Fierté Sudbury Pride The Fierté Sudbury Pride Board welcomes you to the 2014 Pride Week Festival! We are pleased to present an action packed week filled with diversity, community, and fun. As a not-for-profit organization, we have dedicated ourselves to supporting, educating and celebrating the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, two spirit, queer, questioning community and all of our allies in the Greater City of Sudbury and surrounding areas. Our volunteers devote many hours to grow and develop the organization and present events that fit with this mission. Since last year's Pride Festival, we have run several events that you, as our supporters and community members, have helped make a success. We were overwhelmed by the positive response to our “Love Over the Rainbow” dance in February and our “Half Way To Pride” celebration in March. Next year we will be presenting even more events that will bring us closer together as a community. This year we are unveiling our newest initiative, to develop the Rainbow Resource Hub. We envision The Hub as a place where all Northern Ontario citizens can turn to for referrals, resources, support, and community events. By creating one go-to location for Northern Ontario LGBT2-SQQA people, we will be able to increase the visibility of Queer friendly organizations, businesses, and support systems. The Hub will make it easier for all people to find the support they need in the North. With the help of our community partners, we hope to bring The Hub into reality within the next few years. During Pride Week 2014, we are hosting our most ambitious celebration ever! We are kicking things off with a very exciting Fierté Sudbury Pride first: “Roll Over the Rainbow” is an exhibition bout brought to you by the Nickel City Roller Derby. We are thrilled to be bringing you this sporting event! Throughout Pride Week, from teen dances to dirty bingo, a beach day and of course The Parade, there is something for everyone! There will be a Gala Event if you want to get dressed up and schmooze or you can join us at the FSP Year End Brunch for a low-key meal surrounded by friends and family. If live music is your thing, you are in luck! This year's Festival features a wide range of local talent. “The FSP Celebration in the Park” is filled to the brim with musical performances, vendors, food, art, and every shade of the rainbow our vast community can produce. This year Fierté Sudbury Pride will be offering several educational opportunities. In association with TD Canada Trust we are proud to present the second annual “FSP Community Conference” followed by a special performance by internationally renowned Artist and Author Ivan Coyote. Fierté Sudbury Pride is also delighted to announce the first annual Transgender Day, brought to you by TGInnerselves. Fierté Sudbury Pride is grateful for the partnerships that allow us to continue to develop as an organisation. We look forward to the growth that the future promises... and can't wait to see you at every event this week! Sincerely, Fierté Sudbury Pride Theresa Burden has been the chair person of Fierté Sudbury Pride for the last two years. In this position, Theresa has overseen solidification of the corporation, the re-branding of FSP, and the recruitment of a dedicated board of directors focussed on moving the not-for-profit agenda forward. When she is not planning events and managing the business, Theresa can be found fishing with her partner Stephanie and geeking-out with her son Devon over their favourite fantasy games and television shows. Theresa also works for The Greater City of Sudbury Leisure Services as a Youth Centre Leader where she develops and implements programming for youth ages 6-18. Theresa's vision for the future includes the development of an LGBT2-SQQA community centre that would service City of Greater Sudbury and surrounding areas. Kelly Perras is the newest member of Fierté Sudbury Pride and is very honored to have been named Vice Chair Person of the Committee. Kelly and her wife Katherine moved to Sudbury from Toronto in August of 2013, and are enjoying the slower pace of life as well as the wonderful sense of community. Kelly is looking forward to launching a Youth Voice Training program through the Sudbury Theatre Center in the fall of 2014, as well as working with many of Sudbury's best voices as a Coach and Teacher. A Certified Reflexology Therapist, Kelly is also building a Holistic Healing practice, where she puts emphasis on balanced Living to achieve a Healthy Mind Body and Spirit. Kelly would like to wish everyone a safe and happy Pride Lisa Louiseize has been in the role of Treasurer for Fierté Sudbury Pride since 2013. Professionally, she has been Nursing for 10 years in a variety of clinical settings. Currently, Lisa is an employee