With Pride Week in full swing across Haliburton County, co-chairs Allan Guinan and Chris Hewson say this could be Pride in the Highlands’ final hurrah.
At a flag-raising ceremony in Haliburton village Aug. 18 – the first observed by Dysart et al township – Guinan said the group, which recently rebranded from Minden Pride, has seen interest dwindle in recent years. Without more help, he fears the organization could be on its last legs.
“Our committee is shrinking, our volunteer numbers are down, and we seem to be running out of steam. I personally am running out of steam,” said Guinan, who has chaired the Pride group since 2020. “We are facing the reality that, without enthusiastic volunteers, Pride in the Highlands may not be able to continue. This could be the end of Pride as we know it in Haliburton County.”
Sinclair Russell and Bob Baynton-Smith formed the local Pride group in 2016, following the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando, Florida. Forty-nine people were killed in the attack, most of them members of the LGBTQ+ community.
Hewson joined as co-chair last year and said the demise of Pride in Haliburton County is the last thing he wants to see. So, he’s challenging the community to get involved.
“Our table is open and we’re looking for more voices to join the conversation.
Streetfest will be bigger and better
Pride is not the point of view of an individual, it should be something everyone is contributing to. The more diverse we are as a group, the stronger our voice becomes.
“The future of Pride in the Highlands has not yet been written, our fate is not sealed – it’s up to all of us, as a community, to do the work and keep this going,” Hewson said.
The group also held a first-time flag raising in Algonquin Highlands Aug. 18, at the township office on North Shore Road, alongside events in Haliburton and Minden. Highlands East was the only township not to host a flag raising.
During his speech to guests in Haliburton on Monday, Guinan pondered whether there was still a need for Pride in the Highlands, given the progress the group has made over the past decade. He shared how an incident in Minden last week, where volunteers were verbally abused while decorating downtown with Pride-themed colours, reinvigorated him.
“There’s a faction of people that are still not happy we’re out and visible in our community. They would prefer us not to be… we also know we have people from our own community who don’t feel comfortable coming to events because they feel they’re going to be targeted or persecuted.
He feels new voices, such as that of Hewson, who played a pivotal role in the recent rebranding, can help guide Pride into a new era in Haliburton County.
“Imagine events that not only celebrate diversity, but ripple out into every corner of this County, reaching people who have never before felt seen or welcome. Imagine a Pride that inspires young people to stay here, to dream, to believe they have a future. That’s not out of reach.
“It doesn’t take dozens, it only needs a few more hands and open hearts to keep this movement alive. We need storytellers, designers, marketers, passionate people who can share ideas, lend their skills and simply show up,” Guinan said.
“Pride in opposition to shame and social stigma, and as a celebration of diversity and beacon of hope is still very much needed. But we need a new generation to help carry the torch into the future,” Guinan said.
Weekend festivities
With festivities running Aug. 18-24, Guinan said Pride Week is the biggest recurring festival in Haliburton County.
Still to come this week is the opening reception for the Voice of Pride art exhibit at Agnes Jamieson Gallery Aug. 22, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., out on the street line dancing at the Minden River Cone Aug. 23 from 2 to 4 p.m., and the popular Rainbow Streetfest Aug. 24 on Water Street in Minden from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The exhibit is curated by Scott Walling and will feature 17 artists showcasing their talents in various media forms
“It’s people sharing their culture in ways that speak to them. Often, when we think of Pride, our minds go to rainbows, parties, and drag queens. All of that is wonderful… but for many it goes much deeper than that.
Having a voice dedicated specifically to a queer art exhibition feels so important for us, it gives a platform to all to show what Pride means to them,” Hewson said.
Guinan said Sunday’s swan song, the street party, will be bigger and better than ever.
“We have a big stage this year, so we’ll be hosting two incredible musicians who will be bringing their bands and dancers. There will be more games, competitions, prizes – come and help us close out our celebration in the best way possible,” he said.
