The Rainbow flag was raised at James Jerome field in Greater Sudbury, a colourful event that could not be overshadowed by what appeared to be impending rain.
People of all ages were present (and many pets, too) to kick of Fierté Pride Week in the Nickel City and many of these shared stories about what the flag and Pride events mean to them.
Réseau ACCESS Network founder Tom Reid explained that the Pride flag has been around since 1978. It was designed by the late Gilbert Ross, a San Francisco artist and friend of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay public servant ever to be elected in the state of California in 1977. Tragically, Milk was assassinated a year after election.
In 2018 many places in the world remain unsafe for the gay, lesbian, queer, trans, two-spirit and questioning communities. One of the speakers at the day's event is a newcomer to Sudbury from Nigeria. She could not provide her name for fear of what might happen if people from that country found out she was speaking at a Pride event.
The Sudbury newcomer was emotional while sharing her story, and elated to see the flag raised here. She explained, "It's so different. I think that most people in my community, in Nigeria, don't know that this flag exists. We don't have a symbol, there's nothing that could say that we're allowed to be in public. I can't believe that we're outside saying all this stuff and meeting out in public."
In 2013, Nigeria passed the Same-Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Bill (SSMPA) into law, criminalizing same sex marriage, gay organisations, co-habitation between same-sex partners and public display of same-sex "amorous relationship". The effect of that law (and the possibility of 10 - 14 years in prison, if convicted) has forced many LGBTQ people into hiding.
"A lot of people in my country would not openly say it (that they identify as being LBTQ2S+) to their friends or even to themselves. When I did find a few people, they met themselves with hate and they wanted to get together to try to fix the problem, which -- it isn't a problem. Our community is still trying to convert so that we can keep each other safe. Here, it's different and everyone has accepted themselves."
For Tom Reid, the flag is a symbol and freedom and human rights. "In today's world where nearly 100 million people are dispossessed and not included, this flag is dangerous, seditious," he said. "The Rainbow flag -- the Peace flag -- is a declaration of war against homophobia. It inspires those of us who experience 'otherness' to hope we will come to know unconditional love."
Greater Sudbury Mayor Brian Bigger reaffirmed the city's Charter pledge to "promote unity through diversity as a characteristic of Greater Sudbury citizenship" before raising the flag at James Jerome park.
"As we turn the page and enter into the 21st year of Pride week in our community, I just want us all to celebrate how much pride celebrations have evolved into a very important piece of our community's cultural and social fabric. It's important for us to get the message out there," Bigger said. "These events are the essence of what makes our city, a greater city."
Check out a full list of Pride Week events here.
