Any week now Kindred Cochrane Pride Society should be receiving their non-profit status which will incorporate the group as an Alberta non-profit entity.
The status will allow the group to purchase insurance which will open doors to hosting more complex events or working with different populations, said Brianna Sharpe, President of Kindred Cochrane Pride Society.
“The Societies Act in Alberta has a well-established and legally binding structure to which societies are held accountable,” Sharpe said,
“We will have a more transparent and robust framework to hold us accountable to stakeholders, funders, community, and members. On that note, we will also be in a position to bring members more formally into Kindred, and also put out calls for volunteers for specific sub-committees or roles.”
The group evolved from previous groups and the hard work of dedicated members of the community. Sharpe explains that a need was identified when an out, same sex couple moved to Cochrane and asked which churches were LGBTQ2S+ accepting. When no one in the community could offer them a clear answer, the couple realized that a need wasn’t being filled.
“The most recent incarnation was a group called Your Life Out, but the founders moved and the vision shifted onwards to the crew that is now Kindred Cochrane Pride.” The group also receives tremendous support and resourcing from Calgary's Centre for Sexuality.
Sharpe said the group is a point of contact and local liaison for for community members seeking inclusion, advocacy, education, and awareness for the LGBTQ2S+. She said one parent, at the beginning of their journey with her LGBTQ2S+ child, wanted some extra resources and familial supports.
“We helped her find some of what she was seeking, and invited her to our Sexual and Gender Minority Awareness workshop in November 2019 (facilitated by the Centre for Sexuality), where she said she felt comfortable, and was so happy to have connected with like-minded others and a whole heap of information and support.”
“That felt pretty darn good, and I hope we'll see her and her family at future events.”
Sharpe said LGBTQ2S+ Canadians enjoy many rights and freedoms that others around the world do not. For example, on Monday (Feb. 3) Calgary city council voted unanimously to draft a bylaw to prohibit the practice of conversion therapy. Sharpe said there is still a need for forward movement toward LGBTQ2S+ equity in all parts of the country.
“We've heard some really hurtful things from a very small minority in our community — about how sexual and gender minorities allegedly want ‘special rights’ or how we should not be ‘shoving our identity in people's faces’, but we know the supportive, inclusive, welcoming parts of Cochrane are so much louder,” she said.
The group wants everyone in Cochrane to know that they are working to make this town, and the surrounding area, more safe and more joyful. On Friday, Feb. 28 from 7-8 p.m. the group is hosting a family-friendly event at Cochrane Lanes Bowling. Sharpe encourages attendees to arrive early so they can eat and share a beverage together.
“We want to be a touchstone for people with questions. We seek to support and celebrate difference. We aim to raise awareness, and share stories.”
For more information on the group visit them on Facebook.
