Blind River raised the rainbow flag at noon Friday honoring the LGBTQ2SI community as it hosts Pride celebrations across northern Ontario.
The flag raising was attended by Blind River Mayor Sally Hagman and several council members along with supporters including, Carol Hughes, MP Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing, representatives from Pride Elliot Lake and Mississauga First Nation and other supporters.
Local fire chief Ken Raymond hoisted the rainbow flag on the pole outside the town’s information centre.
“Welcome LGBTQ2SI, friends, allies,” Mayor Hagman said in a speech marking the flag raising. We are on Mississauga First Nation Land.”
“I would like to acknowledge the miracle of life that has allowed DNA to be unique for all of us,” she said. “We know that we all entered the world in a similar way and that our departure will also be similar and we also know that it is the dash in the middle that makes us the special people we are; each with their own set of values to be treasured and respected.”
“It is an honor and a privilege to raise the Pride flag in the town of Blind River as a symbol that our community embraces people from every walk of life,” mayor Hagman added.
She said she is looking forward to Pride events slated for the weekend.
Hughes acknowledged the injustices done in the past to people from the LGBTQ2SI community and said
“It was a horrible part of Canada’s history,” Hughes said of the injustices. “It can’t be forgotten.”
“We still have a lot of work to do,” she said of work to have equal rights for members of the LGBTQ2SI community.
“It is great to have wonderful allies,” an Elliot Lake Pride representative said.
It is the fourth year the rainbow flag has been raised in Blind River.