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The rallies are focused on expressing that there is #NoSpaceForHate in Muskoka, and are intended to send a clear message to members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community that despite the small but loud voices who claim otherwise, Muskoka is a safe and welcoming place for all citizens, no matter their gender expression or sexual orientation.

“The September 20th counter-protests saw a great response from our community at large, but we don’t want to be counter-protesting.  We want to be celebrating the diversity and inclusivity of our communities, because that’s truly what they are,” said Mike De Rose, President of the Labour Council.  “We know that the vast majority of Muskokans are proud of the diversity and welcoming nature of their communities.  It is what makes Muskoka such a great place to live and work.  We don’t need a special month or day to celebrate that and show our support and unity.”

Supporters, friends, allies, and others are being encouraged to join in the festivities and to bring their families, their pets, their neighbours and their networks.  Participants are being asked to wear lots of bright, happy colours to match the tone of the rallies.  Interested participants can email info@nsmdlc.org for more information or to add their name to their SpreadTheLove Mailing List.

“We are proud to stand together with members of the local labour community to firmly proclaim that Hate Has No Home Here in Muskoka,” adds Merv Taylor-Morin,  President of Muskoka Pride.  “Now more than ever it is important for voices of our community to demonstrate their allyship in the face of a very small but volcal minority who are loudly spewing forth messages of division and  intolerance.”

In Bracebridge, the rally will begin at noon at Memorial Park on Manitoba Street.  In Huntsville,supporters will meet at 2:30pm at Huntsville Legion (Veterens Way).

The post Pro-2SLGBTQIA+ Rallies Planned For Huntsville And Bracebridge This Weekend appeared first on Muskoka411.

Recreation for EveryBody
Bracebridge Sportsplex
Every Thursday in June from 5 to 6:30 pm

Register to participate in this five-session series with a new theme/activity every week. Weekly themes include:

• June 1 – Challenge Course
• June 8 – Geocaching
• June 15 – Climbing Wall & Tchouk Ball/Spike Ball
• June 22 – Yoga/Disc Golf
• June 29 – EveryBody can Swim; an open swim for participants, their families and allies

The ParticipACTION Community Challenge is a national physical activity and sport initiative that encourages everyone in Canada to get active throughout June in search of Canada’s Most Active Community. For the 2023 challenge, ParticipACTION is proud to provide funding through the Government of Canada’s Community Sport for All Initiative to equity-deserving populations. Anyone can participate in the ParticipACTION Community Challenge by downloading and tracking their movement in the free ParticipACTION app from June 1 to 30, or by joining local activities like Recreation for EveryBody.

To register for the free five-week Recreation for EveryBody series, call 705-645-3037 ext. 3704 or visit bracebridge.ca/BeActive.

“The Town of Bracebridge is committed to supporting community vibrancy, health and well-being. We are proud to partner with Muskoka Pride on this inclusive, welcoming initiative to create a safe space for all of our 2SLBGTQ+ community patrons. Thank you to ParticipACTION for their support.”
– Rick Maloney, Mayor, Town of Bracebridge

“We are proud to partner with the Town of Bracebridge to offer programming for the 2SLGBTQ+ community. There are a lot of individuals who are apprehensive about participating in recreation programs for fear of judgement and isolation. The Recreation for EveryBody initiative provides a safe, inclusive space for everyone to take part in health and wellness.”
– Shawn Forth, Muskoka Pride

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The evening screening will feature 5 short films and a feature celebrating different sides of queer life and history, produced both in Canada and internationally including the United States, Australia, and New Zealand.

The short films been screened include: Views from the Airplane Window, Junior’s Giant, Bonheur/Happy Place, Eating PaPaw on the Seashore, and Poofta. The feature film is a documentary titled: In Her Words: 20th Century Lesbian Fiction. More information about each film can be found on the MQFF website www.mqff.ca

This year the festival will be held on International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia (IDAHOBT) and will be combined with a day of educational programming for students of TLDSB. Additional films have been selected for the daytime screening, with a high school student audience in mind.

