Between finishing his Web and Graphic Design certificate and preparing for his Business Management certificate in the Fall semester, Varun Kumar is a strong and active voice for the 2SLGTBQIA+ community.
Last March, he got elected into a new Student Union role as Pride Students’ Representative to help advance visibility and acceptance of 2SLGTBQIA+ matters at CNC. Together with CNCSU’s Pride Club and departments across the College, Varun organizes many events and initiatives to create a comfortable space for 2SLGTBQIA+ students and allies to connect and learn.
Student mental health
Varun’s work with the Student Union is to ensure that students have their best possible post-secondary education years and school life at CNC. One theme that is close to his heart is mental health.
“Student life can be tough, especially for 2SLGTBQIA+ students who are also dealing with diversity acceptance issues,” Varun shares. “In my first semester, I struggled with educational and financial setbacks. It made me realize how important it is to talk about mental health and have a support network you can fall back on.
“I want to create an environment where students, both domestic and international, take care of each other when someone is going through a rough time,” Varun adds. “Being kind, listening and showing empathy seem like small things, but they are key in bringing positive change on campus.”
Representation of joy
June is an exciting month for Varun, as he’s looking forward to celebrating his fellow students and the community. “I like to think of myself as a representative of joy and colours,” he says laughing. “For me, Pride all about embracing your authenticity and uniqueness.”
“It’s my first Pride Month as a CNC student and Student Union representative, and there’s a lot happening on campus,” Varun reflects. “We started a Pride showcase in collaboration with the Health and Wellness team for people to learn about the history of Pride and the rich diversity of the 2SLGTBQIA+ community. During our Pride pop-event on June 18, CNC students and employees can participate in lunch and learns, games and DIY activities.”
But Pride doesn’t stop at the end of the month for Varun. “The Student Union is soon launching a year-round awareness campaign called Shakti – Empower and Power. Shakti means power, force, or action, and it represents the energy that resides within all of us. With this campaign, we’re bringing students and allies together to trailblaze visibility and acceptance for the 2SLGTBQIA+ community.”
* 2SLGTBQIA+ stands for Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and/or Questioning, Intersex, Asexual. The plus reflects the countless affirmative ways in which people choose to self-identify.
Here are the upcoming Pride events at CNC:
- June 18, “We Wear Our Pride” pop-up
- June 20, Pride Showcase - TQ identities
- June 25, Pride Showcase - IA+ identities
- June 27, Pride Movie Night - "Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui"
- June 28, Pride Showcase - IA+ identities
For more information about CNC’s Pride events, visit https://cnc.bc.ca/calendar or follow the Student Union on Instagram or Facebook.