Cambridge Pride returns and Ayr to host its first Pride ever both this June 2024
In 2023, Cambridge hosted its first Pride event thanks to Grand River Pride, “an organization serving the queer community of Cambridge and its surrounding areas,” according to its website. Grand River Pride will be bringing back Pride to Cambridge and for the first time to Ayr this June 2024.
Why did Cambridge Pride take so long to come to Cambridge, Ontario?
“Cambridge has always been a home to queer people,” says Bryan Causarano-Bolton, co-founder of Grand River Pride and Cambridge Pride. “One of the longest running Lesbian bars in North America was here in Cambridge.”
He’s referring to Robin’s Nest, which operated for 33 years until it closed its doors on December 31, 2010. Filmmaker Chris Vautour has been chronicling its history for a documentary project, Cambridge Today reported.
But when you ask Cantabrigians, except for some, many are baffled by its existence. This is because the owners chose to not display any signs outside, and did not promote it as LGBTQ for safety, Vautour relates for the CBC. Nothing speaks louder than that.
Still the bar remained a hidden gem for over three decades. The famous StoneWall Inn in New York began operating just a decade earlier than The Robin’s Nest, for comparison.
So Cambridge does not have a great record for being openly friendly to LGBTQ, but that’s what Grand River Pride is hoping to change.
“When we think back to the fact that there haven’t been Pride events, I think it’s because people didn’t see themselves reflected in their community. So I really hope that people can look at Pride in Cambridge and in Ayr, and say, ‘this is my home, and this my community,” Causarano-Bolton noted, adding that he also hopes the LGBTQ community sees Pride as a call to action to be more present and find ways to be involved.
But most importantly, Causarano-Bolton and the team at Grand River Pride hope that people see a community built on inclusivity, and creativity. “There’s so much good from being able to include everyone,” he adds. “Last year, our event brought over 3000 people to downtown Cambridge, and businesses in the area ripped the benefits,” Causarano-Bolton states.
But that doesn’t mean that the event did not face backlash.
“Some people said they would not shop in certain shops because they had rainbows. But what people don’t realize is that places where only certain people are allowed to shop is not a community. We hope people see Pride as a way to celebrate all people in our community,” Causarano-Bolton says.
Cambridge Pride will run for one week, from June 1st to June 8th, 2024 and will include a series of events including a Flag raising ceremony, and a street party to close the week hosted by Crystal Quartz, who performed last year, and with performances by Boy Golden and Miss Moco, who was in Canada’s Drag Race Season 3.
For a full list of events and to be on the loop, please follow Grand River Pride on social media (Instagram handle @grandriverpride) and check out their website www.grandriverpride.ca.
Grand River Pride is also running a Go Fund Me to cover additional costs. If you’re able, please consider donating at www.gofundme.com/f/cambridge-pride-week-2024 to make Cambridge and Ayr Pride a success.
Comentários