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Queer people and allies in Fredericton rallied at the Legislative Assembly recently as part of a series of events across the country dubbed the Rainbow Week of Action.
The events were meant to amplify queer voices, encourage elected officials and governments to combat growing hate, and to promote equality for 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals in Canada.
In Fredericton, Nicki Lyons-MacFarlane, chair of the Imprint Youth Association, highlighted the importance of showing support for youth.
“Rallies and gatherings like today are a chance to show our youth that they do have supportive communities and that there are so many who love and cherish them,” Lyons-MacFarlane told the crowd at the rally on May 18.
“Too often we are hearing stories of hate and discrimination,” they said. “We are losing our young, queer, trans and gender-diverse youth at an alarming rate.”
Lyons-MacFarlane also emphasized the rise in anti-trans legislation, saying: “We’ve seen this in our own country and our own backyard, we can and we will put an end to this.”
Imprint Youth Association offers safe drop-in spaces, resources, and events for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth and young adults. Imprint was among the local organizers of the rally, along with Alter Acadie NB, and Equality NB.
The rally began at the Legislative Assembly with a land acknowledgment, followed by a traditional song performed by Wolastoqey drummer Angee Acquin.
Acquin explained the significance of water in holding memories and passed around a bucket for attendees to add water from their bottles. This collected water was later used for a ceremony, connecting rally attendees to each other and to the land.
Political figures who delivered speeches included provincial Liberal Leader Susan Holt, Liberal MP Jenica Atwin, city councillor Cassandra LeBlanc, and Mariah Darling, a candidate for the provincial Green Party.
Various groups and community organizations, including the Fredericton Palestine Solidarity Group, attended in solidarity.
Activist and musician Indigo Poirier stressed the importance of different groups supporting each other and coming together as a community.
Poirier drew attention to the current narrative that “young people can’t be trusted to talk about their own experiences,” and how this is being used against both queer people and students protesting on university campuses worldwide, calling for educational institutions to divest from Israel.
Following the speeches, attendees marched to Imprint’s new drop-in space located at 224 York Street, where they were welcomed with snacks, board games, and conversation.
Several politicians stayed to chat with attendees. Queer activists approached Susan Holt, the provincial Liberal Leader, to inquire about her commitment to ensuring gender-affirming care, such as facial feminization surgery, being covered by provincial health care in New Brunswick.
Holt expressed support and cited a four-month timeline to achieve this if elected, while also acknowledging potential bureaucratic challenges.
Rallies across the country were organized by the Society of Queer Momentum, along with partner organizations.
Dora Szemok is an undergrad entering her final year studying International Development Studies and Political Science and a research assistant for the Promise of Home project. She is also a member of the Fredericton Young Communist League.
