Thunder Pride has added a new face to its leadership team by hiring its first-ever paid staff member.
Dr. Abhi Rao is its first Program Manager and started his new role this week. He says he sees his job as a connection between Thunder Pride and the rest of the community.
“Because it’s all about awareness, it’s all about education, it’s all about sharing and building a more integrated and wholesome community,” Dr. Rao explains.
He will help plan next year’s Canada Pride National Conference happening in Thunder Bay. The Program Manager will also help the 2SLGBTIQ+ group grow and manage its day-to-day activities.
Dr. Rao says his first priority is to get more familiar with Thunder Pride and the region’s other Pride groups. He is originally from India, and moved to the United States to continue his education. He lived there for 18 years, completing his PhD in communication and working in that field. He has lived in Thunder Bay for around a year.
Dr. Rao also wants to get Thunder Pride a physical headquarters where people can gather once it’s safe to do so, especially youth.
“There’s a lot of isolation, especially for individuals from the Pride community, and I think with the pandemic, that level of isolation, depression and mental issues has definitely increased,” Dr. Rao points out.
The Program Manager says his job will bring attention to 2SLGBTIQ+ issues, break stereotypes and make Thunder Bay stronger.
