From the Office of the Mayor - June is Pride Month

The Pride flag is flying once again in Mississippi Mills and Council has officially proclaimed June as Pride Month! Yesterday, on June 1st, Deputy Mayor Minnille and I were pleased to join members of Pride in Mississippi Mills and Lanark County Wide Pride for a flag raising at the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum, before they embarked on their annual Drive-Out Parade.

Globally, 64 countries continue to criminalize LGBT people and 12 countries can or do implement the death penalty for private, consensual same-sex activity. While Canada has some of the most advanced rights, freedoms and protection in the world, some members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ communities do not feel welcome, safe or accepted.

This is why it’s important to be an ally, and to show support. This is why there is no “straight colour” on the Pride flag or a special day celebrating heterosexuals. Never has a straight person been persecuted or judged for wanting to marry. Never has a kid been kicked out of their family for being straight. Never has it taken courage to be straight.

The Municipality is committed to promoting a safe, respectful, and inclusive community that values and embraces what makes us unique. The 2SLGTBQIA page on our municipal website has tools and resources on how to become an ally, where to find support, inclusive language as well as information on local Pride events. We continue to support inclusion and awareness through ongoing training initiatives, as well as nurturing partnerships with local organizations such as Pride in Mississippi Mills.

This year, the Pride flag will be displayed in the front window of our Municipal Office. Our Pride banner, created last year through our “What Does Pride Mean to You?” initiative, is once again be showcased in the atrium outside Council Chambers.

I want to express my gratitude to the individuals and organizations within Mississippi Mills who work tirelessly to create safe spaces, provide resources and advocate. You are making a meaningful difference in making Mississippi Mills a more inclusive community!

Be sure to watch for events by Pride in Mississippi Mills and Lanark County Wide Pride unfolding not just in June, but all year long!

Sincerely,