It is with great honour that we officially announce the Recipients of the first annual Simcoe County LGBT Community Awards! Congratulations to all the Recipients, Nominees, and Founders' Circle - learn more about the Nominees here.

Person of the Year - Dale Boyle

Dale Boyle is the Capacity Development Coordinator at the AIDS Committee of Simcoe County. Dale has over four years and 100+ guest speaking roles supporting LGBT work in rural and suburban communities. Previously, he worked as the ACSC’s Youth Programs Coordinator, facilitating youth groups throughout the county. Dale also started the Ally Campaign while a student at Georgian College, which focuses around providing LGBT awareness and education workshops to not for profits, educational institutions, community groups, and more.

Youth of the Year - Keegan Hobson

Keegan Hobson has called Simcoe County home for almost a decade, in his time here he has provided community outreach for at risk youth with a specific focus on Trans and Queer youth. Following the footsteps of his influences, Keegan spends time volunteering and giving back to the community in a variety of initiatives and areas. Keegan is passionate about indigenous affairs, LGBT rights, mental health advocacy and other issues affecting youth in our community. In pursuing a career in Social Work, he will be attending Georgian College for the Aboriginal social and community development program this coming Fall. Keegan is committed to continuing his fight for the rights and freedoms of the communities he is involved in, as well as other communities, and inspiring others to do the same.

Positive Community Organization - AIDS Committee of Simcoe County

For twenty years the AIDS Committee of Simcoe County has been improving the lives of those living with and or affected by HIV through our support, advocacy and health promotion.  While always an LGBTQ positive organization, for the past four years the organization began supporting this community more directly by offering LGBTQ specific programming.  At present, ACSC provides LGBT Youth Connection in Barrie and Orillia, Gender Journeys, Gay/Bi Men’s Social Group, the Trans Q Simcoe Support Group as well as providing Capacity Building for organizations that wish to better serve LGBTQ individuals and families in Simcoe and Muskoka.  This fall, ACSC will launch a workshop series in three communities, educating parents on how to support, encourage and celebrate their LGBTQ youth.

Positive Business - Splash Events Canada

Splash Events Canada is a full service event company producing unique weddings, memorable galas, corporate and private celebrations.

As an avid supporter of the LGBT community Splash Events Canada was a proud sponsor of Simcoe Prides’ participation during the 2014 World Pride Parade.

The past 3 years at Splash Events Canada have been fabulous,  we have garnered great success with the Annual BIG WIGS show featuring Canada’s Best Female Impersonators,  Ontario Butter Tart Festival, Georgian Bay Hospital GALA and the 2nd Annual Ontario Gay Ski Weekend at Blue Mountain, it was an honour to décor the Village Convention Centre during the Saturday night main event.  

Opening September 2015 Splash Events Canada invites you to visit our new downtown Midland location at 347 King Street, we will offer an event design showroom with a full service retail flower boutique.

Tribute Award: Artist of the Year

Over the years he has been introduced to many talented individuals within the community, and feels extremely blessed to be able to share his talents with individuals inside and outside of the workplace. As a makeup artist and performer he is able to express himself in so many different ways. He's all about self expression and is not being afraid to try new things; he enjoys a challenge and pushing himself to be the best he can be. Bryan always has positive support behind him, and strongly believes that you need to "be the person you want to be not what others want you to be". Bryan work hard to be the best person he can be, no matter where life may take him.

Today is the tenth and final day of the fourth annual Simcoe Pride Week, which has run from July 30 to August 8. Yesterday was the second annual Health and Wellness Day at Georgian College, which featured three workshops and a community fair. Thank you to Huronia Transition Homes, the 519 Church Street Community Centre, and Ryan Van Schubert for running workshops and to all those who participated in the community fair.

Today has been months in the making, the first annual Simcoe County LGBT Community Awards - Gala and After Party - are taking place today, at our Hosting Sponsor's venue, The Farmhouse (268 Bradford Street) in Barrie. These 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. We are humbled to be able to honour 15 nominees this year as well as the members of the Founders' Circle.

Here's what you need to know about tonight's fabulous Gala and After-Party!

For those attending the Gala, we will begin seating at 7:30 and shortly after dinner will begin. The formal ceremony will begin at 8:30 followed by performances from Kiena Dior, Andrew Nikkanen, and Jodie James. Formal or semi-formal wear is encouraged but please dress comfortably.

