CKPride

🌈 CK Pride Week 📅 August 15–23 | Chatham-Kent A full week of Pride across our community. SAT AUG 15 Ride into Pride (10:30am) Pride Dance @ JazzBah (9pm) SUN AUG 16 Diversity Service @ St. Andrew’s (10:30am) MON AUG 17 Flag Raising @ Civic Centre (12pm) TUE AUG 18 Family Storytime & Ice Cream Social @ Bill’s Place (5pm) WED AUG 19 But I’m a Cheerleader @ Capitol Theatre (7pm) Trivia @ Turns & Tales (9pm) THU AUG 20 Fundraiser BBQ @ Fuel 4 You (1130am) Create & Connect @ Thames Art Gallery (6:30pm) FRI AUG 21 Pub Night @ Glasstown (6:30pm) Queer Portraits Exhibit Opens @ Capitol SAT AUG 22 Parade on King St. (11am) PrideFest @ Harvey & Centre (12–4pm) Lip Sync Slaytacular (1–3pm) SUN AUG 23 Pride Ride (10:30am) Proud & Grounded @ StudioThirty6 (11:30am) Come for one event or the whole week. There’s space for you here. 🌟 We’re still accepting: • Sponsors • Parade marchers • Vendors 📩 [email protected] for applications 🔗 ckpride.com #CKPride #ChathamKent Current Platinum Sponsors: TogetherCK & @punkrockfleamarketchathamkent ❤️ Why Pride in August? Pride Month in June marks the 1969 Stonewall Riots in New York City. The first Canadian gay rights protest however was in August 1971 on Parliament Hill (the We Demand Rally). By 1973, Pride Weeks started in various cities during August (Vancouver, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Saskatoon and Winnipeg). Chatham-Kent (amongst other locations in Canada) holds Pride Celebrations in August following this Canadian tradition.

As CK Pride marks 25 years since incorporation, we’re taking time to reflect on the history, people, and experiences that shaped our community. Bill’s Place exists today because of the vision and generosity of Bill Brokenshire, a former Chatham resident who believed that 2SLGBTQIA+ people should have places to gather, connect, and live openly. Join us for a special community conversation about Bill’s life and legacy, and about what life was like for LGBT people in earlier generations. We are honoured to welcome Frank, Amir, and Richard, Bill’s longtime friends, who are travelling from Toronto and Vancouver to share personal stories, reflections, and history from a time when community was harder to find, and often built quietly. 🗓 Saturday, May 30 ⏰ 2:00 PM 📍 Bill’s Place, 48 Centre St., Chatham Come listen, learn, and help preserve the history behind the space that continues to serve our community today. #BillsPlace #CKPride #25YearsOfCKPride #QueerHistory #2SLGBTQIA #ChathamKent

IDAHOBIT is not only about visibility. It is also about accountability. Many organizations genuinely want to be seen as supportive, inclusive, and affirming. Some have done meaningful work in the past. But allyship cannot survive on historical credit alone. A logo change, a campaign, a statement, or a committee does not automatically mean the work is happening. One of the clearest signs of performative allyship is not the absence of public messaging. It is what happens when concerns are raised. Do people become defensive? Do they redirect toward intentions instead of impact? Do they point to past actions instead of current accountability? Do difficult conversations quietly disappear once visibility pressure fades? Real allyship requires more than participation during awareness days. It requires ongoing listening. Ongoing accountability. Ongoing willingness to examine where harm, exclusion, or responsibility avoidance may still exist inside the system. Inclusion is not something organizations achieve once. It is something they either continue practicing or slowly drift away from.

💥PRFM CHATHAM💥 COMMUNITY PARTNER CK Pride is a volunteer-led, not-for-profit organization that supports and celebrates 2SLGBTQIA+ lives in Chatham-Kent through year-round programming, initiatives, advocacy, and inclusive spaces. Operating out of Bill’s Place, CK Pride provides a welcoming community hub and leads Pride Week to strengthen connection, visibility, and support across the region. IG: @pride_ck PRFM CHATHAM MAY 10th • 12pm - 5pm YOUR MOM WILL LOVE IT! The Fortress Tavern @thefortresstavernx Community Partners: @pride_ck @chatham4palestine @reachoutck Over 45 vendors, 5 tattoo artists, Free Face Painting, Food Trucks, Battle of the Bands, AND SO MUCH MORE!