“We are absolutely thrilled to be bringing the Muskoka Queer Film Festival back for a fourth year and this time we’re live and in-person at the Rene M. Caisse Memorial Theatre,” says Shawn Forth, member of the MQFF jury member and spokesperson for Muskoka Pride.

Tickets are available on a “Pay What You Can” basis with a recommended donation of $25. http://mqff2023.eventbrite.ca

“This is an exciting and ambitious project that builds on the success of our first three years,” says Merv Taylor-Morin, President of Muskoka Pride and member of the MQFF jury. “It was hard to choose from all the great films submitted for selection to our festival, however, we believe we’ve created a diverse lineup of short films and an impressive feature that will resonate with the audience.”

Muskoka Queer Film Festival will also honour directors with two awards. The Festival Favourite will be selected by the MQFF jury while the Audience Choice award will be voted on by audience members.

“MQFF was conceived to be an in-person community event in 2020, however COVID-19 had other plans! The first three sessions were presented online, but we are extremely excited to be holding this year’s festival in-person at the beautiful Rene M. Caisse Memorial Theatre as originally intended,” says Michelle Emson, Theatre Manager and Technical Director of the Rene M Caisse Memorial Theatre.

The films selected for MQFF 2023 are:

Evening screening:

Views from the Airplane Window, Junior’s Giant, Bonheur/Happy Place, Ella Ellam,

Eating PaPaw on the Seashore, Poofta, In Her Words: 20th Century Lesbian Fiction

TLDSB high school student screening:

An Ordinary Day, Macaroni Soup, Whistlings, Queen of Pain, Onomatapeople,

The Legend of the Prince and the Warrior, Ella Ella, Junior’s Giant,

Views from the Airplane Window, Bonheur/Happy Place, Eating PaPaw on the Seashore

For details about the films and to purchase tickets please visit mqff.ca

The Muskoka Queer Film Festival is a collaboration of Muskoka Pride, and Sanctuary Studios Inc., and is sponsored by The District Municipality of Muskoka through the IDEA Community grant.

The post Muskoka Queer Film Festival Is May 17th In Bracebridge appeared first on Muskoka411.

The arrest came after approximately six protesters gathered outside the church before the Muskoka Drag Royalty Hallow-Queen & Pump-King Spooktacular supporting Gravenhurst Against Poverty (GAP). The police received information Saturday morning that there was a planned protest of the drag show scheduled for 1 p.m., according to an OPP statement to Muskoka411.

“I’m protesting grown adults who want to dress in lingerie and dance around children,” said Peters in a video she filmed that was reposted on Twitter. “There is nothing okay about this, and you’re doing it in a church. You think god condemns this type of behaviour?”

Muskoka411 contacted event organizers to get a response.

“It was hurtful and upsetting to have words of raw hate yelled loudly and incessantly at anyone who came near the church prior to the show,” said Bonnie Dart, chair of GAP, in an email to Muskoka411.

“The show was family-appropriate, with young children and some parents dressed in their Halloween costumes, decorating pumpkins, dancing to kid-pop songs and receiving Halloween treats,” said Dart. “There were five drag queens dressed in Halloween-themed costumes dancing to songs like ‘The Monster Mash,’ ‘Purple People Eater,’ ‘The Candy Man,’ etc.” 

According to the GAP Facebook page, the event was hosted by Muskoka Pride and featured drag performances, drag story time, a pumpkin decorating contest and a costume contest. Two boxes of food and $70 were donated to GAP.

Chrystal Peters will appear before a Bracebridge court at a future date. 

Watch: A Canadian woman protesting an all-ages drag show dubbed Hallow-Queen & Pump-King Spooktacular outside the Trinity United Church in Gravenhurst, Ontario was arrested today by Ontario Provincial Police. pic.twitter.com/IGyL4t3RMD

— The Canadian Independent (@canindependent) October 29, 2022

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Muskoka Pride is excited to welcome everyone back to celebrate in-person including the following events in Bracebridge:

• Drag Trivia on July 18 at Barrelhouse Bracebridge,
• Driveway Drag Show on July 20,
• Mini-golf tournament and MQFF: After Dark on July 21, and the
• Muskoka Pride Parade on July 24.

