The LGBTQ2+ community in North Bay is busy putting the final touches on what has been described as a historic weekend.
For the first time, the Pride flag will fly at City Hall. A flag raising ceremony is scheduled for Friday afternoon, July 21st at 4 p.m.
It includes speeches and testimonials by people sharing their personal struggles in their fight for equality and acceptance.
The following morning at 11:00, hundreds of people are expected to gather for a rally at City Hall as a lead up to the North Bay Pride March. The route will take marchers along Main Street, down Memorial Drive, to the Kiwanis Band Shell at the waterfront, for a Unity for Pride Picnic sponsored by the North Bay and District Labour Council.
The Chair of the North Bay Pride Committee, Nick George, says holding the march is monumental.
"It's 100% historic. We've had little pods here and there over the years but it's the first time North Bay has held something this big. I feel amazing," said George. "People have come to me after learning about the event, and they have tears in their eyes. It's all about education, unity, and equality."
Jason MacLennan, the media spokesperson for the North Bay Pride Committee, says over all, the response has been very positive.
"We have a lot of people that we know of just from North Bay who are coming, but we're also starting to get some feedback from places like Sudbury, Toronto, Elliot Lake and Timmins. Number wise I can't even estimate what the final number will be if people want to come, they're welcome to come."
MacLennan says the idea is to draw attention to the struggles still facing the LGBTQ2+ community.
"The event is called a march rather than a parade because we felt that in North Bay that we're struggling in a lot of areas with equality and getting people to understand that LGBTQ2+ is part of this community, and they need to be treated equally. Some people don't have issues with this but there are still some who struggle", said MacLennan.
"A march is more about a demand for change, pointing out that education and equality is needed. A parade is more of a celebration. We just do not feel that we're at the celebration part yet. Hopefully next year we will be, but not this year."
The committee chair agrees that acceptance and tolerance remains an issue, but Nick George says in recent years, she has noticed a slight change in people's attitudes. The hope is the march will open up the lines of communication through education.
"I've been here for seven years and when I first got here, holding the hand of my then girlfriend was a little bit nerve wracking because you didn't know if you were going to get a look or a comment or anything like that. Now I can walk through the mall and nobody bats an eye. It's amazing," says George.
The Unity For Pride Picnic is sponsored by the North Bay and District Labour Council through donations and sponsorships, not at the expense of taxpayers. President Henri Giroux says the free barbecue is open to the public. Activities are planned for the children, and about a dozen information booths will be set up to 'educate the public about Pride and what it stands for'.
Fred Hahn, President of CUPE Ontario, representing 265,000 members, will be attending both the Friday and Saturday events.
"Labour fights for all rights, for everybody, and that's why it was important for us to have an event in North Bay and I'm glad that it is finally going to happen," said Giroux. "We've already picked this same weekend for 2018. Right after this one we're going to start organizing to make sure next year it is even bigger."
Local businesses and organizations, unable to commit during the quick five-week turnaround that it took to put it all together, have pledged their support for next year's event.
