Importance of Pride

We had our first official Pride Week and Parade here in Fredericton last year. The week was amazing, with a proclamation being read by the Mayor and the Pride Flag being flown at City Hall. The Parade was even joined by a kayak on the beautiful St. John River along side of the ground marchers. The Rainbow Family group even marched with us. This year however the Fredericton Pride Week is being held together so far with duct tape and hopes and dreams. The budget is shot to hell, no proclamation sent into city hall, and a separate group trying to take it over.

This has gotten me thinking about what would happen to this city, which has the largest LGBTQ population per capita according to stats, if Pride week never happened this year. Would the LGBTQ population have a chance to celebrate their true colors? Would the heterosexual population have a chance to overcome their qualms about sharing a city with us? Would we have one more step to equality in this city? Our only gay bar is becoming more and more alternative, leaning more towards straight, and the battle for GSAs is becoming a losing one. However Pride week is the week for everyone to overcome the diversity and realize that we are all the same despite who love and how we identify ourselves.

GSAs

Currently in New Brunswick there are under 20 Gay Straight Alliances. This number is shocking given the number of schools in the Provence. The GSAs are important because these groups allow for both LGBT students and straight students to educate themselves and others on LGBT issues.

The prime years for these groups are in middle and high schools because it is in these age groups where students are most vulnerable and impressionable. I have seen first hand the impact that GSAs can have on students and I feel that we need more of them in the province.

Educate yourself and petition to have
a group at your local schools.

NB Florist under scrutiny

A florist in Riverview NB is under scrutiny for refusing to provide flowers for a lesbian couple's wedding. The florist cited her religious views as reasoning for her actions.

LGBT groups from both Nova Scotia and New Brunswick held a protest in response to these actions.

What do you people think? Is this an appropriate response to these actions?

Been a long time

I haven't posted in a long time, but I've been busy.

Earlier this month, February.12, I helped coordinate an event to end homophobia in schools. This event included Reverend Brent Hawkes, who preformed the first gay marriage back in the early 2000s. This event was attended by over 50 people.

Also the past couple of months have been busy for headlines about the don't ask don't tell policy and the C 38 bill. Both of these headlines have sparked controversy, but also gained lots of supporters. it's through headlines and rallies, that change can be made.

Merry Christmas!

Hi Everyone,

Just wishing everyone a merry Christmas! Its been quiet the past couple of days, but prepare for more frequent updates, including pictures.

Nikki

Big Changes

Its looking like there is changes underway in Fredericton. Recently Anti Bullying Day was celebrated by thousands on December.17, and there is a new Bill C-389 is under votes to become an actual bill. C-389 is a bill that will protect transgendered individuals from harassment. The founder of Bullying Canada is fighting for anti-homophobic bullying to be ended, along with other types of bullying to be ended. These are just two examples of positive actions in Fredericton.

However, there is still along ways to go. The fact that we are in the 21st century and there is no protection for transgendered individuals is actually a shock. Transgendered youth have some of the highest rates of suicide and transgendered individuals are more likely to be discriminated against. I recall in high school a group of fellow students poking fun at a neighbor because their neighbor had undergone a sex change.

These new changes are highly promising though. These changes mean that LGBT might not be discriminated against. In the words of a fellow Frederictonian gender queer are "more likely to be given less opportunities, weaker jobs, and are more likely to be poor". These words are true, but they are also true for gays and Lesbians. With Anti Bullying day rights of LGBT and gender Queer are shown to people of a younger age, which will eventually lead to less harassment. Does this mean that people are more likely to accept us? I hope so, I truly do.

My vision for the future means a future where my future children will not be harassed for having two moms like I was. My future vision is future where my friends will not be bullied for using a washroom. My future will involve a world where LGBT are not executed or deported. My future will mean that the prime time Television shows will include shows like the L Word. Is this future possible? Yes it is.