.png;w=768)
We are excited to see the North Shore Pride Alliance keeping the spirit alive with an entire week of COVID-safe events.
Lately, for folks in the local LGBTQ2SI+ community, there has been a lot to be proud of. The District of North Vancouver’s new rainbow crosswalk in Lynn Valley is a warming beacon of welcoming and inclusivity. Levi: Becoming Himself, a documentary about a North Shore teen now streaming on CBC, is bringing a humane understanding to the journey of a trans person. And the North Vancouver School District has signaled plans to up its game when it comes to creating an inclusive environment.
But Pride is not just a celebration. Behind every feel-good story, there have been plenty of hard feelings.
It seems every time a rainbow crosswalk or flag is added to a community, someone arrives to deface it, as sadly happened this week to that brand new crosswalk in Lynn Valley.
According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, queer youth are at four times greater risk of suicide.
The social and political vitriol aimed at trans or non-binary people today is reminiscent of the open bigotry once commonplace for gays and lesbians.
And for a segment of the population who relies so heavily on getting together for their sense of community and comfort, it’s been an extremely long 17 months.
This Pride Week, we will raise a toast for everyone under the rainbow spectrum who has pushed through dark times, both historical and modern, and come out to brighten the world after. And next year, hopefully, we can all celebrate again – together.
What are your thoughts? Send us a letter via email by clicking here or post a comment below.
