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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
    • Annual Reports
    • 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 22, 2020
Humans of OUTniagara

My periphery vision saw a man approach. He assessed the little rainbow flag I was carrying, and the rainbow garland that wreathed my straw hat, in honour of the rainbow flag about to be raised at St. Catharines City Hall. The man carried a large hand-lettered sign on which I read the word “faggot.”

“Another fucking faggot!” he screamed as he stepped toward me. “I’m gonna take that fucking flag and shove it down your fucking throat!”

I was stunned into paralysis. As an ally, I had long understood from an intellectual standpoint the deep and lasting impact of bigotry and threats, but never from an emotional one. To this day, I don’t know who or what scared off the man, although I’m told the police spoke to him afterwards.

The confrontation took place years ago. I remember the fear like yesterday.

Imagine school kids facing this type of bullying every day, I thought. Imagine what senior members of the 2SLGBTQ+ faced. Imagine trans friends walking into bathrooms or change rooms.

The incident made me a better, more empathetic supporter and helped me to understand the real risk that the 2SLGBTQ+ community takes by being authentic.

– Joan Wiley

 

 

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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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