The Rainbow Club of South Georgian Bay and Area has a lot to be excited about these days.
Between the proposal of a new rainbow crosswalk and public art installation as well as a new website, the Rainbow Club has seen a lot of change over the past year. And despite the global pandemic resulting in the paring down of the first Collingwood Pride Festival in 2020, preparations for virtual events and innovative plans for a 2021 iteration of the festival are underway.
Dr. John Miller serves on the board of directors for the Rainbow Club of South Georgian Bay and Area, and was delighted by council’s recommendation at their corporate and community services committee last month in favour of a new rainbow crosswalk to be painted at the corner of Simcoe and Ste. Marie Streets.
“The Rainbow Club proposed that it be on Simcoe Street bridging the library – which is considered Collingwood’s safe space for many LGBTQ+ (people) – with the Simcoe Street Theatre. This bridges the LGBTQ+ with the arts community. It’s a perfect location,” said Miller.
As part of the proposal, the club agreed to help with the $7,500 cost through fundraising efforts. After starting a GoFundMe page for the project with a $3,000 goal at the end of March, the page blew past the goal in a single day. As of Friday, the fundraiser has brought in $4,401.
Council is slated to consider final approval for the project at their April 19 meeting.
“What a huge step for Collingwood and for council to approve this initiative. This shows that Collingwood is a community that not only recognizes but embraces diversity and inclusivity,” said Miller. “It’s important, especially now in COVID-19 when many are challenged with isolation and mental health challenges to have this permanent reminder that the LGBTQ+ community can feel safe.”
Also on The Rainbow Club’s radar is a new art installation, slated for the courtyard between the Tremont Studios building, the Collingwood Public Library and a town parking lot in the Simcoe Street area.
The art project, which is being commissioned by the Town of Collingwood, is intended to celebrate LGBTQ+ life in Collingwood. Later this month, the town will be putting out a call to artists.
“The art installation also echoes these same sentiments and proposes to be a more profound artistic message that will also speak to the topics of diversity and inclusion,” said Miller. “Its unveiling is scheduled for Collingwood Pride 2022.”
On the topic of Collingwood Pride, Miller said that while it was disappointing to have to pare down events last year due to the pandemic with only a small pop-up event taking place, the club pivoted this year to focus on its online presence, launching a new website this month.
They are also busy planning the 2021 Collingwood Pride Festival, which is planned to take place July 16 to 18.
“There are big plans for this year’s pride festival, which is mostly a virtual platform,” said Miller. “On that platform there will be a combination of local LGBTQ stories and interviews with influential LGBTQ members locally. There will also be (online) entertainment including singers, dancers, comedians, a DJ and possibly Drag Bingo.”
Miller said the festival will be made available through an app that can be accessed through any device.
“Within the community, we will be engaging local restaurants, bars and other businesses to get involved by having their own events and or activating their place of business,” said Miller, noting there will be activations across Collingwood set up to encourage social distancing and following strict COVID-19 protocols.
There will also be an option for participants to purchase “Pride in a Box” for $99, which will include Pride flags, coloured chalk, and other surprises. Local businesses will be able to purchase a “Decor Pride in a Box,” which will give them a range of Pride decorating options at various price points.
Collingwood Pride merchandise will also be available through an online store with some proceeds going to The Rainbow Club to fund community initiatives.
“This Pride festival proves to be one of the best in Canada and Collingwood should be very proud,” said Miller. “We are hoping and confident that this festival will lead to an even bigger and better fabulous in-person festival in 2022 and beyond.”
The Rainbow Club is currently looking for sponsors for 2021 Collingwood Pride. For more information on sponsorship or The Rainbow Club of South Georgian Bay and Area, visit their website here.
