Rural Nova Scotia radio station looks to amplify 2SLGBTQ+ voices

Run out of a small room in downtown Lunenburg, GoProud is a digital radio station that aims to elevate 2SLGBTQ+ voices in rural Nova Scotia.

The station, started earlier this month, operates using space and equipment provided by local station 107.9 Go Rock.

Alison Clements, the community engagement lead with Go Rock, founded GoProud.

As a bisexual woman, she said she has noticed some of the anti-2SLGBTQ+ rhetoric and wanted to spread positivity. She said she also wanted to spotlight 2SLGBTQ+ artists and their allies, especially those from the local area.

"I think mainstream culture, we know a lot of LGBTQ+ allies and artists who are out there," she said. "But when it comes to the artists here, the community knows best."

Clements reached out to Lunenburg Pride to establish a partnership. Lunenburg Pride co-ordinates volunteers and recommends artists and voices for the radio.

Kira Williston, a director with Lunenburg Pride, was excited to hear of Clements's idea a month back. 

Williston became the station's volunteer co-ordinator. A few people have reached out to express their interest in helping the station grow, including a DJ and a podcaster, Williston said.

But Williston said the most important part of the station is bringing the community together in the face of discrimination locally and abroad.

"Incidents of discrimination have escalated so much over the past few years and emboldened hate groups who are against people in our community," said Williston. "So it's important for people to know that they do have a voice. And not only do they have a voice, we have the tools available to amplify those voices."

GoProud has a website and app that features a variety of music.

Clements said the station is already looking to expand its programming to include an hour of punk rock by 2SLGBTQ+ artists, and possibly include interviews with community elders. 

Kai Skinner, vice-chair with Lunenburg Pride, says airing conversations with older people in the community could help younger people in their own journey. 

"Especially with today's current political climate, it's important to honour that history and to remember that history so that we know how much progress has been made and how much progress we still have left to do," she said.