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HomeMy WebLinkAboutGoderich Signal Star, 2017-05-31, Page 2828 Signal Star • Wednesday, May 31, 2017 Justin Trudeau > Kincardine Pride Hello Kincardine Pride! I want to offer you my sincere congratulations on everything you've achieved so far - and best of luck for the day of the parade. It makes me immensely proud to read about the support you're getting from across all walks. of life in the community. Keep it up! Diversity is what makes our country strong, no matter where we live. Love is love. And everyone in Kincardine is free to be who they are, and show their pride. Bonjour, Kincardine Pride! Je tiens a vous transmettre mes sinceres felicitations pour tout ce que vous avez accompli jusqu'a maintenant - et a vous souhaiter bonne chance pour le jour du defile. Je ressens une immense fierte en lisant les temoignages de soutien que vous recevez de la part de gens de tous les horizons dans la communaute. Ne lachez pas! La diversite est ce qui fait la force de notre pays, peu importe oil nous vivons. L'amour, c'est l'amour. Et, a Kincardine, chacun est libre d'etre qui it est et d'afficher sa fierte. Contributed photo Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reached out to Kincardine Pride, offering his support on Facebook. Sarah Hoyland/Simple words Photography Kincardine Pride committee members have been busy ramping up support and donations for the June 24, 2017 event. Back L -R: Jacqueline Faubert, Fort Papalia, and Quinn Ross, Front: Krista Holtby and Sandy Blackwood. Absent was Terry Ann Smith. Prime Minister Trudeau offers support for Kincardine Pride event 1111 Despite detractors, Kincardine Pride seeing overwhelming community Troy Patterson Postmedia Network Kincardine Pride got a nudge of approval from Can- ada's Prime Minister in a Facebook post Friday afternoon. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau offered his support for the June 24, 2017 event, with a personal comment on the planned parade and festivities. "Hello Kincardine Pride! I want to offer you my sincere congratulations on every- thing you've achieved so far - and best of luck for the day of the parade," Trudeau said. "It makes me immensely proud to read about the sup- port you're getting from across all walks of life in the community. Keep it up! Diversity is what makes our country strong, no matter where we live. Love is love. And everyone in Kincardine is free to be who they are, and show their pride." Organizer Fort Papalia said businesses and organizations from across the community plan to show their support at the parade, which starts at 11 a.m. at Connaught Park and will march through town to Victoria Park. The "family-oriented" event isn't planned to imitate the scale or theme of Toronto Pride, Papalia said, and the intent is to allow families, supporters and local busi- nesses the opportunity to show support for differences in sexual orientation, gender and ways of life that people are often discriminated against worldwide. "People are talking about things that are important to them and they're happy to be able to do that and haven't been comfortable to do that before," Papalia said. "The event has created a spark in people from all walks of life. It's something that transcends politics, age, income, anything. It includes people from everywhere." Papalia said it's also one of the first Pride street parade events organized in the region and added people have been relieved "they can finally talk about their friends, or family members, or problems they've had in a small town." Those taking part are wel- come to decorate a vehicle, float, or walk as a business or community group. Rainbow colours are welcome, as well as shows of community spirit are invited, he said. "We want everyone to enjoy themselves and just have fun with it," Papalia said. "Whatever people are comfortable doing. It's an opportunity to express themselves and express sup- port for the cause." The parade ends at Victoria Park, where children's activi- ties, arts and crafts, entertain- ment, music, and refresh- ments are planned. He said they're also hoping to get bagpipers out, as it "wouldn't be Kincardine without one." "It's a friendly community conversation;" he said. "Eve- rywhere I go, people are amazingly supportive. I've had e-mails from people saying congrats, we need this in small town Ontario and that it's wonderful, it's about time." The event has been in the works since 2016 when Papalia and other organizers were motivated by Kincar- dine News coverage of two street preachers speaking out against homosexuality in downtown Kincardine, along with other ways of life they disagreed with. But Kincardine Pride's organization has not been without its detractors. Chris Pollock made a point to call the Kincardine News to tell the multimedia company of his plan to pro- test Kincardine Pride with his "rebel flag" in hand. "Straight out I'm going to protest right at the front of the main street, just so you know," said Pollock, who added he's a Holyrood resi- dent in neighbouring Huron -Kinloss Township. "I'm going to carry my rebel flag down and if I get arrested, who cares." When told the Kincardine event was to be a 'family-ori- ented' event that differed from Toronto Pride, Pollock said it didn't matter and that he still planned to protest in front of the parade. Asked what he was pro- testing, Pollock said he believed it was against chil- dren's rights, and that they shouldn't have to see "a bunch of bums jumping around and everything else." "I don't think it's right," said Pollock "I don't believe in any of that, and second of all I moved back here, I left 20 some years ago, to retire and actually have a nice life and now we got to have this type of stuff?" When told Pride events are common everywhere, in communities and featured in the news, Pollock said he planned to work for MP Ben Lobb next year and isn't interested•in what the event was supporting. "Maybe you're gay? I don't know," Pollock said. "It's not everywhere. You think it is, it's not." Papalia said everyone has a right to their opinion, and noted the Kincardine Mar- ketplace magazine article also received hateful com- ments on social media, as well as letters arguing against the event from a reli- gious context. The authors also hinted at the potential for protests of Kincardine Pride from some in the religious community. "As long as they're stand- ing on the sidelines and are respectful of our event, we'll respect their right," Papalia said. "At least they're engag- ing. Slowly attitudes changed and we're starting a conversation that's likely never happened here." Grey Bruce Labour Coun- cil vice president Dave Trumble said his organiza- tion is familiar with protes- tors and said they are proud to support and march with Kincardine Pride alongside Ontario unions in support of the LGBTQ community to secure legal, social, and eco- nomic rights the event sup- ports, such as: • Protection from work- place harassment and discrimination; • Human rights & protec- tions for immigrants and refugees; • Same-sex marriage and adoption; • Safe and healthy work- places; and • Equal access to decent wages, benefits and pension "Pride events bring together not only the LGBTQ community to secure all the aforementioned but seek out all equity groups and sectors of the community," said GBLC president Kevin Smith. "Getting and keeping a good job; safe, respectful communities; health bene- fits for us and our loved ones... these are all LGBTQ and equity seeking group issues and we need strong labour unions to get them:' South Bruce OPP provin- cial constable Kevin Martin said he was informed of the potential for protests, but said they must remain peaceful. "The OPP recognizes an individuals' right to a peace- ful demonstration," Martin said in an E-mail. "The OPP remains neutral; our role is to keep the peace and maintain orderly con- duct. We have specialized resources such as the Pro- vincial Liaison Team (PLT) that work with all parties to reach a peaceful resolution" Martin later shared a com- ment from the South Bruce OPP inspector and detach- ment commander Dana Ear- ley as well. "The OPP recognizes the right to freedom of speech and the right to peaceful assembly," Earley said. "If called upon, South Bruce OPP officers will keep the peace, maintain order and prevent offences. However, it is important for people to realize that charges may be laid against any person found to be in violation of the law." Papalia said Bruce Power, Superheat FGH, Bruce Tele- com, BDO, Nicol Insurance, Huron -Bruce Federal Liberal Association, the Kincardine and District Chamber of Commerce and The Ross Firm lawyers have also show their support for the event, along with a number of other local businesses. For more information or to join the parade e-mail kincardinepride@gmail.com or visit the facebook.com/ kincardinepride or twitter. com/kincardinepride sites.