It’s about time Thunder Bay got some pride. The Thunder Pride 2011 festival begins June 5 and runs throughout the week. The festival is a first of its kind for this area and celebrates the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community with a week packed full of activities.
On Tuesday, an official flag raising ceremony took place at city hall, which was a significant and symbolic step for the region’s LGBT population.
The idea to create such an event came in December 2010. Tom Boland, community relations chair with Thunder Pride 2011, said the Thunder Pride committee came together with the idea to have a weeklong event that celebrated the city’s diverse community.
“We just think it’s time for an event like this,” Boland told tbnewswatch.com earlier this year.
“We certainly want to show support for individuals in the community regardless of sexual orientation. We want to provide education and we want to show Thunder Bay as a safe and welcoming city.”
Thunder Bay might be a little late to the party. Cities around the world have featured pride events, most notably the iconic pride parade, for years.
But this shouldn’t be a fact that residents dwell on. Instead, we should make up for lost time by helping ensure the inaugural festival is a huge success.
If this event is well received it will make a statement about the community’s openness and accepting attitude.
Gay or straight, that’s good for everyone.
On Tuesday, an official flag raising ceremony took place at city hall, which was a significant and symbolic step for the region’s LGBT population.
The idea to create such an event came in December 2010. Tom Boland, community relations chair with Thunder Pride 2011, said the Thunder Pride committee came together with the idea to have a weeklong event that celebrated the city’s diverse community.
“We just think it’s time for an event like this,” Boland told tbnewswatch.com earlier this year.
“We certainly want to show support for individuals in the community regardless of sexual orientation. We want to provide education and we want to show Thunder Bay as a safe and welcoming city.”
Thunder Bay might be a little late to the party. Cities around the world have featured pride events, most notably the iconic pride parade, for years.
But this shouldn’t be a fact that residents dwell on. Instead, we should make up for lost time by helping ensure the inaugural festival is a huge success.
If this event is well received it will make a statement about the community’s openness and accepting attitude.
Gay or straight, that’s good for everyone.
