On Friday between noon and 1 p.m., members of the gay and lesbian community and their fellow Yellowknifers chatted over chocolate cake to celebrate the day in front of the post office.

"We thought it was important to celebrate the day, even though it was put before council and was turned down," said Out North's Zoe Raemer.

The group asked city council late last month that July 4 be declared Gay Pride Day, but the request was rejected by a vote of 4 to 2.

This is the first time the group has done something so public. In the past, the first Gay Pride Day was celebrated with a small information session at the Yk Mall.

The idea for the cake was drawn from the TV sitcom star, Ellen DeGeneres, who said, "No one gives you a cake and says congratulations, you're gay," Raemer said.

"The Yellowknife community has been supportive of us in the past, it's a very tolerant community."

"It's a huge act of courage for the people standing here," said Raemer. She added that these are people who may not be used to making public appearances.

"Yellowknife is still a small town where people know you. You're not anonymous. I think in this case it's a bigger step. It's a big issue for them."

There are a number of issues the group wants to address. One is a review of the family law bill, which deals with many issues "critical in our lives, such as definition of a spouse, creating a legal family and property rights," said Raemer.

Members want to provide services, too -- to public service agencies and to schools. "Hopefully we can provide a service to the HELP line for people with coming-out concerns."

So far, the group has been able to function without permanent office space, but that may be considered in the future.

There are about 35 members who attend organizing meetings at various times. A recent social, which drew 60 to 80 people, raised $3,000 that was donated to Stanton Regional Hospital for a portable mammogram machine. "It's indicative of the number of people who support us," said Raemer.

Although there's a lot of controversy about educating children about being gay there is a need out there, Raemer said.

"The rate of (gay) youth suicide is three times that of other teenagers," she said. "That statistic is the only ammunition I need that it has to be done."

Out North's direction for the future will be to provide a service in the community and provide a dialogue for people.