COMMUNITY That’s a wrap on historic 2SLGBTQIA+ celebrations

Sunday, September 22nd 2024 was a historic day in Paris, and for the County of Brant with the first annual Brant Pride season ‘Joy’ finale. The final event in a five-event series commemorating and celebrating 2SLGBTQIA+ community in the five wards of the County of Brant and their connections to: history, nature, spirituality, creativity and joy! Plans started around this time last year with artist, activist, and facilitator Mabe Kyle receiving the Ontario Community Changemakers Grant through 880 Cities - a not-for-profit which believes if you make a city safe, accessible and enriching for people 8 years old and 80 years old, then you will make a great and nourishing city for all - and Mabe approached myself about starting a Pride for the County of Brant. Together Mabe and I developed the concept of the season: to highlight, expand and reach our community and allies with 2SLGBTQIA+ programming which engaged a wider spectrum of people and would potentially spark more nuanced discussion around identity, history and all the other complex facets all humans explore about themselves Each event happened in a different ward so the whole County of Brant was represented and had an even closer to home; the joy event on Sunday happened at Paris Lion’s Park.

A picture to summarize the day: a joyful, colourful and cute celebration of life. Pictured is Brant Pride co-chair Mabe Kyle's sister and niece!

The ‘Joy’ Brant Pride event had many components and thanks to the great support from volunteers and some County of Brant staffespecially Olga Denisova and Lisa Campbell - they all worked together relatively seamless! There was a buzzing market with vibrant vendors and some vital and generous community groups, a real range of original art, creative activities, civic support, municipal groups and more. There was also a BBQ that was Pay What You May prepared and presented by Brantford Pride - a longstanding Pride group who meet weekly in Brantford - whose efforts to feed everyone in attendance, were so generous and a perfect representation of Pride!

There was a stage with entertainment for the entire day, hosted by yours trulyyy, live music from Eric Bolton and Braeden Etienne, Drag Story-time and show from Manny Dingo, Charlize Angel, Malakai Batz, Lucy Purr and Cherry Bomb, and an incredible poetry stage curated by Maichina Veri of B Lit Fest with poets Diane Evans, Kristy Dolson, Deliah Pittman, Elizabeth Tarr and Atonryehtsherase Martin. There was also a fun feature called ‘Community News’ where community groups could make announcements about their upcoming events, meet ups, services, etc. The stage, like every other element was created to represent the diversity, vibrancy and complexity of our wonderful rainbow community!

Plans are already underway for next year’s season and that’s thanks to so many amazing people who every step of the way supported, boosted, shared, engaged, and attended the Brant Pride events; the people of the County of Brant and Paris have every reason to be PROUD!