Pride and no prejudice: Local peer support group eyeing comeback

A nationally renowned non-profit aimed at providing supports for families and friends of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community is gearing up for a big year ahead in Sault Ste. Marie.

Since January, Pflag Canada’s local chapter, formerly known as “Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays,” has been running monthly peer support meetings for allies at the North Branch Library.

The Sault is one of dozens of communities providing education and advocacy that “affirms, respects and values all sexualities, genders and gender expressions” according to the Pflag Canada website.

While the group’s coordinators William Charman and Brendan Sutherland are planning to transition to a new location for meetings next year, they told SooToday that the library has served as a tremendous space for families of the Pride community throughout 2023.

“If parents have questions, or if they’re embarrassed, there’s no shame whatsoever,” Sutherland said. “We’re not licensed counsellors, so we can only speak to our own lived experiences. But we can refer them to a number of resources and books that talk about gender, sexuality, and allies.”

“Safe spaces are getting better,” Charman added. “There’s a lot more resources coming out that are helpful to the community. We’re able to access tools and resources from other chapters across the country, and we can also offer support over email or anonymously.”

Charman and Sutherland revived the Sault’s Pflag chapter in 2020 before the pandemic forced them to shutdown until this year.

Looking forward to providing more resources in different capacities next year, the organizers say they couldn’t be happier with how their comeback year has played out.

“It’s definitely rewarding to know you’re providing people with guidance and answers they’ve been looking for,” Sutherland said. “And a safe space to be themselves – regardless of age or experience.”

“The more support, the better,” Charman added. “Having someone to vent to is so important these days.”

Among the locals excited to see the group making strides again is Sault Pride chair Amanda Zuke, who says their presence in town is great news for the community it serves.

“We’re thrilled to have them as part of the tapestry of groups working to make the Sault a more hospitable place for the queer community,” she said. “They serve a really important purpose in offering peer supports, especially for families where there isn’t necessarily a lot available.”

“We look forward to finding opportunities to work alongside them or partner with them if they’re open to that,” she added. “They’re awesome.”

Pflag is currently organizing their first major event with a ‘Home for the Holidays’ turkey dinner and drag show at the Grand Gardens next month.

Presented by Northern Credit Union and supported by the Canadian Mental Health Association of Algoma, the gala will take place on Monday Dec. 11. Doors open at 6 p.m. and dinner is served at 7 p.m.

Tickets are $30 for individuals and $50 for couples and can be purchased by clicking here.

“It’s a night for people to be themselves and have fun,” Sutherland said. “We’re really looking forward to seeing everyone.”