August 18, 2016
Thomas Trombetta and Carol Breitkreutz, a health promotion facilitator with Alberta Health Services, stand with the pride flag behind them. The flag is displayed in the Augustana campus of the University of Alberta among flags from nations around the world. Its display is an achievement for the Camrose Pride and LGBTQ communities.
Story and photo by Sarah Megran
Coming out to family and friends can be both momentous and courageous for those who identify themselves as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning/queer (LGBTQ).
While it can bring with it a flood of emotions, there is often a sense of relief and, earlier this year, that’s exactly what a new group in Camrose felt when members came out to the public.
Launched in March, the Camrose Pride Community (CPC) is on a mission to provide safe spaces to discuss issues and provide support for those in the LGBTQ community.
“It’s a visible show of support in the LGBTQ community,” says Carol Breitkreutz, school health promotion facilitator for Alberta Health Services (AHS). “At our very first meeting, we
had over 20 people from the area attend – all eager to show their support and educate themselves on how to be that support.”
One of those people was Paige Switzer, 23, a member of the LGBTQ community.
“Knowing that there are people in the community who accept you and want to see you recognized, supported and safe – especially in such a rural area, creates a feeling I cannot truly describe,“ Switzer says. “Everyone has a different input and it’s awesome to see people learning, growing and contributing.”
And that, says Breitkreutz, is the point.
Although the focus of her role with AHS is to promote health and well-being in schools, the creation of the CPC was a new undertaking, and she felt “the call out from the community” warranted her attention as another way to support youth.
“My role as a school health promotion facilitator concentrates on the social and physical environment and healthy relationships,” says Breitkreutz, adding that it follows a formal framework set by AHS. “This allows us to support groups such as LGBTQ people, in schools and within the wider community.”
The group was created out of a need identified by parents in the community who wanted a formal, ‘safe harbour’ for their kids and themselves to go to – a place to ask questions, share stories, discuss current issues facing the LGBTQ community and have a strong support network.
The initial meeting included members and allies of the LGBTQ community: high school counsellors, mental health facilitators, local practitioners, parents, the minister of the Camrose United church, members from the Augustana campus of the University of Alberta LGBTQ group, Augustana Queers and Allies (AQUA), and Breitkreutz.
All were there to rally behind the new initiative.
“It is essential to support the community as best as we can,” says Tammy Richard, health promotion facilitator for addictions and mental health, who also attended the initial ‘vision’ meeting. “The benefit of having AHS partners at these meetings is that we understand that families and individuals can have different experiences and concerns.
“Our hope is to support and educate families on strategies to enhance their mental well-being and connect them to the right resources.”
Richard notes that research has shown the LGBTQ community may have higher rates of mental health challenges and often struggle with depression, anxiety, trauma and self-acceptance as a result of facing ongoing discrimination.
Thomas Trombetta, a member of both the new CPC and AQUA says “it’s important to have a space where people feel welcome and can speak freely – a safe haven of sorts.”
Trombetta adds that the hope for the new alliance is to create further integration and awareness in Camrose.
The CPC was officially launched on March 7, at the Pride Week kick-off event at Augustana. At the event, the university also raised the pride flag to hang in the faith and life lounge among the flags from nations around the world – an achievement for Camrose’s LGBTQ community.
The CPC meets on the first Monday of every month at the Camrose United church, which has declared itself inclusive to people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. Approximately a dozen people attend each meeting, including a variety of community members, professionals, and those who identify with the LGBTQ community. Attendance is growing, especially among those in the LGBTQ community.
Events such as the Pride Parade have brought positive community awareness to the new group, and more interest will come from the upcoming Camrose Community night on Sept 8.
“It’s wonderful that AHS can partner with a variety of groups in the community,” says Breitkreutz. “It’s really exciting and fulfilling to be part of this initiative and new alliance.”
