To kickoff Fierté Simcoe Pride, the Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury held a flag raising on Wednesday.
Fierté Simcoe Pride President Colin Nelthorpe was joined by Mayor Rob Keffer and members of council to mark the occasion.
“It’s always nice to be back in Bradford West Gwillimbury,” said Nelthorpe. “It’s almost nostalgic for me because this was the first flag raising I ever attended by myself, and I actually kept the flag from that year—it sits in my living room in a nice frame. This year’s Pride season our theme is ‘Progress and Pride’ and that’s mostly to recognize how far the queer community has come over all these years.
“There was a time in my lifetime when most municipalities wouldn’t care to listen to what we had to say or ever entertain the idea of a flag raising, but obviously the world has changed a lot since then thanks to the support of you fine folks Pride has continued to expand and will continue to exist all across the County of Simcoe.”
Fierté Simcoe Pride was formed in May of 2012 as a volunteer group focused on uniting people in Pride across Simcoe County. The County began celebrations July 25 and they’ll run until Aug. 7.
“This marks the 11th annual Fierté Simcoe Pride and its purpose to create a safe and inclusive Simcoe County that supports gender and sexual diversity through services activities and events. The flag is a symbol of the Pride movement and the advancement of human rights for sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression of sex characteristics.
“Fierté Simcoe Pride’s mission is to create and offer inclusive events, services, and educational opportunities that rise above heterosexism, heteronormativity, and homotransphobia promoting safe communities throughout Simcoe County. Fierté Simcoe Pride is filled with numerous events and activities that focus on education, awareness, community development, creative expression, and fun for the whole family.”
In honour of this year’s theme, “Progress and Pride,” the County raised the intersex inclusive progress pride flag which was created by Valentino Vecchietti and combines Daniel Quasar’s 2018 pride progress flag, with Morgan Carpenter’s 2013 intersex flag.
“It’s our diversity we’re really proud about in Bradford,” said Deputy Mayor James Leduc. “This is one way to show our diversity and our acceptance and the equality within our community.”
“It’s wonderful to celebrate that we’re a diverse town and that includes the queer community locally,” added Coun. Jonathan Scott. “Whether it’s young people who are more confident than a generation ago or older people who might feel they need to re-closet themselves and should know that we’re an inclusive community and we’re here to support them.”
Earlier in the week, in recognition of the County’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, Warden George Cornell raised the Progress Pride flag.
“Over the past few years, we at the County have embraced the motto ‘Stronger Together,’ which embodies the importance of events like today,” said Cornell. “When we stand together, we help to ensure equality, acceptance, and safe and inclusive communities for all.”
To learn more about Fierté Simcoe Pride, visit https://www.simcoepride.com/.
