An informational fair was held at MHC on Wednesday as part of Pride Week celebrations.--News Photo Anna Smith
asmith@medicinehatnews.com
Pride Week at Medicine Hat College is going strong, with events continuing to the end of the week.
Organized largely by the Students Association, Monday saw a flag raising, followed by a selfie station and “message of pride” heart wall on Tuesday.
Wednesday invited the various community organizations on to campus for an informational hub, complete with resources, games and free snow cones for those on campus to partake in.
“Basically we’ve just got things like stickers, buttons, flags, things that people like, and then some information about our upcoming events and some resources,” said Kim Large, director with the Guild.
She explained that over the course of the event they’ve seen a good and supportive turnout from the MHC crowd, which is encouraging, as it’s important for members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and those who support it to be visible and making connections.
Adult Mental Health and Addiction Outreach Services through Recovery Alberta was pleased to be providing not only information on preventing the spread of sexually-transmitted illnesses, but also supplies, among other things to help promote safety, said Sarah Duchscherer, a registered nurse.
“We brought educational tools and resources about the work that we do in the community, but we also brought Naloxone kits and are offering free Naloxone training,” said Duchscherer.
Away from the main hub, Recovery Alberta had also brought a second crew for a vital service.
“We have a nurse practitioner and a second, another, actually a third nurse with us today, and they are doing free STBBI testing, which is Sexually Transmitted, Bloodborne Infection Testing,” said Bailey Delves, another registered nurse with Recovery Alberta.
SafeLink Alberta was also present with resources, supplies and several fun goodies for passersby.
Pride week continues with a pride button-making activity on Thursday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m, and finally a “Gaymes” event on Friday, which will run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m as well.
