Pride Winnipeg

1 7 pride winnipeg | SuppleMent to the winnipeg free preSS May 21, 2014 Pride Featured in Museum's Oral History Project By Carolyn Kosheluk Earlier in 2014, Winnipeg was host to the Fierte Pride Canada/Interpride annual conference – a meeting of more than 25 Canadian Prides from across Canada. Those in attendance were presented with a project idea for the Canadian Museum for Human Rights (CMHR) – a community-based oral history project focused on the 45 year history of Canadian Pride. The idea was first brought to CMHR by Pride Winnipeg president Jonathan Niemczak and executive secretary Barbie Rudiak. Pride Winnipeg was compelled because no one had yet done a large-scale history profile on the national Pride movement. The oral history project format was chosen as a way to allow the communities involved to speak about their experiences with human rights, says Sharon Reilly, coordinator of the project. With a focus on community-based stories instead of individuals, the project aims to document the history of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered, transsexual, intersex and two-spirited Pride groups from across Canada. Reilly explains that the reaction at the annual conference was instantly favourable. "The communities from across Canada wanted to collaborate with us on this," she says. "They saw this as a way to engage community members in their own history." With the help of these groups, CMHR has collected a lengthy list of volunteers from across Canada, all eager to tell their unique stories and their connections to the various groups that bond under the Pride banner. Stories will be gathered through interviews, which will be played in the museum in coming years. Part of the proposal that Pride Winnipeg brought forward also included the production of a documentary, at the end of the project. According to Reilly, this has not been confirmed, but is an idea that is open for discussion. Work on the oral history project will be ongoing for a few years before it's ready to be integrated into the museum. Until then, after CMHR opens its doors to the public on September 20, 2014, it will feature other LGBTTQ* content throughout its 11 galleries. Maureen Fitzhenry, CMHR media relations manager, says that LGBTTQ* stories begin with the introductory gallery, which features an immersive multimedia experience. "It's people telling stories," says Fitzhenry. "The first is a teenage girl, talking about her experience with gay/straight alliances." Fitzhenry explains that CMHR's galleries are broad and varied. Other LGBTTQ*-specific content includes the 'pink shirt story' as part of a youth gallery, and an exploration of the significance of gender-neutral washrooms. CMHR welcomes contacts from new people who want to be involved with the oral history project. Contact information is available at humanrights.ca. Two men kiss at an interactive CMHR display, tied to the Champion Human Rights campaign during the Vancouver Olympics – Photo by CMHR Editorial sponsored by, Schawarma Khan www.ninecircles.ca September21,2014 GatheryourPrideTeamandcome outandsupportManitobansliving withHIV! Makethecommitment towalk,volunteerordonatetoday! CentralPark,WinnipegMB www.aidswalkforlife.ca BUILDINGA BRIGHTERFUTURE Your support will help create exhibits and programming that will inspire our children and grandchildren to build a better world. Their passion for furtheringhumanrightsisourhopeforabrighterfuture. PLEASEDONATE The Canadian Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg, Manitoba will be a national and international destination—a centre of learning that will encourageandeducatethenextgenerationofhumanrightschampions.

• Cover