Dear Editor,
I am so disheartened and saddened at the state of our small town, Okotoks, not because of the inevitable growth, increased traffic or even the longer line-ups at the stores.
We are a growing community, and with that comes change and learning curves. We are a very adaptable and pliable family-oriented haven.
Therefore, when I read in our award-winning local newspaper about rainbow boobie tassels, I have to wonder if I've mistakenly received a copy of Penthouse on my doorstep instead of the Western Wheel.
Columnist Tanya Ryan stated that 500 words were not enough to convey all that ought to be said about the subject. I disagree, Tanya. Five hundred words is more than enough.
It's ironic how in November of last year, a school in Nova Scotia was raked across the coals for requesting veterans not to wear their military uniforms to the Remembrance Day ceremony for fear it would frighten the children who were from war-torn countries. These brave men and women (my grandmother was in the air force during the Second World War) fought for our freedom. And yet, we reserve one day to honour these brave souls.
How sad is it, then, that members of 2SLGBTQ1A+ get the full month of June. Celebrations and parades across our country, and we even have a downloadable resource from a clinic here in Okotoks so you can understand what all the letters mean.
Please understand, I don't care what your preference is, but by the same token, don't accuse me of bashing you or not understanding you. I do, however, take offense at you normalizing this.
I am celebrating the freedom to be my whole self. I am an HHHF (Happy Human Heterosexual Female). As you are allowed identity labels, so am I.
Happy June to all those celebrating our God-given freedom.
Brenda Merkey
Okotoks
