By Sarah Rae

Battlefords LGBTQ group having first meeting, vigil in light of Orlando shooting

Jun 15, 2016 | 6:00 AM

The Battlefords and Area Gender and Sexuality Alliance will be having its very first meeting tomorrow, which will feature a candlelight vigil to honour the 49 people murdered and 53 injured at an LGBTQ nightclub in Orlando.

Kay-Lynne Collier said she had already planned to start the group, but pushed ahead the first meeting and planned the vigil in light of the attack, so people in the community would have a place to come together for support.

“Coming together in solidarity for the victims and the families is just something I think is really important,” she said. “I thought people would need support because it can trigger a lot traumatic thoughts and emotions so I just thought it would be nice for people to come together a little earlier.”

Collier said there’s never been a group like this in the Battlefords so there’s an obvious need for it. She said there is an LGBTQ community in the Battlefords and they deserve a safe space where they can be open and honest.

“It’s just a safe space where everyone can support each other and be with each other through any struggles and ups and downs they go through in life and to make connections with people in the community,” she said.

Fond Memories

North Stars' 20-year-olds reflect on junior hockey experience: Part 2

10h ago

Fond Memories

North Stars' 20-year-olds reflect on junior hockey experience: Part 1

Apr 18, 2024

Trades in Sask.

Skilled trades need not limited to building homes

Apr 17, 2024

Since it’s just starting out, Collier said it will be a casual weekly group, but she envisions expanding in the future. She said she would like the group to move toward being an organization where people can come for counselling and resources. She said she also sees the group moving toward more advocacy in the community.

The Battlefords and Area Gender and Sexuality Alliance is having its first meeting at Crandleberry’s on Thursday, June 16 at 7 p.m. and will have a meeting each week following at the same time and place.

The candlelight vigil will be at 8:30 p.m. Thursday at Central Park by the public library.
 

sarah.rae@jpbg.ca

@sarahjeanrae