For immediate release
Thunder Pride Association is proud to announce that they are partnering with Borderland Pride in Fort Frances to bring the “Pride Lives Here” campaign to Thunder Bay. The campaign is about promoting visibility of 2SLGBTIQ+ people and promoting inclusion and diversity in Northwestern Ontario. It has also taken on added significance with the decisions by the municipal council in Emo, Ontario not to recognize Pride month.
Thunder Pride Association stands in solidarity with our regional Pride organizations and is encouraging city residents to showcase their sense of Pride and inclusion through window displays, lawn decor, social media content, and other creative rainbow displays throughout the month of June, which is recognized internationally as Pride Month.
To help everyone get into the spirit, special “Pride Lives Here!” campaign signs that have appeared in the Fort Frances area will be available for homes and businesses in Thunder Bay. The lawn signs will be available by donation ($5 is suggested, but there is no requirement to contribute). Contactless pickup will be at Bay Village Coffee parking lot on Sunday, May 31 from 1 PM to 3 PM (ET) and Monday, June 1 from 6 PM to 8 PM (ET). Signs will be available on a first come, first serve basis, and one per household, vehicle or business. Please follow: www.thunderpride.ca and www.facebook.com/thunderpride for up-to-date pick up information.
Throughout the month of June, residents are asked to share photos of their homes, families, friends, pets or staff celebrating Pride. Photos can be emailed to hello@thunderpride.ca or tagged on Facebook @thunderpride or use #YQTPrideLivesHere on all social media channels..
“The Pride Lives Here campaign is an incredible opportunity to continue to highlight that the fight for equality, equity and inclusion for our 2SLGBTIQ+ communities continues. I thank Borderland Pride for bringing this great campaign forward and sharing it with Thunder Pride and Thunder Bay. I also want to say to all those troubled by the homophobic comments and actions taken by officials in Emo. We hear you, we see you, and we will continue to stand and fight with you to ensure this type of behaviour is eradicated from our world,” stated Jason Veltri, Chair of Thunder Pride Association.
For additional information on events throughout the month of June please visit www.thunderpride.ca or www.facebook.com/thunderpride.
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Quotes:
“The Pride Lives Here campaign is an incredible opportunity to continue to highlight that the fight for equality, equity and inclusion for our 2SLGBTIQ+ communities continues. I thank Borderland Pride for bringing this great campaign forward and sharing it with Thunder Pride and Thunder Bay. I also want to say to all those troubled by the homophobic comments and actions taken by officials in Emo. We hear you, we see you, and we will continue to stand and fight with you to ensure this type of behaviour is eradicated from our world,” - Jason Veltri, Chair, Thunder Pride Association
“Pride is most needed where it is least visible. It is critically important that all of our community leaders recognize that Pride is essential to showing vulnerable members of our community that they are welcome, included, and can live openly in our region. Many queer people - especially youths - are particularly isolated right now. Coming together as a community to show that we celebrate diversity is critical to their wellbeing and the development of health relationships and a positive self-image.” - Douglas W. Judson, Co-Chair, Borderland Pride
Contacts:
Jason Veltri Chair Thunder Pride Association chair@thunderpride.ca
Douglas Judson Co-Chair Borderland Pride borderlandpride@gmail.com