'Almost Teenager' Plans Pride Picnic in Park

Soleil Chauncey is disappointed that nothing has been planned in Niagara-on-the-Lake to celebrate Pride Month. Chauncey attended and volunteered at other Pride events in Niagara Falls and St. Catharines this month. However, nothing was organized closer to home, except for the city raising the rainbow flag on June 3 to show support for the Pride community, alongside other municipalities in Ontario and Canada.

On Instagram, the city posted: “This month, we recognize and celebrate our 2SLGBTQIA+ community by celebrating diversity, supporting inclusiveness, and committing to being proud allies in awareness raising and advocates for acceptance today and every day. Everyone deserves to feel respected, valued and included.

But when the 12-year-old (soon to be 13, Chauncey adds) realized there wouldn't be an event to bring people together to celebrate diversity, the Royal Oak Community School student discussed it with friends and decided to organize one.

The event will of course be family friendly and will include a casual potluck dinner with a blanket at Simcoe Park, today, June 23, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

“I think it’s really important to bring people together more,” says Chauncey, who prefers “they/them” pronouns. “I had planned it with some friends, but then we decided to make it an open invitation. I feel like it's pride month and there should be events.

I think it's really important to bring people together more

Chauncey remembers last year's rainbow crosswalk installation and how much they appreciated that the city did it, but he was also saddened by the fact that “it There was a lot of hatred that came with it.”

They love cooking for family and friends, so a celebratory potluck seemed an obvious choice. Chauncey will make his favorite homemade pasta dish and make iced tea, friends will also bring food and others are encouraged to bring something to share, as well as a picnic blanket.

Chauncey recently volunteered at the Montebello Park Pride event painting faces and says it was a lot of fun.

“I love meeting other kids and it makes me happy to see everyone together.”

Their mother, Silk, says she is proud that Soleil took the initiative and organized an opportunity to meet locally.

“They were disappointed that there was nothing for young people in Niagara-on-the-Lake, or anywhere else, except for a pride dance in St. Catharines. »

The picnic was originally going to take place in their backyard, Silk said, but decided they would need a little more space and moved it to the park.

“He’s a phenomenal kid and really bright. They always bring me new ideas. And seeing them take on a leadership role really warms my heart. It’s so beautiful to watch them with other children,” she added, referring to the volunteer work they have done at other events.

Silk realizes that discussing and organizing Pride events, like installing the city's rainbow crosswalk, “can be controversial,” which makes her even more proud of her child that he took charge of organizing Sunday's picnic.