Pride 2026: resources for connection and community
New resources for caring adults who support 2S/LGBTQIA+ students
Pride month offers a unique opportunity for 2S/LGBTQIA+ folks to gather and share in moments where everyone can feel seen, heard and supported. For many 2S/LGBTQIA+ youth, moments like this can positively impact their mental health and well-being. These moments may happen at home with a parent/caregiver who chooses compassion and curiosity. They may happen in school where staff celebrate and encourage 2S/LGBTQIA+ representation year-round. They may happen in a Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA) space where students share and hold their experiences with care. They may happen when a friend reaches out with a kind word or invitation to join in an after school activity.
We know that when young people feel supported at home, at schools, and in their communities, they can thrive. This Pride season, we focus on offering supports to folks who help make these moments possible.
In this post, we will be sharing new resources designed with the intention to strengthen connections and to offer guidance to help parents and caregivers support 2S/LGBTQIA+ youth with confidence and care, as well as a resource for staff looking to start or reignite a GSA space that fosters belonging and leadership in schools.
Starting (or Reigniting) GSA Spaces
The Starting (or reigniting) GSA Spaces resource provides guidance for caring adults who wish to start or revitalize a Gender & Sexuality Alliance (GSA) in their school. It outlines the importance of GSAs and the various ways it can promote the mental health and well-being of students. It also offers practical steps for getting started while emphasizing the need to center the perspective and leadership of students.
Here are some suggestions on how to use this resource:
- Learn about the importance and significance of GSAs as a protective factor for student mental health and well-being.
- Increase your confidence in supporting 2S/LGBTQIA+ students and a GSA space by centring student leadership.
- Understand key steps or considerations when newly forming a GSA space.
- Share with a colleague that is preparing themselves to support a GSA space.
- Support students in advocating for the establishment of a GSA space within a school.
Caring adults: supporting 2S/LGBTQIA+ students
Caring Adults: Supporting 2S/LGBTQIA+ Students serves as a guide to help educators and school staff create affirming spaces and build supportive relationships with 2S/LGBTQIA+ students, regardless of their role in schools. The resource focuses on protective factors and practical strategies to use within the school context in support of 2S/LGBTQIA+ student mental health and well-being.
Here are some suggestions on how to use this resource:
- Review and share them with other school staff (e.g. educators, guidance teachers, student support staff, school mental health professionals, administrators, settlement workers, office staff).
- Use this resource as the focus of conversation during PD days and/or other staff gatherings.
- Share with parents, caregivers and community partners.
- Connect with students to explore other ways to use these resources.
2S/LGBTQIA+ Student mental health social media bundles
These social media bundles feature youth-friendly graphics designed to foster understanding and provide practical support. One set offers allyship guidance for caring adults, while the other focuses on empowerment for 2S/LGBTQIA+ students.
Here are some suggestions on how to use this resource:
- Print and post the shareables within your school community (e.g. behind glass displays, within classrooms, on poster boards, etc.).
- Share them on your schools’ social media pages. Note: consider turning off the comments function on social media posts.
- Integrate them into transition or orientation initiatives (e.g. secondary school transition events, clubs, or wellness fairs).
- Share with parents, caregivers and community partners.
- Connect with students to explore other ways to use these resources.