main purpose [of raising the flag] is a signal for students to know that they're welcome. We represent inclusiveness,” Beaudoin said as the flag was hoisted up the pole.

The flag is being flown in conjunction with the Pride London Festival which started the same day and continues through to the end of the month, concluding with the 23rd annual London Pride Parade on Sunday July 30.

Pride London president and Fanshawe alumnus, Andrew Rosser, who is responsible for co-ordinating the sponsorship and events at Pride London, explained the flag is for everyone.

“Any time the flag goes up it's a sign of support,” Rosser said.

Much of the city is showing their pride.

According to Rosser the Pride flag is being raised at the Canadian Forces Base, the London Police Service, London Health Sciences Centre, Western University and likely more locations.

The Pride in the Park Festival features heaps of activities and according to Rosser there'll be a TD Kid Zone, an ARF Ontario Pet Zone off-leash area for dogs, and the Fanshawe Entertainment Stage, featuring a collection of local artists, not to mention the myriad of vendors that are to be in attendance.

The flag will remain at full mast until the end of the month, although Beaudoin said keeping it up all year would be something to think about.

 The recent installation of the rainbow crosswalk is an inspiringly colourful step in the right direction.

“There's a lot we're doing now engaging students and supporting campus activities, but I think there's probably a lot more we could be doing,” Beaudoin said.

The ultimate goal of post-secondary is to prepare students to work in a diverse community and Fanshawe is instilling values within students and as Beaudoin described, inclusivity and diversity is a way of thinking.

For more information please visit pridelondon.ca.

CREDIT: GEORGE MARAGOS