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Stratford's 'Big Gay 2023' Pride Month has a lot happening

'Two of the best ways to combat hate include education and awareness,' says local Pride organizer as June's Pride Month launches
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Local organizers say Pride Month is more important than ever. 

Rainbow flags are flying today in the City of Stratford and beyond, the start of the 2023 Pride Month. 

In honour of the 2SLGBTQ+ community and their struggle for equal rights, Pride Month is celebrated across Canada and much of the world. It is a month aimed to bring people together to highlight history and look to the future. 

AJ Adams is the president of Stratford-Perth Pride (SPP), one of the Pride organizations in the community. He told StratfordToday that Pride Month is especially important now. 

“Across the country and across the world,” Adams explained. “There's a rising wave of anti-2SLGBTQ hate going on. Two of the best ways to combat hate include education and awareness. 

“Having events like the Perth County Pride March and the Pride Festival, and all the other events happening throughout the county, in addition to being wonderful, inclusive, family friendly events, they’re also conversation starters for folks who might be on the fence or or even have hate towards the queer community.”

Planned for this month is the aforementioned Perth County Pride March and the Pride Festival. 

On June 4 the Pride March starts from the Tom Patterson Theatre to Upper Queen’s Park 1 p.m.. After marching, the Pride Festival starts at Upper Queen’s Park at approximately 2 p.m. and runs until 6 p.m. that evening.

There will be music, vendors, food trucks, and children’s games, among other things at the festival. 

On June 11, there will be the annual St. Marys Pride Day from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m..

On June 14, the Rotaract Club and SPP are hosting a Pride-themed trivia night at the Jobsite Brewery in Stratford. Trivia starts at 7 p.m. and registration begins half an hour earlier. 

On June 17 there are two events hosted by North Perth Pride in Listowel. Family Pride Day begins at 3 p.m. at the Kin Station. Later that night, a 19+ drag show will be performed at the same location. 

A Pride Night Market takes place at the Stratford Country Club, hosted by the Sip & Shop Market and SPP. A wide variety of vendors are available from 5 to 9 p.m..

In addition to SPP's events, the Stratford Public Library is also hosting a drag story time this Saturday

The Stratford Pride Community Centre (SPCC) is another Pride organization in the Festival City, located at 24 Downie St. downtown. It is an independent organization to SPP, and one that offers different but complementary services. 

Bruce Skeaff, president of the SPCC, said that they have a host of exciting events planned for this month.  

“I've been calling this year “Stratford’s Big Gay 2023,” Skeaff said. “Because there's so much going on.”

The SPCC is celebrating one year in their Downie Street location, having opened June 4 last year. This Sunday they are hosting an open house and free continental breakfast for their anniversary.

Additionally, the SPCC will be opening a ‘Stratford Gay Bar’ at the Rockwell Lounge at 38 Albert Street. 

Starting on June 4, the Stratford Gay Bar will be taking over the Rockwell Lounge on certain evenings in June. Specific dates can be found on the SPCC’s website.

Skeaff said the idea is to have a space available for the 2SLGBTQ+ community, especially after showings of the “gay plays” of the Stratford Festival: Rent, Richard II, and Casey and Diana.  

“Flipping the routine on its head,” the post on the SPCC’s website reads. “The Stratford Gay Bar is not a straight bar where queers are welcome. It’s a queer bar where everyone is welcome.”

Additionally, Brad Fraser will be at a meet-and-greet at the Stratford Gay Bar on June 18. Fraser adapted this year’s Richard II for the Festival and will read from his memoir, All the Rage, which influenced the adaptation.  

Lastly, the Drag Me to Brunch on June 25 ends off Pride Month festivities. A drag brunch show hosted by TroyBoy Entertainment, doors open at 11 a.m.. 

For more information on Pride Month and events, visit the SPCC and SPP’s websites.