Who Are We
The Pride Peer Leaders is a peer-to-peer program with a specialized focus on supporting 2SLGBTQIA+ students at KPU. All Pride Peer Leaders are 2SLGBTQIA+ KPU students who care about making KPU a safer place for students who are part of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
We encourage all 2SLGBTQIA+ students to visit the Pride Centre to chat, hang out with other students, or grab a snack. The space has books, educational pamphlets, safer sex supplies, and menstrual products. If you’d prefer to connect online rather than in-person, please email a Pride Peer Leader (see below)
Where You Can Find Us
Come visit the Pride Peer Leaders at the Pride Centre! We are in the top floor of the Birch building on the KPU Surrey Campus, in Room 240. We are open Monday to Friday, from 11AM to 5PM. If you’re having trouble finding us, please refer to this map: https://www.kpu.ca/current-students/find-your-classroom/kpu-surrey-campus
These are the Spring 2025 Pride Peer Leaders hours:
| Pride Peer Leader | Pride Centre Shift |
|---|---|
| Chris (He/They) | Monday, 11AM-5PM |
| Cal (They/Them) | Tuesday, 11AM-5PM |
| Camille (He/Him) | Wednesday, 11AM-5PM |
| Heather (She/Her) | Thursday, 11AM-5PM |
| Destiny (They/Them) | Friday, 11AM-5PM |
* Please note the Pride Centre is closed when KPU is closed, including snow days and Statutory Holidays. The Pride Centre is also closed for 2 weeks between semesters, with open/closure dates posted in the Pride Centre
What Do We Do
About 14% of KPU students identify as part of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, with some expressing that they struggle with feeling like they don’t belong & a lack of community, and are also more likely to report experiencing systemic barriers in and outside the classroom. With this in mind, there was an identified need to support safer spaces on KPU campuses for 2SLGBTQIA+ students.
The Pride Peer Leaders do not provide counselling, but rather offer confidential support, listening, and resource referral/navigation. On top of providing mentorship and resource support, Pride Peer Leaders also host events. Previous events have included cookie decorating, movie days, PowerPoint days, and crafting sessions. Events are typically advertised online, on posters in the Pride Centre, and students can also ask Pride Peer Leaders about upcoming events. The Peer Pride Program’s main objectives are to:
- Offer social support and mentorship to 2SLGBTQIA+KPU students
- Provide students with internal and external resource navigation and referrals
- Advocate for enhanced student equity, diversity, inclusion and social justice at KPU
Resources
Pride @KPU
Pride @ KPU is a campus-wide initiative that aims to provide safer and more inclusive spaces for people of all genders and sexualities. Pride @ KPU ensures all 2SLGBTQIA+ students, staff and faculty feel visible and supported, providing an overview of available resources at KPU.
KPU Sexual Health & Wellness Information Site
Sexual health is an important aspect of overall health and wellbeing, and at KPU, we want to support our students navigating these issues and provide information to make healthy informed choices. This website has several topics relating to sex and sexual health, including information on how to “navigate” sex, such as conversations about consent, communication, and healthy boundaries, information about sexually transmitted diseases and contraception, as well as information regarding gender affirming care. You’ll also be able to learn about what services you can access on-campus and in your community to support your sexual health and your overall health and wellbeing.
CampusWell
CampusWell is a free monthly resource for the KPU community promoting healthy bodies and minds. All content is reviewed by the CampusWell Advisory Board to ensure the content is accurate, appropriate, and relevant to KPU students. Each month is filled with information to encourage well-being and to make the most of KPU resources.
TELUS Health Student Support App
Looking for support outside of Pride Peer Leader hours? Use TELUS Health Student Support! TELUS Health Student Support provides all KPU students with free 24/7 Professional Counselling via the app, telephone and online. The app offers access to a large, diverse network of professional counsellors, meaning you can be matched with someone who understands your unique experiences. Counsellors can provide immediate confidential support and referrals to address a range of concerns, in your preferred language and culture.
General Health & Wellness Resource for KPU
KPU believes that supporting student health and wellness is vital for students to flourish within and beyond the KPU campus community. KPU aims to support students in their individual search for harmony across the dimensions of wellness that are most authentic for them, allowing students to thrive. This website serves as a hub with information and links to support your mental & emotional wellness (e.g.: Counselling Services, Academic Advising, etc.), physical wellness (Sport & Recreation, Student Food Bank, etc.), social wellness (e.g.: Peer Wellness Program, Thrive Month), and spiritual wellness (e.g.: Indigenous Services for students, Multi-Faith Centre, etc.).
Pride Society
The Pride Society is a KSA student-run collective that aims to foster a safe community for 2SLGBTQ+ people on campus. In addition to providing a safe place, the student group hopes to advocate for 2SLGBTQ+ people on campus, and to provide education and resources to those who need them. Come visit the Pride Centre (Birch 240) on Surrey campus to study, hang out, and meet other 2SLGBTQ+ students! Email to access the Discord server updates on events and room hours are posted
PAG
The Pride Advocacy Group (PAG) was formed in 2020, comprised of individuals from across KPU (student, employee and KSA representatives), who represent an array of intersectional gender and sexual identities. PAG’s goals are:
- To support and empower 2SLGBTQIA+ students, staff and faculty at KPU.
- To increase awareness, affirmation and education around sexual and gender diversity issues.
- To challenge patterns of silence around 2SLGBTQIA+ issues, as well as help create a more visibly welcoming, safer and inclusive campus community for all.
- To increase the visibility of, and contribute to the development of, positive, supportive advocates and spaces for 2SLGBTQIA+ students, staff and faculty at KPU.
- To demonstrate KPU’s commitment to enrich and enliven the diversity of its community, including 2SLGBTQIA+ persons.
The Pride Advocacy Group meets monthly, please email if you are interested in joining meetings or supporting an initiative.
External Resources: Student Resource Guide
This guide is a collection of free or low-cost community resources in the Greater Vancouver area that may be of interest to 2SLGBTQIA+ post-secondary students. Most post-secondary institutions also offer free services for active students. Institution-specific resources for some schools are included at the end of this guide.
OEIC & UDEC
The Office of Equity and Inclusive Communities (OEIC) leads the development and implementation of key anti-racism, accessibility, gender equity, social sustainability, and broad Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) strategies in alignment with the university’s Strategic Vision and Academic Plan.
The University's Diversity and Equity Committee (UDEC) is dedicated to furthering the goal of diversity and equity within the KPU community. Members of the Pride Advocacy Group are part of this committee, ensuring 2SLGBTQIA+ voices are represented. UDEC is hosted under the OEIC portfolio.