Muskoka Pride is a registered not for profit organization with a mission to bring people together by offering advocacy, resources and social activities for Muskoka’s diverse 2SLGBTQIA+ community. For more information on the week of events, visit muskokapride.com.

“We are excited to welcome Muskoka Pride back to Bracebridge for a week of in-person events. Muskoka Pride Week brings together the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and allies to celebrate, support and engage with one another, and we’re grateful to host so many events here in town. Wishing everyone a happy Pride!” – Rick Maloney, Mayor, Town of Bracebridge

“It is a pleasure to raise the Pride Flag in Bracebridge for the 11th year in a row. The Pride Flag gives all of society an opportunity to come together under one banner.” – Merv Taylor-Morin

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This year’s Pride celebration is a return to pre-pandemic events, including the first festival and parade since 2019, explains Muskoka Pride President Merv Taylor-Morin. “For the past two years we have continued to celebrate Pride Week in smaller ways, following the COVID restrictions in place at the time. We are beyond thrilled to once again host the annual Festival and Parade in downtown Bracebridge this year.”

Muskoka Pride board member Shawn Forth explains, “It is so important for members of the LGBTQ+ community to see themselves represented in the greater community. When you identify as LGBTQ+ and grow up in a small community, you can feel isolated and as if you are the only one. It is important for there to be LGBTQ+ visibility in our communities.”

Forth explains that just last month, Muskoka Pride donated rainbow benches to all municipalities in Muskoka to help to ensure a year-round visible symbol of the commitment to diverse and inclusive communities. The funding was provided through the District of Muskoka’s Community Enhancement grant.

IN-PERSON EVENTS

Muskoka Pride Week will feature in-person events throughout Muskoka over eleven days.

Pride Week starts off with the theatrical production Twelfth Night by Timberbeast
Productions on Thursday, July 14 at the Gravenhurst Wharf gazebo.

The party starts on Friday, July 15 with Disco Muskoka. In partnership with the Huntsville
Theatre Company, Muskoka Pride is hosting a disco party at Canvas Brewery in Huntsville. Tickets are available on the HTC website.

Pride Church Services will be held on July 17 at Trinity United Church in Gravenhurst and on July 24 at Bracebridge United Church.

On Thursday, July 21, Bracebridge Hall will host MQFF After Dark, a film screening for 19+ which features films from this year’s Muskoka Queer Film Festival that could not be broadcast due to content. Tickets are available on the Muskoka Pride website or pay at the door.

FLAG RAISINGS

All municipalities in Muskoka will be raising the Progress Pride flag on Monday, July 19. Members of the public are encouraged to join us for ceremonies at their local municipality office to celebrate the annual flag raising.

DRAG SHOWS

Muskoka Drag Royalty is holding four events this year – including Drag Trivia at Bracebridge Barrelhouse on July 18, a 19+ show at Sawdust City Brewery on July 22, and two all-ages shows on July 20 and July 24.

FAMILY EVENTS

Muskoka Pride has taken great care to ensure that many events are geared to the entire family. Many families participate to show their allyship with the community, to support their LGBTQ+ family members, and as an opportunity for their families to experience their first Pride Festival.

The annual Six Mile Lake boat parade will take place on Saturday, July 16 on Six Mile Lake in Georgian Bay Township starting at 1 p.m.

The annual Rainbow Road Tour on Sunday, July 17, which was first introduced during the
pandemic, will take place again. It is a great opportunity for the entire family to tour around Lake Muskoka. This year’s route will incorporate some of the newly installed rainbow benches and will end with a BBQ and musical performance at Muskoka Brewery.

Tuesday, July 19 is Pride Night at the Muskoka Drive-In. Featuring three short films from the Muskoka Queer Film Festival (MQFF) and the feature film “Dawn, Her Dad, and the Tractor” tickets are available on the Muskoka Pride website or pay cash at the gate.

On Thursday, July 21, the 10th annual Muskoka Pride Mini-Golf Tournament will be held at
Northern Escapades Mini Putt. Families and individuals can golf for a special rate between
11 a.m. and 6 p.m., and try for their chance at the trophy.

