Lanark County held a flag-raising ceremony prior to the Lanark County Council meeting on Wednesday afternoon to mark Pride Month.
At council, Lanark County Warden Steve Fournier (Drummond/North Elmsley Reeve) declared June 2024 to be Pride Month in Lanark County.
“Lanark County supports the rights of every citizen to experience equality and freedom from discrimination,” the declaration states, adding “all people, regardless of race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic characteristics or disability have the right be treated based on their intrinsic value as human beings.”
The county accepts and welcomes diversity and believes this leads to a more vibrant community. “The Two Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual and + (2SLGBTQIA+) communities contribute to the cultural, civic and economic successes of Lanark County.”
The proclamation highlights the ongoing need for education and awareness in order to end discrimination and prejudice. The county will display the Progress Pride flag, which represents light, healing, sun, calmness, art and spirit, at the Lanark County Administration Building for the month of June as a way to “acknowledge the efforts and bring awareness to the continuing evolution of the 2SLGBTQIA+ Pride movement.”
Fournier encourages residents to “reflect on the ongoing struggle for equality members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community face and to celebrate their contributions that enhance our county.”
From Lanark County