By: Charlee Mitschke
“Pride Month” is an event which started after police raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay club, in Greenwhich Village, New York in the early morning houra on June 28, 1969. There was an uproar which resulted in a series of spontaneous, violent demonstrations by members of the gay (LGBTQ+) community. On this night, customers, staff and neighborhood residents protested in the streets outside of the bar and continued for six days. This act to ensured that there would be places where LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Transexual, Two-Spirit, Intersex, Asexual, Pansexual, Agender, Gender Queer, Bigender, Gender Variant, Pangender and Ally) people could safely be open about their sexual orientation without the fear of prejudice from then-on.
A year after the Stonewall Riots in New York, Gay Pride Week and the Christopher Street Liberation Day Parade were introduced. From there, Gay Pride Week mutated into a month of celebration, acceptance and inclusion.
In Langenburg, local businesses, artists and Langenburg Central School have taken to the celebrations by posting rainbow-themed decorations around town. Fitting with the motto, ‘Family & Friends’, Langenburg is supportive to all people, organizations, groups and movements that recognize that diversity and equality are a strength to the community.
Local business Cre.ate Coffeehouse and Shoppe are honouring the inclusivity of “pride” by offering special promotions, merchandise and food creations, all surrounding the rainbow theme. “We try to be for everybody, right? It’s sort of our mandate to be for humans too. Not everybody feels that way. We don’t judge them, but we just want to be all inclusive,” says Jenn Barker, a co-entrepreneur of Cre.ate Coffeehouse.
Being based out of a small town, Cre.ate Coffeehouse and Shoppe has never faced first-hand calamity for being supporters of the LGBTQ+ alliance, but there always is that worry someone will take offence. With the incident of Langenburg Central School’s pride flag being vandalized the past year, there is a fear of hate being publicized again this pride season. Barker comments, “[H]aving a member on staff that is part of the community, she was worried about leaving the flags outside”. There is a concern that passer-bys that aren’t in full support of the LGBTQ+ community could do something to disrespect the pride festivities, but no one has shown any sign of contemptuous behaviour thus far.
“This is our first pride season. We decided to just do a week of it just to support it in the community. We have just started. To be honest, people that have come in seem to be quite keen on it. I think they like the free bag. It’s free whether it’s a pride rainbow or not,” Jenn laughs.
“I don’t think, not that we’re aware, that people have stopped coming in because of this,” says business-partner Lisa Kerr.
“I think for the most part people are excited! I think they’re like- oh ok! We’re going with the flow. Here’s a pride event,” comments Jenn.
Cre.ate Coffeehouse and Shoppe is sporting the rainbow with pride flags, colourful desserts, flowers, bright decorations, promotional candy, tattoos and bags situated around the store. The two entrepreneurs express that it makes them think of pride and celebrating. “Given the nature of our business, it was Father’s Day, so we pulled that way with our retail. We did a week of pride, and Canada Day is coming up. I think we’ll really try to focus going forward every year at this time on doing a Pride Week,” Barker tells. “We want everyone to feel welcome.” Kerr shares.
“I think the general vibe of Cre.ate is just that. We celebrate our community. Colour, age, sexuality… none of it matters. We’re trying to be a little beacon and spread some kindness around,” Barker comments.
Pride is a month long-affair dedicated to getting more awareness and acceptance in society. ““I’ve seen the thing where they talk about why do you need a month or a parade or this or that. The way I see it, we should be happy that we don’t have to have a parade or a month for us to be accepted.” says Lisa.
Unlike other celebrations or days of remembrance, the LGBTQ+ community still faces adversity. “Now they’re trying to get more acceptance and more awareness, so you need more time to do that. If you only did one day a year, it’s going to take years for people to ever accept it. Whereas, if it’s for a whole month everywhere you go, it’s harder for it not to become immersed in your culture,” Lisa adds, ”When people are more accepting, maybe there will be one day where you go hard”.
“Does it need to be a month, does it need to be a year? I think it’s pride always.” Jenn tells.
While businesses prepare for the month of pride, Langenburg Central School is thinking of creative ways to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community around Langenburg. As the school is not open for traditional pride festivities, the staff and students are brainstorming ways to spread the rainbow. Anywhere from streamers to art pieces is a possibility for the school. As of right now, they have their LGBTQ+ Pride Flag hanging proudly.
The month of pride is about celebrating all walks of life, and the local businesses, artists and school are taking it to heart. They are showcasing Langneburg’s diversity and letting the pride shine. Like we said before, the community of Langenburg is always thinking forward as ‘family & friends’.