Two Drag Shows are planned which are aimed at all-ages – Wednesday, July 20 a Driveway Drag Show is planned at a private residence in Bracebridge, and the Memorial Park Drag Show is planned as part of the annual Pride Festival on Sunday, July 24. Both shows feature many local performers from Muskoka Drag Royalty.

Muskoka Bay Resort is hosting a Pride Pool Party on Saturday, July 23 from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. It will feature live music, games, prizes, and food. Admission is free. Please contact the resort to add your name to the guest list.

FESTIVAL AND PARADE

For the first time since 2019, Muskoka Pride will host the annual Pride Festival in Memorial
Park on Sunday, July 24 form 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Featuring vendors, live music, and activities for the family. The band Dirty Little Swing Thing will be performing under the bandshell, and local singer Briar Summers will be performing on a second stage. Muskoka Drag Royalty will be hosting a drag show starting at 2:30.

The annual Pride Parade will take place at 12:30 p.m. on Manitoba Street. This year, the parade will be starting at Memorial Park and going through downtown Bracebridge.

Everyone, no matter how you identify, is welcome to attend Muskoka Pride events.

Muskoka Pride receives funding from the Government of Canada through the Local Festivals – Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage grant.

To see a full schedule of events, go to www.muskokapride.com or click “Events” on
the Muskoka Pride Facebook page.

The post Muskoka Pride Announces Schedule For Pride Week From July 14 To 24 appeared first on Muskoka411.

Disco Muskoka will see Canvas Brewery transformed into Studio 54 for a night of non-stop disco! Dust off your platform dancing shoes and break out your best moves at Muskoka’s largest disco party. Featuring live performances, prizes, and the fine beverages of Canvas Brewery, it’s an evening not to be missed!

“We are excited to be partnering with HTC for this in-person event to kick off our 2022 Pride Week of events” says Shawn Forth of Muskoka Pride.

Dyanna Jacklin from HTC says she’s always been fascinated with the lore and nostalgia around Studio 54.

“I have always wanted to have an epic disco party here in Muskoka. I think this will be the celebration we all need right now.”

Performers include Frank Berg, Meeda Berg, James Currie, Veronica Leonard, Marcia Kuehnen and Tim Lucier. The evening will be hosted by local drag sensations, Hand Awnya and Champagne Topher.

Disco Muskoka takes place Friday July 15th at Canvas Brewery (12 John Street). The event is 19+ and doors open at 8:00pm. Tickets are $25 or $15 for HTC/Muskoka Pride members and can be purchased at https://www.huntsvilletheatre.org

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Before the pandemic, the YWCA hosted Walk A Mile In Her Shoes, where men walked in heels to bring awareness to violence against women. This year, the event has been rebranded to Walk A Mile In Their Shoes in an attempt to better demonstrate the realities of gender-based violence. Hannah Lin, executive director of YWCA Muskoka, said that with people of all genders living in Muskoka, she hopes locals will realize that the issue is not one that impacts women alone. 

“Abuse crosses income, race, ability and gender – it can happen to anyone, no matter their background or circumstance, but it’s important to know that women, girls, Indigenous and racialized women, trans, gender-diverse and queer people are at the highest risk of experiencing gender-based violence,” Lin said.

More than four in 10 women have experienced intimate partner violence, according to the Canadian Women’s Foundation, and a woman is killed by her partner approximately every six days in Canada. The risk is even higher for trans and queer people as well as disabled, non-white and Indigenous women. 

For the first few walkathons, the YWCA was able to raise about $15,000 at each event. The most recent in-person walk in 2019 raised $25,000, leading the organization to raise their fundraising goal to $30,000 for this year. The money will fund programs like YWCA Quest, which helps teach boys how to express their emotions, in addition to funding events that are inclusive for two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and asexual (2SLGBTQIA+) youth.

“Through COVID, the demand for services, and particularly for youth programs, has increased,” Lin said. “We’re excited to be back in person again and hope people will help us as we expand the reach of both our organizations’ services as the pandemic subsides.”