CK Pride Directors’ Blends Specially curated at Forever Steeped Two signature teas. One local collaboration. Fred’s Blend A rich pumpkin spice black tea deepened with a gentle touch of smoky Lapsang Souchong, creating a warm cup with a subtle finish that lingers just enough to make it memorable. Comforting and bold, it’s a fireside-style tea with real depth behind the spice. Nathan’s Blend A smooth and inviting combination of orange, caramel, and vanilla that delivers a naturally sweet, well-balanced cup with a soft citrus lift. Easy to enjoy and full of warmth, it’s the kind of tea you can come back to again and again. The tea brings people in. The warm atmosphere Joseph creates is what makes them stay. Stop in anytime or come by during one of our Tea Time Hangouts, say hello, and ask him about the blends. A welcoming space to connect and be part of something local. CK Pride Members get 20% off. Show your membership card at checkout. Keep an eye out for future blends!

🌈🫖 Tea Time Hangout is Back! 🫖🌈 Wed, May 13, 3-430pm • Forever Steeped (Chatham) Join us for another cozy evening of conversation, community, and connection at Forever Steeped! Sip something warm - one free tea for CK Pride members, and relax in a queer-affirming space. Hang out with friends old and new.

Are you a teen 12-17? Register for Young and Proud. Enjoy a sundae bar and craft at their next monthly meeting at Bills Place. Register with Rebecca [email protected]

Trans Peer Connection Group May 3 @ Bill’s Place (48 Centre St, Chatham) 1-3pm A space for connection, community, and conversation. This first session will focus on group guidelines and planning what we want to do. Come as you are. Facilitated by Sarah F. Supported by Jamie and Seth #CKPride #transcommunity

We have another drop-in activity at Bill’s Place ✨ This time is the opportunity for Card Making Looking for a low-pressure space to connect or just spend some time out of the house? Join us for a relaxed drop-in evening at Bill’s Place. We’ll have card making supplies available, or you can simply come by to sit, chat, or unwind. 📅 Thursday, May 14 🕕 6:00–9:00 PM 📍 Bill’s Place – 48 Centre St No expectations. Come as you are, stay as long as you’d like.

Men’s Group Dinner Club 🍜 Join us for a relaxed evening of connection, conversation, and good food. 📅 May 24 🕔 5:00 PM 📍 A1 Chinese Restaurant, Wallaceburg This is a casual opportunity to connect with other men in the community. No pressure, no expectations, just a chance to show up, share a meal, and be around others. Whether it’s your first time or you’ve joined before, you’re welcome at the table.

We’re grateful to Elizabeth Downey for donating two original pieces now displayed at Bill’s Place. Elizabeth is a mixed media artist from Chatham whose work uses layered text and materials to create pieces that ask to be read and re-read. “Queer Youth” and “Trans Rights Are Human Rights” are now part of the space, adding meaning and presence to the walls at Bill’s Place. Thank you @bethmilen for your generous contribution to the community. #25yearsofCKPride

CK PRIDE PARADE 2026 Celebrate. Be Seen. Make Some Noise. 🌈 Join us as a participant marcher at the CK Pride Parade A celebration of community, visibility, and belonging. 📅 Saturday, August 22, 2026 ⏰ Starts at 11:00 AM 📍 From the Civic Centre → down King St. → to Bill’s Place Be Part of the Parade Walk with us Bring your friends, family & chosen family Show your pride your way 🎉 First Pride? We’ve got you. Contact us for a special My First Pride welcome. Get Involved Groups register to participate $25 Individuals can join our Rainbow Marchers for free! Become a sponsor or vendor of Pridefest Volunteer 👉 Details & sign-up: [email protected]