Support for Pride Week ON THE RISE
NANCY KING
The Cape Breton Post
SYDNEY — As it marks its ninth year celebrating Pride Week, the Pride Cape Breton Society has seen community support for the event grow dramatically, a spokesperson says.
Pride Week begins Saturday and runs until Aug. 16, with the theme Born to Shine. It features a wide variety of events, many of which are family friendly, Peter Steele noted.
“We certainly have grown in the number of events, as well as the length of the big day events,” he said. “We’ve certainly grown with regards to the numbers of volunteers, we’ve grown in the numbers of sponsorships ... and I am almost triple last year’s financial donations. It’s really becoming a major festival and, certainly by next year, we’re going to rival every other festival that takes place on the island.”
Steele attributes that growth to efforts the society has made to be visible in the community, over the course of the year and not only during Pride Week.
“The fact that people are beginning to realize that we’re no different than anybody else has certainly played a major role,” he said. “Everything we do, we try to do on a very positive note.”
Reaching out to families has always been a main tenet of local pride events, he said, which he believes has also played a role in the growing popularity of the festival. The first day of the festival is family day at the playground at the South End Community Centre, with events including games, a barbecue, face painting, and a opportunity to meet members of PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays). That day, there will also be a masquerade dance at Christ Church Hall organized by the Breton Education Centre Gay Straight Alliance.
The involvement of youth in hosting and organizing events is something new this year, Steele said.
“That’s a huge plus for us,” he said.
One of the events people should look forward to is the Diva Delights Drag show Sunday at the Horizon Achievement Centre, Steele said. It will feature the current Ms. Sydney Rouge Fatale, and Ms. Indie Skies, and other special guests including someone who will perform a tribute to Michael Jackson.
A highlight of the week is expected to be Aug. 12’s MusicFest at the Southend Community Centre, which will be kicked off with a session for youth age 18 and younger. Among the performers over the course of the night will be Cameron Hollohan, Bryan Stewart. Alex Abbass, Robert Barrie, Laurel Martell and Aaron Lewis, Helles Belles and Sandy Maxwell.
The events planned for this Pride Week are the most diverse yet, Steele said. The parade, taking place Sunday in downtown Sydney, is always a high point of the festival. This year, the grand marshals are members of CBRM council.