Welcome to the Pride at BCIT page!
BCIT is made up of diverse people working towards a more inclusive community. We welcome everyone to participate and share their voice.
Pride BCIT
BCIT invites all members of our community to get involved and contribute to the mission of the Pride BCIT Committee. Whether you identify as 2S/LGBTQIA+ or as an ally, your support is crucial in creating a campus environment that embraces and empowers individuals from all walks of life.
Events organized by the Pride BCIT Committee provide opportunities for students, staff, and faculty to come together and foster understanding, raise awareness, and to support and celebrate the 2S/LGBTQIA+ community.
For more information and to get involved with the Pride BCIT Committee, please reach out to pride@bcit.ca.
Early Assist
If you are a student and have experienced barriers or discrimination related to your gender identity and/or sexual orientation, you can submit an Early Assist referral to connect with resources and supports
What does 2S/LGBTQIA+ mean?
2S/LGBTQIA+ is an inclusive acronym that refers to a broad spectrum of sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions. In Canadian contexts (including post-secondary institutions like BCIT), “2S” is intentionally placed first to recognize the unique and foundational presence of Indigenous peoples and identities. Here’s what each part means:
- 2S – Two-Spirit: A term used by some Indigenous peoples to describe a distinct cultural, spiritual, gender, and/or sexual identity. It is specific to Indigenous contexts and should not be used outside them.
- LGBTIA+:
- L – Lesbian
- G- Gay
- B – Bisexual
- T – Transgender
- Q – Queer or Questioning
- I – Intersex
- A – Asexual (sometimes also refers to Aromaantic or Agender)
- + – Represents other diverse identities not explicitly listed.
You can read more about each definition on the Egale website.
Pride BCIT History
BCIT’s “Take Pride” was founded in 1990, however it was not able to operate consistently, which resulted in a lack of visibility. The name was changed to “Technically Queer” around 2007 which saw a new beginning of awareness at BCIT.
In 2011 BCIT made its first appearance in the Vancouver Pride Parade with the School of Business and Media’s Evolution Radio team. In 2013 the BCIT Pride Parade committee was formed and entered the Vancouver Pride Parade in 2014. This committee evolved into the BCIT Pride committee in 2016, to expand support and their presence in the community. In 2023 the committee name was changed to Pride BCIT.
