Rainbow Registered

We are so happy to announce this Pride Month that we are officially Rainbow Registered with the Canadian Queer Camber of Commerce!

This process was one of the most in-depth accreditation applications that I have seen in my many years of being an executive director of Thunder Pride. It’s more than simply putting up a rainbow flag on your door, having a booth at pride events, or having queer staff.

It’s in detail proving that you understand all the complexities of all peoples who are apart of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. It’s the follow through that it is reflective in your staff policies, your in house rules of your business, how you operate with the public; including strategic planning for changes to existing structures or renovations that might need to take awhile. Read their application process here.

While I was going through my application and interview, reflecting on things that I hadn’t actually taken the time to research: like are the companies and their CEO’s also adhering to the same type of professional DEI policies? I always just assumed because some of them do celebrate pride with their products (like HEMPZ) , but that because they were cruelty free and vegan products that they just would automatically be pride accepting as well. I’m really happy to say that after I researched the companies that I carry: all follow the same guiding principles.

Also it’s very hard to show that your have trans or gender diverse clients. I don’t want to out my clients if they haven’t given me permission, and for the ones who do leave reviews they aren’t outing themselves directly either in the reviews its just a name and “they did a great job so happy” kinda thing.

Scotia(myself), Chelsea and Josh are all so happy to receive this accreditation and acknowledgement of our place in the Thunder Bay queer community: as a safe space for everyone to come to feel like their best self. We want to also thank Visit Thunder Bay for partnering with the CQCC to offer this program to local businesses along with many great workshops that they offer!

Happy Pride from us at Sweet Cherry Spa!