To kick off Pride month, a local advocacy organization is spearheading a colourful initiative of joy to combat sa国际传媒渁 rise in visible hatesa国际传媒� 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.
sa国际传媒淲hile the project is a positive one, its motivation isnsa国际传媒檛,sa国际传媒� said Wilbur Turner, chairperson and founder of Advocacy Canada.
sa国际传媒淛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. Itsa国际传媒檚 disturbing.sa国际传媒�
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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.
sa国际传媒淚 feel it is my duty to use my art to provide healing and hope to anyone who drives by and sees it,sa国际传媒� 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.
sa国际传媒淭his is a full-community effort,sa国际传媒� 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
sa国际传媒淭his increase in hate makes that struggle so much worse. Thatsa国际传媒檚 why wesa国际传媒檙e creating this campaign. To show those struggling theysa国际传媒檙e far from alone,sa国际传媒� explained Turner.
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Jacqueline.Gelineau@kelownacapnews.com
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