WESTLOCK — Westlock’s Pride Network is giving adults a place to connect, talk and support each other.
Created earlier this spring, the group formed to fill a need to support adults who are allies and parents of the LGBTQ2S+ community in Westlock
The group aims to provide support and a safe space, as well as educational opportunities for the town, and participate in fun activities that bring the community together.
“The Pride Network is a group of parents and allies that needed a place to gather, talk and connect,” said Pride Network member Heidi Mills, noting it was first created as a support group for those who needed to talk and share.
Mills said they acknowledge that the ‘Westlock Pride’ Facebook group was also created this spring, but noted there was a need for another group.
“There was four or five of us in the beginning that needed some support from each other, and we just started gathering and created the Pride Network from there,” said Mills. “Some ideas started to brew out of it and everyone got really excited so we started meeting more regularly and worked on some events for May and June.”
Some of those events hosted by the Pride Network so far, include a flag campaign that ran from May 25 to June 1, a community barbecue that was held on June 15 and a community educational event at the Westlock Cultural Arts Theatre on June 20, presented by behaviour consultant, Aynsley Graham.
“Our first small gathering was the four of us in early March after the plebiscite vote and we have been having monthly meetings since then,” she added, noting how the group is slowing growing in the community.
“Right now, we’re focusing on the eight or nine of us that we have and everyone brings an ally with them to grow the group,” she said, noting they’d like to see the group grow organically, including who wants to come, what topics they want to talk about and what kinds of events they would like to have.
“We plan to continue to build ideas and plans with safe allies and adults to support those in need in our community,” said Mills. “Some of our ideas include a monthly support circle for parents and allies, a community-wide GSA, partnerships with community agencies including the FCSS and the Westlock Community Foundation, and continue hosting and supporting events, activities and educational opportunities.”
For more information or to inquire about the Pride Network email [email protected]
