Pride - an affirmation of oneself and the community as a whole. Pride is alive and well on the Sunshine Coast. The celebration of pride and diversity began with rainbow flags, balloons and streamers at a fun-filled Pride dance Saturday night (Aug. 7) at the Roberts Creek Hall. All had a good time as they entered through a rainbow balloon arch to dance the night away to tunes spun by DJ Delia. Throughout the evening wonderful door prizes, donated by several Coast businesses, were won by those attending.
Despite the gloomy weather forecast, the festivities continued, at a more relaxing pace, on Sunday, Aug. 8, with more than 50 people gathering for the inaugural family and friends Pride picnic and barbecue at Frank West Hall and Maryanne West Field in Gibsons. Infants, toddlers, grandmotherly types, parents and friends enjoyed hot dogs, burgers and other goodies while meeting old friends and making new ones.
Both of these events were fundraisers to provide resources for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered youth on the Coast, such as suicide prevention, family and peer support and counselling, phone life lines, a youth drop-in and support of the newly established Gay Straight Alliance groups in the secondary schools.
A huge shout out to the volunteer brigade that made our Pride Weekend events so successful. It could not be done without you.
-Submitted by Kathy Lewis
