Pride week might look a little different than it has the past few years, but it is no less celebratory and important.
At YYC Cycle, Pride to us means making everyone feel included and safe inside our studios and within our community. During Pride week it also means getting more colorful and finding out what we can do to better to support the LGBTQ+ community in the next 365 days.
Learning from the Community
We asked our Bikergang if any individuals from the LGBTQ+ community would like to share their story and step forward to be an ambassador for YYC Cycle to help us learn and grow as an ally of the community. Jason and Kate put up their hands and generously shared and spoke with us about Pride and their experience as members and allies of the LGBTQ+ community.
JASON
Jason has lived in Calgary for the last 15 years and by day is a Senior Fund Raiser at Easter Seals Alberta and is an avid member of our Bikergang! He says he tells everyone about spin and about how he feels spin at YYC Cycle can be for everyone. Every shape, sexuality, race, and identity.
As an out gay man in the YYC LGBTQ+ community, Jason has seen the city change for the better over the years when it comes to celebrating Pride.
He has seen Pride become more mainstream and sees that Calgary has come a long way but knows that there is still work to be done to make the city a place where LGBTQ+ people can feel comfortable and supported at any point in time. For Jason, creating LGBTQ+ community hubs and recreational activities where friends can hang out and have a good time would be a real step in the right direction.
These hubs can start with small businesses and fellow allies by showing up as an inclusive space and hosting LGBTQ+ rides, paint nights, rooftop, etc! To us, that means not only hosting Pride rides during pride but throughout the year! SO stay tuned for many more LGBTQ community rides coming to a studio near you!
What does celebrating Pride mean to you?
Accepting who you are, accepting all people and creating a safe space for them.
If you were to create a Pride 2020 spin playlist what would be some of the tracks you’d put in?
I wanna Dance With Somebody - Whitney Houston
KATE
Originally from the UK, Kate moved to Calgary 12 years ago and has been coming to spin after having a baby as a surrogate for a gay couple. Kate is an ally of the LGBTQ+ community with lots of friends within the community. While searching for the right people to help start a family she was touched when she read the bio of a gay couple from France who were in love but legally struggling to adopt.
Their story reminded her of her friends in the LGBTQ+ community back home who have wanted the same thing as the couple but wouldn't have had the same legal difficulties that they faced. Kate says there are so many wonderful and deserving couples but to her this just felt right.
Kate has always felt that YYC Cycle is a safe space where people including herself aren't judged for their body or physical ability and that the YYC community is supportive of all people and their lifestyles. "I always feel like I see all kinds of people go to YYC Cycle, it doesn’t matter what background they’re from or how they identify. Exercise is for all heights, ethnicities, genders and sexualities."
What does celebrating Pride mean to you?
It means a lot, when I came here I found that I had less friends in the LGBTQ+ community. I felt a bit lost without that community and when you come to a new city it’s not always very apparent, it can be hard to find your people.
Being a surrogate ended up helping me find members of the LGBTQ+ community and it has expanded my role within my community in Canada.
If you were to create a Pride 2020 spin playlist what would be some of the tracks you’d put in?
During this week we encourage you, Bikergang, to raise your water bottles in support of Pride but also in support of the efforts we can take to show our love and allyship for the LGBTQ+ community every day. Because here, we will always ride with pride.
