Home Page & Blog - ORC and Okanagan Pride

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ORC & Pride — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 06:37:19 +0000

Greetings ORC members!

The board would like to thank all those members that attended the AGM on January 21st and provided us with the opportunity to serve Kelowna’s LGBTQ2 community. We are very excited to be able to plan the successful dance parties, socials, and other recreational events to which members of the ORC are used to attending. We hope that with ongoing success in these events we will continue to grow our membership and networks to achieve a diverse and enjoyable culture in Kelowna. We will strive to make these events as successful as they have been in the past and we are open to any suggestions on how we can make them even better! We are always looking for volunteers, so if you have any questions or would like to contribute your time please message us at: info@gayokanagan.com. We welcome all members and LGBTQ2 affiliates to attend the next Saturday night social and meet and greet the new members of your board. Have fun, be safe, and see you soon!

Statement on Homophobia at Delta Grand Hotel

ORC & Pride — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 05:08:03 +0000

Regarding the incident at the Delta Grand Hotel in Kelowna, as discussed in the following links:

Kelowna Capital News and CHBC

The Okanagan Rainbow Coalition wishes to express its deepest sympathy to Sue, her partner, and her friends. We encourage all ORC members, LGBT affiliates, GSA’s, and concerned citizens to speak up for equality. Please demonstrate your support for Sue by writing letters or emails to the local media, and participating in online forums about this issue.

The ORC is also calling for a formal apology to the victims of this incident.

If there are any members who are interested in offering support in any way to Sue, now is the time.
She has endured a lot so far, and could use the support of her peers as she deals with the ramifications of the incident.

The Capital News can be reached at:
2495 Enterprise Way, Kelowna, BC V1X 7K2
(250) 763-3212

The Daily Courier can be reached at:
550 Doyle Ave., Kelowna, BC V1Y 7V1
(250) 762-4445

An extensive discussion of the issue is also taking place in the local Castanet forums.

New Board of Directors

ORC & Pride — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 18:30:04 +0000

Congratulations to the new 2012 ORC Board of Directors

Daniel Snoek, Catherine Mateo, Raymond Koehler, Brad Therrien, John Goodwin and Raine Ashford were all acclaimed at the recent Annual General Meeting.

The new board will continue the work of the organization, and has new ideas and plans for growth.

Please wish them well, and expect to see and hear more from them soon!

Moving and powerful video on the Gay Rights Movement 1960-Now

ORC & Pride — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 17:35:19 +0000

Notice of Annual General Meeting - January 21 at 7PM

ORC & Pride — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 17:49:57 +0000

The next AGM for the Okanagan Rainbow Coalition will be held Saturday, January 21, 2012, 7:00PM at The Centre in Kelowna. We urge all members to attend, and this year there are numerous positions becoming available! Please become involved by considering joining the Board.

Being part of the ORC Board allows you to shape the future of the organization, and does not require a great deal of time commitment. We are hoping for a broad cross-section of the community to step forward. Positions include President and Vice-President (overall responsibility, runs meetings, final say in decisions), Secretary (keeps minutes, documentation and member communication), Treasurer (day to day book-keeping and financial) or simply join as a general Board Member. Meetings are usually held every 5-6 weeks throughout the year and roles and responsibilities are flexible.

LGBTQ* Volunteer Training - Tuesday, Jan 17 6-8PM

ORC & Pride — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 18:54:14 +0000

Thanks to the generous support of TELUS and the United Way, the Out With Friends Group is able to put on an LGBTQ* Volunteer Training session.

If you are interested in volunteering with Out With Friends or the ORC we invite you to attend. The training is applicable to all general volunteers for the ORC, with a focus on issues surrounding youth.

Limited Seats Available, please RSVP to outwithfriends@gayokanagan.com

Another Session will be held if there is enough interest, and a light dinner will be provided.

The Center is located at 1476 Water Street in Kelowna.

Interior Health to Close All Sexual Health Clinics!

ORC & Pride — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 23:23:14 +0000

URGENT APPEAL - CONTACT YOUR MLA and IHA TODAY!
Sexual Health Clinics set to close in all BC Interior Communities!

In a shocking and disappointing move that will dramatically affect available services to the LGBT and other at-risk or marginalized people, the Interior Health Authority (IHA) has announced they are closing all Sexual Health clinics in Kelowna, Penticton, and three other BC Interior communities at year-end.
This decision has shocked public health providers, and our community at large. It is truly difficult to understand how officials could choose to cut these services to already vulnerable populations, particularly as infections and LGBT-related suicides are on the rise!

Please join us in calling on the IHA to immediately reverse this decision, and conduct proper consultation with groups and individuals who are being affected by such a significant change to service.

New Year's Eve

ORC & Pride — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 05:58:27 +0000

Unfortunately there will be no ORC Dance Party held in Kelowna this upcoming New Year’s Eve.
Due to this normally being one of the lower attended events of the year, and that we have already held our standard six events in 2011, we opted to give our volunteers the night off. We look forward to many great events in 2012!

GOOD NEWS – Kamloops GALA has announced they are hosting an event as follows:
Kamloops first ever New Year’s Eve Party to be held in the Lounge at MacArthur Island Sports Arena.

John Allison Productions is delivering top quality music from DJ's Gail and Brett from Vernon

8PM to 1:30AM - Tickets at the door $20 adults/$15 Students. Great drink prices!

The RCMP and LGBT Community Forum - Dec 11 at 3PM

ORC & Pride — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 01:39:17 +0000

The ORC is pleased to have a local RCMP officer - and member of the LGBT community - presenting a community forum this weekend - Sunday, December 11 at 3PM at The Centre.

Constable Harkness will give a presentation on the RCMP’s policies and views surrounding the LGBT community - hate crimes, violence in relationship policy, etc. - as well as sharing his experiences as an out gay police officer.

A question and answer session will follow for any other topics the audience wishes to discuss. We encourage everyone to attend this insightful and important presentation!

The Bullying Must Stop

ORC & Pride — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 02:27:39 +0000