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. 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?
Six years. But I came here often as a kid, all the time, to Burk’s Falls.
Q: What’s something you can share about yourself?
I ride motorcycles in the summer, and SkiDoo in the winter.
Q: How do you identify, and what does this identity mean to you?
I think it's hard to say because I've been in the closet for so long. I think it's great. I think it's amazing how far [the 2SLGBTQ+ community has] gone in the last 10 years. I just consider myself somebody that likes gay men. Ever since I was a little boy, I wanted to be a girl, right? Since I can remember. I'm a man, and I was pushed to stay a man when I couldn't be who I wanted to be. I wanted to be a girl. I wanted to be a woman.
Q: What does Pride mean to you?
Means love, means happiness. It means loving who you want and being who you want. And I think it means something for me too. It means, like, being so proud to be who I am, yeah, and like, to be part of the community too. I'm proud of what I've done, okay, yeah, in everything. Yeah. I'm very proud.
Q: How has your experience as a member of the 2SLGBTQ+ community shaped your life?
Well, I've kind of avoided and hid because I've been in the closet all my life. I used to laugh when I was at work, because I worked construction, and sometimes you'd have downtime. I'd go lay in the closet, and I’d chuckle to myself, “I'm in the closet,” and I'd open the door and go peek around see if anyone's out there and go, “I'm coming out of the closet”. And I used to just chuckle away.
Q: What do you think needs to change in the Almaguin Highlands to create a more accepting community?
I think they're moving at a good speed. They got [Almaguin Pride] here, your nice voice of reason. Thank you.
Q: Do you think Almaguin Pride can help us become a more tolerant community?
Yes, just by being around here and letting other people know that they’ve got somewhere to go and talk to.
Q: What’s one piece of advice you would give queer youth growing up in the Almaguin Highlands?
When you’re ready, you’re ready. You’ve got to have somebody close to you that you can relate to totally.
