Resilience in all its forms was the tone of Saturday’s official kickoff to Guelph Pride 2017.
Guest speaker Amber Holmes, a two-spirited First Nations educator and pedagogy specialist, and co-founder of the Indigenous Learning Circle Guelph, said the one thing that resilient people have in common is that they have meaningful connections, such as supportive families and “communities like this that build them up.”
“You can have 500 Facebook friends, but without that human connection, without that connection of spirit, that can’t help to build resiliency the way that a hug from a friend or a family member does,” Holmes said, adding that LGBTQ community has built a resilient community.
“It makes my heart feel full to see so many people here and know that we all share something in common, that we all come from a place of spirit,” Holmes said.
“When you think about what it means to build resiliency, look around you. These people that are here today, these are your community. Continue to build, because this is what is going to make resiliency part of everyone, not just this community, but all communities.”
Holmes ended her talk by offering hugs to everyone, “because I believe strongly that personal connection builds resiliency.”
The nine days celebrating the LGBTQ community actually started with a trio of events on Friday, but the official flag raising and community barbecue was held Saturday at market Square.
Roughly 250 people braved chilly temperatures to listen to guest speakers and raise the rainbow flag at City Hall, followed by music, children’s activities, a DJ and a drag queen show as entertainment continued throughout the afternoon.
There was also a Wellington Brewery beer garden, new this year.
Jamie Clinch, regional vice-president with title sponsor RBC, reminded those gathered that it was only, “and I emphasize the word ‘only,’” 48 years ago that homosexuality was decriminalized in Canada.
“We deserve to feel proud of who we are and who we love,” Clinch said.
Mayor Cam Guthrie noted the diversity of representation in the audience, from councilors, Chief of Police Jeff DeRuyter, Chamber of Commerce president Kithio Mwanzia to representatives from the business community.
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“I’m really, really proud about coming here to day and having another Guelph Proud moment where we can raise the flag and say we are an inclusive and diverse community and we will always be tolerant and accepting of others,” the Mayor said.
Gueph Pride co-chair Hazel Moore talked about moments of doubt leading up to organizing the event and how her mother helped push her forward.
“That’s what resilience is to me: picking yourself up even in your weakest moments, whether it’s through your own strengths or with the support of those in your community who love you and care for you,” said Moore. “So let’s go into this week feeling strong and united.”
For a full list of the week’s activities, go to www.guelphpride.com/events.
