Dear Community of Kingston
Every day in every community across Canada, people are dealing with situations arising from fear, shame, misunderstanding or lack of awareness. Right now, in Kingston whether or not we are part of the LGBTQ community, we are facing action, possibly rooted in hate, certainly rooted in malice, which should be of concern to us all. We have seen a rise in expressions of prejudice, most recently by people, so far protected by anonymity, who are writing malicious and threatening letters to Kingston families.
Many years ago that same situation, and many, many like it, inspired people to form an inclusive and supportive organization for people whose sexual orientation, gender identity or gender appearance caused them or their loved ones discomfort, fear or harm. That organization, PFLAG Canada, has a local Chapter in Kingston.
Our local Chapter, like Chapters all over Canada, has provided safe, peer-based, non-judgmental help and resources to thousands, in situations involving people who need help, from simple listening and the offering of friendship to suicide-prevention. We’ve been here for years when we were needed. We’re here now for anyone who is intimidated, who feels fear or who suffers bullying due to the behaviour of people whose prejudice leads them to unlawful and frightening behaviour.
We know that our city officials take this threat seriously, and that they see it is menacing not just to the letter recipients but to the whole community. Our challenge is in knowing what to do.
If you are concerned for yourself or someone else, call our line at 613 766-1444.
If you are the perpetrator of these or similar threatening actions, know that you are not going to push us back into the closet.
If you want to show support for the LGBTQ community and the families who are the target of these threatening letters, write a note on our PFLAG Kingston Facebook page or tweet your support to pflagcan_king.
In hope for our community,
Stephen Hartley
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