WESTLOCK — Hundreds of Albertans from Edmonton, Red Deer, Westlock and surrounding communities were out in a show of love and support for the Town of Westlock and its 2SLGBTQI+ community March 17, during a three-hour pop-up party.
The event was co-organized by Pride Corner on Whyte in Edmonton and the Westlock-based gay-straight alliance (GSA) at R.F. Staples School, Thunder Alliance.
“We’re holding a pop-up party in Westlock today because we learned that a lot of queer folks here aren’t feeling safe and learning they’re taking down the crosswalk, is kinda of like an erasure of our existence so to speak,” said Pride Corner on Whyte organizer, Claire Perrin.
“A small crosswalk isn’t hurting anyone.”
She noted the “fantastic” turnout and said that “it’s really important that people show up, especially during these types of events.”
“It’s a show of support. Being a person in the 2SLGBTQI+ community in a small town can be really difficult, and … we don’t want to be tolerated; we want to be accepted,” said Perrin.
Nicky Vranas, teacher lead with Thunder Alliance, said they were “just floored” to see so many supporters out and it reminded them of when they painted the crosswalk last June, when “so many people showed up and we were so shocked.”
“There’s so much love. We’re so lucky in our allies, not just from the town, who showed up in numbers, and we’re so grateful for that, but they (came) from everywhere,” said Vranas, noting those from Wainwright, Edmonton and other communities.
“I think with having Pride Corner here and having this pop-up party, music and dancing are some of the oldest forms of communication and they’re universal to everyone,” they said. “What better way to get everybody pumped up.”
Politicians were also out to show support for the pop-up party, including MLAs Janis Irwin and Brooks Arcand-Paul, as well as Westlock Mayor Jon Kramer and several town councillors.
“I think it’s wonderful when any community gets a chance to get together. We know that we have healthier communities when people feel seen, heard, validated and we are much more interesting as a society when we are a mosaic,” said Coun. Laura Morie.
Irwin said they really wanted to come out and show their support because “this is the Westlock I know and love,” said Irwin of the celebratory, fun atmosphere.
“Especially for the kids. We’re here for the kids. They need to know that they’re seen and that they’re loved so we’ll always show up for them.”
Arcand-Paul, who grew up on Alexander First Nation, is a member of the 2SLGBTQI+ community and is two-spirit, said “it’s so important that we have inclusive spaces.”
“I know first hand how difficult it can be,” said Arcand-Paul. “But Westlock showed up because … 24 votes wasn’t a lot and there are still a lot of people here that care about their neighbours and will continue caring about their neighbours despite the turnout of that (plebiscite).”
