Puppy parades aren’t the only way for Sookies to show their pride this June.
The Sooke 2SLGBTQIA+ community is doubling down on the festivities this year by hosting its annual Pride family celebration – and they’ll have some help.
“This year we are pumping it up a notch with a huge thank you to the very generous people at the Sooke Transition House Society (STHS) for proudly sponsoring our event this year and giving us a safe and fun space to come together!” reads the event description on Facebook.
“We are aiming for a light, potluck-style party, but if you don’t have something to contribute, you are more than welcome to still come and hang with new friends.”
This will be the third edition of the event organized by Kelsey Alton – mother to a trans daughter and leader of the Sooke 2SLGBTQIA+ Community group, which can be found on Facebook or at various community events.
“Our family is fairly new to Sooke – we moved here in early 2020, excited for a new start. However, as time went on, I noticed a lot of uneducated and hurtful opinions being shared online and even on signs that our children could see,” said Alton.
“As a parent to an almost 14-year-old who transitioned at six, my mama bear instinct kicked in. I wanted to bring out the best of Sooke and give them a safe place and a voice to be heard.”
Over the years, Alton said she has seen the community grow and is proud of the partnerships she and the Sooke 2SLGBTQIA+ Community have made – welcoming support from the Sooke Transition House Society, the Sooke branch of the Vancouver Island Regional Library, and the Artisan Gardens.
Teegan Philpott, a member of the Sooke Transition House Society, said the organization is proud to support Alton’s event.
“When we saw the Sooke 2SLGBTQIA+ group was struggling to find a space to celebrate Pride in Sooke, it was a no-brainer to reach out and offer our space,” said Philpott.
“We are thrilled to be able to support Kelsey’s event. In a world that seems filled with hate and divisiveness, we need all the love and rainbows we can find these days.”
While Alton may have faced struggles in the past, she’s confident the future of Sooke’s 2SLGBTQIA+ community looks bright.
“I have a really great feeling that with every year we see Sooke grow, we will continue to see growth in our 2SLGBTQIA+ community as well. I want those who feel alone and like they don’t belong here to know that we are your safe space,” she said.
“There are many people in our little town who have so much love, acceptance and support – and we are here for you.”
The celebration will take place following Sooke’s Paws for Pride Pet Parade, beginning at 3 p.m. on Sunday, June 22, at the Sooke Transition House Society, 6734 West Coast Rd.
