Sault Pride will be hosting activist Martin Boyce in a virtual setting next week.
Boyce, who participated in the Stonewall Riots in New York, which is considered to be an important event leading into the liberation movement in the United States.
A full release on the virtual event follows:
Sault Pride, in partnership with International Day of Pink, is proud to host activist Martin Boyce by virtual presence on Monday, May 16 at 1 p.m. in Algoma University’s Doc Brown Lounge (EW205).
Martin was born in New York, NY. As a teenager in the 1960s, he came out and found his way to Christopher Street in Greenwich Village. He was a regular of the Stonewall Inn, and on June 28, 1969, he was a participant in the Stonewall Riots (also known as the Stonewall Uprising). The Stonewall Uprising were a series of spontaneous, violent demonstrations by members of the gay (LGBT) community against a police raid that began in the early morning hours. This is widely considered to constitute the most important event leading to the gay liberation movement and the modern fight for LGBT rights in the United States and beyond.
Since the Uprising, Martin has continued to participate in activism, and continues to share his stories and keep queer and trans history alive. This kind of storytelling is absolutely essential in building community and establishing its legacy.
Sault Pride partners with educators, agencies, organizations, and businesses to create a more welcoming and safe city for our 2SLGBTQIA community. Its central event is Sault Ste Marie Pridefest, an eight-day festival celebrating diversity. International Day of Pink has one purpose, to create a more inclusive and diverse world. They do this by encouraging young people to challenge social norms, ask more of their educators, and stand up against bullying towards their 2SLGBTQIA+ peers.
For additional information regarding this event, please contact event host Amanda Zuke by email or by phone at (705) 206-9853. Additional information on Martin Boyce, including a video clip, can be found here.