There’s something very special about a small town Pride parade. Just ask ONA member Dustin Taylor-Brown.
“I was incredibly thrilled to participate in Kincardine Pride,” he says, referring to the spectacular parade this past June that culminated in fun-filled family activities, music, vendors and food at nearby Victoria Park. The picturesque town of Kincardine, which sits on the shores of Lake Huron, has a population of just over 12,000.
“It’s easy to find connection in a big city like Toronto where there’s something for everyone, but less easy to find community and connection in a small town like Kincardine. To see the local support and local agencies coming together with an immense amount of pride for the 2SLGBTQI community was incredible!”
Taylor-Brown, who serves as a member representative on ONA’s Anti-Racism, Equity and Human Rights Board Committee, attended the parade as part of a strong ONA4 contingent, who were decked out in vibrant purple t-shirts and carrying both our standout ONA Pride flag and a rainbow flag with a powerful message of inclusivity: “Everyone is welcome here.”
“I marched on the streets of Kincardine with my head held high, a flag in my hand and my high heels on!” he relays. “I marched as my authentic self with my fellow nurses, supporters, friends and allies. I walked as a queer nurse who grew up in Grey-Bruce counties and who now works and lives locally.
“It means the world to me to be able to participate in queer-positive events on a hyper local level because being seen as my authentic self is healing, it’s transformative. I participated in a small way to show the community that it’s OK to be a little bit different, and that when we stand strong together, we can make a difference in the lives of those who need it most.”
And Taylor-Brown calls the support from Parade bystanders and the Kincardine community in general “unmatched.
“I was thrilled to see people from all walks of life come out to support Pride. There were older adults in retirement homes and young children still in their mothers’ arms. Smiles were everywhere! It’s especially lovely to see the allies. Support from non-2SLGBTQI community just lands differently. As a queer person myself, I find it incredible to see all the allies coming out to support us. Without that, our messages of love and pride wouldn’t travel as far.”
