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Join BC’s Human Rights Commissioner, Kasari Govender for the next 'episode' of the Beyond the Headlines discussion series. As communities across B.C. celebrate the Pride Season, BCOHRC emphasizes that everyone has the right to be free from discrimination and hate. In this episode Commissioner Govender has invited author and illustrator, Jessica Love, to do a reading of her award winning children's book, Julián is a Mermaid, and participate in a discussion about the joy of exploring identity and the rights that young people have to be their full, authentic selves. The conversation will also include BC Library Association’s Summer Children/Youth reading club coordinator, Georgia Franklin, to discuss the importance of exploring identity through stories in the British Columbia context. Members of the LGBTQ2SAI+ community are entitled to fulfillment of the same fundamental human rights as other residents of B.C., a message echoed in BCOHRC’s “Rights in Focus: Lived realities in B.C.” report. But despite being entitled to the same human rights protections, the LGBTQ2SAI+ community has been increasingly targeted by discrimination and hate. As hate incidents are increasing, protecting the rights of the LGBTQ2SAI+ community, particularly those of children and youth, is of critical importance in the current climate. Moving away from the divisive rhetoric that puts young people and their wellbeing at risk, this event intends to celebrate the joy of identity and promote acceptance as young people discover themselves and who they are. Please reach out to engagement@bchumanrights.ca if you require specific accommodations to support your participation in this virtual event.