Smiths Falls Pride
Message from Mayor Shawn Pankow
On Day 3 of my 100 Days of Gratitude, I want to recognize Smiths Falls Pride!
This gratitude extends back from the inaugural Pride Committee that delivered the first celebration in 2018 to the group of dedicated volunteers who organized the flag raising and mini celebration in the Town Square in June and the Pride Parade and and Party in the Park, and other events over the past several days.
In a world where bigotry, intolerance and prejudice all too often rears its ugly head, I am incredibly proud to have been mayor during a time of acceptance, inclusion and understanding for members of our 2SLGBTQ+ community.
Although other communities had long held Pride events, the parade and celebration that kicked things off in 2018 was not without apprehension. There were concerns how it would be received and would anyone come out to be part of this historic event.
Thanks to the dedicated work of the volunteer committee and the outstanding enthusiasm and energy of a large group from Canopy Growth, it was a fabulous event and one of my proudest days as Mayor. Our community opened its heart to inclusion and let every member of the 2SLGBTQ+ community know they are loved as they are, and respected as our friend and neighbour. It was truly a watershed moment in time that Smiths Falls showed its true colours - every colour of the rainbow.
A similar celebration was held in 2019 and, despite the interruption of a global pandemic, new volunteers later stepped up to renew Pride celebrations, a commitment that was picked up by a different group earlier this year.
It was also back on August 13, 2018 that the Pride flag was first raised in Smiths Falls. It has flown every year since, with members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community always participating in raising the flag to the skies above.
On June 3, 2023, a joyous crowd gathered to celebrate as we unveiled the first Pride crosswalks in town. I will always remember Keith Johnston, beaming with pride, being the first person to step forward on it, pausing on his way across to pirouette! The two crosswalks have been painted annually since by dedicated town staff, despite facing insults and intolerable homophobic behaviour of a few.
Collectively, our community stands proudly with our 2SLGBTQ family and friends. Everyone deserves a life free of bigotry and prejudice. Every human has the right to live their lives as their authentic selves without the fear of social stigmatism, bullying, intolerance, or abuse.
Everyone must feel welcome in Smiths Falls and have the confidence to live their life to the fullest.
So today, I extend a big thank you to everyone involved in celebrating Pride in Smiths Falls, you have truly made a difference in our community.
On Day 3 of my 100 Days of Gratitude, I want to recognize Smiths Falls Pride!
This gratitude extends back from the inaugural Pride Committee that delivered the first celebration in 2018 to the group of dedicated volunteers who organized the flag raising and mini celebration in the Town Square in June and the Pride Parade and and Party in the Park, and other events over the past several days.
In a world where bigotry, intolerance and prejudice all too often rears its ugly head, I am incredibly proud to have been mayor during a time of acceptance, inclusion and understanding for members of our 2SLGBTQ+ community.
Although other communities had long held Pride events, the parade and celebration that kicked things off in 2018 was not without apprehension. There were concerns how it would be received and would anyone come out to be part of this historic event.
Thanks to the dedicated work of the volunteer committee and the outstanding enthusiasm and energy of a large group from Canopy Growth, it was a fabulous event and one of my proudest days as Mayor. Our community opened its heart to inclusion and let every member of the 2SLGBTQ+ community know they are loved as they are, and respected as our friend and neighbour. It was truly a watershed moment in time that Smiths Falls showed its true colours - every colour of the rainbow.
A similar celebration was held in 2019 and, despite the interruption of a global pandemic, new volunteers later stepped up to renew Pride celebrations, a commitment that was picked up by a different group earlier this year.
It was also back on August 13, 2018 that the Pride flag was first raised in Smiths Falls. It has flown every year since, with members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community always participating in raising the flag to the skies above.
On June 3, 2023, a joyous crowd gathered to celebrate as we unveiled the first Pride crosswalks in town. I will always remember Keith Johnston, beaming with pride, being the first person to step forward on it, pausing on his way across to pirouette! The two crosswalks have been painted annually since by dedicated town staff, despite facing insults and intolerable homophobic behaviour of a few.
Collectively, our community stands proudly with our 2SLGBTQ family and friends. Everyone deserves a life free of bigotry and prejudice. Every human has the right to live their lives as their authentic selves without the fear of social stigmatism, bullying, intolerance, or abuse.
Everyone must feel welcome in Smiths Falls and have the confidence to live their life to the fullest.
So today, I extend a big thank you to everyone involved in celebrating Pride in Smiths Falls, you have truly made a difference in our community.
QUEER CONNECTION LANARK respectfully acknowledges that we are meeting on the unceded traditional territory of the Algonquin People. We acknowledge and honour the traditions and roles of Two Spirit People in Indigenous life and offer our gratitude to the First Peoples for their many teachings about the care of the Earth and respect for all living things.
