A Pride parade and festival held in Chatham Saturday was more than just an event, for many participants it’s a way to openly celebrate who they are in their community.
Crimson Dodge, 15, and Tyler Brown, 17, were both proudly draped in a Pride flag as they made their way to a festival in Tecumseh Park following a parade organized by the Chatham-Kent Gay Pride Association.
Dodge, who proclaimed, “I’m trans, I go by he/him,” was happy to see Chatham host a Pride event on this scale, “because it gives us a chance to be ourselves.”
Dodge is feeling comfortable being himself in the community, adding, “Nobody’s going to yell at me for wearing a Pride flag.”
Although some people don’t accept his sexual orientation, Dodge added, “Honestly, it’s pretty great.”
Brown, who only visibly came out in May, said, “It hasn’t been that bad.
“I’ve had some comments at school, but that’s teenagers in school.”
Brown said accepting people who are from the LGBTQ community is a lot more common among young people today.
The Pride parade and festival provided a special opportunity the two teens said.
“I’m excited just to be out and be gay with friends today,” Brown said.
Dodge said it also an opportunity to meet some new friends.
Although those in the LGBTQ community are finding more support in the community these days, there’s still a learning curve and adjustment to go through.
Florence Tesolin and her teenage child, Robin, were among those watching the Pride parade.
Florence Tesolin said she enjoyed seeing her first Pride parade, adding she needs to start supporting the Pride movement “because of her,” referring to her child.
But, Robin quickly states “him” as his preferred pronoun.
Robin Tesolin, who turns 15 soon, is finding more support in the community.
“I do feel comfortable being myself and I like going to these things. . . I can find other people like me,” he said.
Robin added he’s found a lot of friends who have similar interests and share the same preferences in the LGBTQ community.
Dave Butler, a member of the CK Gay Pride board and Canadian Union of Public Employees Ontario’s Pink Triangle Committee, said to have the community come out and supporting this event is amazing.
Butler has also noticed more people are expressing their true selves.
“You’re seeing a lot more people come out and be comfortable with who they are and that’s great,” he said.
Butler said it’s very difficult for people to live in the community while trying to conceal who they are.
“We want to see everybody in a spot where they can be comfortable with who they are, accepted for who they are and everything that goes with that,” he said.
Allison McDermott, 34, was impressed with the local Pride parade.
“It was wonderful,” she said. “It was nice to see such a turnout and so much support.”
She has attended Toronto’s Pride celebrations and didn’t expect Chatham-Kent to be on the same level, but said, “It sure is nice.”
McDermott admitted to being surprised at the local support for the LGBTQ community in a municipality that some people might regard as having a more conservative viewpoint.
“It’s nice to see the amount of support.”