Smaller Pride gathering reflects community input while keeping its mission intact
This year, The Rainbow Crosswalk is hosting a small-scale event for its third annual Pride Month celebrations, but that doesn’t mean the colour has been muted.
On Sunday, June 28, from 12 to 2 p.m. at Connell Park, there will be a Pride Picnic and Barbecue to celebrate the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
Amanda Lightbody, the President and Executive Director of The Rainbow Crosswalk, says that although the Woodstock Pride event will be smaller this year, its intentions remain the same.
“Pride is an opportunity for people who might not normally come out from their homes and come together. We’re really big on wanting to build community, and that’s community in person as well as online,” said Lightbody.
Lightbody says the organization asked for community input and donations but unfortunately received very few responses. They also don’t acquire external funding from other businesses or organizations, and depend solely on donations.
Among the responses they received, the picnic was one of the most-mentioned fan favourites and, historically, their most successful event, so they chose to continue with it this year.
The Rainbow Crosswalk is partnering with Western Valley NB pflag to attract a larger crowd.
“Meeting old faces or old friends that we have, and found family are coming. And hopefully we’ll meet new people that show up. That’s the best part, is just being in community with other people and having a good time,” said Lightbody.
Lightbody says the organization is stepping onto a new pathway by shifting from primarily being a social organization to focusing on community-based social justice work.
Their key priorities will be addressing food insecurity, expanding access to gender-affirming clothing, and working with government and local agencies to support community needs.
“There’s a lot of hope now that we have a new shift change in [Woodstock’s] mayor and council. And we’re looking at it in a very positive way. There are good things happening,” said Lightbody.
The organization is excited for this year’s Pride event and hopes to see new faces supporting and advocating for the community.
“We would encourage those from the 2SLGBTQIA+ and ally community, who have not attended before, to stop by and say hello. They might just meet someone they know or make a new friend,” said Lightbody.
If you would like to help support The Rainbow Crosswalk, email the organization at therainbowcrosswalk@gmail.com.
