Lots of colours on a flag, many heights, weights and hair colours of those gathered; and lots of shade of green in the lawns, leaves and gardens in view of 14 Wing Greenwood’s main gate.
“Look around you – we’re all diverse. Nature is diverse,” said Major Backhouse, 14 Wing’s professional conduct and culture officer.
“Diversity is a fact. Inclusion is an act.”
Backhouse used the words of United States Space Force Lieutenant-Colonel Brie Fram, the highest-ranking transgender U.S. military member, to welcome 14 Wing members and friends of the base’s Defence Team Pride Advisory Organization to the May 17 flag-raising, marking the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia.
“Twenty-five per cent of the world’s population believes being a person from the LGBTQ community should be a crime,” Backhouse said, detailing how “irrational fear” results in hate, censorship and violence, and impedes education.
“Irrational fears, real consequences.”
Backhouse shared the Public Service Pride Week theme, “Taking action to create a more inclusive public service,” which makes a point of highlighting “action.”
“Fostering diversity and inclusion is more than ticking a box. Allyship is not once a year, but a commitment every day – and not just for LGBTQ people, but anybody.”
404 (Long Range Patrol and Training) Squadron Lieutenant-Colonel Josh Christianson, the DTPAO champion, thanked everyone for attending the flag-raising.
“May 17 was chosen as the day, in 1990, the World Health Organization decided to remove homosexuality from the list of mental disorders. This was 30 years ago – but also infinitely true in the last couple of years – even close to home – we see the erosion of basic rights and freedoms on a daily basis.
“14 Wing is a supportive, safe space that embraces diversity as a source of strength.”
14 Wing Commander Colonel Jeff Davis was happy to be involved in the flag-raising.
“This is something I’m proud of, with our DTPAO team here in Greenwood and the 2,000 of us that walk on base every day. We are working to see that challenges on base and in our community are addressed.”
