For an eighth year, the rainbow flag was raised in Innisfil, marking the start of Pride festivities in the municipality.
This year, there was a difference. In addition to town staff, council members and first responders, Fierté Simcoe Pride was joined by representatives of the new Innisfil Pride in celebrating the hard-fought gains of the LGBTQ2S+ community.
Brandon Rhéal Amyot, president of Fierté Simcoe Pride, pointed out that 2019 marks the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots in New York’s Greenwich Village, an uprising credited with starting the gay-rights movement and the push for acceptance of gender diversity.
“That spirit lives in us today,” said Amyot, noting that the celebrations planned in Simcoe County in July and August are “all about that history.”
“Congratulations, for the work you are doing. It’s important work,” said Barrie-Innisfil MP John Brassard, presenting a certificate to both Fierté Simcoe Pride and Innisfil Pride. “Never forget those who lost their lives in the struggle for acceptance and the right to love.”
“Your voices are ones that everyone should share and believe in,” said the riding's MPP, Andrea Khanjin, including the calls for “respect for one another, no matter our differences.”
She added her congratulations.
Innisfil Mayor Lynn Dollin noted that eight years ago, the first Pride flag-raising attracted only a handful of people.
Now, she said, “Pride is growing in Innisfil… We’re thrilled to have an Innisfil branch.”
Innisfil Pride was launched in April of this year by Jake Tucker, who ran for MPP in the provincial election.
Although he did not win the seat, Tucker listened to the feedback he received from the community: “They wanted a Pride organization in their backyard,” Tucker said.
Tucker started up Innisfil Pride with fellow board member Amanda Wattie.
The organization has already hosted a number of events in the community, including a Drag Queen performance at the Stone Grille Restaurant in Stroud, and coffee shop meet-ups in Innisfil.
This coming weekend, Innisfil Pride is hosting its first Pride Festival, at Arcadia Park, 1263 Line 3 of Innisfil, July 27 and 28.
“We’ve had a lot of love and support,” Tucker said.
Dollin called the rainbow flag a “visual representation” of the concepts of acceptance, equality, dignity and respect, for members of the LGBTQ2S+ communities, something that is “no longer a dream but a reality.”
She was joined at the podium by an emotional Deputy Mayor Dan Davidson.
“This is a big step for myself and a lot of other people,” said Davidson, praising efforts to create a “safe and inclusive Simcoe County that supports gender and sexual diversity.”
Overcome with emotion, he was unable to finish reading the proclamation marking July 29 to Aug. 11 as Fierté Simcoe Pride in the Town of Innisfil.
Dollin, who had already proclaimed July 22 to 28 as Innisfil Pride Week, read for him.
The Innisfil Pride Festival at Arcadia Park will be a family-friendly event, expressing support for the LGBTQ2S+ community, from 1 p.m. to dusk on Saturday, July 27, and 11 a.m. to dusk on Sunday, July 28. There will be food vendors, refreshments, music and live entertainment, and inflatables for the kids.
“We just wanted a safe place for everybody,” said Wattie. “We just want to be respectful of everyone, however they identify – as LGBTQ2S+ or straight.
“To promote love. Love is love,” Wattie said. “A safe space to 'Bee Yourself.'”
For more information on Innisfil Pride and the festival, visit facebook.com/InnisfilPride.
