| To be queer is to know, at least on some level, the meaning of isolation. Many queer people grow up feeling isolated or alone, which is why we invest so heavily in community—in chosen families, queer spaces, and festivals that bring us together. When COVID-19 hit, it was immediately clear Pride festivities across Canada would be drastically different this year, but not only because of physical distancing measures. For starters, many of us are struggling. Quarantine has been difficult for everyone, but particularly for queer people, who already face barriers in accessing quality health care, were disproportionately in precarious work situations pre-COVID, and often lack the safety net of a familial home. These disparities are even harsher for BIPOC queers and transgender people, who are especially vulnerable to the effects of this pandemic. So what does Pride look like this year, in the midst of a global pandemic and a movement inherently tied to the birth of gay rights? FLARE asked a group of queer people (and one ally!) from across Canada to share their Pride plans and speak about how they’re finding community and queer joy during this cultural moment. |
