Timmins Pride hopes this year’s event will strengthen community bonds and inclusivity.
Pride Week is happening from Sept. 9 to 14. Julie Nobert-DeMarchi, president and founder of Fierté Timmins Pride, said she hopes this year’s event allows the community to come together to support one another.
“Creating a sense of inclusivity and belonging. Letting everybody know that whoever you are, however you identify, we are all one, and we need to take care of each other, as an entire human race… 2SLGBTQIA+ folks are here. They have a space. They are part of our community. We want to celebrate that and make folks feel like they belong,” she said.
“Much too often, folks would leave our community because there were no supports and no services. So we want people to know that, you know what? There are many of us here. Let's come together and support each other.”
One of the events taking place during the week is a professional development training workshop focusing on 2SLGBTQIA+ accessibility and support and will be conducted by Lezlie Lee Kam, an Indigenous elder from Toronto.
“The session will be talking about different types of considerations that we need to have when providing accessibility and supports to folks,” Nobert-DeMarchi said.
“Also some intergenerational conversations around, you know, older folks that might be queer or trans and how we need to understand some of the needs that they may have.”
A bilingual drag show is happening later in the week. The performance lineup includes Farra N Hyde, Jada Hudson, Jezebel Bardot and Ryder Raw.
“Both Jezebel Bardot and Ryder Raw will be performing in French. So it'll be a bilingual event, which we're very, very excited about. Jezebel is actually Francophone, so that's super exciting to bring in a Franco queen,” she said.
Here's a look at what to expect from this year's Pride festivities.
- Monday, Sept. 9, 4 p.m. - Flag-raising ceremony at the Timmins Museum: NEC, 325 Second. Ave.
- Tuesday, Sept. 10, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. - Free family bowling event at Mid-Town Bowl, 70 Algonquin Blvd. W.
- Wednesday, Sept. 11, 6:30 p.m. - Paint and sip event at Full Beard Brewing Co., 219 Wilson Ave.
- Thursday, Sept. 12, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. - Professional development training workshop at La Ronde, 32 Mountjoy St. N.
- Friday, Sept. 13, 6:30 p.m. - An inclusive drag show, a sober event suitable for all ages, at La Ronde, 32 Mountjoy St. N.
- Saturday, Sept. 14, 1 p.m. - The Pride Week activities will culminate with a rally from 1 to 3 p.m., followed by a parade at 3 p.m. The parade route will be adjusted this year due to construction on Algonquin Boulevard and will pass through the downtown core.
In addition to the main events, Nobert-DeMarchi said there’s an opportunity for residents and businesses to get involved by decorating their spaces in celebration of Pride.
Participants can post photos of their decorated homes or businesses by Sept. 13 on social media, tagging Fierté Timmins Pride for a chance to win prizes. The winners will be announced during Saturday’s rally.
Nobert-DeMarchi said the event is made possible by volunteers and there is still a need for more helping hands.
“If anyone's got time, skills, and abilities, we would love to welcome you to our space to help us plan next year's event, or even participate this year,” she said.
For more information visit the Timmins Pride website or Facebook page.
