Today marked the start of the First Annual Timmins Pride week, with Mayor Tom Laughren and Councilor Todd Lever on hand for the flag-raising ceremony at City Hall.
“This is long overdue,” said Laughren. “From a Timmins perspective, we always take pride in ourselves and gay pride week is part of that pride. We take pride in ourselves for our multiculturalism and our acceptance and all those kinds of good things that make Timmins the great community that it is.”
Sam Rideout, Timmins Pride Committee Youth Ambassador, a senior student at Timmins High and Vocational School as well as the founder and President of the school’s Gay Straight Alliance, spoke at today’s Pride event.
“Looking back in grade school, where I was bullied regularly for my perceived sexual orientation and gender expression and in my first year of high school, when I came out, even then I couldn’t have imagined that I’d be here today and that you’d all be here.”
“I’d like to dedicate this speech to everyone who’s been treated negatively or differently for who they fundamentally are as human beings. To all my fellow LGBTQ youth: here’s to your bravery and strength.”
“It’s remarkable just how fast change is happening. It’s unprecedented. Even as a youth, I’ve seen a lot of change in my lifetime. As a kid, homosexuality was much more taboo than it is now. In fact, I learned the word “gay” from the people that bullied me.”
“Our generation is seeing more and more openness and acceptance in this city. This is such a clear example of that. The fact that we’re all here today shows that there is hope and it does get better for everyone.”
After thanking the over twenty volunteers “who have put in two and a half months of hard work to make Timmins Pride Week Happen,” Julie DeMarchi, Chair of the Timmins Pride Committee explained the need for Pride celebrations.
“So why do we need a Pride parade? Well, straight people have never been attacked or fired for merely being straight. You don’t have to worry about holding your partner’s hand in public. Your vacation plans don’t have to take into account which country to travel to or not travel to for fear of being imprisoned because of your sexual identity, your gender identity or your gender expression.”
“Additionally, straight people have never had the uncomfortable experience of having to come out to their family and friends.”
“We all have a story.”
“Gay Pride is about celebrating who we are. It’s a celebration of the fact that it’s ok to be gay. It’s finally becoming something that we don’t have to be ashamed of and this is largely due to the gay rights movement which includes Pride celebrations all over the world.”
DeMarchi continued, quoting Adam Grothman’s three reasons for “Gay Pride”:
“Because there is still work to be done. An annual celebration of the gay rights recently achieved doesn’t set things back, but as I see it, pushes activists onward and forward. It’s often a chance to get inspired and motivated.”
“Because others can’t always celebrate. While some countries are quickly marching forward, some are inevitably marching backward.”
“Most gay pride festivals I’ve been to were joyous occasions full of fun and cheer, but many around the world are still very political. There are gays and lesbians fighting for their lives in some places, let alone their equality, said DeMarchi
Why have a Pride parade? Because you still need to have fun! Summer is a time for festivals, music, food, culture, camping, movies and if there’s something that can be celebrated, there’s almost always a festival for it in the summer. Not to mention the empowering effect of celebrating diversity, life and equality.
“Also, it’s important to have public support. There’s something really special about seeing straight allies and other supporters at a Pride event. So for those of you that are straight, thank you for coming. You’re welcome. We want you here,” she said.
“Pride matters. Maybe not to everyone, but to some and that’s all you really need,” said DeMarchi. “I’m proud that my province, my city and my country don’t discriminate based on gender and sexuality”
With the speeches concluded, Laughren read the Timmins Pride Week proclamation and presented it on a plaque to the Timmins Pride Committee.
“On behalf of the City of Timmins, I hereby declare the week of September 2-7, 2014 as Pride Week, in and for the City of Timmins.”
Laughren continued, “I hope this remains an annual event and something we can look forward to . . . with some growth as well.”
With that, cheers could be heard from the crowd as the mayor raised the rainbow flag at City Hall, officially kicking off the First Annual Timmins Pride Week.
As the opening ceremony concluded, DeMarchi called out to the crowd “Happy Pride Week! Celebrate, be diverse, be yourself and remember, love is love. Happy Pride!”
(PHOTO: Shirley Brunette and Nancy Lajuenesse hold a rainbow flag, at the opening ceremonies for Timmins Pride Week, in support of the LGBTQ Community. Dave Kramer for TimminsToday)
