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Pride Week proclaimed by Amherst mayor

Amherst Mayor David Kogon signed a proclamation on June 6 declaring the week of June 10 to June 16 as Pride Week in the Town of Amherst.

“By proclaiming Pride Week in this community, the town is recognizing that everyone has the right to live in conditions of dignity, respect and peace regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity,” Kogon said after signing the proclamation.

The mayor noted the town has a vibrant lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning community that has worked diligently with its allies to “encourage dialogue as a tool towards an inclusive society that celebrates diversity in the town and surrounding area.”

“The LGBTQ community and its allies have worked hard to make Amherst a safe and positive community for all,” he added.

Emma Brown, chairperson of the Cumberland Pride Committee, noted that June 27 marks the 50^th anniversary of the partial decriminalization of homosexuality in Canada.

“While we are proud to acknowledge all that has been done, there is still much work ahead of us to achieve true equality,” Brown said. “We are reminded that just a short 50 years ago homosexuality was still considered a mental illness, and there were little to no protections for members of the LGBTQ2+ community against violence and discrimination.

“Cumberland Pride would like to thank the Town of Amherst for raising the rainbow pride flag once again this year as a show of solidarity, and for their continued support of the LGBTQ2+ community. It is the ongoing support from local communities such as the Town of Amherst that will continue to help us move forward in the fight for acceptance and equality.”

The proclamation heralds a week of celebration throughout Amherst and Cumberland County. Scheduled events include:

• June 10 - Pride flag raising in front of the Cumberland YMCA – 4:30 p.m.
• June 11 – Municipality of Cumberland Pride flag raising, Upper Nappan Service Centre – 10 a.m.
• June 11 - Movie night at the Amherst Library featuring the movie Love, Simon. Discussion to follow – 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
• June 12 - Flag raising in Oxford in park across from town hall – 6 p.m.
• June 12 – Coffee house and open mic at Art of Eating Deli – 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
• June 13 – Pride Festivities at the Dr. Carson and Marion Murray Community Centre – 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
• June 13 – Pride swag making party at the River Hebert Library – 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• June 14 – Drag show and dance party at Teazers Pub & Eatery. (There is an entrance fee) – 8:30 p.m. to 2 a.m.
• June 15 – Pride parade and festivities at Victoria Square in Amherst. Parade begins at 2 p.m. Music and vendors in the square runs from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
• June 16 – All bodies Swim & Rainbow Storytime. Cumberland YMCA, Amherst – Swim 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., Storytime 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
• June 16 – Multi-faith Pride services at Victoria Square, Amherst, 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

“I would encourage all residents to participate in as many of these events as they can,” Kogon said.