2024 Pride Month: A declaration of collective identity and resilience

Pride Month is a time to recognize and honour the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, celebrating its diversity and advocating for equitable access to health care for all people. Through the month of June, several Pride events and activities are scheduled across the province. This time also calls for acknowledgment of the historical and ongoing struggles faced by Two-Spirit, queer, and trans individuals and communities. Within midwifery, we remain aware of the ongoing work and vigilance to ensure the safety of all 2SLGBTQIA+ clients and midwives.

At its core, midwifery is about compassionate care that respects and honors each person's unique journey, including through the provision of inclusive and affirming care to all members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Despite advancements in reproductive health care, discrimination and harassment continue to harm 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals seeking services, as well as 2SLGBTQIA+ health-care providers facing discrimination in the workplace. Everyone deserves access to safe, supportive, equitable and affirming health care, and to work in environments free from discrimination based on gender identity, expression, sexual orientation and all other Human Rights Code-protected grounds.

As we reflect on the significance of Pride Month, we are reminded of the contributions of 2SLGBTQIA+ midwives, midwifery students and birth workers. Your diverse perspectives, expertise and unwavering dedication enrich the fabric of midwifery, making it stronger and more inclusive for everyone. The AOM remains committed to gender inclusion and diversity and equity in midwifery.

Mental health supports and resources for 2SLGBTQIA+ midwives and clients:

• Across Boundaries: mental health and addictions services and support for queer and trans Black, Indigenous and racialized individuals

• Hope for Wellness Helpline: for First Nations, Métis & Inuit 2SLGBTQIA+ peoples experiencing emotional distress

• Trans Lifeline: peer support services, hotline and resources for transgender people

• SELF 14 self-care activities for Black LGBTQ+ individuals

Resources about improving care for 2SLGBTQIA+ clients:

• PCMCH's Tipsheet for Healthcare Providers: Providing Inclusive, Affirming and Safer Perinatal Care to 2SLGBTQI+ Individuals 
• PCMCH's 2SLGBTQIA+ Inclusivity in Perinatal Care Multimedia Resource 
• Rainbow Health Ontario's 2SLGBTQ Foundations course: self-directed modules for healthcare providers available anytime, intended to build foundational knowledge for providing care to 2SLGBTQ people
• Rainbow Health Ontario's Removing the Barriers: Making your Organization 2SLGBTQ Friendly: online course for healthcare workers looking to ensure a positive and welcoming clinic environment

Take action to support 2SLGBTQIA+ communities:

• Check out AOM resources for serving 2SLGBTQIA+ clients.

• List yourself as a provider committed to providing competent and welcoming care to 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals on the Rainbow Health Ontario Service Provider Directory.

• Familiarize yourself with the Pride Safety Toolkit to ensure the safety of 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals and allies attending Pride or community events.

• Midwives and midwifery students who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+ are invited to join the Canadian Queer and Trans Midwives (QTM) Caucus and the QTM queer mentorship program, which aims to support and uplift fellow colleagues in the field