Simcoe Pride Week 2015 

Vision
A safe and inclusive Simcoe County that supports and unites the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Allied (LGBTA) community.

Mission Statment
To create and offer inclusive events, services, and educational opportunities that rise above heterosexism, hetero-normativity and homo/bi/transphobia, providing a safe community within
Simcoe County.

Objectives
1. To empower community members to develop meaningful personal and professional skills, and relationships.
2. To provide LGBTA education opportunities; creating a positive, inclusive, and safe space for all.
3. To create opportunities to rise above heterosexism, hetero-normativity and homo/bi/transphobia.
4. To organize an annual Pride Week in Simcoe County.


From 2012 to 2014, Simcoe Pride held the Make It Safe March in Downtown Barrie to raise awareness of the homophobia, biphobia and transphobia that is experienced in our local communities. These marches were a local rebirth of the work done at Stonewall and the first Pride marches. These marches had hundreds of participants (marchers, supporters and LGBT people engaging with our agency through phone calls and online).

After each march we held a candlelight vigil to remember those we have lost to the impacts of homophobia, biphobia and transphobia - and to honour those that struggle each and every day. 

As local communities, provinces, territories and as the nation of Canada, we need to help our Trans family, friends and neighbours to gain equality, access to competent health care services and safety in their communities.

This year Simcoe Pride is holding the Beyond Safe Candlelight Vigil in Barrie at City Hall on Wednesday August 5 at 7:30 PM. The goal of this vigil is to be Heard, be Remembered and be Honoured.

You donations help Simcoe Pride to support the Equality movement as we support advocates, activists, politicians, youth and many more.


One of the goals of Simcoe Pride is to bring LGBT people and their allies together to celebrate, develop friendships and improve the quality of life for LGBT people living in Simcoe County. 

Many LGBT community members feel isolated and alone in their communities. Each and every year we come together at Pride celebrations from late spring to early autumn. But after the Pride celebrations are over Simcoe Pride provides regular monthly events, activities and gathers that help bring people together in their home communities.

You donation helps us unite as LGBT people and allies in our home communities.


Simcoe Pride believes that LGBT should be celebrated in their home communities, whether those communities are urban centres (such as Barrie, Newmarket, and Toronto) or small rural communities including Washago, Rama First Nation, and Stayner.

Simcoe County area has 22 communities (The County, Barrie, Orillia, Oro-Medonte, Ramara, Rama First Nation, Springwater, Severn, Tay, Tiny, Midland, Penetanguishene, Beausoleil First Nation, Wasaga Beach, Collingwood, Essa, Base Borden, Innisfil, Clearview, Adjala-Tosorontio, New Tecumseth, and Bradford West Gwillimbury).

A majority of these communities display their support of the LGBT community by holding a flag raising ceremony, declaring a proclamation for Simcoe Pride Week, or within their policies displaying public support of local LGBT events.

This August, Simcoe County area will hold its largest series of Flag Raising and Proclamations ever! 17+ communities actively support their LGBT residents.

You donation helps Simcoe Pride and its volunteers to advocate for LGBT inclusion, safety and celebration in all our local communities.

Our goal is to have a flag raising, proclamation or recognition in each and every community of Simcoe County.
 

This June the United States of America celebrated a great win in the fight for LGBT rights and equality. Around the world we celebrated with LGBT Americans as marriage equality became the law of American land.

In Ontario, we are celebrating 12 years of marriage equality - and in Canada 10 years of celebration.

Simcoe Pride is a member of InterPride (the International Association of Pride Organizations) and participates in their Human Rights and Solidarity committees. These committees goals are to support equality, safety and justice for LGBT people around the world. You donation helps support this work.


The 1st Annual Simcoe County LGBT Community Awards

The Awards recognize the accomplishments of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans* and Allied individuals and supportive groups/organizations within Simcoe County.

Making this work visible fosters community engagement and rewards our community for its contributions that make our County a better place to live, work and grow.

Nominees will be announced in a release on Wednesday, July 15, 2015 and recipients will be announced at the Community Awards Gala, during Simcoe Pride Week, on Saturday, August 8, 2015.

Until Monday, July 6, 2015, nominations will be accepted in five categories: Youth of the Year, Positive Business, Positive Community Organization, Person of the Year and a Tribute Award: Artist of the Year.