'You are loved. Pride is still happening': COVID-19 forces York Pride Fest to go digital

Quarantined at home means some LGBT2Q+ forced back into the closet

Yorkregion.com
June 8, 2020
Amanda Persico

For many, Pride month is about celebrating being yourself -- knowing you’re seen and you’re loved.

But the current COVID-19 situation put a damper on safe social gatherings, axing annual Pride parades happening this month across the province.

“During Pride month, people wear the rainbow flag as a cape,” said Tristan Coolman, president of Pflag Canada York Region.

“There is a notion of permission from society that isn’t implicit the rest of the year -- it’s a permission to live your best life.

“We’ve lost the ability to gather in a confirming environment.”

But that doesn’t mean the rainbow flag becomes a muted shade of pale this year. Instead, it’s an opportunity to shine brighter.

While the community is losing out on celebrating Pride together, York Pride is forging ahead with Digital Pride.

The collection of safe online, virtual celebrations kicks off June 12 with special events each Wednesday and Friday for the rest of June.

“Think of Digital Pride as part one,” said Jacob Gal of York Pride Fest. “Next year will be bigger and better. You are seen. You are loved. Pride is still happening.”

The annual parade and festival events are postponed to next year; 2021 also includes new festivities, including various art installations and art exhibit.

York Pride is also expanding its list of signature events, going beyond Pride month and hosting events throughout the year all across the region.

Both Pflag and York Pride have tried to make their digital spaces safe -- the former pivoting its regularly scheduled LGBT2Q+ support groups to Zoom meetings, and the latter carrying out Pride festivities virtually.

But there are still barriers beyond that of connectivity and technology -- fear of online meetings being infiltrated, being overheard and lack of privacy.

“To be out, then forced to go back in (the closet), you’re back to square one,” Coolman said. “The queer community has this sense of resiliency, living amongst others who don’t accept who you are. Now, the queer community has to tap into that resiliency like never imagined.”

Both organizations established safe online protocols, including a registration process and emailing specific meeting information prior to the start of the event.

The COVID-19 situation is also compounding many issues faced by the LGBT2Q+ community -- living in denial, homelessness and access to sexual health resources.

This is a concern for many youth in the community, returning home from a more freeing lifestyle while away at university, Gal added.

“Your family might not be accepting of your queer life,” he said. “You’re forced to hide parts of yourself. You can’t go to a friend’s house because of the pandemic.”

Recently, the region reopened two of its sexual health clinics for urgent care on an appointment basis.

Faced with these challenges, both local LGBT2Q+ advocates urge those in the queer community to reach out and create a safe place, connect with friends and remember it’s not permanent.

And to make Pride 2020 all about you.

“Remember, you are loved in this world. Honour your own life experience,” Coolman said. “Everyone owes that to themselves.”