Pride week geared to all ages

A rainbow flag was raised at Tom Davies Square on July 12 to proclaim the official opening of Sudbury Pride Week.

Members of Greater Sudbury's lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transsexual, two-spirited and queer communities are hosting events throughout the week to celebrate their diverse sexual orientations.

“This is our big day of the year where we take off and say, 'hey come on and play and have a good time under the rainbow flag,'” Tom Reid, chair of Sudbury Pride, said.

There are events for everyone, including youth-only events. Jenista Thorne, chair of the Youth Pride Committee, said youth-only events give young people the chance to participate in the festivities.

“It's very beneficial thing for the youth in Sudbury because most of the events are in bars, where a lot of us can't go yet because we're not old enough,” she said.

On July 14, youth can meet with members of the Toronto District School Board to discuss ways to improve gay and straight relationships at their schools, and on July 16, youth cam take part in activities together. 

“We kind of get that day so we can party it up as youth,” Thorne said. “Having a day to ourselves is always wonderful because we get to meet more youth that are similar to us, and we also get to have fun doing things that we like to do.”

She has helped organize the third annual Youth Pride Games, featuring a scavenger hunt around downtown Greater Sudbury, where youth can “explore our community and gay-friendly places.”

There are several other events surrounding Pride Week for youth and adults.

• July 13
  • Gender in the City
    • Fromagerie Elgin, 5 Cedar St., 7 p.m.
    • Guest speakers discuss sex, gender and sexuality
• July 14
  • Youth Speak Out
    • Radisson Hotel (Rainbow Centre), Notre Dame Room, 5-6:30 p.m.
    • Toronto District School Board members discuss concerns local student's have at their schools
  • Queer Voice of the North
    • Rainbow Cinemas (Rainbow Centre), 7 p.m.
    • Local short films. Cost to view is $5 for one show or $7 for two for adults, and youth under 19 get in free with a canned food item
  • Zigs Idol
    • Zigs, 54 Elgin St., 10 p.m.
    • Contestants battle for the title of Zigs Idol by singing in front of a panel of judges
• July 15
  • Out and Loud
    • Fromagerie Elgin, 5 Cedar St., 8 p.m.
    • Open mic night
  • K.I.N.K.
    • Zigs, 54 Elgin St.,10 p.m.
    • Prizes, demonstrations and items for sale at fetish night
• July 16
  • Ladies Golf Tournament
    • Cedar Green Golf Course, noon
    • Nine hole best ball. Open to everyone who self-identifies as a women
  • A Search for the Rainbow
    • Tom Davies Square, 11 a.m.
    • Youth scavenger hunt
  • Dance under the Sky
    • Tom Davies Square, 7-11 p.m.
    • All ages outdoor dance
  • Dining with the Guys
    • Howard Johnson Plaza-Hotel, 50 Brady St., 6 p.m.
    • Buffet dinner with presentation by Prime Timers
  • X Factor
    • Zigs, 5 Elgin St., 10 p.m.
    • Music, dance and drag
• July 17
  • Mitts and Balls
    • Delki Dozzi Park, noon
    • Home run derby and softball game
  • SnoBears Family and Friends Barbecue
    • Delki Dozzi Park, 5-7 p.m.
    • All ages dinner in the park
  • Taste the Rainbow
    • Zigs, 5 Elgin St., 10 p.m.
    • A showcase of the rainbow
• July 18
  • March and Rally
    • Memorial Park, 12:30 p.m.
    • Parade from Memorial Park through downtown to Tom Davies Square
  • Family Barbecue
    • Tom Davies Square, 1:30 p.m.
    • Musical acts and barbecue
  • Closing ceremonies
    • Tom Davies Square, 3:45 p.m.
    • Lowering of the rainbow flag

For more information about Pride Week, visit www.sudburypride.com.

Editor's Note: We've locked the discussion on this topic due to name-calling and general mean-spiritedness. Discussion is wonderful but it must be done with respect for everyone.