Three Nights in Thunder Bay

“What lies before us and what lies behind us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us” - Walt Emerson. This was painted on the counter of our newest favourite coffee spot.

We have spent two days in Thunder Bay and are really getting to like overlooking the sleeping giant in this proud town on the north end of lake Superior.

Drawn to the lake as though it were the ocean, we have taken every opportunity to walk by the shore, head to lookouts or just notice water popping into view as we drive between the old cities of Port Arthur and Fort William. It was in 1970 that the two merged to become Thunder Bay. Prior to the name change people voted on three choices for a new name: Thunder Bay, The Lakehead and Lakehead. Most people voted for The Lakehead or Lakehead, but since votes were split between the two the names, Thunder Bay won the day. Is that why we have a liberal majority in BC today?

Yesterday we visited AIDS Thunder Bay with our guide, Bob. We met several of his co-workers and saw the room where clean needles are handed out, where the doctor sees clients, where the social worker spends time sorting out things like welfare and housing and even the office of the person who deals with issues related to women and HIV. There was a beautiful quilt on a wall commemorating those who are no longer among  us. 

The work this agency does is huge, and still not enough. The story I’ll share, as best I can, is the Ontario study regarding the importance of ASO’s (AIDS Service Offices) and awareness programs. Research showed that over a thousand new HIV infections had been avoided, saving the Ontario health system billions in direct costs, and even more in indirect ones. Do our governments need more than this argument for continuing to support the groups we  see struggling to provide these services? 

Today, we participated in an anti-homophobia event at City Hall. The message of love, respect and acceptance are important to be repeated each year.  We were reminded that it was only 33 years ago that the world Health Organization struck homosexuality from its list of diseases. After the flag raising we were interviewed by CBC’s Cathy Alix on the local show Voyage North, and Lakehead University’s Radio Station as well.

Sadly, we leave many new friends here in the Lakehead city of Thunder Bay. I want to dedicate this blog input  to an old GNP+ friend, Pius, whose name came up among those who helped the local AIDS movement, before he passed away.