CHEO, Ottawa Hospital pull out of Capital Pride parade

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The Ottawa Hospital will join CHEO and Mayor Mark Sutcliffe on the sidelines of the annual Pride Parade this year because of Capital Pride’s stance on the Israel-Hamas war.

“Inclusivity and supporting all communities we serve is very important to us as a hospital, as is the safety of any TOH staff/physician, and patient,” said Saturday’s statement from TOH. “We feel it would not be responsible for us to send staff, physicians, their family and friends, as well as patients to this event. 

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The decision to withdraw from the parade was made after “detailed and thoughtful” discussions with the hospital’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Council and its Pride Community@TOH. Discussions will continue “to identify other ways we can continue to support and celebrate the 2SLGBTQIA+ community throughout the year.” 

It’s the second hospital to revoke its participation in the parade, which runs from 1-4 p.m. on Aug. 25, starting at Elgin and Laurier streets. It usually attracts more than 10,000 marchers, with representation from close to 200 groups and organizations.

A memo to staff on Friday from Alex Munter, CEO of the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, said there would be no “official” contingent in this year’s parade because members of both the CHEO and broader communities “no longer feel safe or welcome to attend.”

Munter’s memo to staff followed an earlier statement from Mayor Mark Sutcliffe that he would not participate in events organized by the Capital Pride Committee.

Like Sutcliffe, Munter in his memo cited a recent Capital Pride Committee statement regarding the Israel-Hamas war.

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That statement said in part that Capital Pride condemned the Hamas attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, but “by the same token, we cannot stay silent in the face of Israel’s endless and brutal campaign in Gaza and mounting violence in the West Bank, where innocent Palestinians — many of whom have friends, families and loved ones in our communities — are being slaughtered, dehumanized and dispossessed of their land in flagrant violation of international law.”

Munter’s memo said that, instead of focusing on what brought people together in support of 2SLGBTQ+ people, or even what might bring people together in calling for peace in the Middle East, the Capital Pride Committee “chose to repurpose the Pride Parade to protest Israel. As a result, we are hearing from members of both the CHEO and broader communities that they no longer feel safe or welcome to attend.

“Having CHEO participate in this year’s Pride Parade under these circumstances would send a message of exclusion, which is the opposite of what we believe. Sadly therefore, there won’t be an official CHEO contingent in this year’s Pride Parade. This should not be construed as taking a stance on an international issue. This is about supporting inclusivity and safety for our colleagues, families and volunteers.”

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Munter’s statement also acknowledged that many people in the national capital region were directly affected by the Oct. 7 attack on Israel, the ensuing war and the “heart-breaking humanitarian catastrophe” in Gaza.

“Regardless of one’s opinion on this very polarized issue, everyone is welcome here,” he wrote. “No one should feel excluded, shamed or unsafe because of who they are, what they believe or to which community they belong.”

Munter’s memo said CHEO would still be celebrating Pride and showing support for 2SLGBTQ+ patients, families and colleagues by holding its own Pride events throughout the week.

“On a personal note, I feel sad about this turn of events,” Munter’s memo added. “I have participated in every Ottawa Pride parade for over 30 years and have been its grand marshal three times. My family and I will miss attending. Hopefully, next year, the event will once again unite our community and celebrate our common humanity.”

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