The Future of Pride

PRESS RELEASE

​THE FUTURE OF PRIDE IN OUR REGION

​SIMCOE COUNTY, ON — April 3, 2019 — Today Fierté Simcoe Pride (FSP) is providing details on the future of Pride in our region.

In the coming weeks, various sub-committees will be forming to help Pride grow. The goal is sustainable, transparent, and community-oriented change that will meet the needs of community and share resources and workload. These sub-committees include:

• A regional sub-committee for Barrie;
• A regional sub-committee for West Simcoe (Collingwood, Wasaga Beach, Clearview, Springwater)
• A sponsorship sub-committee; and
• A sub-committee responsible for Trans Pride.

The regional sub-committees will be made of of representatives from various organizations as well as community members. Community members who are interested in sitting on a sub-committee are encouraged to apply by April 14.

“Together, we are going to ensure that the 2SLGBTQ+ community continues to have celebration and advocacy for years to come,” said Brandon Rhéal Amyot, president of FSP. “We want to make sure that Pride and our work grows sustainably and is always informed by the community’s input. This plan will continue our responsibility to community in a collaborative and accountable way.”

The Gilbert Centre, a local LGBTQ+ and HIV service centre, will be one of the organizations supporting this work.

Councillor Keenan Aylwin, also supporting the new plan, added: “I'm excited by Fierté Simcoe Pride’s creation of a regional sub-committee for Barrie to support Pride celebrations in our city. FSP is an organization that has a proven track record of financial sustainability, community based decision-making, and courageous advocacy. We must stand together as a community to continue this vital work.”

For details on the sub-committees, applications, and updates once sub-committee members are announced you can visit www.simcoepride.com/committee.html.

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For questions or comments, please contact:
Brandon Rhéal Amyot
​President
Fierté Simcoe Pride

T. 705-816-1187
​E. brandon.amyot@fiertesimcoepride.com

Appendix: Brief Additional Details

​Purpose of the Sub-Committees
These purposes shall be expanded upon by the sub-committees once formal Terms of Reference are drafted at a later date.

The purpose of the Barrie Sub-Committee will be to organize events in Barrie. This includes Fierté Simcoe Pride’s annual Pride festival events and year round events. It also includes organizing the annual Pride march/parade in Barrie along with other Pride festivities in Barrie.

The purpose of the West Simcoe Sub-Committee will be to organize events in Collingwood, Wasaga Beach, Clearview, and Springwater. This includes Fierté Simcoe Pride’s annual Pride festival events and year round events. It also includes organizing the first annual “Pride in the Park” in Collingwood.

The purpose of the Sponsorship Sub-Committee will be to seek and secure sponsors for Fierté Simcoe Pride, including the annual Pride festival events and year round events that happen across Simcoe County.

The purpose of the Trans Pride Sub-Committee will be to organize the annual Trans Pride March and help with other Trans-focused events and advocacy.

Applications for Sub-Committees
The community member seats shall be filled through appointment by the Board of Fierté Simcoe Pride. In order to make appointments to these seats, applications will be made open to the community. Applicants will be interviewed, and the Board will select the appointees from successful interviewees.

Members of each sub-committee shall serve until the next Annual General Meeting in Fall 2019. At that time, elections will be held to fill the seats.