Pride at SAIT
SAIT is a diverse campus and we are committed to providing an inclusive place to work and study. We will continue to enhance resources for our 2SLGBTQ+ community and effect positive change.
In partnership with the 2SLGBTQ+ community, allies and the Pride at SAIT Committee — a volunteer advisory committee from SAIT and Saitsa — we're working to provide a community at SAIT that is inclusive of and accessible to all individuals regardless of gender expression, gender identity or sexual orientation.
Definitions and understanding
Often we hear that people are not sure what the appropriate nomenclature is for the 2SLGBTQ+ community. There is a rainbow of definitions used in today's culture and we recommend reviewing the definitions provided by the Centre for Sexuality and exploring some of the external link resources listed below.
Preferred names
We encourage gender-diverse students who would like to discuss preferred name changes in confidence to contact pride@sait.ca. We can help you meet with a representative who can outline currently available options, provide support with informing instructors and also offer 2SLGBTQ+ resources at SAIT.
Tips for attending your first Pride events
Universal washrooms
Binary (M/F) washrooms and change rooms can present barriers to students and staff with varying needs. The committee and the larger SAIT campus have been working on various initiatives to reduce these barriers. Recent changes include:
- Universal washrooms - Accessible and gender-inclusive washrooms
- Heritage Hall (AA126)
- Senator Burns building (NJ102B)
- Thomas Riley building (TT113)
- John Ware building (E13 - closed during the renovation)
- E.H. Crandell building (G102D)
- Green Building Technologies (Lab and Demonstration Centre)
These changes help reduce barriers for people with varying needs, which may include:
- limited accessibility
- lack of private space
- restrictive cultural norms in terms of gender identity and expression
We recognize the limitations with facilities in certain buildings and are committed to reviewing these initiatives on a regular basis.
Click the image of the map to download.
🌈 How to be an ally
It's important to show support for your 2SLGBTQ+ friends by being a good ally. Not sure how? Start with these easy steps!
Connect with Pride at SAIT!
- Sign up for the Pride at SAIT mailing list so you don't miss out on news about events and support for SAIT's 2SLGBTQ+ community!
Resources
Individuals with questions, concerns or complaints about accommodation, discrimination and harassment can find confidential support and advocacy both on and off-campus.
- Positive spaces provide SAIT students with a place where they can experience diversity, inclusion and feel empowered. Visit or contact Accessibility Services or Academic Coaching and Tutoring for additional support to help you feel more at home at SAIT.
- Gender and sexuality support through Student Development and Counselling Services
- Harassment and discrimination hotline: 403.210.4406
Saitsa Pride+ Club and Pride at SAIT committee
As a volunteer advisory committee, Pride at SAIT continues to work to ensure that the SAIT community is inclusive of and accessible to all individuals. The committee strives to meet its mission through:
- working toward the elimination of heterosexism, transphobia, homophobia and gender identity oppression within the SAIT community
- outreach to the SAIT community
To learn more about the committee and how to get involved, please email pride@sait.ca.
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Jenna Nakamura (she/her) |
Jenna is one of the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Officers at SAIT. She is a dedicated ally of the 2SLGBTQ+ community and has over 6 years of facilitation experience working with youth and young adults teaching them sexual health, consent, healthy relationships, diversity and inclusion. When she isn’t working, you can find her playing at the park with her kids or eating sweet treats. |
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Moksh Sani (he/him) |
Moksh Soni works in the Business Intelligence & Analytics (BI&A) department at SAIT, works on the Market Research and Product Support (MRPS) team. Moksh does a lot of primary and secondary research, new and existing program development support, and annual research studies. Moksh has been at SAIT for 3 years now and got involved with Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) work at SAIT in 2020. He is part of the EDI Advisory Council at SAIT and along with all the members of EDI Advisory Council contributed to the development of the institution-wide Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Strategic Plan 2020 – 2025. |
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Ashley Vu (she/her) |
Ashley is a Chinese Canadian settler who enjoys combining her love for education and the arts to build stronger, healthier and more vivid communities. Ashley currently works as a Strategic Youth Initiatives Coordinator with Learner Services and looks forward to doing more great work with Pride at SAIT. Ashley is an ally of the 2SLGBTQ+ communities and has spent years working with youth to co-create safe and empowered spaces to be their own unique and authentic selves. She is a huge cat lady and a passionate house plant collector. She often thinks of herself as a house plan whisperer! Feel free to say hi if you see her around! |
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Sidsel Pedersen (she/her) |
Sidsel has been an instructor in the Medical Radiologic Technology Program at SAIT since 2012. She has been involved with creating a Diversity and Inclusion micro-credential for MRTs across Canada and continues to advocate for the awareness of marginalized communities in healthcare settings. Her current research focuses on the implementation of transgender and gender-diverse curricula in medical imaging programs. She hopes to bring her teaching experience as well as research and course development experience to the role of Education and Training Coordinator with the Pride at SAIT Committee. |
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John Partington (he/him) |
John is the Director, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at SAIT. He brings ten years of progressive experience in higher education administration and is a founding member of the Pride at SAIT Committee. Originally from Ottawa, ON, he holds a Certificate in Diversity and Inclusion from the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion, a Master of Arts from McMaster University, and a Bachelor of Arts from Bishop’s University. |
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Lukas Valentine (he/him) |
Lukas is an elder millennial who represents the ‘G’ in 2SLGBTQ+. You’ll find him in the kitchen baking up delicious treats or in the digital world of video games. He’s passionate about connection and collaboration and believes we’ve come a long way as a community but there’s still work to be done. He believes that bringing people together is the first step in creating a better world for everyone and through collaboration, we can make that happen. If you see him around, say hi or reach out if you want to connect! |
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Jayden Baldonado (He/him) |
Jayden is a second-year Environmental Technology student at SAIT. He is currently serving on the SAITSA Board of Directors, while sitting on the Pride and EDI Committees. His role involves meeting with students, collecting feedback, and bringing their concerns to the attention of SAIT administration and the government. Jayden is passionate about environmental and social issue, and looks forward to working alongside Pride in order to address the systemic inequities faced by the 2SLGBTQ+ community. In his free time, Jayden enjoys volunteering, hiking, and camping. |
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Programming and Activities Coordinator Rae Carlson (She/her) |
Rae is a Web & Analytics Coordinator in the Marketing Department at SAIT and also serves as AUPE Representative on Academic Council on the Pathways to Inclusion subcommittee. Rae's role as Programming and Activities Coordinator is to make campus life more 🌈 colourful and fun! She works with SAITSA's Pride+ club to promote events and create safe spaces on campus. In 2021, Rae came out as transgender. Her partner of 11 years, and 6-year old kiddo have fully supported her journey. If you see Rae on campus - she'll likely have either a coffee ☕️ or a camera 📸 in her hand. (Hopefully not both!) |
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Pride Student Lynn McLaughlin (she/her) |
Whether you're looking to network, make new friends or give back to the community, being part of a student club is one of the most fulfilling ways to get the most out of campus life. Visit the Saitsa Clubs website to sign up and explore any of the other student clubs on campus.