The purpose of Queer Connection Lanark County is to increase the visibility of the 2SLGBTQI+ community.
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To this end Queer Connection Lanark has been present in the following ways in:
Active in Lanark County since 2014, Queer Connection Lanark County has built upon the tremendous work done by LGBT Lanark County and LGBT Lanark County Civitan.
The work of these Lanark County organizations is also celebrated on this website as part of what changed Lanark County forever to a welcoming community for people of all genders and orientations.
We are pleased to also celebrate the work of Pride Committees in Lanark County: Carleton Place, Mississippi Mills, Smiths Falls and Perth.
- Visibility – Participated at Ottawa Pride Parade, QCL produced documentary “Lanark County Voices - There's a Place for Me Here”, Perth Pride Parade/Community Fair Events, Sip, Saviour, Repeat Drop-Ins, ½ page thank you ad in Perth Courier, QCL Book Club, QCL at Perth Maple Fest, Community Rainbow Champion Awards, Queer Refugee Community member supper, 50 Lawn Signs purchased/distributed, Local Immigration Partnership, Open Forum with OPP & QCL
- Health – QCL on Ont. Health LLG Lived Experienced Advisory, QCL on Ont. Health LLG Equity, Diversity, Inclusivity, Anti-Racism Committee, Awareness workshops for volunteers of Hospice Hub and North Lanark Hospice, Rideau Community Health Services previewed QCL film 'Lanark County Voices - There's a Place for Me Here'.
- Youth – QCL member of Children & Youth Collaborative Table, Placed banned books in all 5 Lanark County public libraries, QCL display at Wellness Fairs in Perth Highschool & Smiths Falls Highschool, Advisory Committee for Big Brothers Big Sisters 'Igniting the Potential' Initiative, QCL display at CROW/Early-On Fair, Awareness Workshop at TR Legere, Family & Children Services of Lanark, Leeds & Grenville previewed QCL film ‘Lanark County Voices – There’s a Place for Me Here’.
- Seniors - QCL member of Senior Pride Network Canada, QCL participated at Almonte Over 55+ Fair
- Activism - Transgender Day of Remembrance, QCL member of County Community Safety and Wellbeing Committee, QCL sits on Lanark County Inclusivity, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility Adv. Committee, QCL member of Building Safer Communities Committee, Rural Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder Network Info session, PLEO Webinar “Call me who I am” with QCL.
Active in Lanark County since 2014, Queer Connection Lanark County has built upon the tremendous work done by LGBT Lanark County and LGBT Lanark County Civitan.
The work of these Lanark County organizations is also celebrated on this website as part of what changed Lanark County forever to a welcoming community for people of all genders and orientations.
We are pleased to also celebrate the work of Pride Committees in Lanark County: Carleton Place, Mississippi Mills, Smiths Falls and Perth.
Rainbow Champion Awards
The purpose of this award is to identify and honour members of the community who have made significant contribution in making an inclusive, safe and welcoming community.
Each one of these people have either supported, advocated, championed and/or created a work environment that is respectful of all.
2025 RECIPIENTS:
Perth & District Union Public Library
Kelsey Dold - owner of Jazzy’s Brewhaus
Perth & District Community Foundation
Kory Earle-Morrow - Activist
Chelsea Valiquette Fowler - owner of Peter’s Restaurant
Krista Kennedy - Nurse Practitioner, Ottawa Valley Family Health Team
2024 RECIPIENTS:
Pennyann Bell - owner and chef of Penny's Place
Nicole Croteau - Reigniting Our Potential Project lead staff, Big Brothers Big Sisters Lanark County
Jennifer Miller - Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters Lanark County
Meredith Toivanen - Director of The Perkolator
Perth Tourism Team - Cathy McNally, Kathryn Jamieson, Karen Szaba, Crystal Reinhard
2023 RECIPIENTS:
John Fenik - former Mayor of Perth
Erin Lee - Executive Director of Lanark County Interval House and Community Services
Heidi Stepanek/Peter Dixon - owners of Spark Books & Curios
Kassy Boulay - owner Perth Pie Company
Elizabeth Snyder - member of Queer Connection Lanark
The purpose of this award is to identify and honour members of the community who have made significant contribution in making an inclusive, safe and welcoming community.
Each one of these people have either supported, advocated, championed and/or created a work environment that is respectful of all.
2025 RECIPIENTS:
Perth & District Union Public Library
Kelsey Dold - owner of Jazzy’s Brewhaus
Perth & District Community Foundation
Kory Earle-Morrow - Activist
Chelsea Valiquette Fowler - owner of Peter’s Restaurant
Krista Kennedy - Nurse Practitioner, Ottawa Valley Family Health Team
2024 RECIPIENTS:
Pennyann Bell - owner and chef of Penny's Place
Nicole Croteau - Reigniting Our Potential Project lead staff, Big Brothers Big Sisters Lanark County
Jennifer Miller - Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters Lanark County
Meredith Toivanen - Director of The Perkolator
Perth Tourism Team - Cathy McNally, Kathryn Jamieson, Karen Szaba, Crystal Reinhard
2023 RECIPIENTS:
John Fenik - former Mayor of Perth
Erin Lee - Executive Director of Lanark County Interval House and Community Services
Heidi Stepanek/Peter Dixon - owners of Spark Books & Curios
Kassy Boulay - owner Perth Pie Company
Elizabeth Snyder - member of Queer Connection Lanark
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.
