With the help of some local lawyers, the Vernon Pride Society is now officially incorporated.
Members of the society gathered in front of Kidston Helm Ross Lawyers LPP Friday, where lawyer Darren Schmidt presented them with a certificate of incorporation, thus making them a registered society that can formally elect board members, and giving them protection from liability.
The Pride Society approached the downtown Vernon law firm asking them to act for them pro bono to achieve incorporation, and the lawyers happily obliged.
“It was a no-brainer for us,” said Schmidt. “It’s a sign from them that they want the group to last a long time, not just for a single event but for generations to come.”
Schmidt said the team at Kidston Helm Ross want everyone in Vernon to feel safe and welcome, and lauded the Pride Society for the work they do to make Vernon more inclusive for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
“We’re just so excited to have an official society,” said Abbie Wilson, president of the society which was started up informally a year ago. “We’re really thankful to Kidston for helping us to get it set up throughout the whole process and the people, the allies and the queer and trans community of Vernon for paving the way.”
Wilson said having the society become incorporated will open up more opportunities for funding, “so that we can have more events and advocacy for the queer and trans community in Vernon.”
The society will hold its second pride week from Aug. 7 to 13, with events for all ages and a pride march on Aug. 12.
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