To kick off Pride month, a local advocacy organization is spearheading a colourful initiative of joy to combat 含羞草研究社渁 rise in visible hate含羞草研究社� against the 2SLGBTQIA+ community in Kelowna.
Advocacy Canada is a Kelowna-based Queer organization with a mission to support and uplift people in the Okanagan and beyond.
The organization is launching the Kelowna Billboard Project, an initiative focused on spreading positive messaging with a series of artistic signage placed around the city.
含羞草研究社淲hile the project is a positive one, its motivation isn含羞草研究社檛,含羞草研究社� said Wilbur Turner, chairperson and founder of Advocacy Canada.
含羞草研究社淛ust this year in Kelowna, numerous protests have been held outside of Queer events, an anti-2SLGBTQIA+ billboard was put up, and hate-filled comments on any local news story involving the queer community numbered in the thousands. It含羞草研究社檚 disturbing.含羞草研究社�
READ MORE: Rainbow flags, motorcycle club and unicorns attend Kelowna Drag Story Time
READ MORE: Kelowna含羞草研究社檚 Drag Queen of Controversy turns hate into funding for queer youth
Local Indigenous Queer artist, Sarah Jones has been commissioned to create the imaging for the billboards that will support the message and theme developed by a focus group working on the project.
The 24-year -old artist grew up in the Syilx Nation and wants to give back to her community, creating positive change and combating hate in the place she calls home.
含羞草研究社淚 feel it is my duty to use my art to provide healing and hope to anyone who drives by and sees it,含羞草研究社� said Jones.
To fundraise for the project, Advocacy Canada is giving businesses, organizations and individuals an opportunity to help sponsor the campaign. A campaign has been set up for donations and interested sponsors are encouraged to reach out to Advocacy Canada for a sponsorship package.
含羞草研究社淭his is a full-community effort,含羞草研究社� said Turner.
The billboard project hopes to have the signs erected in Kelowna and Lake Country throughout June, which is Pride month.
More information on the billboard project can be found at
含羞草研究社淭his increase in hate makes that struggle so much worse. That含羞草研究社檚 why we含羞草研究社檙e creating this campaign. To show those struggling they含羞草研究社檙e far from alone,含羞草研究社� explained Turner.
READ MORE: On anniversary of convoy, 含羞草研究社楩reedom Fighter含羞草研究社� supports Drag Story Time at Kelowna rally
Jacqueline.Gelineau@kelownacapnews.com
Like us on and follow us on and subscribe to our daily and subscribe to our daily newsletter.
