PEI is still pretty backward

I went to the anti-homophobia rally that was held in Charlottetown today. I just went by myself, watched, didn't talk to too many people, listened to the speeches and thought for a long while.

The attendance wasn't as high as I would have hoped for something with as seemingly uncontrovertial a message as speaking out against prejudice, but I guess you have to start somewhere. The other thing I noticed was that some people were pretty nervous about having their pictures taken. I guess I forgot that side of PEI life while I was gone, that despite the outward friendliness there are a lot of pretty backward and hostile notions still holding strong here.

The very nice and super-talented Nikkie provided the music for the night, and it was thanks to her that I found out about it in the first place.

The speeches were very moving and thoughtful. One story in particular put a frog in my throat, by a woman who recounted growing up as a tomboy and then a lesbian in the Charlottetown school system. She felt like an outsider since elementary school, and as a teenager talked about how she just wanted to make herself smaller and smaller and disappear from the torment she had to endure daily, which led to anorexia. I was able to totally identify with her description of feeling like you're completely and totally alone and that maybe you deserve the treatment you are getting because you really are weird or different or a freak or whatever it is people call you. That sort of experience follows a person and shapes their whole life, even if they grow past it, it colours your view of the world.

There were letters read from the Premier's and Mayor's offices, but no figure from government made an appearance. Someone from CUPE gave a good speech outlining the support of labour groups for the cause of equality. Those and all the other speakers made for a very compelling event.

Hopefully next year some more of the people who support equality with words will also come out and make our island a friendlier place for everyone.