It's an issue of pride
October 12, 2025 1:52 PM
The staff and contributors of the Xaverian Weekly are extremely pleased to bring you the second annual edition of the Pride Issue. Once again, we’ve done our best to bring you a small sample of relevant LGBTQ issues from on-campus and from the world-at-large
Every year when X-Pride, community members, and allies take to the streets, there are detractors who claim that the fight is over, that there is nothing left marching for.
However, this year, I feel as though little effort on my part is needed to disprove any such allegations considering that this year’s pride events are occurring in the midst of an extremely politically charged environment.
On one hand, the town of Antigonish has officially proclaimed both Pride Week and the parade. On the other, the evening news is awash with stories that clearly demonstrate that LBGTQ people are waking up each morning to face homophobia.
Michigan Assistant Attorney General, Andrew Shirvell’s, cyber-attacks on the University of Michigan’s Student Assembly President, Chris Armstrong, are a testament to the reality of homophobia in our world.
Armstrong is the first openly gay student leader at that university, a fact that has opened him up to a battery of attacks from Shirvell posted to an online blog.
Shirvell stated in an interview with CNN that he believes that Armstrong is attempting to advance a “radical homosexual agenda”, referring to Armstrong’s push for gender neutral housing.
Above all else, we march because we can. Recently, a speaker at Take Back the Night encouraged participants to keep in mind that there are many less privileged then us, to whom the simple act of taking to the streets is impossible.
Pride Week is a celebration of the fact that StFX is building a tolerant and diverse community one day at a time, and an assertion that there are still considerable amounts of work to do before everyone can enjoy the right to be themselves without fear and without hate.
The systemic silencing of LGBTQ students is an issue that affects all the friends, siblings, parents, acquaintances, lovers, and teachers who value LGBTQ students as part of their lives.
Every day, heterosexual students go to class and sit down next to LGBTQ students who do not share the same rights (and social privileges) as their heterosexual peers.
The same students complete surveys in the same room as transgendered students who are given two options when asked to name their sex: male or female?
Many of us will go home at Thanksgiving to brothers and sisters growing up in a world where heteronormativity is rigidly enforced, some of whom are no doubt feeling alienated and alone.
The fight is far from over, but we have the ability and the opportunity to make a difference.
Some may fight silencing by marching, others by writing, and other in more subtle ways, such as supporting a class or dorm-mate who is struggling.
No matter what you do, or what Pride Week events appeal to you, I hope that you will add your voice to the fight for equal rights and the end of homophobia.