of HSN. With this experience she is able to foster empowerment of many people. Through involvement with non-profit groups such as FSP, Voices for Women, and Nickel City Roller Derby, Lisa is striving to improve the quality of life for many people in the City of Greater Sudbury. Her personal mission is to inspire strength through positive change. Meet our Secretary Vincent Bolt! He is the LGBTQ2 Program Facilitator at the Sudbury Action Centre for Youth. He also works with TG Innerselves, providing sensitivity training, presentations, and co-facilitating the TG Innerselves support group. He is a student in the School of Indigenous Relations Honours Bachelor of Indigenous Social Work Program. Vincent has been speaking publicly about transgender rights since 2006. He is not only passionate about LGBTQ2 rights, but also loves bunnies and being kind to all living creatures. Born in Denmark, immigrating to Canada at 18 and marrying at 21, Darlyn struggled with feelings of being different. Even after marriage, Darlyn's wife could not understand those feelings that she now knows as feelings of being transgender, they continued in their marriage and supported each other as best they could. A year after retirement Darlyn came out of the closet and began the journey to becoming who she is today. Darlyn says that the last 7 or 8 years have been the best time of her life and that her wife continues to support her to this day. Darlyn is very active in the LGBT2-SQQA community and does good work with TG Innerselves. Lee Bodsworth has been the Youth Representative for Fierté Sudbury Pride for the last two years. As Drag Queen Sherry Poppins, Lee is working with the local Drag community as a dynamic performer. He is an active member of the LGBT2-SQQA youth community. He is hoping to attend College to study Accounting in the coming years. Lee is very excited to be representing the youth during the 2014 Fierté Sudbury Pride Celebrations. Fierté Sudbury Pride 2014 Events Saturday July 12th Roll Over the Rainbow NCRD Exhibition Roller Derby Bout. Watch the Rebel Rainbows take on the Pride Patrol 7pm at Cambrian Arena, 755 Bruce St. Doors open at 6pm. Friends, Family and Allies, come out to cheer on your favourite team. Admission is $7 at the door. Afterwards, Roll Under the Rainbow for your favourite 19+ after party destination. Join the Derby Skaters at Zigs for a night of fun and dancing. Admission is $2. Zigs is Sudbury's Pride Party Headquarters for the 19+ crowd! 54 Elgin Street. Sunday July 13th From 10:30am to11:30am, join FSP at St Peters United Church, 203 York St for a morning of fellowship and worship. This congregation was one of the first Affirming United Churches in Greater Sudbury and is a strong supporter of LGBT2-SQQA rights in our city. Everyone is welcome to attend this free event! Monday July 14th The Official Opening Ceremonies for Fierté Sudbury Pride week is located at Tom Davies Square, 200 Brady Street. Help us raise the flag on Monday July 14th at 10 am. This year we celebrate community, inclusion, cooperation, and diversity so grace us with your presence and help show The Greater City of Sudbury who we are! This is a free event for all and refreshments will be provided! The FSP Community Awards Gala will be located at the Howard Johnson Hotel, 50 Brady St from 7pm to 9pm. This inaugural event will recognize and celebrate the achievements and success stories of businesses, organizations and community leaders who are trailblazers and innovators in the LGBT2-SQQA community. The awards presented will recognize innovative programming, inclusivity and tolerance, as well as businesses, organizations, and individuals who complement the values and mission of Fierté Sudbury Pride. The event will help Fierté Sudbury Pride to increase membership, and work towards its goal of becoming a resource hub for the LGBT2-SQQA community in Greater Sudbury. Tickets are $40 each and the event will include keynote speaker Susan Gapka of the World Pride Board of Directors. Appetizers and refreshments will be served. This is a licenced event. Advance tickets available at the Fromagerie Elgin and Cosmic Dave's Sound Emporium. Fierté Sudbury Pride 2014 Events Tuesday July 15th TG Innerselves is hosting the Transgender Rights Policy Launch with Ontario Human Rights Chief Commissioner Barbara Hall. This is a free, all inclusive event running from 1pm to 4pm at the United Steel Workers Hall, 66 Brady St. Everyone, regardless of Gender Identity or Sexual Orientation, is encouraged to attend. Our Annual Open Mic Night will be held at the Fromagerie Elgin, 5 Cedar St from 7pm to 930 pm. This is a safe, all inclusive space to showcase your talents! People of all ages are welcome to join us for an evening of local entertainment including poetry reading, music and so much more.