‘Love wins, always’ Georgina Pride hosts slew of rainbow activities throughout June

Georgina Pride events include school support walks, Pride Ride, Pride Day, Drag performances, History of Pride social

Yorkregion.com
May 30, 2023
Amanda Persico

This year’s Pride festivities in Georgina are bigger and better, chock full of rainbow activities throughout the month of June -- from school support walks and the annual Pride Ride, to art exhibits and a community BBQ.

In an age of haters, Georgina Pride is going to be "louder and prouder," said event organizer Leah Sheridan.

“We’re not going to stop because there are haters,” she said.

To kick off Pride month, Georgina Pride supporters are walking and waving flags along Glenwoods Avenue in Keswick on June 1 in support of 2SLGBTQ+ students.

“It’s about visibility,” Sheridan said. “We want students to see us and know we see you, we’ve got you and you’re not alone. We want to let you know we love you. We don’t know you, but we love you.”

The fourth annual Pride Ride parade starts and ends at the ROC June 10, as part of Georgina Pride Day festivities.

The Georgina Centre for Arts and Culture is also hosting a series of Pride events, including The All Pride and No Prejudice Drag Queen show, Pride art exhibit and community BBQ.

Another component of this year’s Pride festivities is educational. Together with the Georgina Public Library, Georgina Pride is hosting the History of Pride social June 20.

With all the negativity and regression seen today, learning the history of Pride is all the more important, Sheridan said.

“There’s a lot of celebration, but Pride was not all sunshine and rainbows,” she said. “There was a lot of suffering, struggles and hardship that often gets swept away in the celebration.

“Those elders who suffered, so we can celebrate today, need to have their stories heard. They need to be honoured and not forgotten. They fought for years to be who they are.”

Along with festivities in June, Georgina Pride also hosts a collection of events throughout the year from regular coffee socials, to Rainbow Christmas events.

In August, Georgina Pride is also hosting a family fun day at the beach.

“Love wins, always,” Sheridan said. “Pride is not just one month -- it's every day. We have to be visible every day.”

For more information, visit Georgina Pride on Facebook.

PRIDE EVENTS IN GEORGINA:

PRIDE WALK

June 1, 8 to 9:30 a.m., meet at Tim Hortons, 443 The Queensway S., Keswick.

Join the walk and wave your flags along Glenwoods Avenue.

ALL PRIDE AND NO PREJUDICE DRAG SHOW

June 2, 7 to 10 p.m., Stephen Leacock Theatre, 130 Gwendolyn Blvd., Keswick

The Georgina Centre for Arts and Culture, together with the town, presents an evening of glittering entertainment. Kick off Pride month with "Lights, Camera, Drag!" by Haus of Devereaux, featuring a performance by Elton John and the Heartbreaker.

DRAG QUEEN STORY TIME

June 3, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Georgina Public Library, Keswick branch, 90 Wexford Dr., Keswick

Join the Devereaux Dolls and celebrate diversity and inclusion with stories, crafts and activities.

PRIDE FLAG-RAISING CEREMONY

June 9, 4 p.m., Civic Centre, 26557 Civic Centre Rd.

GEORGINA PRIDE DAY

June 10, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., the ROC, 26479 Civic Centre Rd.

Enjoy a fun-filled day featuring a vendors market, YRP BBQ, live music, DJ dance party and Haus of Devereaux Drag Show.

GEORGINA PRIDE RIDE

June 10, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The fourth annual Georgina Pride Ride kicks off from the Georgina Pride Day festival at the ROC, travels along Baseline Road to Woodbine Avenue to Church Street to Lake Drive to Dalton Road in Sutton, then back to the ROC.

PRIDE FAMILY DAY

June 11, 1 to 5 p.m., Georgina Centre for Art and Culture, 149 High St., Sutton

Enjoy a family day of music, face painting, BBQ by the Messhall Eatery, local vendors and a kids craft workshop.

HISTORY OF PRIDE IN GEORGINA SOCIAL

June 20, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Georgina Public Library, Keswick Branch, 90 Wexford Dr., Keswick

Connect with other community members and learn the history of Pride and Pride in Georgina.