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
Humans of OUTniagara
