This year’s tri-Pride returned from its hiatus last year to boast a week’s worth of activities leading up to the main event that kicked off June in Victoria Park. The raising of the rainbow flag in the tri-cities, miss tri-Pride pageant and a film documenting the difficulties of gay immigrants were just a few of the highlights leading up to this year’s event.
Last year tri-pride was cancelled due to a lack of volunteers at both the board and membership level.
Almost four thousand people attended this year’s tri-Pride in support of its focus on family diversity. “We are one of the few Pride events that focuses on the family,” said Michael Lisetto-Smith, co-chair of the tri-Pride Community Association. “This is one reason why our festivities occur in the park and not in a parade.”
Representing those in Kitchener-Waterloo and area who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (commonly referred to as LGBTQ), the tri-Pride Community Association hopes the event will elicit more support from the LGBT community. “We need to raise awareness from local businesses, politicians and just the general community as a whole,” he said.
Lisetto-Smith characterizes the region as a friendly climate for the LGBTQ community, noting that the live and let live mentality many have allow the LGBT community to feel comfortable. But moving towards a greater acceptance and awareness is always a challenge.
Among the association’s goals are ensuring that tri-Pride remains a sustainable event, expanding into the rural communities (inclusion of the Townships) and more events to unite the LGBTQ community all throughout the year instead of just a single day.
“Two of our focuses for the new year will include the education of the plight of senior LGBT persons and more awareness of rural LGBT persons. We are hoping to include a number of education events throughout the year and perhaps as part of tri-Pride Day next year,” said Lisetto-Smith.
written by livia fama
photography copyright lorra douglass
This year’s tri-Pride returned from its hiatus last year to boast a week’s worth of activities leading up to the main event that kicked off June in Victoria Park. The raising of the rainbow flag in the tri-cities, miss tri-Pride pageant and a film documenting the difficulties of gay immigrants were just a few of the highlights leading up to this year’s event.
Last year tri-pride was cancelled due to a lack of volunteers at both the board and membership level.
Almost four thousand people attended this year’s tri-Pride in support of its focus on family diversity. “We are one of the few Pride events that focuses on the family,” said Michael Lisetto-Smith, co-chair of the tri-Pride Community Association. “This is one reason why our festivities occur in the park and not in a parade.”
Representing those in Kitchener-Waterloo and area who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (commonly referred to as LGBTQ), the tri-Pride Community Association hopes the event will elicit more support from the LGBT community. “We need to raise awareness from local businesses, politicians and just the general community as a whole,” he said.
Lisetto-Smith characterizes the region as a friendly climate for the LGBTQ community, noting that the live and let live mentality many have allow the LGBT community to feel comfortable. But moving towards a greater acceptance and awareness is always a challenge.
Among the association’s goals are ensuring that tri-Pride remains a sustainable event, expanding into the rural communities (inclusion of the Townships) and more events to unite the LGBTQ community all throughout the year instead of just a single day.
“Two of our focuses for the new year will include the education of the plight of senior LGBT persons and more awareness of rural LGBT persons. We are hoping to include a number of education events throughout the year and perhaps as part of tri-Pride Day next year,” said Lisetto-Smith.
written by livia fama
photography copyright lorra douglass
1 comment:
o pride.
*sigh*
why must you INSIST on being so colourful?!
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