Minto Pride has gotten approval for a new project in partnership with the Town of Minto.
Council approved a request to hang new Minto Pride banners every year from May through September at the entrances to all three of the downtowns. Minto Pride Co-Chair, Brayden Scott, says they were looking for more ways to have representation around town, and also hopefully combat the ease of vandalism of other previous displays.
"The committee finally came together and said 'Enough's enough, we've got to come up with some sort of visual representation that's going to be a little more difficult for people to get their hands on.' Nearby communities have been doing the Pride banners, as well, so that's when I put the proposal together and pitched it to the committee and obviously, everybody was on board," Scott enthused.
Scott says when the new banners are ready, two each will hang at the entrances to the downtowns in Minto every May through September.
"So Palmerston, Clifford and Harriston. There's gonna be four banners per town and there's gonna be two at the entrance and two at the exit, for a total of twelve banners," said Scott.
Also, given the events this week that included protests directed toward the LGBTQ community and gender ideology, Scott notes that it's great to continue receiving such great support from their local council.
"We look at nearby communities and see the struggles that they go through. We are very fortunate to have a super supportive mayor, who comes out to a majority of our events and speaks to all of the ways that he is an active ally and the priorities of the town," added Scott.
Scott says without people like Minto Mayor Dave Turton, Belinda Wick-Graham, Minto's Economic Development head, and the other members of council and the town staff, Minto Pride would not be a successful as they are. So despite the negativity of the protests this week, Scott says it is something positive to look toward for Minto Pride, but he adds that the protests were very upsetting.
"Anytime something like that happens, it's a huge shock to the community. It triggers harm for people, and it's not a nice feeling. So at a moment when things were super negative and not looking great, to have this really positive outcome to kind of shine a light above it all, it is super encouraging," Scott concluded.
The Town of Minto will assume the costs of installing and taking down the twelve new Minto Pride banners every May and September, and Minto Pride will fundraise the roughly $1,600 it will cost to make the banners. If you wish to donate to Minto Pride and their initiatives, or want to simply learn more, follow them on social media, visit their Facebook page or email MintoPrideCommittee@gmail.com.