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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
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  • ABOUT US
    • Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
    • Meet Our Staff
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    • Contact Us
  • Resources
    • Indigenous Solidarity Resources
    • Beyond the Rainbow Resource Syllabus
    • OUT IN Niagara Education Resources
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  • Informed, Inclusive, Indivisible: Collectively Advancing 2SLGBTQ+ Equality in Niagara+
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Humans of OUTniagara

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Humans of OUTniagara

outniagara
January 15, 2020
Humans of OUTniagara

HUGS (Hamilton United Gay Societies) saved my life. I started by reaching out to the telephone support line (published in personal section of the The Hamilton Spectator), and then later going to the Tuesday (Thursday(?) I forget which LOL) night coffee meetings. I can tell you without any doubt in my mind that I would likely be dead now, had it not been for this support that the organization provided. My faith had convinced me that I was an abomination to God — and there was no shortage of evangelical leaders on radio and TV, as well as people around me — that asserted this. A counsellor, Dave D. (R.I.P. my friend), was instrumental in helping me deal with the coming-out process, and learning to accept myself.

Although my experience was generally positive, it was there that I was made aware of the horrible injustices, treatment, and suffering of gay people. To this day, it still breaks my heart to remember (and witness) some of those stories. Many were condemned, even in their very own families, even as teenagers. A lot of those tormented souls are gone now, either lost to AIDS, or to violence, or to self-abuse.

Two former partners of mine are gone as well.

My current partner (we just celebrated our 29th anniversary!) was a volunteer with HANDS (Hamilton Aids Network for Dialogue and Support) for many years too — both with the parks program and also with the buddy program. The suffering was absolutely brutal.

So, I count my blessings. I survived this period in LGBT history, but I still mourn the loss of so many beautiful, talented people that the world did not get to appreciate. It was a terrible time indeed, and we should not forget.

– Paul Stoker

 

 

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Humans of OUTniagara

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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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