THUNDER BAY – The Township of Emo is about to be colourfully ambushed.
Following a decision not to recognize Pride Month in the Northwestern Ontario community, members of Borderland Pride are planning a queer cheer to a community they say is in dire need of rainbows to drown out the bigotry.
On June 27, the organization says it plans to take LGBTQ2 pride to Emo, inviting everyone to join them for a peaceful protest through the town.
Supporters are invited to “rainbow-up” and head to the Emo Arena parking lot for 11 a.m. to join a protest procession through the community, featuring cars and trucks and queens sashaying through a route they say will cover most of the community.
“This is going to be a five-kilometre COVID-cavalcade – an expression of our solidarity and support for our LGBTQ2 young people and other groups who continue to experience injustice, violence, hardship, and systemic discrimination because of who they are,” Borderland Pride writes in a release issued early Saturday morning.
Prizes will be awarded in the Emo Fair Queen contest in a variety of categories.
“We encourage participants to bring trucks that their group can ride in the box of. Free Pride flags will be given to each participating vehicle, while supplies last.”
Participants are asked, if possible, to register online in advance for the Emo Ambush.
Social distancing protocols will be followed throughout the event.
“By covering a large portion of the municipality, most residents will be able to observe from their homes or by walking little more than a block,” the group writes.
No pedestrians or bicycles are permitted during the parade, for safety reasons, and participants are asked to remain in, on or near their vehicles at all times.
For more information, email [email protected], or visit the organization’s Facebook page.
