Fredericton's Pride board steps it up after troubles that marred festival last year
What happened last summer during Pride Week? And how is the board handling it now?
After Fierté Fredericton Pride 2024 almost didn't happen last summer, a new board is in full swing for the upcoming 2025 Pride festival.
The annual Fierté Fredericton Pride parade will open Pride Week on July 12, followed by an after party in Officers' Square.
"I think it's going to be a really big, exciting thing for the community to all be able to come out, spend some time together and watch some different performances," said Tooth Matchett, one of the board's co-chairs.
Last year, Pride Week had a rocky start, leading the board to step down before the opening event. An interim board stepped in to make sure the festival continued.
The board this year consists of six members, including Ken Spragg, in the new position of safety and security officer. The position was created to ensure the safety of the board and the community throughout the week and at all Pride events.
Matchett and Santiago Restrepo are this year's co-chairs. Matchett stepped in last year as interim co-chair and has resumed to the role this summer.
Although the festival is slightly smaller than usual, Matchett said the board is doing well and working hard to make sure there are events for everyone throughout the week.
"As much as it is technically rewarding work, it takes a lot out of you to do a year of Pride," Matchett said.
While the Pride board is voluntary, a host of volunteers is needed to run the festival's various events as well.
Matchett said at least 50 volunteers, aside from the board, are required "to make sure that we have enough person-power to get everything off the ground."
What happened last year?
Just days before the opening event to Pride Week 2024, the previous Pride board, citing harassment, cancelled several events of the 10-day festival. The board at the time also announced some members were resigning.
The decision came after organizers abruptly cancelled a fundraiser drag show "due to unexpected safety concerns." The nature of the safety concerns was not explained by Pride organizers.
Emmanuelle Jackson was a Pride board member for four years until November 2024 and stepped in as interim co-chair last year.
The cancellation upset feelings among others in the community, and outrage quickly escalated to harassment and threats against the board.
"We could not handle the amount of backlash that we were getting," Jackson said. "So we decided, ultimately, our mental health and safety should be at the forefront."
- Fredericton Pride cancels festival, board cites 'harassment'
- Community members push forward with Pride events despite formal cancellation
Feeling unable to fulfil their roles and continue with Pride, members collectively decided to dissolve the board in hopes that new volunteers would step up.
Jackson said that applications opened for an interim board, and volunteers quickly expressed willingness to see Fredericton's Pride Week happen.
Matchett was one of the people to pitch in on the interim board.
"I don't fault anyone for stepping down, it's definitely not an easy position to be in." said Matchett.
The future of Fierté Fredericton Pride
With the addition of the safety and security officer and a newly implemented safer spaces policy, the board is hopeful to execute a successful and safe Pride season.
Matchett said that they would like to be able to start preparations for Pride 2026 as early as possible.
"After this Pride season, the very first priority is to write grants and start fundraising events that will help us prepare for next Pride much more efficiently," said Matchett.
With a large 2SLGBTQIA+ community in Fredericton, Matchett said it is incredibly important for Pride to be able to continue its work in the city.
"Whether we're fighting for marriage equality or fighting for our right to use the correct gender marker and pronouns on our government issued ID's, it has always been a long standing struggle," Matchett said.
"And it is extremely close to my heart to make sure that all of our community members are supported and seen."
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