Pembina Valley Pride is hosting free educational events in various communities across the Pembina Valley over the next month.
At these events, they’ll be covering an introduction to basic terminology, how to be more inclusive, Rainbow history, and Pembina Valley Pride programming. These will be inclusive spaces to ask questions and engage in respectful discussions.
The events scheduled are as follows:
- Feb. 7 (7-9 p.m.) at United Community Arts – 148 Moffat Ave, Pilot Mound
- Feb. 10 (2-4 p.m.) at The Community Exchange – 116 Main St, Altona
- Feb. 15. (7-9 p.m.) at Manitou Library – 418 Main St, Manitou
- Feb. 20 (7-9 p.m.) at Pembina Hills Arts Centre – 352 Stephen St, Morden
- Feb. 29 (7-9 p.m.) at Paul’s Place – 20 1st Avenue SW, Carman
These are free events but as a volunteer-led initiative, Pembina Valley Pride welcomes donations to help cover expenses for its programming and Pride events.
“I’ve spoken to so many people over the past number of years who are supportive of the Rainbow community but aren’t 100% sure about things like the right terminology or the acronym,” said Pembina Valley Pride chair Kat Basso. “Our goal with these educational events is to create a space that encourages and empowers people with the knowledge that they’re looking for, but might be apprehensive to ask about. I think a lot of people worried about asking a question ‘the right way’ to avoid causing harm, so they wind up not asking the question. This is the perfect place to do so without fear of judgement.”
Basso and company are very excited to be putting these events on as it’s something they’ve wanted to do for a long time.
“Every single person who makes an effort to learn more about the 2SLGBTQIANB+ community and who we are makes such a difference. There is a lot of misinformation out there about our community, and one of the easiest ways to combat it is by building relationships.”
Basso notes this is very important for fostering understanding, empathy, and inclusivity in our world. If someone takes the step to learn more, the impact can be huge. For example, if a parent or grandparent takes the initiative to learn more about the Rainbow community, it broadens their understanding and strengthens the family bond.
A family member, closeted or not, may feel a deeper sense of acceptance and support, fostering a relationship where they can be open and authentic. This small effort can have a profound impact on the individual, creating a more inclusive and harmonious family environment which spreads into other relationships.
“Learning about the Rainbow community helps create a more supportive society where individuals can be their authentic selves without fear of judgment or discrimination. We know that not everybody is exactly the same, and helping people understand and be supportive of the things that make people unique makes our communities better.”
