Kitchener-Waterloo region is bursting with queer events, making joining community and making friends easier than ever.
In 1995, Waterloo Region held its first local Pride celebration in the rotunda of Kitchener City Hall. LGBTQ activist Cait Glasson is credited with starting the event, having been a longtime 2SLGBTQ advocate and trailblazer behind many developments in Waterloo.
For many years, the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community struggled to find a place in Canada. But through the efforts of many people like Glasson, Kitchener-Waterloo has become a more progressive place.
Kitchener-Waterloo is home to many different queer-led organizations. From Queer Karaoke to nature hikes, bird watching, arts and crafts nights, and bar crawls there are a variety of events for people to engage with and explore the community.
Sarah Veronese, queer resident who grew up in KW, said that she had noticed a significant change in the attitude towards the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community in Kitchener-Waterloo, and that the city felt more open and accepting.
“Everybody deserves to have a place where they belong and feel a part of. It’s important for people to know they have places to be themselves without fear of retribution,”
“I was lucky in my high school experience that I had friends who were very visibly queer alongside me, and I could share in some of the struggles that come with being visibly queer,” said Veronese.
Arlo Yee, another queer resident of KW, said the more he was able to be himself openly, the more his interactions with the community changed.
“Before I transitioned, it was difficult to want to get out there and meet people as somebody I didn’t feel like. Now that I feel much more comfortable and accepting of myself, it’s been a lot easier to go out and meet people because I know that I’ll be the same when I return,” said Yee.
Yee continued to say that, despite being hesitant at first, showing up as himself allowed him to feel closer to the community. This greatly improved his social life and helped him create many lasting friendships.
“I would be a hypocrite if I said don’t be scared. Everyone has their own inner work to do and their own journey toward acceptance, but don’t let the worries of other people get in the way of what you want to do,” said Yee.
Kitchener-Waterloo is also home to a thriving nightlife, with popular bars such as Jane Bond, drag shows and events at AOK.
The University of Waterloo and Laurier also host a variety of events throughout the school year, having recurring events like the Queer Prom, Drag shows and trivia, as well as the Queer Sphere committee at Branford campus.
Wilfrid Laurier University aims to create safe and equitable campuses for all 2SLGBTQQIA+ members of its community.
“You have a wonderful community who loves and accepts you to lean back on,” Said Yee, encouraging people to not be discouraged when they first step into the scene, “Your community is out there, it’s waiting for you, you just have to find it.” He said.
Contributed photo by Clara Rose
