CORNWALL, Ontario – The City of Cornwall in partnership with Diversity Cornwall raised the Pride flag at Cornwall’s Clocktower on Thursday, May 16.
The flag was raised to commemorate the International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Bi-phobia.
Additionally, the week of May 16 marks the 50th anniversary of the passing of Bill C-150 which decriminalized homosexuality in Canada.
Mayor Bernadette Clement praised Diversity Cornwall for helping make the City more inclusive for everyone. She explained how that morning she had been listening to a song by Ed Sheeran and Justin Bieber that told the story of a guy who did not want to go to a party, but then his “baby” held his hand and made him feel confident enough to go.
“I want to thank Diversity Cornwall for being everyone’s baby,” the Mayor said. “You hold our hands and make us all feel like we fit into this party we call Cornwall.”
Liz Quenneville of Diversity Cornwall said she was proud her organization is promoting inclusivity.
“We have two young children growing up with two moms and we want them to know that Cornwall is an inclusive place,” she said.
The Pride flag would usually have been raised at City Hall, but due to renovations taking place at the promenade, the event was moved to the Clocktower on Water St.
Diversity Cornwall has a series of inclusive events planned for the summer. On May 31 at St. Lawrence Secondary School, Diversity Cornwall will be holding a Pride Prom in the evening for all those who missed out or did not feel included at their school’s prom. On June 22, they will be holding a swim at the Cornwall Civic Complex for trans and non-binary individuals, and of course, there will be the Cornwall Pride Festival taking place from July 5 to 7 with a Pride Parade taking place on July 7.
