Why we waited: Pride in action

Over the past several years, we have had the privilege of working alongside community members, advocates, and organizations that support 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals across Ottawa East and Prescott-Russell.

From the beginning, we made a deliberate decision not to immediately incorporate Pride symbols into our visual identity. Not because this work was not important to us, but because we believed allyship should first be demonstrated through action.

We wanted to ensure that when we publicly identified ourselves as allies, it reflected meaningful work already underway: building relationships with community partners, listening to lived experiences, creating opportunities for learning, supporting community-led initiatives, and helping foster more inclusive healthcare and community services.

Those partnerships have deepened our understanding of the barriers that many 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals continue to face and have challenged us to grow as an organization. Together, we have built bridges between organizations, created opportunities for dialogue, and shared knowledge that helps make care more inclusive, affirming, and accessible.

This work has included supporting initiatives such as the Gender-Affirming Care Symposium, offering educational opportunities for healthcare providers and community partners, promoting the use of pronouns and inclusive language, and creating spaces for meaningful conversations about equity and belonging. Most recently, more than 150 individuals registered for our Health Focus Archipel session on supporting transgender, non-binary, and gender-questioning clients.

While we know there is still more work to do, we are proud of the progress we have made alongside our partners and communities. Today, we are confident that our commitment is reflected not only in what we say, but in what we do.

That is why we are taking the next step in our journey. After years of learning, relationship-building, and action, Archipel is officially incorporating the Intersex-Inclusive Pride Flag into our brand and communications.

You will now see it reflected on our website, in team email signatures, and throughout our communications and materials. This decision does not mark the beginning of our commitment. Rather, it makes visible a commitment that has been years in the making.

We chose the Intersex-Inclusive Pride Flag intentionally. It reflects the diversity of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities and the values of inclusion, equity, justice and belonging that guide our work every day. It represents both the progress we have made and our responsibility to continue learning, listening, and acting.

Symbols alone do not create change. But when they are supported by authentic relationships, meaningful action, and an ongoing commitment to equity, they can serve as a visible expression of the values we strive to uphold.

We take this step with humility, pride, and a commitment to continue moving forward together.

For more information about the flag, please consult Intersex-Inclusive Pride Flag backgrounder (PDF).