By Cecilia Nasmith
A big ceremonial flag-raising at Victoria Hall June 3 will see the Pride flag go up in observance of what council declared as Pride Month in the Town of Cobourg.
The committee of the whole heard from Ashley Bouwman this week on behalf of the Cobourg-Port Hope PFLAG chapter and the Cobourg Queer Collective.
Bouwman has been the chapter leader since 2016, with its weekly meetings in Cobourg, and the following year helped organize the Collective with the goal of working toward fuller public awareness.
“It was decided June 2019 would be officially recognized as Pride Month and the rainbow flag proudly displayed,” she said.
“That would be a great achievement for our organization.”
Bouwman said she was encouraged to appear before council by Cobourg Police Chief Kai Liu and Councillor Adam Bureau, “to request that the flag be raised in recognition and celebration of Pride Month, presenting recognition and support to the Queer community.”
She added their hope that it might become an annual event, perhaps even help establish Cobourg as a tourist destination for Pride events in the future.
Bureau commended the group.
“You have done so much for this community in creating awareness and helping so many people work through their issues and be free,” he said.
Bureau's motion said the Pride flag would continue to fly for the month of June following the June 3 flag-raising ceremony. Furthermore, the town would recognize June as Pride Month each June, with the flag flying for the full month, for this term of council.
