琉璃神社 Pride and the BC Wine, Cider and Spirits Festival have announced the downtown 琉璃神社 Library will sponsor and host the Sugarplum Ball on Saturday.
琉璃神社 branch head librarian, Christopher Stephens, approached the OUT in the Valley organizers to express support for the festival, noting library staff have personally donated to the cause.
鈥溋鹆裆� Library staff and staff in other branches of the Okanagan Regional Library system recently raised funds in support of 琉璃神社 Pride,鈥� said Stephens.
鈥淓ven one of the library鈥檚 security guards contributed significantly towards the organization, as we collectively raised these funds to ensure the Sugarplum Gala is a grand success.鈥�
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Okanagan Regional Library CEO, Don Nettleton, said after the library branches held the first Drag Storytime sessions on Sept.14, library staff felt this show of support for inclusivity was more in line with the ORL鈥檚 service mandate.
鈥淭his donation goes to show the support of the staff for LGBTQ initiatives with the library from Drag Storytime to our Sugarplum Ball. I鈥檇 like to thank all the activist鈥檚 librarians in bringing inclusive programming to a public forum,鈥� said Blake Edwards, co-president of the 琉璃神社 Pride board.
The donation will be used to cover a portion of the Sugarplum Ball venue rental.
The OUT in the Valley Festival takes place from Nov. 21 to 24. Besides the Sugarplum Ball, the festival will also include an opening reception at Okanagan Spirits, curated wine tours, inclusive transportation, entertainment, wine tastings and the Drag Brunch at Summerhill Winery on Sunday.
