Muskoka Pride Week runs July 22nd - July 30th
Muskoka Pride has announced that July 22nd through 30th is the 2023 Muskoka Pride Week.
The annual week of activities celebrates the Muskoka two spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (2SLGBTQ+) community.
Merv Taylor-Morin, President of Muskoka Pride, says this is the first Festival and Parade since 2019, “last year we had to make the difficult decision to cancel the Festival and Parade due to severe weather.”
Muskoka Pride board member Shawn Forth explains, “It is so important for members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community to see themselves represented in the greater community.”
Forth says that the past year has seen a significant rise in homophobia and transphobia right here in Muskoka. “We have seen a significant increase in online hate speech on social media posts. There have been many incidents of homophobic graffiti in Muskoka. In 2021 a Pride flag was burned. Last fall we had protesters arrive at an event shouting homophobic words. Events that promote 2SLGBTQ+ visibility and inclusion are needed now more than ever,” he says.
For more information on events this year visit MuskokaPride.com
