Alden Mathieu, Author at Southwest Nova Pride Association

It can be easy to focus on the negative, on the struggle, on the heartache that many trans* people experience. But it is critical to also turn our attention to the liberatory power, the freedom, and the joy that being trans* can contain.

Trans* people have always existed; we are free-thinkers and survivors. Trans* rights are human rights. As transgender icon Leslie Feinberg wrote, “It’s a beauty one isn’t born with, but must fight to construct at great sacrifice.”

Happy International Day of Transgender Visibility to all our trans, nonbinary, two-spirit, genderfluid, gender nonconforming, agender, genderqueer, questioning and otherwise non-cisgender friends, lovers, loved ones, family and community members.

We see you, we love you, and today, we celebrate you in all your awesomeness.

Southwest Nova Pride Association (formerly Yarmouth Pride Collective & Yarmouth Pride and Events) are pleased to announce that this year’s Southwest Nova Pride Festival will be held from Thursday 15 September to Sunday 18 September.

After the pandemic put a hold on Pride for 2020 and 2021, the board has an exciting long weekend of events planned for this year, including Pride Trivia, Pride Karaoke, a Pride Fair in Coronation Park on Saturday 17 September and services with Beacon Church on Sunday morning and a pancake brunch after.

In the interim since last Pride, Yarmouth Pride Collective & Yarmouth Pride and Events have come together to incorporate as the non-profit Southwest Nova Pride Association (SWNPA). This year’s Pride Festival will be our inaugural event. “Announcements are coming about additional projects in the near future, but it is our hope to be a regular fixture of the Yarmouth social calendar while providing an affirming and nurturing community for all 2SLGBTQIA+ residents of the Tri-Counties and their families,” said board secretary, Alden Mathieu.