Historic Elgin County Pride 2020 By Ruth Quenneville, Governor for Southwestern Optimist Clubs
Wednesday, July 22 marked an historical Pride event in Elgin County. I accompanied Rainbow President Martin Withenshaw on a tour of the County to participate in the raising of five Pride flags. This marked the first County proclaimed Pride week of July 20-26 celebrated at five sites. We started at Aylmer’s City Hall where Mayor Mary French read her Proclamation as the first flag was raised. OPP Public Relations Const. Troy Carlson accompanied us on our tour. Next, St. Thomas Mayor Joe Preston read the Proclamation from City Hall as the second flag was raised. In honour of Pride week the spotlights on our statue of Jumbo shone in rainbow colours. The Family and Children Services site on Sunset Road was our next stop. Myles Proulx read the Proclamation as the flag was raised. This is the fifth year they have participated. We explained the M.I.understanding and Pride Understanding video learning program that we endorse. At the Elgin County Heritage Centre our largest crowd was on hand to witness the first time Pride flag raising. Face masks were passed out to anyone needing them for social distancing. MPP Jeff Yurek reached out with words of encouragement to his constituents for inclusion and understanding of LGBTQ+ community members and their families. MP Karen Vecchio added her proclamation with impassioned words of diversity and inclusion education needed in all communities. Elgin County Warden Dave Mennill touched our hearts with his proclamation for our LGBTQ+ members in our community. Rainbow President Martin Withenshaw spoke
Pride Flag Raising – Aylmer
Pride Flag Raising – St. Thomas
Supporting London’s LGBTQ2+ Community
Teresa Armstrong MPP London—Fanshawe 519-668-1104 tarmstrong-co@ndp.on.ca
Terence Kernaghan MPP London North Centre 519-432-7339 tkernaghan-co@ndp.on.ca
Peggy Sattler MPP London West 519-657-3120 psattler-co@ndp.on.ca
PRIDE Villager
Issue 5 • Fall 2020 Page 8
To advertise here, please contact Barb@VillagerPublications.com
Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs