What is International Day of Pink?
Similar to Pink Shirt Day, that became a global movement against bullying, International Day of Pink is a movement to raise awareness and try to end bullying against the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
Represent
This year’s theme encourages the community to represent—represent equality, diversity, inclusivity, solidarity, kindness, courage, and acceptance.
The 2SLGBTQIA+ community is no stranger to bullying and violence. When you wear pink, it represents that you stand in solidarity with the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
By raising awareness, we can help educate future generations to not repeat history. By asking more from our politicians and policy makers, we can create real change.
International Day of Pink encourages young people to challenge social norms, ask more of their educators, and stand up against bullying towards their 2SLGBTQIA+ peers.
How CHV Represents
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, gender non-binary and two-spirited youth are overrepresented in the homeless community. We strongly believe all youth deserve unconditional love and absolute respect and 2SLGBTQIA+ youth are no exception.
- 25–40% of homeless youth are 2SLGBTQIA+
- Family rejection is the most common cause of 2SLGBTQIA+ youth homelessness
- 2SLGBTQIA+ youth are much more likely to struggle with mental health concerns, including suicide
To better support youth, Covenant House Vancouver created a Rainbow Advisory Committee that is made up of staff members from each department in the agency. They are dedicated to insuring we use best practices to serve our 2SLGBTQIA+ youth and that we continue to enhance our spaces, policies, procedures, and programs.
Resources for 2SLGBTQIA+ Youth
Our Drop-In Centre holds an event for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth on the second Tuesday of each month from 6:30pm–8:30pm.
There are also 63 beds in our short-term Crisis Program:
- 24 beds for female-identified, trans, and non-binary youth
- 35 beds for male-identified, trans, and non-binary youth
Trans, gender queer, non-binary and two-spirited youth may request to stay in which ever space they feel most comfortable in.
If you are youth in need of support or have questions, please contact us, toll free, at 1-877-685-7474.