EDIT: Here are the highlights of this event (6 minutes): For full version, see second video below (1 hour, 20 minutes).

A message from Burnaby School District’s SOGI Committee:

Dear Burnaby Students & Families,

For the last six years, the Burnaby School District’s SOGI Committee has hosted an annual
breakfast celebrating the International Day Against Homophobia & Transphobia (IDAHAT). This
event has traditionally been hosted in-school and focused towards high school students across
this district. Due to the current restrictions because of COVID-19, we have decided to reimagine
this year’s event virtually. We still wanted to find a way to celebrate the day in a positive way,
connect with our LGBTQ+ students and their families, and offer a sense of hope during these
difficult times. We hope our reimagined event this year does just that.

On Friday, May 22, our SOGI Committee will be hosting its 7th Annual IDAHAT Breakfast, re-imagined
through a virtual live-streamed event. While we will be hosting the event live (remotely), the
event will feature a collection of pre-recorded videos submitted by a diverse group of local,
queer community members ranging from renowned authors, prominent politicians, incredible
Burnaby students, and more! Each guest contributor has been asked to submit a video that is
no longer than 10 minutes in which they reflect on the idea of “community” as is relates to
their queer identity.

The concept of community is a powerful idea and one that has deep roots.
Community is what links us all together, supports us in times of adversity or challenges,
celebrates our accomplishments and successes, and helps pave a positive path for the future.

In total, we expect the event to run from 10:00am to 11:30am. Though our event has typically
been aimed at secondary students, going virtual provides opportunities for intermediate
students (grades 4 –7) to participate as viewers, and families with younger students may
choose to tune in together as well.

Burnaby’s District SOGI Committee