Renfrew Pride and allys walk down Renfrew's Plaunt Street during their 2023 Pride Walk
Pride Month is a celebration as well as a time featuring a lot of tension, as one anonymous letter to the Town of Renfrew notes.
The letter from a member of the local 2SLGBTQIA+ community shares their concerns with Pride becoming “a checkbox to tick” for corporations and governments to prove their inclusivity.
It also acknowledges that the sudden influx of Pride promotions can be overwhelming for some.
The author explains that they seek visibility not to impose on others but as a safeguard against people who wish them genuine harm, and reminds our local leaders that their voices as the majority matter significantly.
In a statement to myFM, Renfrew Mayor Tom Sidney notes that, at its core, the town knows that “Pride is about more than rainbows and flags,” it’s about “advocating for real change and fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels safe and valued.”
We’ve provided both letters in full below.
(written by Kasey Egan)
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An Open Letter to the Town of Renfrew
Dear Renfrew Community,
As one of the small 2SLGBTQIA+ population in our beautiful town, this time of year is always a painfully uncomfortable period for me. This discomfort arises from observing friends, neighbors, and coworkers—people I genuinely like—becoming overwhelmed by the abundance of rainbows and Pride items that appear. I understand their feelings, and I share some of their concerns.
For many, Pride has become another avenue for corporations to profit, a checkbox to tick to prove their inclusivity for another year. We live in a world where the fear of causing offense drives corporations and governments to make decisions about Pride based on what they believe the 2SLGBTQIA+ community wants. These decisions often come from committees predominantly composed of heterosexual individuals, striving to outdo each other in their displays of “Pride.” The result is an abundance of Pride items that can breed resentment in society.
At almost 40, I fear that society might regress, endangering the life and love I share with my partner of 16 years. The possibility that our marriage and life together could be criminalized is a constant concern. History has shown us how a spark of hate can ignite a devastating fire. The atrocities committed against Jewish people under the Nazis began with such a spark, and it is crucial that we remember this dark chapter in history to prevent it from repeating.
Some individuals are extremely militant about promoting Pride, and as a gay man, I understand how overwhelming this can be. Many within our community recognize that while some of us are vocal about Pride, we are not all the same. The majority of us simply wish to live our lives in peace, loving who we love, just as you do.
We seek visibility not to impose on others but to remind everyone that we are their neighbors, friends, coworkers, and even family members. Visibility is a safeguard against those who genuinely wish to cause harm to us, and some of these individuals seek positions of power.
When it comes time to choose our leaders, I ask you to remember that while we are a minority, your voice as the majority matters significantly. This is not an attempt to change your fundamental values or dictate who you should associate with. I merely wish to remind you that we do not harbor any malice and ask that you extend the same kindness to us if a time comes when it truly matters.
Thank you for your understanding and support.
Sincerely,
Your brother, sister, children, neighbours, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, best friends, coworkers, boss, mentors, teachers, neighbors, healthcare professionals, therapists, service providers, acquaintances, classmates, teammates, coaches, in-laws, clients, and social media connections.
A response from Renfrew Mayor Tom Sidney
“The Town of Renfrew stands proudly with our 2SLGBTQIA+ residents. Pride month is indeed a time for celebration, visibility, and reflection on the progress we have made towards equality and acceptance. It’s also a reminder of the work that still needs to be done to ensure that every individual can live authentically and without fear in our community.
The Town works regularly with community partners like Renfrew Pride and PFLAG Renfrew County on events and initiatives that support proactive allyship. At its core, we know that Pride is about more than rainbows and flags, but we also recognize the importance of visibility in our community. It’s about advocating for real change and fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels safe and valued.”
