As the chairperson of Grey Bruce Pride I would like to take the time to note our successes of 2018 and opportunities coming in 2019.
It was an active year with our police services Meet and Greet sessions held in February and September with all of the police services and LGBTQ community members in both counties participating.
GB Pride’s first region-wide flag-raising campaign was held in June with 14 of 17 municipalities flying Pride flags at our request. With the support of the United Way of Bruce Grey, GB Pride was awarded a grant from the Grey Bruce Community Foundation to enhance our flag campaign in 2019.
During Pride Month in June we held all-inclusive movie nights, all-inclusive community art projects, and an evening where we learned to line dance. A new approach to involve our 20/30 young adults was made through hosting two Pride Games evenings with the support of Scenic City Games Emporium in Owen Sound. Our first 18+ Pride Games evening was also held in the fall with our friends at Scenic City Games.
This holiday season brought our participation in the Owen Sound Santa Claus Parade with the support of the Owen Sound District Secondary School Gay Straight Alliance and two of our committee executive members. We wish to give a special thanks to Kara Korzen for her encouragement of the GSA participation.
Two committee membership changes occurred this year. Ryan Brown joined our committee as a representative of the Owen Sound Pride Parade committee. Our co-chair and founding member Joan Beecroft assumed the status of a Member Emerita. She will still be participating as a community member on our Pride Seniors sub-committee in 2019.
The coming year of 2019 brings us challenges and opportunities for our committee and the LGBTQ Community with our friends and allies. GB Pride will be looking for new and enthusiastic volunteers from our LGBTQ and allies membership to join us on the committee. We anticipate greater growth with our flag campaign, our new senior’s sub-committee, and a variety of events throughout the year of 2019. So PUT some PUSH into your PRIDE and volunteer with us! You can always reach us at this address.
To all our Community members and Allies, we wish you safe travels and Pride-filled merriment this holiday season.
Grey Bruce Pride Executive
