For the third straight year, events will be happening in Estevan to mark Pride Week.
The local activities will run from May 27 to June 2, and will be organized by Moose Jaw Pride. Members of the LGBTQ community, and their supporters, are invited to attend.
The first event will be welcoming and inclusive faith services at St. Giles Anglican Church at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. on May 27.
“The Anglican Church, in the last year or two, has made a commitment to talking a little more seriously, and with a greater focus on gender and sexual diversity, so I’m glad to see the Anglican Church putting together a service that is specifically welcoming towards gender and sexual diversity in the community,” said Joe Wickenhauser, the executive director of Moose Jaw Pride.
A flag-raising ceremony will occur at city hall at 12:15 p.m. on May 28.
The focus will shift to Estevan Comprehensive School (ECS) on May 29. First there will be a presentation by Cole Ramsey, who is a teacher from Moose Jaw, titled Being Proud at School, starting at 10 a.m. It will be open to students and staff.
“Cole will be talking about the challenges and rewards of celebrating pride in schools, and being yourself in that environment,” said Wickenhauser.
An ECS flag-raising in the school’s front lawn will happen at 12:15 p.m.
During the ECS awards night on May 30 at 7 p.m. at the school’s cafeteria, the gay-straight alliance at the school will present awards.
Pride Week will wrap up on May 31 with Putt Putt Pride miniature golf at 7 p.m. at the Hidden Valley Golf Resort.
Wickenhauser said there is a growing relationship between the Saskatchewan Pride Network and ECS.
“I think a lot of the youth are taking on more of a leadership in planning Pride Week and making sure it happens in the community,” said Wickenhauser.
It’s why he’s excited for the mini golf night at Hidden Valley, which he expects will be a relaxed time for people to interact.
Wickenhauser hopes to see good crowds for the events, with members of the LGBTQ community interacting with those who support gender and sexual diversity.
“I think it’s really important that we just create a space for people who are within the community to find acceptance and support, from those who are supportive,” said Wickenhauser.
It can be challenging to come out in a smaller community, he said, because they might think they are the only one.
“Having an event where a whole community gathers around, it makes it, I think, a lot easier for people to know that they’re not alone, and that there is a community who will be there to support them,” said Wickenhauser.
