At the Halifax Pride Parade on Saturday, July 27, ±«Óătv showed its stripes with many colourful costumes and friendly faces, including those of new Dal President Richard Florizone, his wife and two daughters.
It was Dr. Florizone's first parade as president, and before hitting the pavement to greet and hand out treats to parade watchers, he said he and his family were looking forward to walking with the Dal contingent after having enjoyed watching other Canadian Pride parades.
“Diversity is in our DNA at Dal — it goes back to our founding and it extends to the kind of institution we are today and aspire to be in the future,” said Dr. Florizone, noting that the university was established with religious diversity in mind.
Dr. Florizone wanted to remind students, faculty and staff that, in keeping with his , he is eager to hear any ideas on how to make a more inclusive campus and support Dal’s LGBTQ community.
“I really believe in the power of diversity. Teams and groups with diversity have more to offer,” he said.
The new president was among a diverse group of students, faculty, staff and friends of the Dal community who represented many different departments and extra-curricular groups at Saturday’s parade.
“I think there were six or eight of us the first year,” said Gaye Wishart, ±«Óătv’s harassment prevention officer, noting that there were approximately ten times as many participants in this year’s contingent than the first time Dal had representatives in the Pride parade.
To see snapshots of Dal's parade contingent, .