ERIN ‒ The town will be getting its first official Erin Pride event next year and organizers say it's a long time coming.
Designated as a municipally-relevant event at a council meeting last week, Tracey Wallace, who has headlined efforts to bring Pride to Erin since 2020, said she's been waiting years to say Erin is doing Pride.
"It's actually hitting me now 'Like holy crap, this actually happening," said Wallace. "I'm super happy that (2SLGBTQIA+ people and their allies) will get to be with their families and community while celebrating in the middle of Erin."
While the event is still fluid, Wallace said Erin Pride will be "super family-friendly" and "not like downtown Toronto Pride," emphasizing security, in addition to various forms of family-oriented entertainment, music and food.
Wallace previously led local Pride processions in 2020 and 2021 but her attempts to throw the event in 2022 and 2023 were stopped by financial and timing issues, not to mention what she felt was challenges with the previously-elected council.
"After the 1 Million March 4 Children earlier this year, people have chosen sides and jumped onto dumb trains, and our kids are feeling insecure," said Wallace. "We have to protect our 2SLGBTQIA+ friends and family and make sure they're feeling safe, that nothing happens at Pride."
The owner of AAA events, Wallace said her business often attracts members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and gives them an opportunity to express themselves without judgment.
"We don't want (2SLGBTQIA+ kids) hiding, but (dressing in costume) gives them a little bit of a chance to say 'Hey, you know what, this is me,'" said Wallace. "My staff are like my kids; they've worked really hard, they've overcome a lot of stuff, and they just deserve to feel pride."
Of the seven municipalities in Wellington County, Minto Pride is the only committee solely dedicated to 2SLGBTQIA+ events and issues, although Centre Wellington Pride is often represented by the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Committee.
"Erin is becoming a more diverse community so this is a really good time for this to happen," said Wallace, whose family has lived in Erin since the 1940s. "There's more growth in Erin right now than ever before and all of these new families need to know that they're welcome here."
While Wallace has heard one or two snide remarks about the event, she said the majority of the community has been supportive.
"If you want to say (something rude) that's fine ... We're all pretty good at ignoring stupid," said Wallace. "My family has been in Erin for a long time, we've watched everything change, and if my family can do it, everybody else's can."
As plans get underway, Wallace said the event will take place in June at McMillan Park from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. but that funding is currently the group's number one priority. They're also looking for 2SLGBTQIA+ vendors and entertainers to participate in the event.
Isabel Buckmaster is the Local Journalism Initiative reporter for GuelphToday. LJI is a federally-funded program.
