In this episode of The Rural Perspective, Dana Foster speaks with President , Kia Quesnel, of the newly formed 2SLGBTQIA2 group for Ashcroft and Cache Creek to discuss the challenges and triumphs that Pride communities face in rural communities.

In the interview, Kai explained that she was inspired to create this group after attending an event in Orlando, “I thought we kind of need something like this here so I got together with a group of amazing people and we're here to really help our youth." They are primarily involved in providing sexual orientation and gender identity awareness to students at Desert Sands School in Ashcroft. She goes on to share that they wanted to let them know that they are supported and to also create some fun in the community.

Their conversation, sometimes very passionate, ranged over many issues, including parents supporting their children, dealing with those who are against you because of your identity, using the correct pronouns, and more.

The pride group came together the end of June beginning of July without funding and have started to create plans for next year. Kia shared that she wants to make sure that they connect with the pride community members and to get their voices out there.

She said, “We're not about just like.'Oh we're out, loud and proud and we're gay. It’s, 'I love you even if you're straight no matter what your religion no matter what your beliefs we want to all coexist and just spread the love become a stronger community.'"

Queer groups in small rural communities face a number of challenges, including lack of education and support. This Ashcroft and Cache Creek Pride group has partnered with the provincial government to help Queer people in small rural communities access support services.