FORT FRANCES -RAINY-RIVER -This June is time to get “Loud and Proud” in Fort Frances and Rainy River.
The Borderland Pride festival will feature more than 16 events and initiatives promoting LGBTQ2 diversity, equity, and inclusion in the community. The line-up brings together more than 20 event partners, affiliates, and sponsoring organizations – not including the many special events in schools and workplaces across the region to recognize Pride Month.
“Pride is back, and we are proud to kick off a long-overdue summer of fun for families across the Borderland region,” said Douglas W. Judson, Festival Co-Chair, Borderland Pride. “This year, we are celebrating loudly and proudly to embolden LGBTQ2 people and their allies to do more to advocate for equality, and against the gender-based discrimination and hatred we continue to see in our world, particularly with the surge in American laws targeting trans people and reproductive health. We invite everyone to join us for our events. We provide a safe space for all those who care about building a more inclusive community.”
Local events this year will provide opportunities for celebration, advocacy, and education. All of the events are free to attend and open to all ages.
The calendar includes the following highlights:
- On Tuesday, May 31, Pride will be at the west end of the Rainy River District, with “All Tea, No Shade!” at the Rainy River Public Library. Stop by for refreshments.
- On Monday, June 6, Borderland Pride’s official flag-raising and “kick-off” will be hosted by Seven Generations Education Institute, followed by an evening event with pro hockey player Brock McGillis, co-hosted by the Fort Frances Girls’ and Women’s Hockey Association. McGillis will speak on LGBTQ2 inclusion in sports.
- On Tuesday, June 7, breakfast will be hosted by Fort Frances Tribal Area Health Services and a Pride button and banner-making workshop is taking place at the United Native Friendship Centre.
- On Wednesday, June 8, a lunchtime film screening of “Sweetheart Dancers” will take place at the Fort Frances Public Library. The short film explores two-spirit identity in the Native American pow-wow tradition. In the evening, a virtual resource panel will provide medical, legal, cultural, and parental perspectives on gender identity/expression, hosted by the UNFC and Gizhewaadiziwin Health Access Centre.
- On Thursday, June 9, there will be an excellent resource fair at the vendor market at Rainy Lake Square and a come-and-go tea social hosted by Curvy Chick.
- On Saturday, June 11, join us for a “tailgate” rally with a photo booth contest at the Sorting Gap Marina (with many prizes to be won!). This will kick off the annual Pride March to Rainy Lake Square for a concert by internationally acclaimed YouTube sensation CHOIR! CHOIR! CHOIR! FREE tickets are available at www.borderlandpride.org/ccc.
- A colouring and creative writing contest for students, provided by ETFO Locals, will run from May 10 to June 10 (www.borderlandpride.org/contest), and our “official” Pride shoppe will be open at Curvy Chick starting May 16, where you’ll find a wide selection of flags and other merchandise.
Further event details and new events will be posted online at www.borderlandpride.org/2022. The 2022 “Pride Guide” will be distributed in the May 18 Fort Frances Times and can be downloaded online.
Borderland Pride wishes to extend special thanks to its numerous event partners, sponsors, and community volunteers for the significant support from the Government of Canada. Sponsoring businesses and organizations will be featured prominently on Borderland Pride’s social media over the month ahead.
Those organizations still interested in holding an event or initiative as part of the Pride festival can contact [email protected] to be added to the online event schedule.
