By Taylor MacPherson

Gender diversity to be celebrated in P.A.

Mar 27, 2017 | 6:00 AM

Organizers have planned a full week of events to celebrate gender diversity in Prince Albert.

Jennifer Lenny Brockman, an organizer with the Prince Albert Pride Week Committee, said Gender Diversity Awareness Week has been marked in the city since 2012, but this year will be the first time events have been planned throughout the week.

Brockman said the committee sold tacos and bannock dogs Sunday to raise funds, and the week will kick off officially with the raising of the transgender flag and official proclamation from the City at noon. Food services will be available on site, Brockman said, so people can attend over the lunch hour without feeling rushed.

On Tuesday the John M. Cuelenaere Public Library will be screening the romantic comedy Boy Meets Girl at 7 p.m. The film carries an R-rating, however, so the screening will not be family-friendly. Brockman said the library has been supportive of P.A. pride and diversity events for many years.

“We have a really great partnership with the John M. Cuelenaere Library,” Brockman said. “They’ve been awesome.”

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Two speakers are booked on Thursday, Brockman said. The first, Marjorie Beaucage, will screen her documentary film on two-spirited Saskatchewan residents at Sask. Polytechnic at noon, followed by a question-and-answer session. The second speaker, Fran Forsberg, will deliver a presentation at the YWCA on the topic of supporting gender-diverse children as a parent and advocate.

“The two speakers on Thursday is actually what I’m looking forward to the most,” Brockman said. “I’m pretty excited.”

The week’s events conclude Friday, Brockman said, when the International Day of Transgender Visibility will be marked with a “gender bending bowling night.” Brockman said all are welcome, and free to wear the clothing that best fits their personal gender identity.

To be as inclusive as possible, Brockman said organizers haven’t attached a fee to any of the events. A donation of $5 is suggested for the bowling night, however, to help the group offset the rental costs.

“If someone can’t afford that, we prefer they just come anyways and just enjoy themselves and have fun,” Brockman said.

Taylor.macpherson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @TMacPhersonNews