Every human being has a voice. Thoughts, feelings, fears, aspirations, all emanating from a deep and determined part of themselves, their true self.
But not every human being has the ability – or freedom – to express this voice. Worse, what if you are told the words your soul speaks are wrong, immoral, or too different to ever weave into the fabric of society?
At one time, thoughts of Pride and its parades, celebrations, and careful reminding of the struggle so far were focused to one week a year – a chance for the LGBTQ2SA+ community to show the world that they’re here, they’re queer, and the rest of the world had better get used to it. For a time, most people probably thought they had got used to it.
But as 2018 moves past us, it has become clear that we are far from living in a hate-free time. There are voices that are being silenced and these voices do not just belong to one marginalized group, but groups whose needs intersect; those who face oppression for questioning the binary of sexual identity, gender identity, and even the ways they interconnect with life as a person of colour.
Luckily for the LGBT community, as well as other oppressed groups — those living with HIV, those with substance abuse issues, people of color, Indigenous people and people with mental health issues — the team behind Fierté Sudbury Pride have expanded its community outreach programming, and that means lobbying, support groups, safe spaces and community partners.
It means Pride, every day of the year.
“There are lots of queer people in our community that are struggling. And a lot of times, queer people have nowhere to turn,” said Eric Cashmore, activism and community outreach lead for Fierté Sudbury Pride. “Pride is something we are going to do year-long now, it’s not just going to be a festival once a year.”
Year-long Pride comes in the form of events, and support.
“We’re going to be running more support groups,” Cashmore said. “We’re going to be running queer social nights, Little Montreal and Nickel City Roller Derby will be sponsoring a monthly queer social night. I’m working with Kuppajo to do a sober queer social event once a month.”
Year-long Pride will also mean a call out for activists to join the group, to ensure that if a voice is silenced, or never given opportunity to speak in the first place, they have an advocate.
With an upcoming municipal election, year-long Pride get political in the form of a letter, written to all the mayoral candidates, requesting their thoughts, opinions and policies when it comes to the queer community. Each candidate was asked four questions regarding their plan for marginalized groups in Sudbury, and Fierté Sudbury Pride has offered to publish the responses on their Facebook page when received. (So far, there are stated intentions to answer from three candidates, but no direct responses.) You can find their Facebook page here.
In addition to the municipal race, Fierté Sudbury Pride will be supporting the human rights complaint lodged by lawyer Marcus McCann earlier this year when the new provincial government repealed the Ontario Health and Physical Education Curriculum. This is an issue of great importance to the group, and they are actively support the endeavour with anything the McCann team requires.
There is always the need for long-term planning when it comes to an organisation that desires to help so many people, but an issue that befalls many is the inability to handle what is happening immediately, the so-called “street-level” issues. But that is where their community partners come in.
Fierté Sudbury Pride is putting together a directory of sorts, with a map that will be available on its website, of partners in Sudbury offering spaces that not only welcome members of the queer community and other marginalized groups, but welcome in times of crisis.
While “safe spaces” are an often-mocked idea, there are real and true hazards for any group that tends not to live up to the status quo. There is a need for a places that can give support, and safety, whether that means actively defending something you see, or allowing someone to sit in your coffee shop for as long as they need.
The form you will fill out to become a Fierté Sudbury Pride Community Partner says it all:
“I agree to provide a safe space for all people to socialize and / or do business regardless of their age, gender, sexual orientation, race or creed. I promise to intervene if I believe that someone is being harassed or targeted for violence because of who they are. I promise to promote a caring environment and will expect the same from my staff, volunteers and clients.”
Not only will you be given an identifying sticker and a spot on the map they will maintain, you also have the chance to take part in safe space training, so that you feel confident you are providing the best you can, without putting yourself or others at risk.
If you would like to offer your place of business as a safe space, or you would like to join their activist and outreach team – allies are welcome – you can visit them on Facebook, the website at www.sudburypride.com, or email Cashmore directly at [email protected].
For the team behind Fierté Sudbury Pride, and their community partners, the need is great and the will is strong.
As Cashmore says: “When you look at a person who is struggling, and there are a lot of people struggling in Sudbury, you’re looking at the struggle. You’re not looking at the actual person. A lot of people just need a voice, they just need someone to advocate for them.”
Luckily, Fierté Sudbury Pride can help.
“The two things you can give to anyone who is struggling, the best way to get anyone better, is to offer them opportunity and support. If you provide people with opportunity, and you support them through it … you’re going to see a better person in the end.”
Jenny Lamothe is a freelance writer, proof-reader and editor in Greater Sudbury. Contact her through her website, JennytheWriter.wordpress.com.
