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Valley Pride seeks support from District of Clearwater council

The newly-formed group made a presentation during a regular council meeting in Aug.
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(File photo)

Valley Pride, a local group comprised of members of the LGBTQ++ community and allies, gave a presentation to council during the regular meeting Tuesday, requesting a letter of support of what they aim to accomplish in the District of Clearwater.

The newly-created organization seeks to make Clearwater “a more socially inclusive community for both the residents of Clearwater and the visitors to our beautiful town.” They aim to do this by raising awareness in the area and asking local businesses and residents to show their support through signage and posting the pride flag and colours in shop or home windows.

Kalen Jones, owner of the Gateway Grill, said to council since they’ve hung the pride flag and safe markers outside the restaurant, more people identifying as LGBTQ++ have walked through their doors, many thankful there is a safe place in town for them to go.

The group said they plan to work with various businesses in town in an effort to improve Clearwater’s “social landscape,” encouraging them to show their support and providing them with a kit containing safe stickers and suggestions on how to be more socially inclusive. The letter of support would accompany the group and show businesses that Valley Pride has the District on their side.

Jones grew up in Clearwater, and though he is 37, he came out just a few years ago. He noted it was one of the hardest things he had done in his life, especially growing up in a religious household. The other, however, was a lack of support in the community and normalization of LGBTQ++ and two spirited who live in the community.

“Clearwater’s motto is ‘Love where you live,’” said Jones. “I can tell you I have not always loved where I lived. But, since coming out, my world has become a lot bigger.”

After visiting other small communities around B.C. who are more socially inclusive, it’s opened his eyes to how much Clearwater can do to do the same, he added.

“I do want to be proud of where I live,” said Jones. “I want to love where I live.”

The group meets twice a month to discuss personal experiences with social inclusion and to collaborate on ways to make positive change in the community. The meetings are open to anyone who would like to join the conversation. In future meetings Valley Pride plans to discuss a working group, a 2023 Valley Pride festival and visually inclusive art projects in town, such as benches or a pride sidewalk. The next meeting is Aug. 29 at 7 p.m. in the banquette room at the Clearwater Lodge.

Coun. Bill Haring made a motion to provide Valley Pride with a letter of support.

“Thanks for bringing this to us and for starting this work in Clearwater, I think this is something we can all get behind,” he said. “You’ve given us a chance to throw in with you publicly and hopefully make some impact and make our community a little more inclusive.”

Coun. Shelley Sim wondered what the letter of support would include, such as the District also providing stickers or promoting the meetings through the newsletter and social media. She also suggested support would also be the District acting as an outlet to sell Valley Pride T-shirts.

It was suggested by CAO John Thomas that if council was supportive of the theme and concept, the District could release a statement as a first step and then the group could return at a later date and present ideas to further promote inclusion in the community.

The suggestion was accepted by council.



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