Campbell River will host its fifth annual Walk Away from Homophobia on Tuesday, May 17.
The event is endorsed by Mayor Charlie Cornfield, who has signed a proclamation designating May 17 as Walk Away from Homophobia Day in Campbell River, and City Hall will be raising the rainbow flag in support and recognition of lesbian, bisexual, gay, transgender, two-spirit and queer people in the community. CR Pride and AIDS Vancouver Island are holding this walk to encourage understanding of sexual diversity and end discrimination on sexual orientation. May 17 is the International Day Against Homophobia and this year’s theme is “Same-sex Couple - A Story of Love,” a commentary on how people perceive being gay or lesbian in a narrow way in which sexual orientation is reduced to its simplest form – sex.
“This year’s theme reminds us that just as for opposite-sex couples, same-sex relationships form out of love and romantic feelings,” said Leanne Cunningham, of AIDS Vancouver Island. “Same-sex couples go through the same good and bad times that opposite-sex couples do and these relationships can certainly be strengthened when they have community support.”
The walk will begin at 5 p.m. sharp at Spirit Square and all members of the community are invited to participate.
The walk will be followed by speeches and entertainment from CR Pride members as well as Campbell River’s community members. Youth 4 Diversity will also be performing a short skit again this year. The walk was created by CR Pride, Campbell River’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, two-spirit and queer (LGBTTQ) Social/Support Group.
With support from AIDS Vancouver Island, the group meets every 2nd and 4th Tuesday in Campbell River.
The support group is hosting the event to reach out to the broader community about the hardships and dangers of homophobia.