Article content“We think things like the trans bathroom debate is over… but there are still issues to deal with and major barriers to get over.”Article contentHATE RHETORICArticle contentCullen and others in the community are concerned about “online spaces” with misinformation and hate rhetoric that may be allowing people to become more vocal out in public. Article content“Part of my role is just to be here and sound the alarm,” Cullen said. Article contentMacNeil, who co-chairs the society along with Tyler Campbell, also sees both sides of being part of the 2SLGBTQI+ community in Cape Breton. Article content“To me, pride has always been about joy, but it’s also been about courage. This community is strong and resilient,” she said. Article contentMacNeil said every conversation that allies have with others makes the 2SLGBTQI+ community a little safer. Article content“Every time you choose courage over comfort, you remind someone — whether you know it or not — that they’re not alone,” she said. “Your allyship isn’t measured by how loudly you celebrate when it’s easy. It’s measured by what you do when we’re not in the room.Article contentArticle content“Challenge the words, challenge the behaviour, and let’s make hate uncomfortable.” Article contentCape Breton Centre-Whitney Pier MLA Kendra Coombes also spoke about what needs to be done to fully include the pride community going forward. Article content“Until the last community member feels safe, we’re not safe. The people need to thrive not just survive in this community and across Canada.” Article contentShe said there is still too much violence occurring against the community. Article contentMacNeil had supportive words for those who organized the parade and Pride Week, which lasts until Aug. 14. Article content“You created something that brings together thousands of people and makes so many feel seen, celebrated and welcome,” she said. “Your commitment reminds us that love, acceptance and inclusion are stronger when we build them together. We are the only pride festival in Nova Scotia that is 100 per cent community funded and that is something we are very proud of. This community has always supported us and we will be forever grateful.” Article contentArticle content The message from CaperBase SchoolsPlus in the Pride Cape Breton Society parade was clear: Everyone deserves sunshine. And there was a lot of it in the bright yellow T-shirts staff and students wore, as well as the bright balloons that decorated the float. Above, Evelyn Brooks, left, and her mother Jodi MacKinnon Brooks rode the float they both worked to create. The SchoolsPlus program for Oceanview Education Centre in Glace Bay, provides students and their families with access to essential community, mental health, and government supports right from the school site. ROSEMARY GODIN/Cape Breton PostArticle contentShe reminded people that pride doesn’t end when the speeches and events are over. Article content“Take the courage you find here today into your schools, your workplaces, your dinner tables, your social media, and your everyday conversations.” Article contentEvents this week include bingos, drag shows, a movie in the park, trivia night, youth dance and a variety show. Article contentA full schedule can be found on Pride Cape Breton Society’s Facebook page or at its website at www.pridecb.com. Article content The Celtic Witches of the Cape made an appearance at Saturday’s Pride Parade. The group is a local performance and social group based in Cape Breton. They travel to events and festivals performing fun “witch dances” in costumes that include decorated brooms. They describe themselves as women who want to have some fun, make brooms, build witch costumes, learn some dances, get together to inspire each other, and “whatever sorcery we can come up with.” Above, from left, are: Anita Sampson Binder of North Sydney; Maria Morrison of Sydney; Audrey Mitchell of Grand Mira North; Katie Markotich of Mira Gut; and Trish O’Neill of Sydney. ROSEMARY GODIN/Cape Breton PostArticle contentFACT BOX Article contentWhat does 2SLGBTQI+ stand for? Article contentIt is an acronym that seeks to represent everyone who belongs to sexually and gender-diverse communities. It starts with 2S to recognize that Two-Spirit people were the first in Canada to honour sexual and gender diversity. The next letter is L for lesbian, then G for gay, B for bisexual, T for trans, Q for queer, I for intersex, and the + symbol, which represents additional groups, as our understanding and terminology grows. Article content*Information from the Government of Canada’s “Women and Gender Equality” page. Article content Fourteen-year-old Leo Skanes has been attending pride parades every year for the past 14 years. They say their parents — who were on the sidelines this year watching the parade in Sydney — have been bringing them since they were born. Leo, from Glace Bay, said they were having a great time. They were dressed as a sunflower and walked behind a float from Oceanview Education Centre that was themed in yellow and said: “Everybody deserves sunshine.” ROSEMARY GODIN/Cape Breton PostArticle contentArticle content Nothing beats camping out on a hot summer day — unless its camping out on a moving float in a pride parade. Above, three-year-old Elias Slaunwhite on the left and his five-year-old brother Ezra had a little bit of shade thanks to the Parks Canada staff that designed the attractive tree fort float for Saturday’s parade with a make-believe campfire. The boys are the children of Cody and Elizabeth Slaunwhite of Albert Bridge. ROSEMARY GODIN/Cape Breton PostArticle contentArticle content Several people from Cape Breton University walked in Saturday’s Pride Parade representing the new Cape Breton Medical Campus. Above, from left, are: Russell Rouse of Westmount, who was walking with his wife, a medical student; Kara Thompson, librarian; Eli Downton, student and resident affairs co-ordinator of the medical campus; Katelyn Grechuk, staff at the medical campus; and second-year medical student Elizabeth Shepherd. ROSEMARY GODIN/Cape Breton PostArticle contentArticle contentFour staff members from the Cove Guest Home on Alexandra Street stand in front of the home’s bus used to transport residents to special events such as the pride parade that took place Saturday afternoon in Sydney. A few of the residents — most in wheelchairs — were on the bus excited to be taking part in the parade as one of the registered floats. Above, from left, are: Ash Petrie; Kelsey Head; Donna Simpson; and Angie Jackson. ROSEMARY GODIN/Cape Breton PostArticle contentArticle contentRosemary Godin is the Local Journalism Initiative reporter for the Cape Breton Post, a position funded by the federal government. Article content
‘Make hate uncomfortable’: Cape Breton’s 2SLGBTQI+ community and allies celebrate Pride Week
