Sent via email Oct. 7, 2022
Dear Candidates and Mayor D’Eon, Mayors, councillors and school trustees have the power to enact policies and programs that create a safe and inclusive community: A place where everyone feels welcome to live, work, and visit. Sadly, this is often not the case for Two Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans people:
Pflag Renfrew County (an official chapter of Pflag Canada) offers peer support and resources for 2SLGBTQ+ people, along with family members and others who wish to grow in their understanding and allyship. We invite you to share your position on 2SLGBTQ issues by responding to the questions below. We’ll share your answers with our members and on our website at www.pflagrenfrewcounty.ca. CANDIDATE QUESTIONS
Sincerely, Jill Holroyd (she/her) Chapter Lead Pflag Renfrew County Brie Birdsell (she/her) Lead Organizer The Deep River Queer Connection Data sources: Statistics Canada, Egale Canada, Homeless Hub, Canadian Medical Association Journal Sent via email Oct. 6, 2022
Dear Candidates and Acclaimed Candidates, Mayors, councillors and school trustees have the power to enact policies and programs that create a safe and inclusive community: A place where everyone feels welcome to live, work, and visit. Sadly, this is often not the case for Two Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans people:
Pflag Renfrew County (an official chapter of Pflag Canada) offers peer support and resources for 2SLGBTQ+ people, along with family members and others who wish to grow in their understanding and allyship. We invite you to share your views on 2SLGBTQ issues by responding to the questions below. We’ll share your answers with our members and on our website at www.pflagrenfrewcounty.ca. CANDIDATE QUESTIONS
Sincerely, Jill Holroyd (she/her) Chapter Lead Pflag Renfrew County Jamie Hawes (he/him) Lead Organizer Pembroke Pride Data sources: Statistics Canada, Egale Canada, Homeless Hub, Canadian Medical Association Journal Sent via email Oct. 11, 2022
Dear Candidates, Mayors, councillors and school trustees have the power to enact policies and programs that create a safe and inclusive community: A place where everyone feels welcome to live, work, and visit. Sadly, this is often not the case for Two Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans people:
Pflag Renfrew County (an official chapter of Pflag Canada) offers peer support and resources for 2SLGBTQ+ people, along with family members and others who wish to grow in their understanding and allyship. We invite you to share your position on 2SLGBTQ issues by responding to the questions below. We’ll share your answers with our members and on our website at www.pflagrenfrewcounty.ca. CANDIDATE QUESTIONS
Sincerely, Jill Holroyd (she/her) Chapter Lead Pflag Renfrew County Sent from Renfrew Pride
Response requested by October 12 A beacon in the dark. It’s Renfrew Pride’s goal to create a safe space for everyone in our community to be their authentic selves and to live their life in the light. We are a volunteer-run organization, working to create a safe and inclusive community for all, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. The reality is, lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgender, non-binary and others on the LGBTQ rainbow often face bullying, rejection, violence and discrimination at school, at home, at work and in the community. Studies show that homophobia and transphobia lead to increased risk of self-harm, drug use and homelessness in the LGBTQ population. Supportive environments are essential for the mental and physical wellbeing of LGBTQ youth and adults. As a community we can take action. This year’s Pride events were a great example. Our town raised the rainbow flag and we welcomed more than 200 people to Low Square for a family friendly picnic, story time with a Drag Queen and fun games for the kids. Our Queer Pride Prom was the first of its kind in the Valley and attracted folks from across the county as well as Ottawa and we even had guests from as far as British Columbia. Interesting fact, the couple from BC was optimistic our Queer Pride Prom idea would make its way west. They said there was nothing like that in their area. As a candidate for Mayor or Town Councillor, please tell us how you will help create a safe and inclusive community for all. We respectfully ask that you answer the following questions and feel free to add your own comments. We’ll share your responses on our Renfrew Pride Facebook page and with PFLAG Renfrew County’s website and group. Please email your response to [email protected] by October 12. We recognize this is rather short notice and we appreciate your feedback. 1. Would you support a rainbow sidewalk in Renfrew, the first of its kind in Canada? 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? 3. Do you have any other ideas or comments about how we can create a safe and inclusive community for LGBTQ youth and adults? Thank you for taking the time to read and reply. Sincerely, Chris Kyte (She/Her) [email protected] Sent via email Oct. 7, 2022
