I was born and raised here in the Sault. I grew up with learning disabilities, ADHD, various physical problems, most recently in 2019, before we knew what COVID was, I got hit with it, and it caused multiple organs to tank. So ya, I am a “Vaxxer” I grew up, like most people in the pride community very confused, frustrated, angry, and just lost. I knew very few people in the community until I met my first serious same-sex partner. (at the time, we thought gender = sex) I fell hard for the gay.com random hook up thing, but I was no good at it, and often was barely involved in the action. Blaming it on alcohol or the drugs, or whatever. I had tried to be involved with the local pride group “Algoma Pride” when I was younger, but I had a hard time feeling welcome. (I don’t remember if it was a “me” thing, or a “Them” thing) so I felt better just being around others in my community getting hammered, then hooking up when the bar closed. I left the Sault in my mid 30’s both for a chance to work in my field, and for a chance to find a broader community, and I found it! I met my current partner there, and a community that “woke” me up, literally. I learned so much about different strokes for different folks, and how to be inclusive with what I say, and how I see things. I still miss what I experienced in Toronto for those 10 or so years. Even once I left Toronto for surrounding areas like Mississauga I started dealing with depression and succumbed to some serious addiction challenges. When I had to return to the Sault I was not in a great state of mind, but wanted to try and get involved with the community again. I was happy to see a vibrant side of the Sault welcoming the pride community in their Rotaryfest, and having a pride week! It was thanks mostly, as I understand it, due to the perseverance of the leaders at the time who had since then stepped down. I was prepared to walk away as well as my concerns of increased addictions and homelessness where met with not just objection, but vicious personal attacks. I was asked by the person left in charge to remain, and I decided after some thought to remind myself of why I wanted to be a part of this. You see, I can handle rejection. Lets have a discussion about it, and why I felt it was so important. Unfortunately, everyone involved (myself included) let emotions get in the way of civility. Over the years, I have come to realize, as many people come and go, that everyone has their pet passions, and those are important to have, passion is what took down the wall. Passion is what gave women equal(ish) rights, passion is keeping the pride community alive. Sadly, it seems, if one’s passion project is not immediately put into action, they get frustrated and loose that passion with the group. I try to remember, that while I am in a leadership role with Sault Pride, I am not representing MY community, but rather, OUR community. There are many things I want addressed in this community, but I must recognize that this isn’t about me. There will be a time to present my pet projects to the committee, and I have at some times, we have decided now is not the time, and we discussed it. I can’t just leave and create another organization to serve my objective, because that is just creating divisiveness. What I like about SPACES, and the building of the Pride SPACE is a place to bring the various pride organizations together. Though we may not always see eye to eye on our focus (The LGBTQ2IAA+ population intersects with various aspects, and each on their own individual or combined aspects) is, to say the least, VAST, I hope this SPACE becomes a place to share your ideas, support, and concerns about the community as a whole.
I would love to hear stories from others in the community (obviously not this big, I had a lot to say) what do you hope to see here?
I was born and raised here in the Sault. I grew up with learning disabilities, ADHD, various physical problems, most recently in 2019, before we knew what COVID was, I got hit with it, and it caused multiple organs to tank. So ya, I am a “Vaxxer” I grew up, like most people in the pride community very confused, frustrated, angry, and just lost. I knew very few people in the community until I met my first serious same-sex partner. (at the time, we thought gender = sex) I fell hard for the gay.com random hook up thing, but I was no good at it, and often was barely involved in the action. Blaming it on alcohol or the drugs, or whatever. I had tried to be involved with the local pride group “Algoma Pride” when I was younger, but I had a hard time feeling welcome. (I don’t remember if it was a “me” thing, or a “Them” thing) so I felt better just being around others in my community getting hammered, then hooking up when the bar closed.
I left the Sault in my mid 30’s both for a chance to work in my field, and for a chance to find a broader community, and I found it! I met my current partner there, and a community that “woke” me up, literally. I learned so much about different strokes for different folks, and how to be inclusive with what I say, and how I see things. I still miss what I experienced in Toronto for those 10 or so years. Even once I left Toronto for surrounding areas like Mississauga I started dealing with depression and succumbed to some serious addiction challenges. When I had to return to the Sault I was not in a great state of mind, but wanted to try and get involved with the community again. I was happy to see a vibrant side of the Sault welcoming the pride community in their Rotaryfest, and having a pride week! It was thanks mostly, as I understand it, due to the perseverance of the leaders at the time who had since then stepped down. I was prepared to walk away as well as my concerns of increased addictions and homelessness where met with not just objection, but vicious personal attacks. I was asked by the person left in charge to remain, and I decided after some thought to remind myself of why I wanted to be a part of this. You see, I can handle rejection. Lets have a discussion about it, and why I felt it was so important. Unfortunately, everyone involved (myself included) let emotions get in the way of civility.
Over the years, I have come to realize, as many people come and go, that everyone has their pet passions, and those are important to have, passion is what took down the wall. Passion is what gave women equal(ish) rights, passion is keeping the pride community alive. Sadly, it seems, if one’s passion project is not immediately put into action, they get frustrated and loose that passion with the group. I try to remember, that while I am in a leadership role with Sault Pride, I am not representing MY community, but rather, OUR community. There are many things I want addressed in this community, but I must recognize that this isn’t about me. There will be a time to present my pet projects to the committee, and I have at some times, we have decided now is not the time, and we discussed it. I can’t just leave and create another organization to serve my objective, because that is just creating divisiveness. What I like about SPACES, and the building of the Pride SPACE is a place to bring the various pride organizations together. Though we may not always see eye to eye on our focus (The LGBTQ2IAA+ population intersects with various aspects, and each on their own individual or combined aspects) is, to say the least, VAST, I hope this SPACE becomes a place to share your ideas, support, and concerns about the community as a whole.
I would love to hear stories from others in the community (obviously not this big, I had a lot to say) what do you hope to see here?