By Michelle Poirier
Georgina Pride is ramping up for their third annual Georgina Pride Ride, which takes place on Saturday, June 11.
Leah Sheridan, co-founder of Georgina Pride, said this will be their biggest year yet, and will include a “gay-rage sale” before the ride and a barbeque to wrap up the event.
“Bigger and better every year, that’s my goal, is to just make it bigger and better every year,” she said.
The “gay-rage sale” will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 73 Biscayne Boulevard in Keswick, in the front and backyard of Sheridan’s house, along with the front yards of her neighbours.
Sheridan said the sale will feature vendor tables from local businesses who have supported Georgina Pride.
The first 200 people through will also receive a bag which they can fill with swag offered by the vendors.
Anyone interested in joining the ride should meet up at the Keswick High School parking lot, from 12 p.m. until 3 p.m., to decorate their cars, with the R.L. Graham Public School parking lot being used as overflow.
The ride starts at 3 p.m. and will travel through Keswick, along Lake Drive N. and E., through Jackson’s Point and Sutton, and end at the ROC.
After the ride there will be a barbecue at the ROC, hosted by the York Regional Police; all funds will be given back to Georgina Pride to help them continue their coffee socials and other events.
“Even though it’s 2022, there are a lot of people who don’t accept yet, and I don’t know if it’s a lack of understanding or just ignorance, but we can never just be silent,” Sheridan said.
“The more that we are out there and the more that we are visible and seen and heard, the more that other people see that and they’re not afraid.”
Georgina Pride will continue their coffee socials throughout the summer in local parks, and are looking to include parks in areas they don’t usually go, like Pefferlaw.
They are also planning a silent auction in October, which will help raise money to fund Rainbow Christmas, a Christmas dinner and gifts for three families in the Georgina Pride community.
Sheridan said her goal with Georgina Pride is to beat the hate with love.
“People need to realize that people’s gender and people’s sexuality have nothing to do with other people,” she said.
“It’s within themselves. So, really, what does it matter to the other person?”
“Just because you don’t like something, doesn’t give you the right to treat someone else horribly. So, we’ll just keep being as loud as we possibly can and we’ll drown them out.”
Sheridan said the doors are always open for anyone wishing to volunteer with Georgina Pride; you can reach out to them at georginapride@gmail.com or the Georgina Pride Facebook page.
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