'We don't believe in baby steps': Students plan 1st Pride parade in Inuvik, N.W.T.

A group of students in Inuvik, N.W.T.,is planning a pride week for their school, as well as a pride parade for the whole community all for the first time.

"We don't believe in baby steps, apparently," saidJill Nugent, a teacher atEast Three Secondary School who oversees theAurora Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) club.

Theparade will be held on April 21and will be the GSA's first major event.The only other event the group hasheld wasa bake sale.

"Our objective is to get a 100 youth out to this event," Nugent said.

The GSA club was formed last spring after students attendeda five-day Rainbow Conference in Yellowknife

"I feel like theLGBTQ+ hasn't been shown that much inInuvik, and they need to have equal representation," club co-founder GabrielaPrietosaid.

"Everybody's sexual orientation or background needs to be shown in a community."

The group has applied forfunding, and also secured some money for the events already.

Students want youth to embrace identity

The students hope that having a stronger LGBTQ+ presence in townwill make it easier for people to accept themselves.

"I have a couple of friends who were scared of coming out to their families because they were afraid they wouldn't be accepted," said Jasmine Keogak, a member of the Aurora GSA club.

She said they were afraid of getting kicked out of the house or disowned completely.

'I think it's about time that we show that same type of support in Inuvik.'- Councillor AlanaMero

But Keogak added that some of her friends who came out to their families had "surprisingly good feedback."

On Monday, some group members went to town council topresent their idea of a parade to council and ask for support.

"They were a little more open than I thought they would be about why we are doing this, what it's for and the impact it will have on the community,"Keogaksaid, adding she was happy with the positive reaction fromcouncillors.

"I think it's about time that we show that same type of support in Inuvik," said Coun.AlanaMero.

Students in Tuktoyaktuk will also be holdingfirst everpride event Feb. 9 10 in the hamlet.

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