In 2005, the first rainbow flag was raised in front of Owen Sound City Hall. There was so much resistance that City policy was revised and it took more than a decade for this to happen again. Change happens slowly in this community, but a small group of dedicated advocates have had a significant impact on improving the lives of local gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, transgender, trannssexual, queer, questioning, intersex, and two-spirit individuals

Joan Beecroft has gathered stories from twenty Grey-Bruce residents who have impacted and been impacted by attitudes towards those who are LGBTQ+. Initially motivated by discussions about aging and being gay, she has worked for over two years encouraging contributors to share their stories including their positive and negative experiences during the past several decades. The result is 20/20 Hindsight: Being Gay* in Bruce and Grey, a new book published by The Ginger Press.

In her Foreword, singer-songwriter and parttime Grey County resident Kate Reid writes, "This is a queer book. These stories disrupt stereotypes, beliefs and taken-for-granted assumptions about gender, sexuality, bodies, desire, and relationships. They also challenge the notion that small towns and rural areas are necessarily rife with conservatism, homophobia and transphobia."

20/20 Hindsight wasn't able to have its own celebratory party-launch due to Covid-19. However, a Facebook Live event featuring Kate Reid and Joan Beecroft will take place at 7:00pm on Saturday June 20; follow the link on the Ginger Press facebook page. Copies of 20/20 Hindsight ($24.95) are available at www.gingerpress.com.

* gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, transsexual, queer, questioning, intersex, two-spirit

source: media release, The Ginger Press