An informal group of St. Albert citizens is looking to bring some Pride activities to the city in 2015.
Kristopher Wells, a St. Albert resident and director of programs and services for the University of Alberta’s Institute for Sexual Minority Studies and Services, said that group launched social media accounts this week to start conversation in St. Albert about how to embrace and show the diversity of the city’s community and bring some visibility to members of the LBGTQ (lesbian, bisexual, gay, transgender and queer) community and issues.
“We’ve seen great strides happen in our community here in St. Albert and we want to continue that momentum,” Wells said.
Those strides include the establishment of youth groups like Outloud, gay-straight alliances at St. Albert’s public high schools and a St. Albert PFLAG (formerly known as Parents, Family and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) chapter.
But this Pride event would be for the whole community, not just students and parents.
“It’s just time for us to come together as a community and celebrate this diversity and inclusivity,” Wells said. “We like to pride ourselves as one of the best cities in Canada to live in and we want to celebrate that.”
The group is still in the initial brainstorming process of what that could look like – some early ideas include a barbecue or a breakfast speakers’ series – and Wells said they’re hoping people will follow on Twitter or join the Facebook group to add to the conversation.
“We really want to do two things. Break the silence that surrounds LBGTQ issues that’s traditionally known as a very conservative and closeted community and secondly to celebrate that spirit of inclusivity and diversity that exists here. Maybe to challenge some of those stereotypes and say you know, we’re much more diverse and open and inclusive than our neighbours might think,” Wells said.
Whatever the event or initiative is, they’re hoping to time it around when other capital region Pride events occur, like the parade in Edmonton which is slated for early June.
Attendees at the PFLAG meeting held at Bellerose Composite High school on Wednesday were cautiously optimistic about the idea of a Pride event being held in St. Albert this summer.
But there were concerns there could be some negative backlash. Hope, on the other hand, stemmed from the minimal backlash over the rainbow Pride flag being flown at St. Albert Place during the 2014 Winter Olympics.
Participants in the PFLAG meeting wanted to see an event that helps highlight the resources available for LBGTQ people and their loved ones in St. Albert.
Natalie Soetaert was at the PFLAG meeting, and Natalie noted such an event could raise awareness about the St. Albert-based resources for those who can’t make it to Edmonton to access programs and groups there.
Natalie said she’s hoping the event can be a place that helps people realize almost everyone is looking for the same thing in life: love, support and acceptance.
Why shouldn’t St. Albert have its own Pride event, Soetaert asked.
“It’s time, it’s needed,” she said.
Soetaert’s daughter Mia helped found the Outloud group for youth, and was positive about the idea of a Pride event being held here when interviewed on Tuesday.
“I think it’s an amazing idea,” she said, adding she thinks such events can bring people together.
For more information
Twitter: @pridestalbert<br />Facebook: www.facebook.com/stalbertpride