The walk will start at Memorial Park in Bracebridge at 11 a.m. on May 29 followed by a barbeque. Walkers can register as individuals or as part of a team and there’s no minimum fundraising requirement to participate. 

While the event previously had just men walking, everyone is encouraged to get involved this year. Once the team at the YWCA decided to shift the focus of the event, they knew they wanted to partner with Muskoka Pride as longtime supporters of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community as well as the Walk A Mile event.

“Muskoka Pride has been an incredibly supportive organization, bringing attention and people to this event ever since we started in 2014,” Lin said. “They are also entirely volunteer run and we knew they were also working with a community of people that experiences gender-based violence directly.”

Shawn Forth is on the Walk A Mile In Their Shoes planning committee and acts as the secretary of the board for Muskoka Pride. He said it’s fantastic to see the event become more inclusive and recognize the increased risk of violence faced by queer and trans people.

“Gender-based violence can happen to anyone, and also we want everyone to be able to take part and be involved,” Forth said. “In addition, [we’re] recognizing that trans, two-spirit and queer individuals face their own form of gender-based violence through the form of homophobia, transphobia, biphobia.”

The partnership between the two organizations is a perfect fit, he said, because they’re both working to educate the community and prevent violence and abuse. They each pay special attention to working with youth in hopes of building a future where events like this aren’t necessary, but for now, Walk A Mile plays an important role in bringing attention to a problem that otherwise exists largely behind closed doors.

“The event is changing with the times and it’s becoming more inclusive,” Forth said. ”Recognizing that there are many organizations in Muskoka who are working to create a better society, this is a partnership between two organizations that saw a lot of commonalities and a lot of overlap in our work, and we saw the opportunity to collaborate and work together to make things even better.”

To learn more about Walk A Mile In Their Shoes, or to register for the walk, click here.

YWCA And Muskoka Pride Partner To Prevent Gender-Based Violence In Muskoka

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For the past six years, YWCA Muskoka has held an annual Walk a Mile Muskoka event for gender-based violence prevention. Over 300 community members have walked to fundraise and show solidarity around the need for more services and programs to prevent violence in Muskoka. To date, the fundraising event has raised $92,000, and has significantly increased the visibility of a largely hidden issue.

The event has been rebranded to Walk a Mile in THEIR Shoes to reflect the realities of gender-based violence, and the walk is for everyone this year – not just men.

“Abuse crosses income, race, ability and gender – it can happen to anyone, no matter their background or circumstance, but it’s important to know that women, girls, Indigenous and racialized women, trans, gender-diverse and queer people are at the highest risk of experiencing gender-based violence,” said Hannah Lin, Executive Director of YWCA Muskoka.

A 2021 report from Egale says that homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia remain rampant in Canadian schools. 2SLGBTQ students report more incidents of verbal, physical, and sexual harassment as well as other forms of targeted bullying (such as cyberbullying) than their cisgender heterosexual peers.

Statistics Canada reported that approximately every six days, a woman in Canada is killed by her intimate partner. And sexual minority Canadians are almost 3 times more likely to experience violent victimization than heterosexual Canadians.

“This year’s walk is for everyone – all genders and all ages,” said Merv Taylor-Morin, President of Muskoka Pride. “If you’re involved in a membership-based club, an athletics team, a professional organization or a local business, we are officially challenging your team to walk in solidarity with women, girls, Two Spirit, trans and gender diverse and queer people who are at highest risk of gender-based violence.”

The funds will be used for violence prevention initiatives in Muskoka – specifically to run youth programs including YWCA Quest, and reach young people of all genders during their most formative years. The programs explore issues that help young people develop healthy relationships now and in the future. It will also be used to create events that are inclusive of a diverse community focusing on safer spaces for 2SGBTQ+ youth.

Walk a Mile in Their Shoes is a fun and family-friendly event. There’s no minimum fee to participate however walkers are encouraged to set a personal goal and share their actions from their fundraising portal. Participants may register as an individual, join an existing team or create their own team. Walkers are encouraged to wear something red and comfortable walking shoes.

Register to walk at www.walkamilemuskoka.ca.

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