As Peterborough-Nogojiwanong Pride gets set for Pride Week in September, Rick Lambert says if people walk away feeling included and accepted, the week will be a success.
As a Pride committee member, Lambert has a few hopes for this year’s week-long Pride celebration, which runs from September 20 to 29 in Peterborough.
“Having nobody show up to protest or harass people at any Pride events, and (having) all participants come away feeling positive and energized to continue participating in their community going forward,” would be best possible outcomes, Lambert told kawarthaNOW.
The committee member is most looking forward to the opportunity the week provides to connect with others in the Peterborough community.
“As for events, with most of the events run by community members and such a wide variety, there is truly something for everyone,” Lambert said. “Carole Pope performing at Market Hall is an exciting addition this year which some folks will want to see.”
Pope is described as an agent provocateur “pushing the boundaries of sexuality, sexual politics, and the status quo,” according to her website. The British-born Canadian singer-songwriter is co-founder of the band Rough Trade and has acquired numerous accolades, including recognition through the Juno, Genie, and CASBY awards.
Meanwhile, the Peterborough library is hosting a film and a number of other events, which Lambert anticipates will be interesting.
Peterborough-Nogojiwanong Pride expects to announce additional events in the days leading up to Pride Week. To stay up to date on the events and activities on the roster for Pride Week, visit peterboroughpride.ca/events/.
While June is recognized as Pride Month in many communities in Canada, Peterborough has chosen to host Pride celebrations in September, as the week is rooted in local history.
“Pride in Peterborough-Nogojiwanong was started in mid-September 2003 by a group of Fleming (College) and Trent (University) students so we have stuck with that time slot to ensure students can participate,” Lambert explained. “Although we have asked the community if they want to move to Pride Month in June, the response has been to stick with September.”
Meanwhile, there were a number of community-run events held in June and in other months as well, Lambert noted.
“We hope to support more events year-round so the 2SLGBTQ+ community can stay connected going forward.”
For 2024 Pride Week, the theme is “Educate. Activate. Celebrate!”
“We want to uplift the 2SLGBTQ+ members of our community by educating about all our realities, promoting action and visibility, and celebrating solidarity and strength,” Peterborough-Nogojiwanong Pride noted in a media release.
“We invite everyone to embrace the theme of Pride Week and make it their own.”
For more on the theme, visit peterboroughpride.ca/our-pride-theme/.
According to the release, a group of “bold and courageous individuals” organized Peterborough’s inaugural Gay Pride parade in 2003, and former mayor Sylvia Sutherland officially proclaimed September 13 as Gay Pride Day.
That year, around 300 people participated in the parade.
For 2024, plans are in the works for more than 25 community-run virtual and in-person gatherings that folks can participate in safely during Pride Week. Organizers said participants can wear masks at events to help protect themselves and others.
“Pride Week events will continue to provide space for participants to gather, share ideas, speak their minds, support each other, and have fun in a safe and accepting environment,” the release said.
The Pride parade this year begins at Peterborough City Hall, located at 500 George St. N., at 2 p.m. on Saturday, September 28.
Taking place in Millennium Park following the parade, the annual “Pride in the Park” event will feature performers, family-friendly music, information booths from groups and agencies that support the queer community, vendors, a food booth and beer/beverage tent, and a family and children’s activity area.
