Andrew Dick: Renfrew

Thanks for the email and the questions, please see my answers below.
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1. Would you support a rainbow sidewalk in Renfrew, the first of its kind in Canada?
Short Answer YES, I would support this.
Long Answer -- how long and how wide is the sidewalk? Where would you like it? Is it painted? Who pays for it, The Town, Your Organization? 50/50? Does your organization have a plan laid out? Overall, I feel together as team we can come up with a solution.

2. How can the Town of Renfrew work with us to promote and expand the annual Pride events to attract even more participants from Renfrew and across Renfrew County?
As I am not aware of the ins and outs of how the town office works, however it does seem simple to promote your event just like the town promotes any other event that happens?

3. Do you have any other ideas or comments about how we can create a safe and inclusive community for LGBTQ youth and adults?

EDUCATION!!! I will be the first to admit I am uneducated on they/them and non- binary. I hear and see these words used every so often, and I just don't understand it. I have been asking questions when I get the opportunity, sadly this is few and far between. We need to educate so all can understand. Sometimes when people don't understand, this turns into fear, fear turns into hate.

​These are my honest answers, I want people and organizations to see me as who I am.
Thanks for reaching out,
Very Best
Andrew Dick

Renfrew Pride's response to Andrew Dick's questions.
Thank you so very much for your prompt response! In response to your questions:

​Pride Sidewalk - the sidewalk was passed unanimously by the sitting council, however the work will not be completed until next year. This means the sidewalk will come back to council for a new decision.

We had a meeting yesterday to lay out the logistics of what this would look like and CAO Robert Tremblay is sending us a report on our meeting. Tentatively, the plan is to place three flags on the sidewalk beside town hall. Each flag would be three sidewalk blocks long and would be painted. Renfrew Pride is committed to obtaining at least 50% of the sponsorships and fundraising to cover costs.

Pride Events - We'll be figuring this out together. We've held our first successful Pride events this year and the Town's cooperation and support was a huge reason for our success. As we grow, we hope to work with the town to not only create successful events but to boost tourism and economic development by demonstrating Renfrew as an inclusive and progressive community.

Inclusive Community - Thank you for your honesty. I know it can be overwhelming when trying to educate ourselves and our community is constantly evolving. It's our intention to partner with Jill Holroyd of PFlag Renfrew County to meet with the new council, as well as town staff to answer those questions. Renfrew Pride began during the pandemic and shortly after our first events I had major surgery. So we're still working towards reaching out to the Town of Renfrew to help educate and inform the community as a whole on LGBTQ2S+.
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I'm also available anytime to answer your questions. As long as folks are asking with a genuine desire to understand, I'm a safe space for any questions, judgment free.

Andrew Dick's final response.
Thanks for all of this.
If the sitting council unanimously passed - I will not go against there decision -- seeing all my questions were answered - I would 100% continue to support this!

Pride Events -- YES -- Tourism, getting people into our town, I know Toronto is MUCH bigger than Renfrew, but look at there event - it's awesome. No reason we cannot continue to work together to make your event HUGE!

Community -- I welcome you with OPEN ARMS to any meeting to educate me and I am sure the new sitting council 

Thanks for all of your responses
Andrew