Local food truck to support Battlefords Pride weekend

Jun 12, 2017 | 9:26 AM

Bonnie and Clyde’s food truck has partnered with Battlefords and Area Gender and Sexuality Alliance (BSGSA) to raise funds for the first-ever Battlefords Pride weekend.

On June 16 and 17, Bonnie and Clyde’s will donate $2 toward the Battlefords Pride event that will be taking place at the end of July.

All proceeds will be invested into the event directly, so that the event will be free, or at least low cost, for those attending Pride.

BSGSA was established in May of 2016, and initially held theme-based discussions regarding topics such as coming out and identity, and offer support to those attending the meeting.

“We were kind of just doing some support discussion groups in the community for the LGBTQ community in town,” Kay-Lynn Collier, head organizer of Battlefords Pride, said. “We started moving to doing some stuff with youth at North West College… we were also in the North Battleford Territorial Days parade [where] we did our first float last August.”

Since then, BSGSA has taken initiative to bring a Pride event to the community.

Throughout the event, Battlefords Pride will feature a parade, a dance, and a discussion panel. Other activities such as educational workshops and a barbecue are also in the works.

“We’re having people from the [LGBTQ] community come in and talk about their experiences, and then everyone can ask questions,” said Collier. “We’re also hoping to do a screening of “Milk,” which is a great movie about an LGBTQ activist and first openly gay politician in the United States.”

BSGSA’s goal with Pride is to bring a better understanding about the LGTBQ community in the Battlefords.

“There’s been a little bit of hostility here in the Battlefords I find. There are a lot of people who don’t feel comfortable here being LGBTQ,” Collier said. “That’s starting to open up a lot more [though], and I think having Pride here in the Battlefords will be a great way to bridge the gap between those two communities.”

Battlefords Pride will take place July 28-30, and will be a family friendly event; therefore, no drugs or alcohol will be permitted at any of the events.

According to Collier, larger community’s Prides tend to focus more on a party vibe, whereas Battlefords’ Pride will be focused on education and bringing the community together.

 

jared.gottselig@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW