The community rallied to raise the Pride flag at the Municipal Centre on June 2, 2025. /Sarah Hyatt/MBC
Some powerful messaging was shared as Brighton kicked off Pride Month on Monday, June 2.
Marking the start of Pride Month, the Progress Pride Flag was raised at the Municipal Centre on Alice Street in Brighton.
Mayor Brian Ostrander kicked off the ceremony with a clear message.
The ceremony rallied leaders at the council and municipal level, from the Justice, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion committee, OPP, Brighton Fire and Rescue, Peterborough Aids Resource Network (PARN), the Home Rainbow Youth Centre, Trinity-St. Andrew’s United Church LGBTQ+ family support group, the Brighton Public Library, YMCA Northumberland, and more, alongside members of the 2SLGBTQI+ community and area residents.
Brighton is joining communities and allies across Northumberland coming together to spotlight resilience and celebrate the contributions of the 2SLGBTQI+ community all month long. Officials said Pride Month also serves as an invitation for all to reflect on the ongoing journey towards building a more inclusive and supportive community.
Several speakers echoed similar messages about unity at Monday’s ceremony, while also noting inclusivity is an ongoing, year-round effort – and there are still opportunities to come later this month where people can show their support.
With the church support group, Janet Enns was among those who touched on such messaging.
“Everyone is welcome from the community,” added Enns, while explaining the 4th Pride Walk and Worship Service event starts at the “Rainbow Steps” at the church on June 15 at 9:45 a.m. The event ends with a worship service in Memorial Park.
The ceremony also highlighted area services – from the support group, which offers families a safe place to gather, talk and ask questions, to the Home Rainbow Youth Centre, which is described as another free, safe, drop-in-style space dedicated to youth.
There are also plans to expand youth programming later this year.
“We are so happy to be part of this event,” said Amy McQuaid on Monday, while speaking on behalf of the centre, and also announcing the return of “Pop Up Pride.”
Through this event, the centre hopes to raise about $2,000 to expand programming for youth starting in the fall, explained McQuaid.
McQuaid was among those moved by the showing of support at Monday’s ceremony.
The “Pop Up Pride” event returns for its third edition to light up Memorial Park on June 21 from 1 to 4 p.m.
Before the official flag raising concluded the ceremony, Ostrander made a note to share this message.
He went on to urge anyone feeling unsafe to not suffer alone and in silence – “let us know.”
“And we’ll let you know that you are in fact welcome and you will be safe in our community,” continued Ostrander, while pointing to first-responders and other leaders’ presence at the ceremony.
(Written by: Sarah Hyatt)
