Northwestern Ontario’s pride organizations are coming together to host a town hall meeting tonight.
Thunder Pride Chair Jason Veltri says the townhall with federal ministers and local MPs comes after Emo Town Council refused to declare June as pride month.
“The federal government would probably argue that they don’t get involved in municipal politics, but my stand would be that it is so important for our elected leaders to speak up about injustices that are happening,” Veltri said.
The online discussion will include the Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Youth Bardish Chagger, Minister of Health Patty Hajdu, Minister of Women, Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development Maryam Monsef and Thunder Bay Rainy River MP Marcus Powlowski.
Veltri hopes MP Powlowski will have a conversation with Emo’s Mayor about their town council’s decision against pride festivities.
Other 2SLGBTIQ+ issues expected to be discussed at the town hall include funding for rural pride celebrations and the current status of ending a deferral period for gay and bi men donating blood.
