A Pride flag is flown (Photo by Ricardo Veneza)A Pride flag is flown (Photo by Ricardo Veneza)
Chatham

CK residents encouraged to educate themselves during Pride Month

Although there are no formal events happening in Chatham-Kent for Pride Month, the Chatham Kent Gay Pride Association is still encouraging people to get involved.

Pride Month kicked off Tuesday in many places across North America. However, Pride Week is celebrated in Chatham-Kent during the third week of August.

Marianne Willson with CK Pride said there are still many ways local residents can get involved and participate as well as show support and show that they are an ally of the LGBTQ+ community.

"Educating yourself about the range of identities and sexualities that are in our community and don't expect the LGBTQ person to be your educator. Educate yourself. Take the initiative," Willson said. "Actively participating can be things like participating in events or participating in online social media platforms. Or participating in ways, maybe just put a flag on your front yard or celebrate in positive ways that are inclusive of all people."

When getting educated on LGBTQ+, Willson said an important thing to remember is to take into consideration people's pronouns.

"Words are important," said Willson. "So it's important to use proper pronouns when they are provided to us...It's important that if the pronouns are provided that we really use them because that shows respect and dignity, honours the person that you're speaking with, and makes them feel safe, welcome, and seen, just like we all want."

According to Willson, the third week of August is usually when CK Pride hosts its main Pride Week events. Willson said the organization has tentatively planned some virtual events for 2021 Pride Week. However, there could be a few in-person events if COVID-19 restrictions allow for it and based on the recommendations of health officials.

"Right now, we have a bunch of virtual events planned," Willson said. "Things like a virtual online drag show...we're hoping maybe to get involved with a virtual pride social hour...We're looking at maybe if we can get together for an outside event, maybe we'll get together for an outdoor barbecue or meet and great."

In January, CK Pride announced it would be opening a new facility in downtown Chatham, known as "Bill's Place."

The community centre was named after Bill Brokenshire, who left a fund for the association to help it secure a safe and welcoming space for the Chatham-Kent LGBTQ+ community as well as their allies.

Willson said progress on the new building is moving a little slower than anticipated because of the pandemic. However, the organization is hoping it will be done just in time for Pride Week 2021.

"Things are progressing and that's very exciting. We had originally hoped to maybe have that centre open maybe sometime later in June. But now I don't think we will have it open until sometime until August," Willson said. "I really hope that we'll be able to have it open and running for our pride week."

There are also some significant milestones coming up for The Chatham Kent Gay Pride Association.

2021 marks 20 years since the first official gay pride association was formalized locally. Meanwhile, next year will mark 20 years since the first gay pride flag was raised at city hall and 2025 will be 20 years since the first same-sex wedding was legally recognized in Chatham.

Willson said the municipality has come a long way throughout that time.

"Certainly in the last 10 years, the pace of that progress has been wonderful and we're seeing the community really embrace its diversity and celebrate all of the diversity that exists here in the community," Willson said. "I think that's wonderful and we see people of the LGBTQ community returning here to Chatham-Kent which speaks volumes of how far we've come."

Although a lot of progress has been made, Willson said there is still work to be done in Chatham-Kent, specifically when it comes to more education surrounding people who identify as trans or non-binary.

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