By James Wood

Medicine Hat Pride president happy with coffee night, despite disruption

Aug 18, 2017 | 12:38 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB-A high turnout to a Medicine Hat Pride event left the group’s president pleased.

The local Pride branch held their second monthly coffee night this past Tuesday, which drew 40 people to the Station coffeehouse in downtown Medicine Hat. Rosie Joa, the president of the group, was amazed and pleased with the high turnout, after their first coffee night only drew two people.

Joa said the intention of the event was to have a safe space made available for people to have conversations about “whatever they wanted” across the LGBTQ community. Attendees met to talk, share advice, and have a good time with one another.

While the event proceeded without a hitch, Joa indicated there was one minor disruption when a man showed up to specifically speak with transgender attendees.

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“An individual came, and was trying to give medical advice to transgender people,” said Joa.

“That was pretty much it, just discussions about everything. Everybody had a discussion about it afterwards, and they didn’t feel threatened at all, or anything like that. That was a bonus. It will never disrupt our coffee nights.”

Joa said that the minor disruption was not a big deal, and that it was the first time Medicine Hat Pride had had an unexpected event during one of their gatherings. Despite the man’s behaviour, Joa indicated he was polite.

“We will never discriminate against anybody who has their own religious beliefs,” said Joa.

“Everyone is allowed to come. There is no discrimination, it’s a safe space, everyone is welcome. If they are disruptive, then we will just phone the police to get them removed. That’s all we really can do. We will never start a big panic, or drama, because everybody is welcome.”

As for the future plans of the group, Joa indicated a coffee night is planned each month for the foreseeable future, with the next event to take place September 12 during Pride Week.

“I would really hope it gets bigger and better,” said Joa.

“The more people we have there to support everybody, the better it is. It’s a great thing to do, to have that support system in place, where you can just be yourself, and not worry about individuals that will disrupt it, and judge you on who you are.”