Dear Candidate, Mayors, municipal councillors and school trustees have the power to enact policies and programs that create a safe and inclusive community: A place where everyone feels welcome to live, work, and visit. Sadly, this is often not the case for Two Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans people:
Pflag Renfrew County (an official chapter of Pflag Canada) offers peer support and resources for 2SLGBTQ+ people, along with family members and others who wish to grow in their understanding and allyship. We invite you to share your views on 2SLGBTQ issues by responding to the questions below. We’ll share your answers with our members and on our website at www.pflagrenfrewcounty.ca. CANDIDATE QUESTIONS 1. Initiatives such as Pride flag raisings, events and crosswalks are tangible ways to stand against anti-2SLGBTQ hate speech and demonstrate that this is a safe and welcoming community for all. If elected, will you support and participate in Pride-related initiatives? 2. There has been a marked increase in anti-2SLGBTQ hate speech and false information in Renfrew County that is making communities less safe for 2SLGBTQ youth and adults. If elected, how will you work to combat this dangerous trend? 3. Will you commit to learn about 2SLGBTQ issues from 2SLGBTQ people, participate in safe space training (Pflag offers this at no charge), and build relationships with your local Pflag and Pride groups? Thank you in advance for your reply. We look forward to hearing from you! Sincerely, Jill Holroyd (she/her) Chapter Lead Pflag Renfrew County Jody Sernoskie (she/her) Pflag Volunteer/Madawaska Valley Arnprior Pride Questions
1. Will you continue to support Arnprior Pride’s initiatives within the community (such as the rainbow crosswalk, Pride month, fundraisers, etc.) and the expansion of these initiatives? (I.e. the instalment of the Trans flag crosswalk that was originally proposed to council alongside the rainbow crosswalk?) 2. The outgoing council has shown some support for Pride initiatives in the past, albeit fairly passive. Our hope would be to develop a more active and transparent partnership with the incoming councillors to allow for growth of our organization and better collaboration with the town of Arnprior. How do you see yourself making this a reality, and what can you do specifically to strength your working relationship with the Pride community? 3. Do you have any other ideas or comments about how we can create a safe and inclusive community for LGBTQ youth and adults? 4. Any additional comments... Sent via email Oct. 6, 2022
Dear Candidate, Mayors, municipal councillors and school trustees have the power to enact policies and programs that create a safe and inclusive community: A place where everyone feels welcome to live, work, and visit. Sadly, this is often not the case for Two Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans people:
Pflag Renfrew County (an official chapter of Pflag Canada) offers peer support and resources for 2SLGBTQ+ people, along with family members and others who wish to grow in their understanding and allyship. We invite you to share your views on 2SLGBTQ issues by responding to the questions below. We’ll share your answers with our members and on our website at www.pflagrenfrewcounty.ca. CANDIDATE QUESTIONS
Sincerely, Jill Holroyd (she/her) Chapter Lead Pflag Renfrew County (Data sources: Statistics Canada, Egale Canada, Homeless Hub, Canadian Medical Association Journal) Sent via email Oct. 7, 2022
Dear Candidate, Mayors, municipal councillors and school trustees have the power to enact policies and programs that create a safe and inclusive community: A place where everyone feels welcome to live, work, and visit. Sadly, this is often not the case for Two Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans people:
Pflag Renfrew County (an official chapter of Pflag Canada) offers peer support and resources for 2SLGBTQ+ people, along with family members and others who wish to grow in their understanding and allyship. We invite you to share your views on 2SLGBTQ issues by responding to the questions below. We’ll share your answers with our members and on our website at www.pflagrenfrewcounty.ca. CANDIDATE QUESTIONS
Sincerely, Jill Holroyd (she/her) Chapter Lead Pflag Renfrew County Jennifer Neville (she/her) Pflag Volunteer/Petawawa |