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in si de ha lto n. co m O ak vi lle B ea ve r | T hu rs da y, M ay 12 ,2 02 2 | 30 A NEWWAY TO STAY CONNECTED TO YOUR COMMUNITY! TRUSTED LOCAL NEWS ACROSS ONTARIO: OFFER ENDS JULY 10, 2022. VISIT communitynews.pressreader.com TODAY! *Your credit card will be charged $19.99 plus tax for an annual upfront subscription plan. At the end of your one-year fi xed term, your subscription will automatically renew for an additional one-year fi xed term at the prevailing rate plus tax unless you contact us with your cancellation request at least two days prior to the end of your subscription term. Annual upfront subscription plans are not refundable. This subscription plan includes unlimited digital access to all Metroland community newspapers listed at communitynews.pressreader.com.. Community newspaper selection is subject to change without notice. You can contact us at the Customer Service Centre by calling 1-833-440-7474 or by email at customersupport@torstar.ca. 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Enjoy access to trusted local news and information from over 10 regions throughout Ontario, plus get access to weekly digital fl yers from save.ca. • Cambridge • Durham • Guelph • Halton • Hamilton • Kawartha • Muskoka • Niagara • Ottawa Valley • Peel • Simcoe County • Toronto • York Region Tuesday, May 17, is In- ternational Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, which is held annually to raise awareness surrounding human rights inequities and to encourage commu- nity to take a stand against injustice for 2S-LGBTQ+ communities. So often, people and or- ganizations will identify themselves as being an ally to 2S-LGBTQ+ communi- ties, feeling proud to an- nounce publicly support for their queer and trans friends, family or col- leagues. Unfortunately, simply identifying as an ally is not creating the change we need to see. We need to shift our view of an ally from an identity, something you are, to viewing it as an ac- tion, something you do. Allyship is the efforts and actions by privileged groups to advance the in- terests and needs of mar- ginalized groups, whether the interests are social or systemic. Allies play a cru- cial role in helping to shift societal conversations, ad- vance change in organiza- tions, and help to further the efforts being made from 2S-LGBTQ+ commu- nities. In honour of Interna- tional Day Against Homo- phobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, we want to en- courage readers to an- nounce their commitment to action. There are many ways you can actively demon- strate support. For individ- uals, actions can include engaging in conversations, volunteering at a local 2S- LGBTQ+ charity or Pride organization, donating time or supporting a fund- raising event, advocating for change when you see in- accessible systems, or even normalizing the conversa- tion on pronouns by shar- ing your own in various set- tings. For organizations, con- sider implementing staff training, updating policies, changing intake forms, co- ordinating staff volunteer hours, donating to a local 2S-LGBTQ+ grassroot or- ganization, and reviewing hiring and recruitment strategies to attract more diverse colleagues. If you're not sure which action to take, consider starting by engaging in ed- ucation. Take the time to listen to the 2S-LGBTQ+ community, read their sto- ries, discover what the cur- rent needs are, and ask how to best provide support. We want to hear from you. What are your actions and commitments to end- ing homophobia, transpho- bia and biphobia? Message us at insidehalton@metro- land.com. Together, our ac- tions can create a more in- clusive society where peo- ple are able to be their au- thentic self. Dale Boyle (he/him) is the operations manager at The Gilbert Centre. Email him at DaleB@Gilbert- Centre.ca. ALLYSHIP IS ABOUT YOUR ACTIONS OPINION MAKE A COMMITMENT TO INCLUSION, SAYS DALE BOYLE DALE BOYLE (HE/HIM) Column The annual plant sale by the garden guild of Oak- ville's St. Jude's Anglican Church returns with a va- riety of offerings up for grabs. Here's what you need to know about the plant sale: • The annual plant sale will be held on Saturday, May 14 from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. in Victoria Hall at St. Jude's. The church is locat- ed at 160 William St. • The sale will feature resilient perennials, annu- als and herbs. Most of the plants come from the church gardens and dona- tions from parishioners, family and friends. • The plant sale has been organized by the church's garden guild for 30 years on the second Saturday of May. Proceeds from the sale will go toward mainte- nance and upkeep of the gardens and replacing me- morial plants. • Shoppers are asked to bring their own boxes to transport the plants home. WHAT'S ON ANNUAL PLANT SALE RETURNS TO ST. JUDE'S CHURCH SIGN UP FOR OUR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER AT INSIDEHALTON.COM