Protect Yourself from Fraud ♡
CAUTION ON
BARRIE PRIDE!
Barrie Pride was founded in 2013 and became a federally-incorporated not-for-profit in 2018. They have a documented history of abuses in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. We of the community would like to replace the current board of directors; however, Barrie Pride refuses to carry out the elections mandated by their own internal bylaws.Please consider supporting more reputable local Pride Organizations such as the Gilbert Centre, Fierté Simcoe Pride/Simcoe County Pride, New Path Pride, Barrie LGBTQIA+, PFLAG (Barrie-Simcoe Chapter), Barrie Families Unite, and QT Youth Connection.
Donate
Barrie Pride takes donations primarily through eTransfer to their gmail address. They do not issue donation receipts. They do not give financial disclosure on their spending.Barrie Pride directors Jessie Lawson and Brodi Mears have been witnessed dispensing gift cards to their acquaintances. No record of these transactions was ever made available.Please consider sending your donations to other local Pride Organizations with established financial transparency such as the Gilbert Centre.
Media
Barrie Pride refuses to cooperate with other pride organizations as well-documented by local media:
- City Staff Memorandum on Barrie Pride's lack of cooperation
- Community members show their Pride, even without parade
- Frustration within LGBTQ community aired at meeting
- Local Pride board member speaks out
- Barrie Pride presses city for 'static date' to hold annual celebration
"Barrie Pride did not complete the permitting process and proceeded with an unsanctioned event on city property without the required approvals, including permits, insurance and sign-off from approving organizations"- Kevin Datema, Director Recreation Services, City of Barrie
Barrie Pride Directors Jessie Lawson and Brodi Mears refuse to complete financial disclosure as is standard practice for Canadian non-profit organizations. They cannot be removed from office as they refuse to hold elections. Please consider supporting reputable local Pride Organizations such as the Gilbert Centre and Fierté Simcoe Pride.
Protect Yourself from Coercion ♡
ABOUT BARRIE PRIDE
Barrie Pride was founded in 2013 as a splinter group from Fierté Simcoe Pride/Simcoe County Pride (FSP). FSP members voted to focus on year round programming; the Barrie Pride founders wanted to focus on only on one annual pride festival.Since then, the Board of Barrie Pride has refused to hold elections, or to release any financial disclosure. It is unclear how donations to Barrie Pride are used as they do not keep financial records.We of the community would like to replace the current Board of Directors, but without elections or meetings, we are unable to change the organization from within. Please consider attending events and meetings of other more reputable pride organizations.
2024
Barrie Pride did not complete the permitting process for their festival and proceeded with an unsanctioned event on City property without the required approvals, including permits, insurance, and sign-off from approving organization.
2025
Barrie Pride's permit for use of the Spirit Catcher was submitted just one day before their pride event. Barrie Pride was unable to obtain a road closure for the planned parade due to late submission to the city. They claimed instead that a fee of $173.27 for road closure was excessive. It is unclear how Barrie Pride spent grants received from Alectra, TD Bank, and the City of Barrie. A march on the sidewalk was held in place of a parade.
2026
Barrie Pride was again unable to obtain a road closure for the parade. They claimed that costs for policing were quadrupled at the last minute. The city does not require police for road closures. The parade was cancelled and replaced with a sidewalk based march with less than 24 hours notice to participants.
Barrie Pride Directors Jessie Lawson and Brodi Mears refuse to complete financial disclosure as is standard practice for Canadian non-profit organizations. They cannot be removed from office as they refuse to hold elections. Please consider supporting reputable local Pride Organizations such as the Gilbert Centre and Fierté Simcoe Pride.
Protect Yourself from Intimidation ♡
PROTECT YOURSELF
Informing the members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community about Barrie Pride has proved difficult. The Board of Barrie Pride tightly censors the comments of their social media posts, quickly labelling any questioning of their conduct as homophobic. Barrie Pride has employed false cease and desist notices, potentially libellous smear campaigns, and repeated weaponization of the police; all in an attempt to intimidate and silence people asking for accountability.We ask for your solidarity and support in demanding financial transparency from Barrie Pride. We ask you to demand Barrie Pride hold elections as required in their internal bylaws. In light of their intimidation, we ask that you stay safe when communicating to peers about Barrie Pride; your personal well-being is primary.
Barrie Pride Directors Jessie Lawson and Brodi Mears refuse to complete financial disclosure as is standard practice for Canadian non-profit organizations. They cannot be removed from office as they refuse to hold elections. Please consider supporting reputable local Pride Organizations such as the Gilbert Centre and Fierté Simcoe Pride.