For Immediate Release

MUSKOKA PRIDE PICNIC THIS SUNDAY

BRACEBRIDGE, ONTARIO – July 24th, 2015 –  Muskoka Pride Festival will come to a close this Sunday, July 26th with the 7th annual Muskoka Pride Picnic.  Muskoka Pride would like to invite everyone in Muskoka out to this LGBTA (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, and allies) event.

The Muskoka Pride Festival is sponsored by The Town of Bracebridge, the Bala Cranberry Festival, and RBC Branches of Muskoka.  The picnic will be held at Annie Williams Park in Bracebridge again this year. The event will take place from 12 Noon to 4 PM.   Participants are invited to bring a lawn chair or picnic blanket as they enjoy this relaxed afternoon event. Food and beverages will be provided at this free event.

This year, Muskoka Pride is pleased to have live music provided by local band Mitch’s Brew. Throughout the afternoon, participants will be taking part in picnic games (balloon races, TP mummy wrapping, hula hoop competitions), a scavenger hunt, and other picnic activities (croquet, badminton, bocce ball). We will be holding draws for door prizes and other competitions.

For further information about all events, go to www.muskokapride.com or go to the Muskoka Pride Facebook page.

Everyone, gay and straight alike, is welcome to attend all Muskoka Pride Week events. 

 

For immediate release

RAINBOW FLAGS PROUDLY FLY OVER MUSKOKA
All Muskoka Communities Show Support for Diversity

MUSKOKA, ONTARIO – July 20th , 2014 – For second year, all of the communities in Muskoka are raising the Rainbow Pride flag to recognize Muskoka Pride Festival which runs July 17 – 26.

The Townships of Muskoka Lakes, Georgian Bay, and Lake of Bays, and the towns of Huntsville, Bracebridge, and Gravenhurst will all be raising the flag again this year.

Starting the day off, Georgian Bay Township Mayor Larry Braid and Lake of Bays Mayor Bob Young proudly raised the Rainbow flag in Port Severn and Dwight respectively. Referring to Georgian Bay Township’s stragegic plan, Mayor Braid stated, “We are proud to have Muskoka Pride as a stakeholder in our community.” He also shared his optimism that the new Courtesy flagpole would work – to his pleasure the flag was raised flawlessly.

Muskoka Lakes Mayor Don Furniss commented on the role Muskoka Pride had in getting a flag holder installed. In 2014 Muskoka Pride spoke before Council and purchased the holder. Mayor Furniss recognized that this is the second year for a Rainbow Pride flag raising, “and we hope it’s an annual occurance.” He also mentioned that with the new holder the Township has marked other flag raisings as well.

Bracebridge Mayor Graydon Smith expressed his pleasure in raising the Rainbow Pride flag for the 5th consecutive year, to thunderous applause from over 50 people who attended the ceremony. Mayor Smith thanked the Pride organizers for their time and dedication. He remarked, “The crowd is growing every year, the awareness is growing. Everyone is making an incredibly positive impact in the community.”

The Rainbow Flag symbolizes the LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer) community with the different colours representing the diverse groups.

For Heather Hay, Chairperson of Muskoka Pride, the flag raisings are a symbol of acceptance of the LGBT population of Muskoka. “It says to the people in Muskoka that our community is diverse and inclusive, an important message for residents and visitors.”

Hay stressed the need for the flag raising’s visibility within Muskoka. “It’s important for young people to see it and know that they’re welcome in their own community.”

“It is significant that all communities of Muskoka are once again recognizing the Muskoka Pride Festival this year,” says board member Shawn Forth, “because there are LGBTQ 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 LGBTQ community so that you don’t isolated. LGBTQ Pride is not just about tolerance and acceptance – it’s about celebrating the rich diversity in our community.”

The Muskoka Pride Festival continues with events all week throughout Muskoka. The week concludes on Sunday July 26th with the 7th annual Muskoka Pride Picnic at Annie Williams Park in Bracebridge.

For further information about all events, go to www.muskokapride.com or visit the Muskoka Pride Facebook Page www.facebook.com/muskokapride

For Immediate Release

DAY OF RAINBOW PRIDE FLAG RAISINGS TO COMMENCE IN GEORGIAN BAY

All Muskoka Municipalities to Show Support for Diversity

PORT SEVERN, ONTARIO – July 20th , 2014 – For the second year, all six municipalities in Muskoka are raising the Rainbow Pride flag on Monday July 20th to recognize Muskoka Pride Festival which runs July 17 – 26.

The first Rainbow flag will be raised in Port Severn at 10:30. Mayor Larry Braid, Georgian Bay Councillors and staff will join Muskoka Pride board members and the public with the official flag raising.

“Muskoka is a large geography, stretching from Georgian Bay all the way to Algonquin Park,” says Shawn Forth, Muskoka Pride board member. “It is fitting that we are starting our day of flag raisings in the easternmost municipality and then making our way west.”

The vast geography often makes people who identify as LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, queer) feel very isolated and alone, Forth explains. “The Rainbow Pride flag is a symbol of inclusion and flying it proudly in rural Ontario communities fosters a sense of belonging and celebration.”

This is the second year that the Township of Georgian Bay has raised the Rainbow Pride flag. The Rainbow flag will also be raised in the Townships of Muskoka Lakes, and Lake of Bays, and the towns of Huntsville, Bracebridge, and Gravenhurst later in the day. Members of the public are invited to attend any of the flag raisings.

The Rainbow Flag symbolizes the LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer) community with the different colours representing the diverse groups.

