Parties, paintings and performances: How Sudbury is celebrating Pride Week

Fiert Sudbury Pride is putting on the party this week as various events roll out to markPride Week, including a flag-raising ceremony that was held on Monday.

Sudbury Mayor Paul Lefebvre, Drag Queen Stacy Woods and local artist Tarun Godara spoke at the ceremony. Lefebvre also raised the Pride flag at city hall.

According to Fiert Sudbury Pride, the week signifies the continuing struggle for liberation of the 2SLGTBQ+ community. They explain the Pride flag is often destroyed, ripped, stolen, or burned in many communities nationwide.

Godara also unveiled a new mural on Minto Street. He'll be working on a mural of a Progress Flag throughout the week.

"Pride Week commemorates the work that has been done by so many activists. The lives that have been lost, people that are still afraid to be themselves. This is what we're celebrating. We're telling them that it's okay, you're not alone. We are here and you're safe," said Godara.

Godara came to Sudbury as an international student seven years ago. He's facing orders of deportation back to his home country of India. Godaraargueshe should stay in Canada on humanitarian grounds.

"I have suffered enough in that country and I do not wish to suffer again. I have freedom here and I've spent seven years trying to build a life in this city and this community. I do not wish to give it up."

A Federal Court is reviewing his case.

Woods agrees.

"There're 72 countries in the world where it's not just illegal to be queer and trans, it's punishable by death domestically in Canada, in Ontario, there are Pride flags in other cities that are being torn down and ripped and burned. And there are people who are still being attacked, assaulted, harassed, all these things just for being who they are. So celebrating Pride saying we're here, we're not going away."

That was the case at a school in Desbarats, about 60 kilometres east of Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. The East Algoma Ontario Provincial Police say footage shows an individual lowering the school's Pride flag, ripping it off the pole, setting it on fire and immediately running away.

Aspen Groom, the communications lead for Fiert Sudbury Pride, says the organization has seen a reversal of progress for 2SLGBTQ+ people in Canada.

"We have members of our board who have experienced that sort of targeting.. we know that it is still a reality. How harmful it is in actuality is up for debate, but the harassment is still very real."

Groom saidthey have also taken it uponthemselves to start protecting the community and those attending any public events by getting the help of local police.

The events come after Fiert Sudbury Pride cancelled the annual Pride parade this year. In their statement, the group acknowledged many 2SLGBTQ+ individuals don't feel safe at an event with a mandatory police presence. Instead, they are holding Pride in the Park on Saturday, an event they say does not require police presence.

"Pride is also a protest against the injustices we face, a testament to our resilience, a responsibility to our youth, an acknowledgement of how we got here, and an ambition to shape a bright future Pride can never be cancelled," explained the 2SLGBTQ+ organization on their social media.

The City of Greater Sudbury has also recognized the importance of the event by proclaiming July 8 to 14as Pride Week.

"Raising the Pride flag and unveiling this beautiful mural are powerful symbols of our commitment to inclusivity and respect for all," said Lefebvre.