altView Pride BBQ

The altView Pride BBQ started 4 years ago as a standalone event to raise awareness for altView and LGBTQ people in Strathcona County. We started small in a community park and have grown every year. Despite tornado warnings, we managed to raise 1300 at last year’s event. Our entire organization is volunteer based, so we have no salaries to speak of. Because of that, everything we earn goes to the basics like supplies, insurance, rental for events, etc. We try to make our programs free or low cost and these fundraisers make that happen.

We are really excited this year to have many special guests. Laurie Blakeman, Liberal MLA for Edmonton-Centre will be joining us again this year, as well as for the first time, representation from one of our local MLA’s in our new representative Cathy Olesen (who came to our first BBQ when she was Mayor). We are also excited to have continued support from our local county council, who I have been informed have almost all donated an item again this year. The icing on the cake is that we are also expecting Deputy Premier, Thomas Lukaszuk. I did a happy dance when we found out he is coming. Having representation of this magnitude really shows a shifting Alberta. It is incredibly important to have this support and to also recognize the continuing support from those who have been fighting for us from day one. We are very grateful.

The event is pretty laid back. Food and beverages will be available from 6:00 onward with introductions, greetings and a video presentation at 7:00. What this event really is, is an opportunity to see what Strathcona County has to offer, while enjoying good company and food options that should be friendly to anyone, regardless of their dietary needs. Celiacs, vegetarians, people with lactose intolerance, we’ll have something for everyone. (And there will be tons available, so bring an appetite)

As for our Silent Auction, I can’t say too much yet, as the items are still coming in. I can tell you to expect a plethora of different items including Ballerina slippers warn in “Love Lies Bleeding” from the Alberta Ballet, some items from local county councillors, MLAs, and the RCMP will all be there. Many of those had fierce bidding wars last year.

I am really proud of our team at altView. We went from a bi-weekly support group to a full charitable society in 4 years. I am so happy to have strong support out here in the County, in Edmonton, and in surrounding areas. It is important to show that there are supportive and welcoming communities in areas that might easily be dismissed by the queer community otherwise. Last year someone jokingly wrote on our facebook event wall that Hell had apparently frozen over if Sherwood Park was having a pride event. (This was from inside the queer community) It represents a dominant view point though, that Sherwood Park is not welcoming, so changing that attitude (and working to make certain that the county is indeed welcoming), if anything, is why it is so important to have this event.

Bryan Mortensen

NB. This event takes place at Sherwood Park United Church (20 Fir Street)