Although Emo town council’s decision to not hold pride celebrations was not mentioned by name, the issue it raises of inclusivity was discussed heavily at a northwestern Ontario pride town hall.
There was plenty of participation, with many questions asked of local MPs and federal ministers.
Thunder Bay-Rainy River MP Marcus Powlowski started the online discussion off by sharing a story of growing up in Kaministiqua.
He said that when he was younger, anyone who was in any way not in the majority was treated differently by the residents of the rural community.
Health Minister Patty Hajdu shared how she recently co-authored a report on men’s mental health. She said she didn’t realize while she was writing it that she was coming at it from her own life experiences rather than a 2SLGBTIQ+ inclusive perspective.
Hajdu said she only realized, after speaking with others, that she shouldn’t have assumed the partners of men who grew up with toxic masculinity would be women.
Douglas Judson from Borderland Pride asked our two local MPs how we can help smaller communities “that may need to catch up” on inclusivity since they say they have traditional beliefs.
Powlowski said he wants to listen to the 2SLGBTIQ+ community and feels the internet has helped expand people’s perspectives around the world.
“Dryden and other small communities aren’t the same way as we were 40 years ago, we are a lot more cosmopolitan and have a lot more ethnic groups and LGBTQ members. We have come a long way being more accepting, and I think we need to continue to communicate and have some work to do,” Powlowski said.
Hajdu replied that it takes political courage to challenge a closed perspective.
“You have to have the courage to say ‘I disagree’ in politics when addressing systemic issues,” Hajdu stressed.
The health minister also said it is important to ask what it means to be a good ally, to ask others what they want from you and your position, and respecting the needs of individuals.
“Things are changing, but I don’t think they are changing fast enough. I represent small communities that are still in the ’70s and they are closed,” Hajdu said.
The health minister said rejuvenation and diversity need to take place in communities and organizations in northwestern Ontario.