The Muskoka Pride Festival continues with events all week throughout Muskoka. The week concludes on Sunday July 26th with the 7th annual Muskoka Pride Picnic at Annie Williams Park in Bracebridge.

For further information about all events, go to www.muskokapride.com or visit the Muskoka Pride Facebook Page.

For Immediate Release
MUSKOKA PRIDE FESTIVAL KICKS OFF FRIDAY IN HUNTSVILLE

HUNTSVILLE, ONTARIO – July 17th, 2015– The 2015 Muskoka Pride Festival kicks off this Friday in Huntsville with a free BBQ downtown. 

This is the 3rd year that Muskoka Pride festivities have started in Huntsville.  “It’s a great start to a fun-filled week” says Shawn Forth, a board member with Muskoka Pride. “This is the kind of community-based and family-friendly event that Muskoka Pride is known for.”

The kick-off BBQ is open to everyone and takes place at River Mill Park starting at 4pm.  People can expect some music playing, games for families, a chance to get LGBTQ resources, and of course the free hot dogs. The BBQ runs until 6:30, and people can continue the festivities with the annual Huntsville Midnight Madness sale.

“We are pleased to carry on the tradition that started two years ago during the 2013 Muskoka Pride Week,” says Heather Hay, Muskoka Pride chairperson. “What is more Muskoka than an outdoor BBQ in the park with friends and family?”

The Muskoka Pride Festival runs for ten days, with activities and events all across Muskoka, and concludes with the 7th annual Muskoka Pride Picnic at  Annie Williams Park in Bracebridge on Sunday July 26th from noon to 4pm.

For further information about all events, go to www.muskokapride.com  or go to the Muskoka Pride Facebook Page www.facebook.com/MuskokaPride

Everyone, gay and straight alike, is welcome to attend all Muskoka Pride events. 

Notes from a PFLAG Parent
By Sara Hay
 

With the recent decision by the U.S. Supreme Court it seems everyone is now openly talking about equality for the LGBTQ Community. It is a welcome sign of how far we have come in understanding and acceptance.

It certainly wasn't this way when I first encountered the issue some 35 years ago living here in Muskoka. I grew up in Toronto knowing almost nothing about homosexuality. It just wasn't on my radar. What opened my eyes was my daughter deciding to do a project for her sociology course in high school. She came home loaded with books from the school library and set about informing herself and her class about the topic. I think I learned more than anyone.

I was delighted and proud of her for having the courage to tackle such a controversial topic. She always did seem fearless.

During the course of this project she off-handedly asked what I would do if one of my own kids was gay. Being totally unaware of the importance of this question I said it wouldn't matter to me but I wouldn't want that for my child based on how our society treated the LGBTQ community. My answer did not make her feel safe and only shut down further discussion.

She got an excellent mark on the project and went off to university while I put my blinders right back on. It took a couple of years to slowly come to the realization that she had something she really wanted us to know. Both her dad and I had figured it out and she was quite relieved to hear that we were both OK with who she was. We just wanted her to be happy.

She was not ready to come out to the world and certainly not her home town so I was reluctant to talk with anyone outside the family.

It was difficult and awkward keeping silent especially when I was faced with homophobic slurs passed off as humour in the staff room at the school where I taught. I became aware of other parents in my situation but there was such a climate of silence that no one seemed comfortable in sharing that knowledge.

Although we supported her through relationships from here to Yellowknife I would have been so grateful to have some way to share my feelings and experiences back then. It has taken many years to get where I am now.

The biggest change came when our daughter, Heather, moved back to live in Gravenhurst. She got involved with Muskoka PRIDE and has done so much to raise awareness in our community. We proudly stand with her at flag raisings and attend the annual PRIDE picnic. We have attended the two Muskoka PRIDE conferences where we continue to learn about the LGBTQ community and how we can support them.

Once I became aware of the PFLAG organization I decided to become involved with the local chapter. PFLAG originally stood for Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays. It now includes the whole spectrum of the LGBTQ community. Its aim is to head up peer support groups where fear, concern, anger and shame are met with knowledge and compassion. We are currently developing a file of resources and creating opportunities for people to find the support they need. Meetings have been held in Gravenhurst but we are looking to expand throughout Muskoka.

Happy PRIDE Week to all of  Muskoka.

You can find us on Facebook at PFLAG Canada – Muskoka ON  

Email: [email protected]

Muskoka Pride Challenges Muskoka Residents to celebrate Diversity & Inclusion with Photo Contest

BRACEBRIDGE, ONTARIO – July 6th , 2015 –Muskoka Pride is holding a contest that is open to anyone in Muskoka. Residents are asked to take a photo showing Muskoka’s awareness and acceptance for the LGBTQA (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer, and Ally) community.

Photos should showcase something that is uniquely “Muskoka” while celebrating diversity. In previous years some residents have decorated their house, business, or garden in rainbow colours and taken a photo. Last year the winning photo was submitted by Vincent Evans-Lucy . His photo was taken overlooking Lake Muskoka and had the most votes of all the photos submitted.

Photos should be emailed to [email protected] no later than 6:00pm on Wednesday July 22nd .

All entries will be posted on the Muskoka Pride website and will be voted on during the Muskoka Pride Festival (July 17 – 26) on the Muskoka Pride Facebook Page. The winning entry will be the one with the most “likes” and will be announced at the 7th annual Muskoka Pride Picnic, on July 26th at Annie Williams Park in Bracebridge from 12-4pm.

Muskoka Pride wants to continue to show the world what a great destination Muskoka is for the LGTBQA community.

For more information on the Muskoka Pride Festival, please go to our website www.muskokapride.com or to our Facebook Page www.facebook.com/MuskokaPride