While Peterborough’s annual Pride Week celebration takes place in September instead of during Pride Month in June, Pride will get an early start in Peterborough with the launch of a new series of community events presented by DJ Roxxy Waters.
The first event, “Pride + Boba: A Community Dance Party,” will take place on Saturday, June 13 at Milk + Tea at 360 George Street North in downtown Peterborough, in support of Peterborough AIDS Resource Network (PARN).
“Having more spaces for queer folk to meet up, to feel accepted, to feel seen, is huge,” said Waters in an interview with kawarthaNOW.
According to a media release, Pride + Boba will feature DJs, board games, artists, and a charity raffle aligning with the series’ values of inclusivity and neurodiverse-friendly activities.
Waters said ensuring the event is accessible and inclusive was a central focus for herself and the organizing team as they work to build community and connection among LGBTQ2S+ individuals in and around Peterborough.
“You are accepted for who you are, you come as you are, be your authentic self,” said Waters.
Speaking to her own experience entering community events and spaces as someone who is intersex, Waters said she is often met with judgment, discrimination, and rejection.
“I haven’t felt welcome everywhere I’ve been — I’ve haven’t really fit into this society,” she said.
Through involvement in the Peterborough music and arts scene, Waters has built a community of LGBTQ2S+ individuals and allies who share a goal to promote inclusion and access. She said her goal is to “just make a difference” by being an intersexism activist and educating others.
“It’s four of us that are making a difference in Peterborough and in the world,” said Waters of the group organizing these events.
In what Waters considers her “professional” life, as Nikki Lawrence, she works in part with Egale Canada and Intersex Canada, writing policy recommendations regarding healthcare for intersex infants.
As a DJ herself and a member of Otonabeats Radio, a collective of DJs playing electronic-style music, Waters is excited to host her first headlining event and have the opportunity to connect people through dance and music.
“Dance and music has connected me to people from all walks of life and I believe in the power of connection when we move our bodies together despite our differences,” said co-organizer and local artist Bodhi Chiasson in the media release. “Celebrating each other is part of what makes life as a queer person so beautiful. I deeply value contributing to fun and safe community events.”
For her part, Waters thanked Kathy Song and the team at Milk + Tea for their willingness to get involved in hosting Pride + Boba, and for designing a custom drink menu for the occasion that includes both non-alcoholic and alcoholic options.
The event is free for attendees, but Pride + Boba is featuring an online raffle with proceeds supporting PARN, a charitable organization that provides education and resources for people living with or impacted by HIV/AIDS as well as offering education to the community at large.
The raffle features donated prizes from local downtown businesses, including Iceman Games, HiHo Silver, Needle in the Hay, Turnbull Cafe, The Food Shop, Watson and Lou, Chumleighs, Art School of Peterborough, Blue Streak Records, Statement House, and Boardwalk Board Game Lounge. The raffle continues until 8 p.m. on June 13, with winners announced at the end of the Pride + Boba event.
Speaking about the decision to raise funds for PARN with this event, Waters shared her own story of participating in LGBT meetups hosted by PARN’s social connections group where she would help facilitate and coordinate events and activities.
“This is my meetup — this is where I get to meet other intersex people,” she said.
PARN currently runs a social group for people aged 13 to 23 called Rainbow Youth Group which meets weekly at PARN’s office at 60 Hunter Street East. The group provides young LGBTQ2S+ people a space to do activities, receive safer sex supplies and information, and socialize.
In addition, PARN has developed a new program, Rising Rainbows, for LGBTQ2S+ youth aged 13 and under which aims to help young people “connect, build friendships, and explore identity in a supportive and affirming space.” This group meets monthly at PARN’s office on the second Monday.
However, when social connections opportunities became limited, Waters was inspired to begin the Pride event series this summer, as she identified a need for spaces where LGBTQ2S+ people of all ages could gather without barriers or judgment.
Although most Pride-related events in Peterborough take place during Pride Week in September, Waters said she would like to see more Pride events and initiatives happen throughout the year and is excited to be able to contribute to hosting events such as these.
Waters has already begun planning for a drag brunch event in July, a third event in August, and a big celebration in line with Peterborough Pride, all of which will raise funds in part for charitable organizations.
Peterborough-Nogojiwanong Pride, which is a program of Rainbow Service Organization, a non-profit dedicated to promoting, advocating, and celebrating the interests of LGBTQ2S+ people in Peterborough and the Kawarthas, hosts an annual Pride week celebration in September. This year’s celebration is scheduled for September 18 to 27.
Throughout the year, Peterborough-Nogojiwanong Pride and Rainbow Service Organization support the facilitation of a number of community-led events and initiatives that bring together LGBTQ2S+ people in the region.
This includes two events in downtown Peterborough: a monthly Queer Coffee social mixer hosted on the last Saturday of each month at Dreams of Beans at 141 Charlotte Street and a monthly board game night on the second Wednesday in partnership with Boardwalk Board Game Lounge at 261 George Street North.
