THUNDER BAY – Finding a permanent physical space for Thunder Pride is a top priority for its first full-time employee. Abhi Rao, recently hired as program manager, said it’s one way he hopes to help the organization put down greater roots in northwestern Ontario.
“We’d like to see Thunder Pride have a more sustainable presence in Thunder Bay, so one of my priorities is to get us a physical space where people can come together,” he said. “There’s a lot of isolation for individuals from the pride community, and with the pandemic that has definitely increased. We need to have a space where people can feel safe, communicate, come together and build community.”
Rao’s hiring was made possible after the organization received over $120,000 in FedNor funding earlier this year. Beyond the staff position, the money was intended to support expanded June pride celebrations, and the Fierte Canada Pride national conference set to be held in Thunder Bay in January 2021.
Rao said the position will allow the organization to do more for Thunder Bay’s LGBTQ2S community, build relationships within the broader community, and offer more support to regional pride organizations.
“I think it’s a landmark move for the 2SLGBTIQ community in Thunder Bay and in the neighbouring areas,” he said. “It’s important for an organization to have someone full-time, in terms of sustainable program development and capacity building.”
Rao grew up in India before coming to the United States, where he earned a PhD in communications. While there, he got involved in grassroots community work and fundraising, as well as with the pride community, he said.
The position is currently a one-year contract, but Thunder Pride has expressed its desire to extend it by seeking additional funding. Rao said volunteers have shouldered much of the organizing and awareness work over the past decade, which the existence of a paid staff member will help amplify.
“We have a really strong volunteer base, our board [of directors are] volunteers,” he said. “They’re so passionate, and I’ve seen the amount of work they do – but there’s so much work that needs to be done in terms of building bridges, creating awareness, educating, and supporting the health and wellbeing of [LGBTQ] individuals.”
