Paul Harris, a former Red Deer city councillor, is launching the 52 for 52 Stonewall Fund campaign to support the area's LGBTQ2+ youth. (rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

$52,000 IN 52 WEEKS

Campaign to grow Red Deer’s Stonewall Community Fund needs participants

Oct 20, 2019 | 9:00 AM

A year-long campaign is about to kick off in hopes of supporting the Red Deer region’s LGBTQ2+ community.

Twenty-six years ago, Paul Harris and Terry Warke launched the Stonewall Community Fund, and while it has grown somewhat, attention to it over the years has been lacking.

The fund, currently held under the auspices of the Red Deer and District Community Foundation, has accrued around $12,000.

Originally, the fund was meant to save for the eventual creation of a community resource centre for LGBTQ2+ people, but that hasn’t come to fruition.

Now, Harris is launching the 52 for 52 project to attract 52 people who’ll help inject $52,000 into the fund over the course of one year (52 weeks).

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“Last year, I heard from Central Alberta Pride Society that they were interested in building a community centre, and I thought well this is what we started it for and what a shame that we didn’t put a little bit in every year because we’d probably have enough to do that now,” Harris explains.

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“With all the changes in the public’s worldviews and the way people think, it’s become a bit more important for a lot of people in Red Deer.”

While the fund would primarily sit waiting for someone to take the reins on a community centre project, money is available each year for organizations who wish to provide education about the LGBTQ2+ community, or other kinds of supports.

The Stonewall Community Fund is named after the Stonewall Riots which took place in the summer of 1969. 2021 will mark the 52nd anniversary of the events which took place in New York.

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“It was really the beginning of the Gay Rights Movement in the U.S. where people were just fed up with being persecuted and not having equal rights,” Harris adds. “That conversation has been going on for 50 years, and it’s hard to believe it, but for 50 years we’ve been trying to make sure people are supported in their identities, and that they’re not discriminated against, that they don’t die by suicide. There are so many things this fund can help with.”

In the meantime, Harris and co. are seeking upwards of 45 more individuals to join the cause and commit to raising $1000. A launch and sign-up event is set for Nov. 27, though details are yet to be ironed out.

For updates or to become involved, visit the campaign’s Facebook page, email chipharris@gmail.com, or visit RDDCF.ca to make a donation.