Activists gather in Moncton for community forum

Activists gather in Moncton for community forum
NEW BRUNSWICK / Discussion of a new provincial queer network
Nick Logan / Xtra.ca / National / Tuesday, September 01, 2009












FORUM. This month's community forum - including (front row L to R) CUPE NB president Daniel Légère, Rev Eldon Hay and Pflag Canada executive director Cherie MacLeod - was the first but not the last for Moncton's queer and allied groups.


Moncton may not be the legislative capital of New Brunswick, but it could soon become the queer capital of the province.

As a part of the city's 10th anniversary Pride celebration earlier this month the organizing committee, known as River of Pride, assembled a group of queer activists, educators and allies at City Hall for a first-ever community forum.

"I think this is going to be, hopefully, a day in history in the queer scene in New Brunswick," River of Pride spokesperson Paul Leblanc said, addressing the small crowd.

Because of Moncton's size and central location in the Maritimes, there was an overwhelming sentiment the city should serve as an example of unity.

"We need to admit that Moncton is awake, very alive and vibrant, whereas Saint John and Fredericton are dormant, where many activists are," says Roger LeBlanc, a kinesiology professor at the Université de Moncton.

The discussion — moderated by Pflag Canada executive director Cherie MacLeod — included representatives from the Multicultural Association of the Greater Moncton Area (MAGMA), AIDS Moncton, the Canadian Labour Congress and the president of CUPE New Brunswick, Daniel Lègére.

The goal of the brainstorming session was to establish the first steps toward sharing resources. Gay rights advocate Rev Eldon Hay — winner of the 1997 New Brunswick Human Rights award and a member of the Order of Canada — called the gathering a "seed bed," saying a network of organizations would better serve "the broad needs of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered community."

MacLeod highlighted the mountain of work that still needs to be done to end homophobia in the city and the province.

"In New Brunswick," she says, "we don't even recognize Coming Out Day in October."

Schools need to address homophobia in the classrooms and hallways, she says, by opening up dialogues and creating safe spaces.

But, some attendees expressed concern that principals can be quick to dismiss the topic of sexuality for fear of parental backlash.

"There is this big fear," says a representative of the local Pflag chapter, "If any teacher takes a stand for homosexuality or stands up for a gay student, there will be a backlash."

The effects of gay-bullying can be life-long, says Greg Daborn, who is also one of the founding fathers of Moncton Pride. He spoke of the taunts and harassment he endured growing up, leading to his marks plummeting and a fear of ever coming out.

It's not just the target that suffers, Daborn says, pointing out the time wasted by teachers and administrators when bullying becomes a problem at their school.

"It struck me that not only does homophobia on the school ground hinder the victim, it hinders everybody," he says.

The 25 attendees discussed ways to increase visibility in the community, year round, as well as how their individual groups could build a stronger network of information sharing. Currently, the province has the New Brunswick Rainbow Action (NBRA) network, but it really only operates as a rarely-used email list. Most of the crowd had no idea it even existed.

"I was flabbergasted," Leblanc says of learning about NBRA, adding, "it only comes alive when there is an issue. You've got to keep people upfront and fresh."

Although time was limited, the group set forth plans to interact more and invite one another to conferences and meetings. Knowing there is a room full of people willing to work together is the first step, says River of Pride secretary Ed Oldford.

"We all want to do something, but sometimes we don't stop and realize what we've done. Let's look at the gifts that we bring to the table and how do we take them to the next level."

Ten years of Pride for Moncton's queer community

Ten years of Pride for Moncton's queer community
NEW BRUNSWICK / Founders honoured as this year's grand marshals
Nick Logan / Xtra.ca / National / Tuesday, August 18, 2009

For a decade the city of Moncton has led the way for Pride celebrations across New Brunswick. As organizers mark a milestone anniversary this week, the founding fathers of Moncton Pride are polishing their shoes to march as grand marshals in the annual parade.

One summer night, a little more than 10 years ago, Greg Daborn and Art Vautour-Toole struck up a conversation at Moncton's only gay bar, Triangles, venting their frustrations about travelling hundreds of kilometres from home to celebrate Pride.

Enough was enough, they said, it was time to put their words into action. Joining forces with a third organizer, Denis Lanteinge, Moncton saw its first Pride weekend in June 2000.

"We've come a long way over the years," says Pride spokesperson Paul Leblanc.

The event started off small, he says, adding people were quite comfortable going elsewhere to celebrate their orientation, but some weren't so keen on celebrating at home. Even some organizers were reluctant to get the word out to the greater community.

"Back then," he says, "people were scared to approach certain media. Now we have media coming to us."

Over the past decade, attendance and participation numbers have risen steadily.

The planning efforts have also grown and evolved. There is now a 10-person committee — known as River of Pride — to share the workload and a movement over the last two years towards incorporating Pride and becoming a charitable organization.

A number of big-name sponsors are already supporting the events this year, but the charitable organization status, he says, will hopefully bring in more corporate dollars.

A major part of this process will see the committee form an executive and sub-committees. Getting people to volunteer has always been an issue, he says, because structure was lacking.

"The biggest complaint was the time people spent at meetings. There was no order, there was no structure. So we've refined all of this and from here forward it's going to be much more attractive for people to become involved."

Moncton is at the heart of the Maritimes, he says, and while River of Pride hopes to attract attendees from all over the region, the celebration needs to remain community focussed. One of the big goals for Pride 2009 is to unite queer and queer-friendly groups and services around greater Moncton.

River of Pride will hold a community forum on Fri, Aug 21 to discuss the possibility of forming a network of interested organizations. Leblanc is particularly proud of confirmed involvement from a number of labour unions.

Cherie MacLeod, the executive director of Pflag Canada, will be the moderator for the meeting, which begins at 1pm in the sixth floor training room at Moncton City Hall.

Pride will use the motto "Your rights, our rights, human rights!" for this year's celebration, Leblanc says, pointing out the dual 40-year anniversaries of the Stonewall riots and the decriminalization of homosexuality in Canada.

River of Pride wants events to be all-inclusive, he says. In an official press release, he writes, "These events are organized on behalf of all lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals and groups, and all others who support the struggle for the rights of these communities."

Moncton Pride 2009 runs through Sun, Aug. 23. For a full schedule of events, visit Fiertemonctonpride.ca.