'Power of community': Newmarket kicks off Pride celebrations with flag raising

'The next generation want to live in a world that’s respectful, that is inclusive, that is equitable, and so we need to follow their lead and go there with even more urgency,' Mayor John Taylor says

Newmarkttoday.ca
June 6, 2023
Joseph Quigley

The Town of Newmarket pushed back against anti-LGBTQ sentiment as it raised a progress Pride flag on Cane Parkway this morning.

Newmarket council joined local LGBTQ organizations June 5 for its annual flag raising, with the progress version of the Pride flag raised for the first time in front of a crowd of supporters.

Pflag York Region’s Damian Mellin said Newmarket has worked to stand behind Pride organizations and the LGBTQ+ community.

“Little things of support can make all the difference. One flag to one kid could mean whole different outcomes,” he said. “There’s bigger choices that have to be made, but just a single flag in one place can really make a world of difference.”

Newmarket is beginning its 2023 Pride celebrations at a time when there has been some pushback in York Region against the LGBTQ+ community. The region has garnered national media attention over York Catholic District School Board's decision not to fly the Pride flag.

York Pride’s Jacob Gal said the organization is trying to organize events year-round. But he said there is social media backlash over some of those efforts, such as the all-ages Pride event hosted at Upper Canada Mall over the weekend.

“We had an immense amount of negative comments on our social media that day when we were posting our experience, and that Pride is this indoctrination of kids, that we’re not doing our best to keep family values in York Region,” Gal said. “This is why we have Pride. This is why we’re actively working to continue the conversion.”

Newmarket Mayor John Taylor said the town prioritizes supporting its LGBTQ+ community.

“We understand inclusivity isn’t something that happens by accident,” Taylor said. “We have to work with them to make sure they’re getting the support so that inclusivity is something that becomes a day-to-day activity within our community.”

Regarding the idea of indoctrinating kids, Taylor said he hopes that these events are doing that.

“I hope it’s indoctrination into the power of community, the power of equity, the power of inclusion and the power of love,” Taylor said.

The community is readying for its signature Pride parade on Saturday, June 17, when thousands will attend.

“What we’re seeing right now is an encroachment of ideas around separation and creating some environments where some people, versus other people, aren’t welcome,” Mellin said. “That’s something that doesn’t really represent Newmarket. I think Newmarket has taken an amazing stand with events like this today.”

Recalling a Pride flag raising he attended at Mazo de la Roche Public School last year, Taylor said the next generation wants to see Pride accepted.

“To those who still find concern or hesitation,” Taylor said, “the next generation, they have no hesitation at all. This is the world they want to live in. They want to live in a world that’s respectful, that is inclusive, that is equitable, and so we need to follow their lead and go there with even more urgency.”