By Richard Thain
On Saturday, June 7, 2025, Russell Township held its fifth annual Pride Flag Raising Ceremony.
A half dozen dignitaries and supporters delivered informative and inspiring speeches to an enthusiastic crowd, and then to top things off, Diane Pitre C.M. was presented with “le Prix Denise Latulippe Award 2025.” Diane, a long-time resident of Embrun, Russell Township, flew back from her current home in New Brunswick to receive the award and share some of her incredible life story. CBC/Radio Canada and local media were there to cover this inspiring event.
Télé journal:
Le téléjournal Ottawa-Gatineau. Mois de la Fierté : Russell rend hommage à Diane Pitre
Saturday June 7, 2025
Fifth annual Russell Township Pride Flag Raising Ceremony.
Russell Township pays homage to Diane Pitre by awarding her le Prix Denise Latulippe Award
The award (and $1000.00 prize money) were presented by Glen Caswell and Geneviève Thain.
Glen Caswell and Geneviève Thain presenting the award:
Diane Pitre 2025 recipient of le Prix Denise Latulippe Award
https://share.google/images/gt0kHMuFMgo8ibyTG
Geneviève, Diane Pitre, Glen
Diane Pitre’s journey:
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1Ymq4s7T2Q/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Diane was featured in the 2018 documentary, The Fruit Machine. The documentary was screened in the township hall after the flag raising ceremony. There were also table displays by a number of community organizations, face-painting, and lively entertainment by a student band. The annual flag-raising has grown to be an important community event.
The Fruit Machine documentary – Canada.ca
“The Fruit Machine” Available for Personal Viewing – Purge LGBT
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It was Diane Pitre’s childhood dream to join the military like her uncles. But early in her service, when it was revealed that she was a lesbian, her superiors told her she was “a disgrace to the uniform.”
“I felt ashamed. I couldn’t understand. At 19 years of age, it was pretty hard to digest.”
Pitre has helped herself and other survivors of the LGBT Purge heal through her work with Rainbow Veterans of Canada.
She is very proud that His Majesty King Charles III granted the Rainbow Veterans of Canada permission to use the crown of the new heraldic badge she helped create for the 2SLGBTQI+ community.
Canadian Armed Forces
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Women and Gender Equality Canada
Diane Pitre C.M. (centre) with friends and supporters (including Richard Thain and Geneviève Thain, Russell Township Pride Flag Raising Ceremony co-founders).
(The CFI Canada sound system was again, loaned this year, to support the event.)