Those struggling with their sexuality or gender expression in the Athabasca region – or even just looking to meet others like them – will now have a place to turn.
A local group of LGBT people and allies have started up an Athabasca LGBT Support Group, with their first meeting set for Nov. 1, 6:30 p.m. at the Athabasca Regional Multiplex.
Caterina, Tristan and Keisha Greentree have formed the group in order to create a safe space for LGBT folks and to educate the public about the LGBT community.
“When I first came out, there was no one to talk to in town and I found it really hard, so I just don’t want that to happen to anybody else,” Tristan said. “Especially younger generations – I want them to feel safe.”
“It’s just nice to known there’s other people out there,” Caterina added.
Tristan said when he first came out, he displayed a rainbow pride flag in his bedroom window. He said a letter left on his doorstep read that he was a sinner, he deserves to burn in hell and should visit any church to be saved.
“It didn’t make me feel good, but at the same time it made me want to fight more to educate the people,” he said.
Tristan’s sister Caterina said she thinks that when she and Keisha – who married this month – receive any negative treatment, it usually is “not coming from a place of malice.”
“They’re not educated on it, so we’re trying to educate people,” she said.
Caterina said attitudes towards the LGBT community in Athabasca and area have improved significantly, but Tristan added “there’s still a lot of work to do.”
Keisha said it is more difficult to find support in a rural area like Athabasca.
“In big cities, you have that support there, so people are able to be who they are. Then small towns, where there’s not much support and you don’t know where to go … there’s no safe spaces,” she said. “Even if this group is just a safe space for people, then that’s way better than what there was before: nothing.”
Tristan admitted he is worried there will be negative reactions towards the formation of the support group, but that it is needed.
“If it ever does happen, I don’t want people to take offense to it,” he said. “I want it to be a reason for them to fight more, and not scare away from it.”
Caterina said if she had realized she was not alone in her sexuality, she might not have waited until she was in her mid-20s to come out.
“Society, when you’re in high school, makes you believe that it’s wrong, but it’s not wrong. We spend so much time trying to hide it,” Tristan said. “I’ve been through really bad depression and all of this stuff because of it.”
Tristan said support for the group has already been affirmed, and there are over 200 members in their Facebook group. He added a lot of people have said the group is needed, and they want to help it grow.
Tristan said meetings will be held every two weeks to start, and locations may vary week-to-week. Updates will be posted on the Athabasca LGBT Support Group Facebook page.
