Once again, all of the communities in
Muskoka have raised the Rainbow Pride flag in celebration of Muskoka Pride Week,
which runs July 22 – 30.
The Townships of Muskoka Lakes, Georgian Bay, and Lake of Bays, Wahta First Nation,
and the towns of Huntsville, Bracebridge, and Gravenhurst all raised the flag again this
year.
All mayors and members of Council extended their best wishes for a successful and
celebratory week of Pride events.
In Gravenhurst, Mayor Heidi Lorenz welcomed the people in attendance on behalf of
Council. She said that she happy to raise the Pride flag and thanked 2SLGBTQ+
community members for their contributions to Gravenhurst. She said, “You are a valued
part of our community,” and she thanked Muskoka Pride for all that they do
Mayor Lorenz continued, “Through the efforts of Pride and its allies, we have come a
long way in terms of ensuring we are a safe and inclusive community but there is still a
lot of work to do.” She encouraged community members to not lose sight of the work
needing to be done, but to also celebrate during Pride Week
Georgian Bay Mayor Peter Koestier said he wanted to “Welcome Muskoka Pride to the
Township of Georgian Bay, where we have room for everyone here.”
On behalf of Muskoka Lakes Township Council and staff, Mayor Peter Kelley expressed
his desire to “help celebrate Pride in every way that we can. We hope you have a
wonderful week and hope it’s full of festivities, love, and celebration.”
Lake of Bays Mayor Terry Glover, in a video posted on social media, invited everyone
“to join us here in Lake of Bays, where we celebrate inclusion and equality and all the
wonderful contributions everyone can make to make Lake of Bays a better place.”
Bracebridge Mayor Rick Maloney expressed his pleasure in raising the Progress Pride
flag. He wished everyone a happy Pride Week and that he is looking forward to the
Parade and Festival on July 30th in Memorial Park.
Mayor Maloney noted that “there is still targeted violence, homophobia, transphobia,
and biophobia in our communities,” and there was a time when “tolerance was all we
were looking for, but it’s way past that – it’s acceptance.” As a leader in the community,
he is “pleased, joyful, and happy that we can stand proudly, raise the rainbow flag, and
celebrate all of the folks in our community.”
The Progress Pride Flag symbolizes the 2SLGBTQ+ (two spirt, lesbian, gay, bisexual,
transgender, queer) community with the many colours representing the diverse
community. The new flag, designed in 2018, specifically heightens awareness of
marginalized groups within the 2SLGBTQ+ community (queer people of colour and
people who identify as trans or gender-diverse) who still face discrimination in their daily
lives.
For Merv Taylor-Morin, President of Muskoka Pride, the flag raisings are a symbol of
acceptance of the 2SLGBTQ+ population of Muskoka. “It says to the people in Muskoka
that our community is diverse and inclusive, an important message for residents and
visitors.”
He stressed the need for the flag raising’s visibility within Muskoka. “It’s important for all
people to see it and know that they’re welcome in their own communities.”
“It is significant that all communities of Muskoka are recognizing the Muskoka Pride
Week,” says board member Shawn Forth, “because there are 2SLGBTQ+ residents all
over Muskoka, who want to feel supported by their town.”
Having grown up in Muskoka, he understands the feeling of isolation that comes with
thinking you are alone. “Visibility is important for the 2SLGBTQ+ community so that you
don’t feel isolated. 2SLGBTQ+ Pride is not just about tolerance and acceptance – it’s
about celebrating the rich diversity in our community.”
This year’s Pride Week theme is “15 Years ~ Loud and Proud!” which celebrates 15
years since the first Muskoka Pride picnic in 2009 and it reflects the need for the
2SLGBTQ+ community and allies to stand together loudly and proudly in the face of
increasingly vocal acts of homophobia and intolerance, even here in Muskoka.
The theme is also intended to represent the need for celebration within the community
after 2 years of reduced activity during the pandemic and the disappointment of
cancelling the 2022 Festival and Parade due to severe weather.
Everyone, no matter how you identify, is welcome to attend all Muskoka Pride events.
Muskoka Pride receives funding from the Government of Canada through the Local Festivals –
Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage grant.
We would like to thank our Silver Sponsors: The Town of Bracebridge through the Event
Tourism grant, TD Ready Commitment, Lake of Bays Brewery, and Deerhurst Resort.
We would also like to acknowledge our Bronze Sponsors: Lakeland Networks,
Walmart, and the Bala Cranberry Festival.
To see a full schedule of events go to www.muskokapride.com or click “Events” on
the Muskoka Pride Facebook Page.
