By Emily Stonehouse
An act of vandalism at Head Lake Park in Haliburton has tripped alarms for Minden Pride.
The community organization was approached early last week, when some passerby in the park noticed homophobic slurs etched into the woodwork at the bandstand, overlooking Head Lake. The municipality, as well as the local police forces, were made aware of the vandalism, and while the slurs have since been sanded down, the mark they made on the LGBTQIA+ community have cut deeper.
“This is not something we take lightly,” said Chris Hewson, the co-chair of Minden Pride. “When you deface something in public like that, you’re not directing it at one person. You’re directing it to a whole community.”
Minden Pride was formed in 2016, in light of the tragic shootings that occurred at the Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, which coincided with homophobic graffiti being plastered across a Haliburton storefront.
Since their conception, the volunteer not-for-profit committee has grown exponentially; from their early days of a flag raising and cake to a weeklong festival that includes events and experiences for everyone. “I am so proud to be a part of Pride,” said Hewson. “There’s a spirit of unity, and we can really make an impact on that education, and that need for discourse.”
Hewson shared that the act of vandalism represents a gap between education and understanding. “Sometimes that gap can feel like a little crack, and sometimes it can be a gulf,” he said. “It’s disheartening.”
In terms of moving forward, Hewson believes that by filling in that educational gap, more people can begin to understand and accept Pride in the community. “We need to be a part of more conversations,” he said, “to ensure we have a seat at the table.”
He noted that many see Pride as “a little blip” in the year, and the organization aims to continue the conversation around inclusivity and understanding year-round. “We are diverse, open, and welcoming,” said Hewson, “and we need to show up. That’s so important.”
All are welcome to attend any of Minden Pride’s year-round events.
For more information, visit www.mindenpride.ca.