For those those attending the After-Party (did not buy a Gala ticket), we will open doors at 10:30 following the ending of the Gala. Cover charge is $10.00, and you are welcome to dress as formal or informal as you like. Please note that there is limited space.

Bonne Fierte! Happy Pride!

Today is the second last (ninth day) of Simcoe Pride Week 2015 (July 30 to August 8). Yesterday, we enjoyed a fabulous Arts and Culture Night at the Midland Cultural Centre; live performances, silent auction, and some delicious goodies from Ciboulette et Cie. Thank you to the artists, again, for all of your kind donations!

Join us for today for our second annual LGBT Health and Wellness Day at Georgian College in Barrie. Here, you will take part in the dynamic conversations on LGBT issues, learn from health care leaders in the community, and engage in interactive workshops that will prepare you for the future of LGBT inclusive health care, community and education.

In addition to workshops, there will also be a community fair showcasing organizations and businesses that operate in the LGBT community or as allies.

Workshops are taking place in H Building (Automotive Business School of Canada) in H214 and H208. The nearest parking is located at Lots 10, 11 or 12.

We are asking each attendee to give a $5 donation to go towards our esteemed presenters.

The day is from 12 to 5, and features workshops that include: Power, Privilege and Oppression (Huronia Transition Homes), Fostering a Trans Inclusive Environment (519 Church Street Community Centre), an engagement session, and a workshop about the new Health and Physical "Sex Ed" Curriculum (Ryan Van Schubert).

Today is the eighth day of the fourth annual Simcoe Pride Week, running from July 30 to August 8, 2015. Yesterday we had an LGBT Roundtable in Bradford West Gwillimbury, where we had some important discussions about issues in the local area, and a Candlelight Vigil in Barrie to honour those we have lost and those who still struggle in hopes that we can move Beyond Safe.

Simcoe Pride Week is a ten-day log festival with events across Simcoe County. Tonight, join us at the Midland Cultural Centre (333 King Street, Midland) for our fourth annual Arts and Culture Night, from 6:00pm to 9:00pm. There will be a silent auction featuring local, nation, and international LGBT ad allied artists as well as an open mic for those who wish to showcase their talents.

Also enjoy wonderful hors d'oeuvres provided by Midland's own Ciboulette et Cie and a cash bar!

Today is the seventh day of Simcoe Pride Week, running from July 30 to August 8, 2015. Yesterday the remainder of the flag raisings took place in Chippewas of Rama First Nation, the City of Orillia, the Township of Ramara, the Town of Wasaga Beach, and the City of Barrie (at Georgian College). In addition to this, there was also a Pride banner unveiling at Orillia Soldiers' Memorial Hospital and a proclamation presentation by Clearview Township. In total, flags are up in 13 communities and all of those communities plus 3 others have also issued a proclamation.

Simcoe Pride Week is a ten-day long festival with events running across Simcoe County. Today's events include:

Wednesday, August 5 - Beyond Safe

LGBT Roundtable - Bradford West Gwillimbury at 3:00pm
Candlelight Vigil - 70 Collier Street, Barrie from 7:30pm to 9:30pm

For more about the Candlelight Vigil, please visit the event page.

Today is the fourth day of Simcoe Pride Week 2015, running from July 30 to August 8. Yesterday, our community joined together at our Pride in the Park - enjoying food, laughter and music. 103.9 Proud FM was there playing some sweet tunes while doing a draw for a $10,000 cruise in the Caribbean. York Region Pride also joined us! 


Join us today at our Dusk till Dawn Movie Night at Sunset Drive-In (in Oro-Medonte), featuring: Vacation, Ant-Man, San Andreas, and the Gallows. Bring a lawn chair, pillows and blankets, and watch some great movies will family, friends, and community! And get this: youth get in for free! Just find a Simcoe Pride volunteer to help you.

*Youth in this case means high-school age, or younger.

We're meetng at the Drive-In, located at Highway 11 and Oro-Medonte Line 4, just after 8:00pm to get a good spot together.

4 movie feature price - $13. For more about each movie, go here.

Just a few photos from the Pride in the Park.

A special thank you to Mayor George Cornell, Deputy Mayor Steffen Walma, and Tiny Council for being proactive by revising your bylaws on proclamations and flag raisings so that Pride ‪and the LGBT community could be recognized as well as other community groups and organizations!