Pride in the Park – Thames Centre’s First Pride by Katy D’Angelo This past July, the municipality of Thames Centre held it’s very first Pride celebration. It was a beautiful day, starting off with Drag Storytime at the Dorchester Library, sponsored by Rainbow Optimist Club – Southwestern Ontario and Middlesex Library, where children and their families, could make crafts and then hear stories about acceptance, self-love, and celebrating differences. This was followed by celebrations in the Dorchester Park, geared to families, and people across the lifespan. There were presentations by our elected officials, poetry reading students from the Gay Straight Alliance club and educational talk by Intersex London, in addition to sidewalk art, a pride photo shoot, food booths, and activities for kids.
The idea for pride in our rural community was born out of a recognition that there are LGBTQ2S+ youth in our community who do not feel safe coming out to those around them. Likewise, there are older adults who fought hard to come out to their social and professional circles, only to be forced back into the closet when
I leave you with some reflections from Amanda Saunders, one of our committee members proposed the idea of Pride: Pride in the Park – Dorchester’s first Pride festival! • I saw you. I saw you bravely arrive with your family, your partner, your friends, yourself. You rode your bike, drove your car, walked, pushed your walker, and were pushed in a stroller. • I saw you with your Pride shirt on, a fantastic outfit, your pins on your shirt - and you were perfect. • I saw your tears fall when you heard the statistic that Trans Black Women in the USA have a life expectancy of 35 years old. • I saw your joy when your child was so happy with their friends – feeling safe and loved. • I saw your discomfort - wondering who you might see and what opinions might be shared about your choices and your life. • I saw your bravery, your courage, your joy – I heard your laughter, your voice, your poems. • I saw you and I was seen. I felt your love and sent mine to you. Energy works in magical ways and we are so grateful you came out to our first Pride in the Park!
they enter residential care. With these marginalized populations in mind, we set out with the modest goal to increase visibility, and engaging these groups in planning, and offer a Pride celebration that represents them groups and is welcoming to all.
We heard from many, how wonderful the celebrations were, with an interest to be involved and contribute. We are looking forward to expanding Pride in Thames Centre in coming years and learning from our LGBTQ2S+ community what would be most supportive to them.
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PRIDE Villager
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