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By Holly Miyasaki
This mural was painted on the side of the Okanagan Rainbow Coalition office as part of Kelowna Pride 2009 celebrations. (Photo Gary Moore)
This year’s Kelowna Pride 2009 Week is all about inclusivity — and the Sunday dog show event is a perfect example.
The dog fashion show, open to the community, is an illustration of the diversity in families as so many different pets are adopted into Canadian homes.
“It’s a way to get people thinking outside the box,” explains Paul Skutshek Jr., Okanagan Rainbow Coalition Pride committee co-chair.
The fashion show is the second last event in Pride Week, which started June 20.
Celebrations started with the competion of a mural, by local artist Scott Tobin. It graces the wall of the Okanagan Rainbow Coalition Centre wall at 1476 Water St. and is a “message from gay youth,” says Shutshek. The mural was created with members of Out With Friends and the Gay Straight Alliance and received funds from the city’s Public Art Committee.
Pride Week got going June 20 with a kick-off dance — Skutshek says organizers were impressed by the number of youth that turned out.
“There was a really strong contingent of youth,” he says, adding the age group was 16-19 and there were about 350 participants.
Health Day held at The Centre welcomed up to 200 visitors who had a chance to learn about making connections with health care providers, disparities in health care for women who have sex with women and private testing for HIV and/or STDs.
The week continues with Fruit and Coffee at The Centre at 7:30 p.m. Thursday. The Okanagan Fruit Company Choir is hosting a discussion on the topic of LGVTTQI and family and the issues families face when their make-up is different from what is considered the “norm.” The discussion forum will be facilitated by John Downes, a Registered Clinical Counsellor who works with children and youth. The evening will include a few songs sung by chorus members, a chance to meet new friends, and it will take place in the relaxed atmosphere of the ORC Centre.
On Friday there will be beach volleyball and a beer garden held at City ark and The Centre.
A special film gala will be held at the Kelowna Art Gallery Saturday evening, complete with a red carpet and limo service to the after party at The Centre.
The dog show happens Sunday at Mission Creek Park hosted by Michael V. Smith with prizes and barbecue.
And celebrations wrap up on Canada Day with a special Fruit Float Cruise that departs fro the Sails at 7 p.m.
Gay people in communities celebrate in gay pride events around the world, to celebrate diversity and to remember March on Stonewall — the first gay pride parade. In 1969 the March on Stonewall started as a protest against discrimination and violence against gay people in New York City.
Today events are held in a peaceful fashion and a number, like Kelowna Pride 2009, are open to the community.
“Gays and lesbians are just like everyone else,” says Skutshek. “We do things that are not overly sexualized, there’s no need for fear — we’re everyday people that do everyday things.”
For full event details visit www.okanaganpride.com.
entertainment@kelowna.com/250.575.0613
Tags: dog show, Gay pride, Kelowna, Pride Week
