[LH masthead.jpg]

I am proud to share with you that this year the University of Manitoba is participating as an official sponsor in the Winnipeg Pride Festival, to be held May 27 through June 5. I invite and encourage all members of the University community (staff, students, faculty, alumni) to engage in this vibrant event in support of the LGBTTQ* community.

The Pride festival's 2016 theme is Be Authentic. I know that within the University of Manitoba community, students, staff and faculty are committed to allyship and maintaining a welcoming work and learning environment, and that many members of the University of Manitoba family, including alumni, count themselves with pride as members of the LGBTTQ* community. As well, across many disciplines, researchers and scholars are exploring LGBTTQ* themes on an ongoing basis. Ours is undeniably a meaningful and authentic engagement with this subject, helping generate deeper understanding of complex and emerging issues, and I invite you during this week and throughout the year to avail yourselves of our faculty's rich scholarly output on the subject.

Members of LGBTTQ* communities and allies are welcome to join us in showing their pride and support of inclusion and diversity. Over the course of the week, our sponsorship of the festival offers numerous opportunities for both fun and thoughtful engagement:

* Participate in the Pride Working Group to help shape the event (contact: susie.taylor@umanitoba.camailto:susie.taylor@umanitoba.ca) * Receive free LGBTTQ* Awareness training, available on both campuses (register online here: https://umanitoba.gosignmeup.com/Public/Course/Browse) * Walk with the University of Manitoba float (the UM shuttle bus) as part of the Pride Parade on June 5th (contact: susie.taylor@umanitoba.camailto:susie.taylor@umanitoba.ca) * Visit the University of Manitoba booth at the Pride Festival at the Forks on June 5th * Follow the hashtag #umpride

Beginning on Monday, May 30th, and throughout Pride Week, the Pride Flag will be raised and flown on both campuses. A flag-raising ceremony will be held on Bannatyne campus at 8:30 a.m. on May 30th in the Brody Atrium, and I invite you all to join us. The flag will also fly from the Fort Garry Campus at the steps leading to the Pedway, at the intersection of Chancellor Matheson Drive and University Crescent. I'm sure you'll notice it as you traverse the campus.

In Taking our Place, the University of Manitoba's Strategic Plan for 2015-20, we speak of our commitment to "forging connections to foster high-impact community engagement" as a main priority.

This is our opportunity to Be Authentic and Take Our Place in support of this important community celebration.

Sincerely, David

David T. Barnard, Ph.D., President and Vice-Chancellor 202 Administration Building, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg MB R3T 2N2 Canada Office: +1-204-474-9345 FAX: +1-204-261-1318 Email: president@umanitoba.camailto:president@umanitoba.ca [signaturepicture]