INNISFAIL – Rip Em has been drag performing for six years and it’s important for the 25-year-old Calgary dancer to be an inspiration for the young, especially those in smaller municipalities.
“I just love to be that living example for kids who maybe don't get to actually see that in their day-to-day life, like you would in a big town,” said Rip Em, who performed at both Innisfail Pride 2023, and 2024. “You can be 25 and do drag and have a really, really great time because maybe a decade ago I wouldn't have known that was possible for me.
“If I can show even one young person that it's possible for them to keep on going then it's worth it.”
For many young people in town and beyond it was most certainly worth attending Innisfail Pride 2024, whether they were dancers or just going to an event where they feel safe to be who they really are.
The two-day event was held June 21 and 22 at the Innisfail Royal Canadian Legion Branch #104, and included acrobats, dynamic drag performances and a dance on June 21.
The following day there were more drag performances, along with an outdoor Pride Market and free barbecue.
But it was the theme of Better Together that energized attendees; an ideal for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community that it’s absolutely possible to celebrate love and equality, and for people from all walks of life to honour diversity and champion their rights.
“We've identified one of our values as belonging and we pick that word, because it goes a little bit deeper than inclusive and welcoming, and we feel it really describes that everybody belongs here,” said Mayor Jean Barclay to the audience during her Pride opening address on June 22.
“It is your home. It's our home. We share it together, and the ultimate goal in this community is unity and having respectful dialogue and respect for each other.”
Pride co-organizer Dale Dunham told the audience the Pride movement in town over the past year has worked “tirelessly” to make a positive impact in the community.
He said his organization has hosted a family bowling night, a new monthly potluck, games, and working with community partners to support educational and speaker presentations on indigenous learning and domestic violence prevention.
“Our theme is Better Together and to me this is a phrase that signifies unity, collaboration and support amongst individuals,” said Dunham. “While significant strides have been made in the pursuit of equality, recent events remind us of the ongoing struggles faced by the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, making Pride as relevant as ever.
“We must continue advocating for increased visibility and open dialogue and progress towards true equality and acceptance.”
Dunham’s message was not lost on teenagers Tessa and Turner Bates, a Cochrane brother and sister duo who sang and performed at their third consecutive Pride event. They are the grandchildren of Innisfailians Gavin Bates and Dave Halfhide.
“The last thing we need in society right now is people who are alone,” said Turner, who is living with epilepsy. “When it comes to my epilepsy, there is also something similar to make sure these people don't feel alone, and they’re included.
“I view it as the same type of situation; that you want to make sure that everyone is represented well, and it's not something that people should be looking down on.”
Talitha Watkinson is a director on the board of Innisfail Pride, and Cindy Bee is board secretary. Both are mindful of the growing importance of the event for Innisfail.
However, there are worrying events and political moves on the provincial front, notably the planned changes for transgender citizens that are deemed by the 2SLGBTQIA+ community as detrimental for their movement.
“We see a lot of unity and support from within the community and a lot of allies have come and helped, but the uncertainty of the future is a little concerning,” said Bee.
But being better together, like the 2024 Innisfail Pride theme says, is a rallying cry that does give them hope.
And when the day comes when full equality is a fact, a day in the future when marginalization and persecution of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community has for the most part passed, both have committed to honour future Pride events, even if it’s for a new and different reason than just fighting for rights and ensuring people are safe.
“I think there's also a cultural element to it, like the celebration of the queer community and queer culture and queer history,” said Watkinson. “We have all kinds of cultural celebrations all the time. This is just one more.
“I think we would always have that celebration.”
