With the help of their many community supporters, the Prince Albert Q-Network is hard at work planning and fundraising for this year’s Pride Week festivities.
By March 22, the group has set an ambitious goal of raising $1,500 with a bottle drive -- money that will fund their biggest event yet.
“We’re trying to do a little more -- get more interest,” member Falon Hall said.
Although it’s still a few month away, they’ve already chosen a theme for this year’s festival -- “Love builds.”
“It’s about creating those partnerships, creating awareness, and loving diversity,” member Jennifer Brockman explained. “It’s not just about being accepted and tolerated, it’s about being cared for and loved and celebrated.”
While some segments of the population have yet to come on board, member Stephanie Bourne said that last year’s theme -- “Appreciating our Allies” -- showed them just how much support they have from outside the gay community.
“We had a huge turnout last year from our allies,” she said. “We were glad to see them come out and show their support … We love our allies in Prince Albert.”
Bringing together the community again for this year’s Sixth Annual Prince Albert Pride Week, the Q-Network is hosting events from June 3 to 9 this year, beginning with the raising of the Pride Flag at City Hall on June 3 at 5 p.m.
It’s about creating those partnerships, creating awareness, and loving diversity. - Jennifer Brockman
Events will continue through the week, including their most public event -- the Prince Parade, winding its way through the city’s downtown core beginning at 1:30 p.m. on June 8.
A few new events are being thrown into the mixt this year, including a drag show and a mini film festival focused on the queer and two-spirit culture.
Although Pride Week is their biggest event of the year, the Prince Albert Q-Network is active all the time, hosting both monthly social events and pubic education sessions.
The social component is important, Hall said, because it helps “provide a sense of community -- some place where people feel comfortable.
“There’s always a hard time finding people with the same differences as you, so it’s nice to take that difficulty out of the picture.”
The public education component includes presentations wherever they’re invited. These sessions include insight on bullying’s impact on the gay community, and raising awareness on how to make offices and public spaces more warm and welcoming to everyone.
For more information on where to drop off bottles or donations for this year’s Pride Week festivities, the Q-Network can be contacted at 940-6836, or through email at pa_pride@yahoo.com.
