Proud in Russell Township

Richard Thain

“Wow! Wow! Wow!” was the opening line in one of the first emails I received as feedback, in response to the success of this year’s Russell Township Pride-flag-raising ceremony. It was from Township Councillor, Lisa Deacon. Russell Township is “proud” to be the home of one of the more significant pride events held in eastern Ontario, between Ottawa and the Quebec border.

Russell Township’s Pride-flag-raising ceremony is evolving into a wonderful, annual, family-friendly activity for people of all ages. This year’s guest speakers included the usual dignitaries: our mayor, his Worship Mike Tarnowski; our federal Member of Parliament, Hon. Francis Drouin; Felix Vanasse (a local poet and artist); and representatives from Upper Canada District School Board; and I would say, most significantly, some student speakers.

We have three publicly funded high schools in Russell Township. This year, for the first time, we were able to present a student speaker from the local French Catholic high school, École secondaire catholique Embrun (ESCE). Juno Bertrand came on her own initiative — she was not representing the school. Juno delivered an insightful and compelling speech, alternating smoothly between French and English. Her tee read, “RESPECT EXISTENCE — OR EXPECT RESISTANCE.”  

Previously, the ESCE administration didn’t even have the decency to reply to my multiple invitations to participate in the Pride-flag-raising ceremony — a community event, open to all. Ditto, with the local English Catholic secondary school, St. Thomas Aquinas High School.

Conversely, we again received the enthusiastic support of teachers and the principal of Russell High School, and the OSSTF. Students from the Russell High School (RHS) Pride Alliance participated as guest speakers, volunteers, and attendees. I noticed that some of their siblings, parents, and grandparents were sitting in the first rows of the 100+ crowd. The live entertainment during the post-ceremony pizza picnic was provided by not one but two well-amplified RHS student rock bands! (CFIC again generously loaned their sound system for the event.)

Following the speeches, it was time for a very special presentation. My co-host was my daughter, Genevieve. She and I announced the establishment of a new award in honour of a local woman we admire very much. Denise Latulippe and her husband, Louis, joined the national organization Pflag after two of their five children came out as gay, decades ago. Denise has been an inspiring activist and leader of the rainbow community for many years.

Le Prix Denise Latulippe Award will be given annually to a deserving person, in Prescott-Russell — a person like yourself, who will continue to fight fiercely to protect the rights of our loved ones and people we will never even meet. Lisa Elminowski, a teacher at Russell High School (RHS), presented this newly established prize to our inaugural recipient, RHS student Marigold Golden-deRepentigny who received an engraved glass award; a wild standing ovation; and $1000.00 in prize money.

It would be an understatement to say that the picnic was a lot of fun. Pizza and drinks for everyone. A quiz with prizes. And for the youngsters, face painting and button making.

The inclusive family-friendly character of our event was achieved by the wide community support from many individuals, businesses, and groups (thanks again, CFIC). Among others, that community involved Conseil des arts Prescott Russell / Township Arts Council (CAPRAC), which organized an exhibit of art by local queer artists, the local Youth Wellness Hub, the United Way East Ontario (UWEO), the Centre de santé communautaire de l’Estrie (CSCE), Township of Russell Public Library, Municipalité de Russell Township, and the KIN Club of Russell.

Photo credit, Charles Dumaresque