​SIMCOE COUNTY, ON —  June 23, 2017 — Fierté Simcoe Pride (FSP) announces open nominations for the 3rd annual Simcoe County LGBT Community Awards, presented during the 6th annual Fierté Simcoe Pride (July 31 - August 13).
 
The awards recognise the accomplishments of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans (LGBT) individuals, allies, organisations and inclusive businesses. FSP recognises the work of individuals, organisations and businesses that strive to celebrate diversity and promote an inclusion. The Awards will honour an LGBT resident and youth, a community, an organisation and business, and an LGBT writer for their contributions that make our County a better place to live, work and grow.

​Categories for the 2017 Simcoe County LGBT Community Awards include:
●    Youth of the Year
●    Person of the Year
●    Positive Community Organization
●    Positive Business
●    Positive Community
●    Honourary Award for Literature

​Nominations for the Awards will close July 14, and are submitted by the public using online forms hosted on the FSP website. Nominees will be announced July 19, and recipients in the five categories will be announced at the Awards Gala.

Each submission will be reviewed by the Awards Committee. The award recipients are voted on by a secret ballot by a Jury Panel supervised by the co-chairs of the Committee. The Panel is assembled from members of the Board of Directors and five members of the public. For more information please visit: www.simcoepride.com/lgbt-community-awards.html.

Sponsorship opportunities are available for local businesses, individuals and groups to show your Pride by supporting the Awards Gala. Sponsor an award today at www.simcoepride.com/support-pride.html.

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​For more information, please contact:
Brandon Rhèal Amyot | President
Fierté Simcoe Pride
705-816-1187
president@fiertesimcoepride.com
                                                                                                                                            
En français: www.fiertesimcoe.com/nouvelles/nominations-ouvertes.

Upon the conclusion of Barrie Pride's fourth annual parade, we want to shed light on the Global Equality March for Unity and Pride. 
 
Although we do not have a local event, we stand in solidarity with over 120 events around the world happening over the course of this weekend. From Washington, DC to local grassroots events, our communities are coming together to march in the name of liberation for LGBTI people. 
 
With increased hostile rhetoric, discriminatory policies, and violence perpetrated against marginalised people, it’s our time to march and fight to affirm and protect our rights and our dignity.
 
Yesterday's celebration reminds us of our progress. However, we know that our work is far from over. That is why an intersectional movement for LGBTI rights and liberation is still relevant and necessary. 
 
This work would not be possible without each and every one of us. Thank you to our local communities and allies for joining us, and for your commitment to this work. 
 
Our struggle continues, but we are not without hope.
 
In solidarity,
 
Brandon Rhèal Amyot 
President
Fierté Simcoe Pride

For more on the event: www.equalitymarch2017.org
 
 
En français ci-dessous.

Suite au quatrième défilé annuelle de Barrie Pride, nous voulons mettre de l’avant la Marche de l'égalité mondiale pour l'unité et la fierté.
 
Bien que nous n'ayons pas eu d'événement local, nous sommes solidaires avec plus de 120 événements dans le monde qui se passent au cours de ce week-end. De la marche à Washington, DC aux événements plus communautaires, nos communautés se réunissent pour marcher au nom de la libération des personnes LGBTI.
 
Avec une rhétorique hostile accrue, des politiques discriminatoires et des violences perpétrées contre des personnes marginalisées, c'est toujours aussi important de marcher et de lutter pour affirmer et protéger nos droits et notre dignité.
 
La célébration d'hier nous rappelle nos progrès. Cependant, nous savons que notre travail est loin d'être terminé. C'est pourquoi un mouvement intersectionnelle pour les droits et de l’émancipation des LGBTI est toujours pertinent et nécessaire.
 
Ce travail ne serait pas possible sans chacun d'entre nous. Nous remercions nos communautés locales et de nos alliés de se rejoindre à nous et pour leur engagement envers ce travail.
 
Notre lutte continue, mais nous ne sommes pas sans espoir.
 
Dans la solidarité,
 
Brandon Rhèal Amyot 
Président 
Fierté Simcoe Pride

Pour en savoir plus sur l'événement: www.equalitymarch2017.org