A8 Gay community celebrated on day of joy & remembrance B y H o w a rd M ozel OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Patrick West, a 28-year old gay man who committed suicide last October after enduring years of homophobia, discrimination and gay-bashing. Catherine Bergey, West's mother and a strong advocate of the Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG), talked about her son and the homophobia that still exists in the region. She also spoke of the important work being waged by Halton Pride and the Halton Anti-Homophobia Committee. An oak tree was planted in West's honour outside the pavilion that was used during the day and Bergey was given flowers and a special plaque on which was engraved, "Forever in our hearts, Forever a part of the Community." On hand for the dedication was West's nine year old daughter and her two moms plus her grandmother who all made the drive from New York to be part of the occasion. Several parents of Halton Pride Committee members also took part for the first time to lend their support. In one instance, a volunteer who recently came out had invited his par ents to attend, but they told they were having trouble dealing with the news and would not take part in a gay event. A couple of hours into Halton Pride, however, they showed up and sur prised him. "The three of them stood in a hug ging position for about 10 minutes and just cried together," said Logan. "Needless to say anyone in a radius of about 30 feet felt the emotion and were indeed sobbing themselves." THE OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday June 6. 2001 Laughter, tears and some heart warming surprises all combined to make Halton Pride 2001 - Saturday's second annual celebration of local gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered communities - an unqualified success. Subtitled "Celebrating the Diverse Expressions of Family," the Bronte Creek Provincial Park event did address serious issues and elicited strong emotions, but it never lost sight of the fun-filled, family-style picnic the afternoon was designed to be. Even Mother Nature co-operated by keeping the rain at bay for the most part and even allowed the sun to shine through for part of the day. "The whole family theme was a complete success," said Halton Pride Committee volunteer organizer Marcus Logan. "We had a ton of chil dren in the children's area face paint ing, singing, playing soccer and just being kids. The park was filled with their laughter and bright smiles. Who needs sun when you have a child's smile." Logan, who characterized the after noon as a "smashing event," said between 400 and 500 people had taken part by day's end. Activities ranged from nature hikes, music, arts and crafts to educational and health dis plays, raffles and more. Live entertainment included The Strap-Ons, Julie and Friends, The Living Blues Band and comedian David McLean. Halton Pride 2001 was dedicated to Photos by Peter C. McCusker Halton Pride Picnic Committee members Kim Abbott and Sarah Pring, (above) used the occasion to announce their upcoming marriage. Catherine Bergey (right) the mother of Patrick West, a gay man who com mitted suicide, spoke at Halton Pride 2001 and had a tree planted in her son's memory California Oct. 18/2001, Feb. 7, Mar. 14/2002 25 days $3395 DeNure Tours 1 800 668-6859 Price is per person twin a nd includes all taxes. 3 indoor riding arenas. Classes available for children, teenagers and adults all year round. BERTIN STABLES C anada's Largest English Riding School Sail on Tall Ship at Watefront Festival The O akville W aterfront Festival will give anyone who has dream ed of saling on a Tall Ship the opportu nity to do so. The Em pire Sandy will be sailing out of Bronte H arbour June 22-24 during the Festival. 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