Part of Almaguin Pride Network’s mission has always been to create an open dialogue with the communities we serve. Speaking With Pride, our new blog, is one of our next steps towards connecting with 2SLGBTQ+ people and allies in the Almaguin Highlands. Starting with Almaguin Pride Network’s co-founder, Claire, we are sharing open conversations with members of our community, offering a platform for queer voices in our area.
Q: How long have you lived in the Almaguin Highlands?
Lived here for six years. Have never been here before that.
Q: What’s something you can share about yourself?
Well, I work as an event producer. I love to read and cook and garden, and I'm happily married to the love of my life, my wife.
Q: How do you identify, and what does this identity mean to you?
I identify as queer or as a lesbian or as a bisexual woman, and this identity is meant a lot to me. I feel like I've found a great community of like minded queer people and allies, and it just makes me so proud and makes me feel kind of special to be a part of it.
Q: What does Pride mean to you?
To me, Pride is, of course, a celebration that we typically do in the summer, and you know, it highlights and celebrates the human rights that we've attained as queer people. It's a celebration, but Pride is also year round. It's standing up for our community. It's advocating for our community. It's being a loud and proud queer woman as part of our community.
Q: How has your experience as a member of the 2SLGBTQ+ community shaped your life?
Well, I came out in my early 30s, and I was just really embraced by the community in Toronto where I lived before, and I used to work in queer spaces and volunteer in queer spaces there. And, you know, it's loving, it's fractious, you're getting people from all different kinds of walks of life. You know, anybody can be queer, and so there's a lot of complexity in it, but I think as a whole, being a part of it and listening and hearing other people's stories has just made me a better person.
Q: How do you think your identity has shaped your time in the Almaguin Highlands?
I don't know if it's shaped my time, but I definitely feel like when we first moved in, we were known as, like, the lesbian house. There’s a lot of support. And I don't really feel like anyone has ever made my time here miserable, or I've had any negative experiences, although I do know that there exists bigotry in this area, just as there exists everywhere in the world.
Q: What do you think needs to change in the Almaguin Highlands to create a more accepting community?
I think that we've come a long way since even 2022 and 2021 when I moved here. We have flags being raised. We have municipalities donating to Almaguin Pride. We have an outward show of support from municipal leadership, which I think creates a trickle down effect, you know, to their citizens. I think that we're always going to have outliers, but I think the more we see respect and celebration at the municipal and township level, the more it's gonna give queer people courage and the knowledge that they belong here and they're accepted here.
Q: What’s one piece of advice you would give queer youth growing up in the Almaguin Highlands?
Follow our Instagram, come out to our events. Whoo. We would love to meet you!
