During Monday night’s town council meeting, Mayor Shawn Pankow proclaimed the month of June to be Pride Month in Smiths Falls.

“Whereas the town of Smiths Falls supports the rights of every citizen to experience equality and freedom from discrimination, and whereas all people, regardless of race or ethic origin, colour, religion, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic characteristics, or disability, have the right to be treated on the basis of their intrinsic value as human beings, and whereas the town of Smiths Falls welcomes people of diverse backgrounds and believes that people of diverse population leads to a more vibrant community, and whereas the two-spiritied, lesbian, gay, transsexual, transgender, queer+ communities contribute to the cultural, civic, and economic successes of this community, and whereas while we as a society at large are slowly embracing new definitions of sexuality and gender, we must also acknowledge that the need for education and awareness remains vital to end discrimination and prejudice, and therefore to acknowledge the efforts of the continuing evolution 2SLGBTTQ+ , the town of Smiths Falls will raise the rainbow flag, representing the bright healing sun, calmness, art, and spirit, for the month of June. Therefore, be it resolved that I, Shawn Pankow, mayor of the town of Smiths Falls, do hereby proclaim June 2022 as pride month in the town of Smiths Falls. I encourage residents to reflect on the ongoing struggle for equality that members of the 2SLGBTTQ+ community face.”

The pride flag will be flown in front of town hall for the month of June.

Article by Janelle Labelle