By Spencer Sterritt

What’s it like being queer in Prince Albert?

May 30, 2016 | 6:56 AM

Though members of Prince Albert’s queer community say the city has become more inclusive over the years, it’s still regarded as not the “most gay-friendly city.”

Nitara Kuzak, a 2016 Pride planning committee member and co-founder of weekly Queer Coffee nights, said P.A. lacks the educational resources to eliminate bigotry against the LGBT community.

“Most cities have a centre, like OUT Saskatoon, and Prince Albert doesn’t really have that. It’s not necessarily something people talk about in Prince Albert, and I think people have a lot of questions because of that…They have a lot of misconceptions that have never been challenged,” Kuzak said.

Increasing education about LGBT issues is one of the main goals of the 2016 Pride Week, which hosts talks and events every day, such as an art night and several diversity focused church services.

“I got married last year, and it’s surprising how many people are confused as to whether or not that’s legal, given it’s been nearly a decade since gay marriage was legalized,” Kuzak said.

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Araveen Etheir, a transgender woman, said she had numerous fears when she first came out five years ago.

“Am I going to get murdered, jumped, disliked by everyone. Is there going to be an acceptance? Those were my biggest fears,” Etheir said.

Thankfully none of them came to pass. She’s become more involved in Prince Albert’s queer community, which she said is growing.

“There’s definitely new faces at our events, and it’s slowly getting there. I hope Pride Week is enough to show people that we’re here and we’re not that different from anyone else,” she said.

The Pride flag is set to be raised in front of City Hall at noon Monday.

ssterritt@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @spencer_sterrit