Together with Pride: Celebrating Pride Night at the Toronto Blue Jays Game
In celebration of Pride Month, Rogers Employee Resource Group Spectrum, which supports 2SLGBTQ+ employees, hosted local partners and community organizations for Pride Night at the opening game of Toronto Blue Jays Pride Weekend!
We know that when we come together, we can achieve – and celebrate – big things. Earlier this month, Rogers Employee Resource Group, Spectrum, hosted a special Blue Jays Pride in-game experience for local Toronto partner organizations to celebrate and thank them for the impactful work they do within the 2SLGBTQ+ community. These organizations included Casey House, The 519, Sherbourne Health, and Rainbow Railroad, in addition to members of the community who have benefitted from their services and programs, were invited to enjoy the fun.
SPECTRUM Employee Resource Group is a dedicated employee-lead volunteer group and Canada-wide community for anyone who identifies as two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, questioning + (2SLGBTQ+) and our allies within the Rogers organization. The goal of spectrum is to create a safe space to connect, educate, engage, celebrate, and share experiences to foster an inclusive workplace where everyone can bring their full selves to work.
“This event is such a great opportunity to celebrate Pride and celebrate the work that we’re doing in the community. It’s really important to bring people in from different groups, different spaces, and different lived experiences.”
-Sarah Burns (she/her), HR Manager
In addition to the annual Pride Night at the Blue Jays, Rogers champions and celebrates the 2SLGBTQ+ community throughout the year, supporting our local partners and the incredible work they do to serve the community.
Spotlighting the organizations celebrated at Pride Night:
Casey House: Supports people with HIV facing social stigma, homelessness & mental health issues. Casey House gives people with HIV/AIDS a safe place and a community to belong to.
Through a long-standing Rogers partnership started years ago by our founder Ted Rogers, Rogers has organized volunteering and monetary donations to programs on a yearly basis.
The 519: The 519 is committed to the health, happiness, and full participation of the 2SLGBTQ+ communities. A City of Toronto agency with an innovative model of Service, Space and Leadership, the organization strives to make a real difference in people’s lives, while working to promote inclusion, understanding and respect.
Rogers has supported The 519 by partnering on employee resources and job fairs on an on-going basis.
Sherbourne Health Centre (SOY): SOY – a health program of Sherbourne Health – offers programs and activities for 2SLGBTQ+ youth aimed at building an inclusive, welcoming community. SOY programs and activities include recreational activities, mentoring, supportive housing, employment support and skill building.
In 2021, Rogers raised $3,000 in support of SOY. Rogers also participates in SOY charity & community engagement events and facilitates volunteer opportunities for employees following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Rainbow Railroad: Rainbow Railroad is a global not-for-profit organization that helps 2SLGBTQ+ people facing persecution based on their sexual orientation, gender identity and sex characteristics. In a time when there are more displaced people than ever before, 2SLGBTQ+ people are uniquely vulnerable due to systemic, state-enabled homophobia and transphobia. These factors either displace them in their own country or prevent them from escaping harm.
Rogers has partnered and worked closely with Rainbow Railroad on previous activations, including speaking engagements.
Rogers is proud to celebrate our community organizations doing impactful work to uplift the 2SLGBTQ+ community. To learn more about our journey to build a more inclusive culture visit: Rogers I&D.