With the sudden news of the Pride Festival being canceled this year, many folks in the LGBTQ2S+ community were feeling hurt for many different reasons. In the midst of the upheaval, divided community, and pain of losing our beloved parade, the community groups of all varieties stepped up to fill the void. Many organizations, agencies, and groups such as local United Churches, RARICAnow, Evolution Wonderlounge, Shades of Colour, Dragging Youth Series, Edmonton 2 Spirit Society, RAYE, The QUILTBAG, Outloud, ISMSS, and more held events all over the city during pride week. Some events are still anticipated as they are scheduled for later in the month of June.
As the new Affirming Ministries Coordinator of Edmonton, I provide continual support for congregations who are on the affirming journey while providing programming, support, resources and pastoral care to LGBTQ2S+ and allies on their spiritual journey. My position is a part of Robertson-Wesley United Church’s Outreach Ministries, and is funded through a grant from the Edmonton Presbytery New Ministries Development Team. Due to me stepping into this role so close to pride, I made a goal to visit as many events around the city as I could in order to network and provide support. Some of the events I was able to attend thus far were two pride Sunday church services that were hosted by United Churches, three faith/queer group events, a pride block party, a Met Gala, two small plays, and an all-ages drag show. While attending these events three major themes arose: Youth, Community, and Resiliency.
Youth
While attending the Met Gala, there were so many folks there helping to raise funds to support Camp Fyrefly. This camp is an LGBTQ2S+ camp that empowers youth to be leaders in their communities. Being a past youth and youth leader at this camp, I can honestly say I was excited to help and support the continuation of youth being empowered.
The event that impacted me the most thus far has got to be the all-ages drag show. I’ve attended my fair share of drag shows and have seen youths perform here and there, but there was something different this time. Seeing a room full of youth ages 1-20 surrounded by parents and siblings cheering them on as they performed (some for the first time!) It was so heartwarming to see kids and teens be comfortable with who they are and to show that off to the crowd. I felt like a proud dad as I watched two of my past campers perform!
Community
The best part about pride is seeing folks from all around the city come together to enjoy the sun, dance, drink, and enjoy each others company. While there was no park festival this year, Evolution Wonderlounge decided to increase the size of their yearly pride block party. They advertised that there would be an 18+ section and a family section. I was lucky enough to attend the event with close friends that had never experienced a pride event before. We laughed, danced, and sung in the rain and little bits of the sun as we watched the performances of dancers and drag queens. It definitely allowed folks to gain that community aspect that was missing this year.
Resiliency
Ashbourne/Garneau United Church hosted a performance by the GeriActors. This is a program that combines seniors with art students at The University of Alberta to create plays, act and sing. The first play featured four different LGBTQ2S+ stories. The first story was about a gay man’s life as he navigated adulthood knowing that he was gay. The second story was about a lesbian who left her husband for a woman. The third hit home for me as it was about a young teen girl telling her grandmother that she was gay. The last story was about the dynamics of an old married couple, and the support that the man got from his wife while he was getting ready to go on his first “gay” date at the age of 88. All of these stories made me laugh, cry, and reflect on my own story of being a youth and coming out. These stories represent the hardships and joys that people who are LGBTQ2S+ experience when trying to be themselves. The resiliency I saw in the characters, as well as the resiliency that I had seen all week, is why I love pride week!
Given the divisions in the community and the damage that was caused by the cancellation of pride, I was impressed and grateful for all of the work that community groups have done in order to provide events for folks to show their pride!
Shylo Rosborough (He/Him)
Affirming Ministries Coordinator of Edmonton