Announcements:
PRIDE York Region has ceased operations.
read announcement
A new website, GayYorkRegion.com is launched.
visit gayyorkregion.com
Dear Friends of PRIDE York Region,
It is with regret that we inform you that PRIDE York Region ceased operations at the end of November, 2005. Unfortunately our board members were unable to continue for a fifth term, and we were unable to attract volunteers willing to take over the demanding job of day-to-day management of the organization.
While the demise of PRIDE York Region is not good news, we are all grateful to have had the opportunity to make a positive contribution to our community over the past decade.
(1995-2000 as the Gay Services Committee of York Region/2001-2005 as PRIDE York Region).
Guided by our motto, "Equality through Visibility", we worked with liaison officers from community organizations including York Regional Police, York Region District School Board, Health Services, the AIDS Committee, PFLAG-York Region, and The Krasman Centre to provide advocacy, education and referral services, including a toll-free information line. Our speakers bureau was active with presentations to schools, youth, and community groups and we actively lobbied political representatives at all levels of government. We produced quarterly print newsletters and a monthly e-newsletter. We organized annual Pride Week celebrations with a focus on celebrating diversity in the community and took Pride displays to public libraries throughout the Region. We built a Pride Library which began with sixty volumes in 2002 and has grown to well over a thousand books. Negotiations are ongoing to ensure the Pride Library finds a permanent home and remains available as a resource for the people of York Region.
Some portions of the PRIDE York Region web site will remain online indefinitely to provide resource information and as a reminder of what can be accomplished when people work together for the benefit of all. To quote PRIDE York Region Chairperson and Equity Specialist, Kevin McBean...
"Imagine the loss when human rights are given to some, but not others. Imagine the loss when an employee leaves their job because of a poisoned workplace. Imagine the loss when a business discriminates against customers because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Imagine the loss when relationships end because families and friends cannot understand. Imagine the loss when a teenager commits suicide because they are made to feel unworthy of life. Now imagine the gains that are possible when diversity and inclusiveness become part of our everyday lives."
Lastly, I would like to recommend to you a recently launched web site, gayyorkregion.com, which aims to provide a new, interactive communication medium to York Region's gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered residents.
