Douglas Elliott, vice president of the Northern Ontario Pride Network, opened up the early morning flag-raising ceremony at the Miner’s Memorial to commemorate Pride month.
He was joined by Elliot Lake Pride president Chantel MacEachern, Serpent River First Nation Chief Brent Bissaillion, Councillor/Emperor Steve Meawasige and members of the public at the ceremony.
The celebration recognized the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia which was created in Montreal in 2004 to draw attention to the violence and discrimination experienced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex people and all other people with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities or expressions, and sex characteristics.
This year’s theme is “Our Bodies, Our Lives, Our Rights”.
“We’ve been trying to do this for many years, but a little pandemic got in the way,” Elliott said of similar ceremonies in the past two years that were suspended due to COVID-19 restrictions.
The date of May 17 was specifically chosen to commemorate the World Health Organization’s decision in 1990 to finally remove homosexuality as a mental disorder, according to Elliott.
The day represents a major global annual landmark to draw the attention of decision-makers, the media, the public, corporations, opinion leaders, local authorities, etc. to the alarming situation faced by people with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities or expressions, and sex characteristics.
He noted that the travesties that fell on those whose sexual orientation was considered a sin and a crime and were dealt with harshly still impact many people.
Chief Bissaillion and Councillor/Emperor Steve Meawasige raised the two-spirit flag, while Elliott and MacEachern raised the more traditional multi-coloured Pride flag.
Serpent River First Nation will host a Pride parade on June 24 at 5 p.m.
In a related matter, Blind River council declared June Pride Month in the town. The proclamation was approved at council’s virtual meeting Monday.