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Uniting Niagara's Sexual and Gender Diverse Community.
OUTniagara
  • OUR COMMUNITY
    • Membership – Join Us!
    • Community Groups and Organizations
    • Humans of OUTniagara
    • Indigenous Solidarity Resources
  • ABOUT US
    • Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
    • Meet Our Staff
    • Annual Reports
    • Contact Us
  • Resources
    • Indigenous Solidarity Resources
    • Beyond the Rainbow Resource Syllabus
    • OUT IN Niagara Education Resources
  • Donate
  • 2SLGBTQ+ Community Fund
  • Informed, Inclusive, Indivisible: Collectively Advancing 2SLGBTQ+ Equality in Niagara+
    • Community Strengths & Needs Assessment

Humans of OUTniagara

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Humans of OUTniagara

outniagara
May 27, 2020
Humans of OUTniagara

It was a history-making event for Niagara.

On Friday, June 10, 2005, about 200 people cheered and applauded as the rainbow flag, a powerful icon of the gender- and sexual-diverse community, was raised for the first time in St. Catharines. The event, organized by OUTniagara, marked the official launch of the region’s Pride festival.

We were there to celebrate the authentic lives of people, both in and out of the closet, who were finally being recognized as honoured and valued citizens of our community.

Months before, OUTniagara harboured doubts as to whether this historic and possibly controversial event could even take place. There had been much-publicized instances where city councillors in other Canadian mid-sized communities rejected requests to fly rainbow flags; in one notable case, the Ontario Human Rights Commission stepped in and found the rejection to be discriminatory.

Despite the solemn purpose, ours was a festive occasion. Small rainbow flags glued to lollipop sticks were distributed to teenagers who tucked them into hip pockets or hair bands. Supportive partner organizations and unions displayed their own rainbow-coloured banners and flags. Mayor Tim Rigby noted that generally only a handful of persons attended flag raisings—he was impressed by the enthusiastic turnout.

With each pull of the flagpole cord, the cheers and applause increased in volume, and many of us were overcome by emotion. We were not naive enough to think that flying a rainbow flag erased the enormous challenges faced by the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. But it was a strong and moving start.

As I watched that symbol of diversity flutter against a blue sky that day, St. Catharines was the only place in Canada I wanted and needed to be.

The tradition carries on this year with a virtual flag raising on Monday, June 1, 11 a.m., hosted by Pride Niagara.

—Joan Wiley

 

 

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Humans of OUTniagara

Would you like to submit a story to Humans of OUTniagara? We are accepting submissions on an ongoing basis. You are not obligated to be a member of OUTniagara to share with us.
LEARN MORE HERE

 

 

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Recent Posts

  • OUTniagara looking to work with Consultants Friday, 28, Oct
  • Join the OUTniagara Regional Advisory Committee! Wednesday, 21, Sep
  • OUTniagara withdraws support from Canada Summer Games Sunday, 31, Jul
  • OUTniagara Statement regarding Roe vs. Wade overturned Friday, 24, Jun
  • OUTniagara is hiring a Project Assistant! Tuesday, 7, Jun

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OUTniagara supports our local 2SLGBTQ+ community and beyond by amplifying the voices of our community, acting as a public policy advocate and helping to build relationships within the community.

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Friday, 28, Oct
OUTniagara looking to work with Consultants
Wednesday, 21, Sep
Join the OUTniagara Regional Advisory Committee!
Sunday, 31, Jul
OUTniagara withdraws support from Canada Summer Games
Friday, 24, Jun
OUTniagara Statement regarding Roe vs. Wade overturned
Tuesday, 7, Jun
OUTniagara is hiring a Project Assistant!
Friday, 3, Jun
OUTniagara: Kudos to Niagara Catholic school board for flying progress pride flag

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