NEWS RELEASE
GUELPH PRIDE
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Guelph Pride is expanding their programming and increasing the accessibility of their events for everyone this year - but that’s not all. The not-for-profit organization is partnering with various rural pride organizations to bring a collaborative LGBT2QI+ Arts and Music festival to the region next summer.
“There’s been an epidemic of mental health concerns for LGBT2QI+ people recently with some of the world’s events - and many people in our community haven’t felt welcomed even at some pride festivals. This year - we’re putting in the work to change that. To find ways to work together, to get everyone to table, and to reach out to people in more rural communities that might feel more isolated from our communities, and get everyone together to really celebrate how far we’ve come.” Jasper Smith, co-chair
After celebrating its 15th anniversary in 2018, the committee has witnessed significant change - most notably a threefold increase in committee membership and volunteer recruitment in a few short months. This committee will work with a wide array of community, campus, and regional partners to bring us three unique festivals in 2019.
Winter Pride festival, a partnership with the campus community, will happen during Feb. 1 - 10, marking the anniversary of the ‘Operation Soap’ raids, an event often touted as the Canadian equivalent to the infamous ‘Stonewall Riots’ in New York City.
Guelph Pride festival has been pushed later into May, and in 2019 will kick off on May 31 and continue throughout the month of June, to coincide with international recognition of Pride month.
The highlight of this year’s programming is the “Queeries” festival (June 7 - 9). Guelph Pride has partnered with Kincardine, Orangeville, Elora, Fergus, and Owen Sound pride communities, as well as the popular LGBT campground, The Ridge resort. The festival will feature various LGBT2QI+ musicians, visual artists, and djs over the course of three days. The festival also includes riverside camping, local vendors, food trucks, and a wide array of other amenities and attractions.
“Of course, this necessarily means we’ll be working with a larger budget - but we have a strong fundraising and sponsorship team this year, and we’ve been working hard to really connect with and grow our relationships with the individuals and businesses who have so generously supported us through the years, especially in light of all this fresh energy on the committee.”
This is where you come in - with recent shifts to provincial grant allocations and a changing political climate, Guelph pride’s funding has gone through some changes of its own. But we don’t back down that easy! So we’re reaching out to our wonderful community of Guelph that has always supported us in making Guelph a welcoming space for everyone. We hope you’ll consider helping us this year by donating to support our festivals, and year-round programming.
"As a teacher, Guelph Pride and Out on the Shelf are so important to the well-being of students. Pride is a way for students to see themselves and others as members of the community, it helps them feel welcomed and loved," said CJ, Out On The Shelf director of marketing.
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