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Halton Pride offers safe public events for LGBTQ+ by Kathy Yanchus Metroland West Media 9 | Thursday, May 26, 2016 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com Halton Pride 2016 is much more than an opportunity to educate people and increase awareness about the LGBTQ+ youth community in this region. The youth-driven and organized event, which culminates on Saturday, June 4 at Burlington Central Park, offers members of the LGBTQ+ community a safe place to be who they are. Among the many messages received after last year's event were comments expressing gratitude for feeling safe holding a girlfriend's hand for the first time, or meeting other queer youths for the first time in their life, said Beckham Ronaghan, the 26-year-old youth co-ordinator for Positive Space Network, which organizes the annual event along with its Youth Action Committee (YAC). "What's different about this event, and the youth drop-in programs that occur every month, is that this event is in the community, so it's public," continued Ronaghan. "The ability of the YAC to create a safe space, that's public, that people feel safe celebrating who they are, is so powerful." As important as building acceptance and awareness is, it's also essential to have spaces to celebrate "who we are, so we can move our community from surviving to thriving," said Helping organize Halton Pride 2016, pictured from left, are: Sonali Patel, Tyler Wisner, Beckham Ronaghan, Taylor Carusi and M.C. Kowal. | photo by Nikki Wesley - Oakville Beaver Ronaghan. Halton is not immune from youth homelessness and suicide within its LGBTQ+ community, advised Ronaghan. "This event is an extremely important demonstration of the pride and celebration that exists for those youths and those lives." Halton Pride runs between 4-9 p.m. and includes community booths and resources, as well as activities such as the popular drag buffet -- where individuals have the chance to dress up as a drag king or queen -- and youth performances, all chosen to cater to local LGBTQ+ youths. "One common overall wish among the LGBTQ+ youths is they `want to be safe'," said youth facilitator Taylor Carusi, 18. "They definitely want an opportunity to meet other queer and trans youths," added Sonali Patel, 19, the event's volunteer co-ordinator. "We've seen a lot of youths that have been able to come out and meet other queer and trans youths, not just to make friends, but also a lot of them have ended up finding partners through this programming. It's been a really great experience." In the midst of Halton's "very heteronormative environment," Halton Pride is a vital "safe space" to connect to other like-minded individuals, which she believes can lessen susceptibility to mental health issues, she said. The event is family-friendly, everyone is invited and welcome, with lots of activities geared to different age groups, including an inter-faith panel, rainbow weave and a kids' zone, said organizers. Halton Pride is most definitely not a parade, added Tyler Wisner, 18, in reference to the focal point of Toronto Pride. "It's not centered around drinking and 19plus events," added Ronaghan. During the week prior, there are community-specific events planned, including a Georgetown Pride Swim at Gellert Community Centre on Tuesday, May 31 between 6:30-8:30 p.m. At the Oak Park Neighbourood Centre in Oakville, a Trans Pride event will be held Wednesday, June 1 from 5-8 p.m. to celebrate "all non-binary identities." see Success on p.17 "VISIT DIETRICHS FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF SPECIALTY MEATS FOR YOUR BBQ AND HOLIDAY ENTERTAINING!" ALL YOU CAN EAT OAKVILLE'S MOST TRUSTED NAME FOR QUALITY MEAT P R O U D LY S E R V I N G OA K V I L L E S I N C E 19 8 6 Lunch or Dinner DiNe iN foR AllYou cAN eAt Meat Warehouse 905-847-5295 3rd Line 1260 SPEERS X Unit 13 dietrichs QEW 4th Line Dorval 1260 SPEERS RD. , UNIT 13, OAKVILLE N HOURS Monday CLOSED Tues-Thurs 10-7 · Fri 9-7 · Sat 9-6 · Sun 11-5 280 North Service Road W. @ Dorval 905-338-6228 10% oFF Dinner only. cash only & with this ad. www.august8.ca