Taking Pride in P.R.I.D.E!

Taking Pride in P.R.I.D.E.! - May 31st, 2015

Just two years ago today, we moved 'up north' from Barrie to Elliot Lake. It was not a move that we had been planning - it was the culmination of a series of fortuitous events. 

Back in February of 2013, Mark happened to read an ad by Elliot Lake Retirement Living where they were offering 2 free nights at a hotel in the city, on the condition that we did the tour. Being mercenary in nature, we thought - 'Great - we've not been there, and we don't have plans for March Break - let's go!' 

After seeing the surrounding scenery, having a taste of the open-hearted welcome of the fine people in the city, and looking at the options of living accommodation that Lori gave us on the tour - it was a done deal! We went back to Barrie, put our house up for sale (it sold in just 2 days, at the asking price, with no conditions - now there was a clue!!), submitted my retirement to the School Board, and moved up just a couple of months after we first set eyes upon this 'Jewel of the North'. Since then, we haven't looked back. We have embraced the community - and they have embraced us! 

That being said, some of our friends had expressed their concerns about our move to a mining town in the North. They were wondering how we would be accepted as a couple and whether our experience would be a positive one. 

Much to our surprise, the weekend we moved in just so happened to coincide with Elliot Lake's very first Gay Pride Weekend! Taking an hour off from unpacking, we dropped in to the BBQ at the Civic Centre, and were given a truly warm, royal welcome by Mayor Rick Hamilton, the MC, Doug Elliot, and the gathered community of about 100 people. Our caring friends were agog when we told them! It certainly seemed to us like a huge sign that our decision to move north had been the right one for us!

Move on to today... can you imagine my surprise when I received an e-mail from Natalie Bray (an amazing woman with a huge heart of service) asking me if I would accept the honour of being the 'Emperor of Algoma' for this year's Pride Event in the town!!  I was taken aback, but felt it would be an excellent way of giving back to the community that had embraced us. 

And what an honour it was to be a part of this extraordinary weekend. It kicked off on Friday evening with the Official declaration by Dan Marchisella - our current Mayor (a genuine man for whom we have a great deal of respect) in the City Hall. 

Arrival at City Hall

It was a pleasure to be driven there, escorted by members of the Toronto Amazons Motorcycle Club, who had generously journeyed north for the event. I was honoured to be partnered with the resplendent Miss Conception (a.k.a. Kevin Levesque), who is an amazingly talented drag artist from Toronto. She had been chosen to be the 'Empress'.

We arrived in style at the Town Hall, where we were greeted by a crowd of about 50 people. 

During the short ceremony, we were invested as Emperor and Empress of Algoma!

Investiture as 'Emperor of Algoma'!

(No delusions of grandeur here... Mark has made it clear that all pretensions to Imperial Authority disappear the moment we cross the threshold of our apartment!!!)

Raising the Flag.

From there, we took a short ride to the Civic Centre for the Flag Raising Ceremony, followed by a gathering at the Fireside Grill, here in town, which was decked out with rainbow flags for the occasion. 

Gathering at the Fireside Grill

Momo blew us away!

On Saturday afternoon, the BBQ gave us an opportunity to meet with friends - old and new - and we were treated to some live entertainment with Matthew MacLeod (Momo), from Toronto, and Amber Piette, from Sudbury. 

The Amazing Amber!

Toronto Amazon Motor Cycle Club

Bringing back memories!

A key moment for me was the heartfelt presentation from Vincent Bolt - a transgendered young man - who shared some of the challenges he had faced in his journey to freedom. 

Nothing could have prepared us for the sheer pleasure and hilarity of attending the evening show starring Miss Conception, herself, who kept us entertained with song and laughter for nearly 3 hours as she wove her way through various Disney characters with no less than 10 costume changes!!! It was one of those times when you laughed so much that your tummy and sides ached! 

So much fun! 

Under the Sea

Cruella De Ville

Lumiere (Beauty and the Beast)

The Lion King

The Little Mermaid

Malificent

Mary Poppins

Snow White

Tinkerbelle

If you ever have the chance of attending one of her shows, you will be in for a real treat, and we certainly intend to visit Sault Ste. Marie in September, where she will be presenting her 'Wonderful World of Miss Conception' at the Water Tower Inn. 

The weekend will finish off on Sunday morning with a service (and guest speaker) at the United Church, here in town. 

Here in Elliot Lake, we have so much for which we can truly be proud. We consider ourselves true Northerners, and are amazed at just how much we feel at home in this beautiful city. 

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