2020-06-30 Meeting

Purpose of the meeting:

On Sunday, part of the discussion included talking about us organizing a pride march even though there won't be a parade this year. Several boardmembers were enthusiastic about it and we planned a face-to-face meeting today.

Present: Lynn (chair), Barend, Dan's Paul, and Dan (notes) met at Smitty's at 1:30.

Demands: this is a march, not a parade, so we should have some demands.

1. Why LGBT Seniors housing? Trans folk are not safe; LGBT housing is a health issue
2. Cultural competency certification for healthcare workers.
3. Something about trans folk

Further team members:

• DAN will look up name & contact info for trans ex board member and forward it to Lynn. (it's Sarah Taylor.)
• LYNN will ask Sarah Taylor to join the team and help with demands.
• Mike Sangster knows Doug who was in that march. Lynn has been in contact.

Honourary Marshall: we could have one. Maybe:

• Patricia
• Mike Sangster
• Anita

Spokesperson: we do need one.

LYNN will consider being the spokesperson.

Elderberries will clearly be the sponsor and producer of this event. We need to make it clear that it is NOT a Halifax Pride event.

Inspired by the 1987 /1988 march

Date: July 18th or 25th

Photos of event: Anita will take ‘em, Dan will archive.

Possible titles:

• Connecting With Our Past
• The Secret Elderberry Pride March
• Secret Underground Elderberry Pride March

Themes:

• “Remembering the Pride March of 1988“
• there was a march the year before, 1987. Walked up Spring Garden to the Public Gardens.
• We’re still here, still queer, still marching,
• AIDS didn’t stop us, COVID isn’t going to stop us.

DAN will get an Elderberries banner made.

Encourage people to make their own signs, posters, banners and paper bags. We'll have a poster making party the day before.

Practicalities:

• We will have to follow the safe outdoor activity guidelines in place at the time
• Marshall at the library and walk to the Public Gardens. Hang around in Victoria Park if the weather’s good or at Smitty’s if it isn’t.
• Put the slowest people at the front wolf pack style

DAN has a directory of chants from the 1990s.

BAREND will investigate getting cheap disposable face masks.

We’ll need someone on cleanup crew afterwards.

Relationship with Halifax Pride & Other organizations: we'll tell them that we're doing this, but not ask for their permission or support.

The meeting ended at 3:00 when Smitty's closed.

Next meeting: 1 week, 7th July, same place, same time.