Pride Flag raised at Municipal Office, June proclaimed Gay Pride Celebration Month
Tim Brody - Editor
Sioux Lookout Mayor Doug Lawrance proclaimed June Gay Pride Celebration Month in Sioux Lookout on June 1.
He was joined by Jason Duewel, a transgender youth, as the Pride Flag was raised at the Municipal Office.
Lawrance encouraged, “all residents regardless of sexual orientation, to celebrate together in recognition of the rainbow of diversity with which our 2SLGBTQ+ community contributes to Sioux Lookout.”
Duewel commented of the mayor’s proclamation and seeing the Pride Flag raised at the Municipal Office, “It makes me feel really good that I’m living in a community that supports the LGBTQ community.”
Speaking on behalf of Sioux Lookout Community GSA (Gay Straight Alliance), fellow youth Ruth Broderick shared, “I think it’s great, like we’re getting recognition and acceptance from the community.”
Sioux Lookout GSA is a student-run club that provides a safe space for Sioux Lookout community members of any orientation to meet and support each other in the LGBTQ+ society.
St. Andrew’s United Church and the Gay Straight Alliance invited community members to celebrate Pride Month with a rainbow – drive by – cupcake giveaway at the Peace Park beside the church, following the Pride Flag raising.
St. Andrew’s member Aileen Urquhart shared, “We decided we did need to do something. We can’t have a parade. We can’t have a big gathering. I remembered last year there were lots of events where people could drive by and pick up some food, I thought okay, let’s see if we can get some cupcakes together… and we’ve got them down at the church and people can stop and pick up a cupcake.”
Lawrance’s full proclamation reads:
WHEREAS Sioux Lookout has a long and proud tradition of embracing diversity in all its forms – cultural, social, and ethnic; and WHEREAS the community of Sioux Lookout is immeasurably enriched by the diversity of our people, including those members of the Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered, Queer + (2SLGBTQ+) communities; and WHEREAS Pride events across Canada and around the world are necessary to show community support and belonging for 2SLGBTQ+ individuals and families, and 2SLGBTQ+-identifying youth in particular; and WHEREAS Acknowledging and participating in Pride underscores and affirms our respect for the dignity, equality, and visibility of 2SLGBTQ+ people and families; and WHEREAS The global pandemic has increased the isolation, anxiety, and insecurity of some of society’s most vulnerable citizens, including 2SLGBTQ+ people and youth; and WHEREAS Sioux Lookout Pride is a local group of volunteers that has planned virtual celebrations for the month of June; NOW THEREFORE I, Doug Lawrance, Mayor of the Municipality of Sioux Lookout, do hereby proclaim June as Gay Pride Celebration Month and encourage all residents regardless of sexual orientation, to celebrate together in recognition of the rainbow of diversity with which our 2SLGBTQ+ community contributes to Sioux Lookout.
