Raising a rainbow in honour of inclusivity and acceptance: Pride flag flies at City Hall

Kawartha Lakes – Pride Month 2025 is a vibrant celebration honoring the history, achievements, and ongoing efforts of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Throughout June, and extending into July in Kawartha Lakes, events will be held that promote inclusivity, diversity, and unity.

On June 5, 2025, Kawartha Lakes held a Pride flag-raising ceremony at City Hall in Lindsay.

“We are delighted to get together today to raise a rainbow in honour of inclusivity and acceptance,” said Mayor Doug Elmslie. “As a community, we are stronger when we create space for one another and celebrate all aspects of diversity and accept all forms of love.”

“Kawartha Lakes is proud to be an ally and to promote equality and encouragement of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community,” he continued. “This month let us all stand together, push back against hatred, and truly support our friends, colleagues, and neighbours. Let it not simply be tolerance, but rather a coming together in friendship and understanding. We all deserve to love and be loved, and the world is a better place when we promote that above all else.”

In Fenelon Falls, Pride Month was kicked off with the installation of rainbow crosswalk. Located at May and Water Streets, the Pride coloured crosswalk is another way Kawartha Lakes celebrates inclusivity and diversity throughout the municipality.

This Pride Month, let’s get involved, educate ourselves, and show inclusivity and acceptance of all love. Let’s support the rainbow of love in our community.

Get involved:

• Volunteer: Offer your time and skills to assist with Pride events.
• Educate yourself and others: use resources such as books, documentaries, and seminars to deepen understanding of 2SLGBTQIA+ histories and experiences. Check out Kawartha Lakes Library for resources.
• Support 2SLGBTQIA+ organizations: Consider donating to or collaborating with organizations that advocate for 2SLGBTQIA+ rights and services.

Municipal Engagement:

• Council Announcement at Committee of the Whole on June 3, 2025
• Flag Raising: The Pride flag was raised on June 5 at City Hall and will fly for the month of June. It will be raised for a week in July to show support for local Pride events.
• Inclusive Policies: Review and implement policies that promote inclusivity. Kawartha Lakes committed to a review of corporate policies upon joining the CCUNESCO’s Coalition of inclusive municipalities. This work is ongoing.

Kawartha Lakes Public Library has a number of events and activities planned for Pride Month. They’ll be taking part in Pride in the Park, on July 12, to celebrate and support the local 2SLGBTQIA+ community. The Library tent will be a welcoming and inclusive space featuring:

• Engaging activities for children
• Information on library services with a special focus on the Pride Collection
• A quiet reading area with children’s books for families to enjoy
• Simple rainbow flag face painting for all ages

The Library will host additional Pride-themed events throughout June and early July.

Pride activities at Library branches:

• Rainbow Beaded Bracelet Craft: All 14 library branches will offer a drop-in bracelet-making station from June 23 to July 5 during open hours. The Lindsay Branch will offer an early start with an additional day on Saturday, June 21.
• Button Making Workshop: Lindsay Branch, Thursday July 3, 4pm to 7:30pm.
• Rainbow Face Painting Workshop: Lindsay Branch, Saturday July 5, 1:30pm to 3pm.

Kawartha Lakes Library also hosts ongoing monthly programs, including Rainbow Story and Play and Rainbow Book Club.

For more resources, you can also visit the Pride resource page to explore the Pride collection, discover support resources, and learn more about how the Library supports the 2SLGBTQIA+ community year-round.

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