The Queer Community on the Coast

by Editor/Publisher Laurie McConnell

Webmaster Laurie McConnell, right, with partner Diane Mueller

Did you know the Sunshine Coast is one of the most queer-friendly rural areas in BC?

This rural region, stretching from Howe Sound to Desolation Sound, has a unique psychological climate – especially for the stretch running from Langdale to Earl’s Cove – that has made the Coast a hot spot for gays, lesbians and queers across the sexual and gender spectrum, both for vacations, and for relocation.

In particular, the women’s community of permanent residents numbers in the hundreds, with regular monthly get-togethers and an active presence in Sunshine Coast Gala (Sunshine Coast Gay & Lesbians Association, really includes everyone under the rainbow) for meetups, pot lucks (oh the ubiquitous potlucks! even the guys get in on these here upon occasion), games nights, and dances held sporadically.

While the Coast can’t lay claim to a totally bully-free zone, and some GLBT community members are still quite circumspect about their sexuality, by and large the greater community is very welcoming. Any negativity I’ve experienced has been via secondhand reports – and I have lived on the Coast as a closeted woman in a traditional heterosexual relationship (with a wonderful man still in my life as a dear and close friend, and as the actively involved father of my children) and came out while serving on community boards and operating a very public business where my personality and input plays a huge part.

I have found the vast majority of people to be completely comfortable with my transition into a very out ‘dyke’ in a committed relationship with my also-out partner, Diane Mueller. We socialize in this community, play (kayaking, boating, hiking, get-togethers), serve, and parent – all very publicly and with great affection, and I have literally never heard a bad word from anyone. A few people may have grown a bit cooler, but as I’m totally not out to convert anyone else to my way of thinking and don’t need to be liked by absolutely everyone (though I do prefer it as a strong people-person!) I’m quite comfortable with distance if the individual wishes. I’ve also seen engagements and marriage announcements for both male and female couples in the announcements area of our local newspapers – very cool.

There are many GLBT-owned and operated and/or gay-friendly businesses on the Coast... Bed & Breakfasts, cottages for rent, restaurants, stores, home builders and people in construction. Basically anywhere people are , gays and lesbians – and those who choose not to define themselves – also are. Most of us have had mostly great experiences here and the community is very active in raising awareness, fundraising for GLBT youth organizations, and just generally being visible. Head out to hear Ivan Coyote reading at the summer Festival of the Written arts and the pavilion is packed to the rafters with lesbians and queer folk from both near and far!

Another note about the Coast - there are many spiritual outlets for our community here on the Coast. From the welcoming United Church where couples can marry, to the Anglican church (in Sechelt at St. Hilda’s, GLBT people were invited by the minister and deacons to share their stories over an extremely moving afternoon a number of years ago, and the congregation voted over 90% in favour of being a church providing an open door and welcome to all people, regardless of orientation; St. Hilda’s is one of the few Anglican churches in Canada that may perform same sex blessings – and does on a regular basis, for couples from as far away as Texas!). Aboriginal-led sweat lodge ‘Creator’ spirituality,  impossible-to-define exploratory theology; the Coast is a truly welcoming place for our ‘family’. Reverend Clarence Li of St. Hilda’s and his long-time partner invited the congregation and friends to their same sex blessing ceremony last summer – a beautiful event, by all accounts.

In short, you will find the gay community everywhere on the Sunshine Coast. You can find us in ‘Coast Personalities’ on Bigpacific.com’s Magazine. You can write to me anytime, and I will do my best to answer your questions or point you in the direction of the person who can.

I hope we will see you soon – be ready for a warm, small-town friendly welcome!

Note: Bigpacific.com is compiling information about the GLBT community between Saltery Bay and Lund and will add info to the site as it comes in.