Barrie Pride aiming to increase accessibility to the community
While small in numbers Sunday, a group from Barrie's Pride community gathered to send the message to others that they are not alone.
As Pride month wraps up in Simcoe County, members from Barrie Pride gathered in Sunnidale Park Saturday, reflecting on what officials called a successful few weeks of celebrations. However, while turnout was high this year at the Pride Parade, Sunday's gathering was meant to provide a more low-key option for people who large crowds may deter but still want to participate.
"I want to be visible for everybody who maybe came out during the pandemic or maybe who didn't feel comfortable before, because as the years go on, we are becoming more and more visible, and we're not going just to stop that," said Brodi Mears, the executive director of Barrie Pride. "We want a community. We want people to know that it's safe here."
Mears has said that turnout for this year's Pride Parade, held earlier this month, was among the best in its nearly 10 years.
While Pride month is coming to an end, events like Sunday's Rainbow Walks will become a monthly tradition, Mears said, in an effort to increase accessibility to the group.
"Obviously, with COVID still being a very real concern for a lot of people, I didn't just want events where you had to be inside where there weren't necessarily masks available," said Mears. "Also, with this beautiful weather and green space that we have here in Barrie, it just seems like a waste almost not to come out to explore where we can, and all of us try to get together in as many different scenarios as we can."
The group will aim to hold these walks on the fourth Sunday of every month.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Multiple bridges in Calgary shut down for police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
Humboldt Broncos bus crash survivor qualifies Canada for Paralympics in rowing event
Former Humboldt Broncos goaltender and bus crash survivor Jacob Wassermann has qualified Canada for a rowing event for the 2024 Paralympic games in Paris.
Baby boom amongst nurses leads to maternity ward closure in Listowel, Ont.
The emergency room at Listowel’s hospital is open today, but come summer, their obstetrics unit will be temporarily closing its delivery rooms.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
Krispy Kreme doughnuts coming to McDonald's in U.S., but not Canada
Canadians will be missing out on a sweet new partnership between McDonald's and Krispy Kreme, which will see doughnuts available at McDonald's locations across the U.S. by the end of 2026.
'We won't forget': How some Muslims view Poilievre's stance on Israel-Hamas war
A spokesman for a regional Muslim advocacy group says Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's stance on the Israel-Hamas war could complicate his party's relationship with Muslim Canadians.
Quebec judge orders bus driver to stand trial for 2023 daycare crash deaths
A judge has ordered a Quebec man to stand trial on charges of first-degree murder in the deaths of two children killed when a bus rammed into a Montreal-area daycare last year.