INUVIK
Inuvik's first club catering to the needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youth launched this week at the Inuvik Youth Centre.

Derrien Firth, left, and Danny Jellema had a little fun during the Inuvik Youth Centre's Rainbow Dance on Feb. 14. More than 30 people attended the dance, which was the kickoff event for the Rainbow Club for area LGBT youth and their supporters. - photo courtesy of Ali McConnell

The club is a joint effort between the centre's new executive director, Ali McConnell, and Danny Jellema, a teacher at East Three Secondary School.

Jellema said she is familiar with Rainbow Club programs such as the one being developed here from other spots she has taught. She said they were a common part of the school program, even when she was going to high school.

"It seemed like it was in every high school. I'm not sure why one has never caught on here in Inuvik," she said. "Why not start one? We're hoping to provide social and possibly political opportunities for identifying as LGBT in Inuvik."

The youth centre is hosting the club because "it has the room," McConnell said.

"Its a logical place for it. A number of youths did approach us about the issue, and we have space for it," she added.

"There's a whole number of reasons why it's not at the school, a whole host of reasons. The school can't do everything, and sometimes it's good to give a little space to the teacher-student relationship," Jellema said.

"I think they might feel more free to be themselves outside of school. This presents greater opportunities for kids to explore who they really are."

The club officially launched Feb. 17 following a "Rainbow Dance" on Feb. 14 at the youth centre.

So far, the public reaction has been pretty positive, both women said.

"It's been well thought-out, and the comfort of the community has been a prime consideration," McConnell said.

"Largely the response has been extremely positive. I'm not really concerned. I'm mostly positive about it."

Jellema said she thinks it will go well. While she's aware of the occasional episode of "gay-bashing" in town, she said Inuvik represents the spectrum of attitudes on LGBT issues you can find anywhere in Canada.

Some people will support the idea of the club whole heartedly while others will resist it and find the subject uncomfortable or worse.

"I'd say it reflects the attitudes of the general society we live in," she said thoughtfully, "where we have a spectrum of tolerance."

"I think we're at a political crossroads here in Canada," Jellema continued. "Ideas and attitudes are changing and evolving. It seems to be a time to be enfranchised. Those cries of 'no' are being drowned out."

The program will be a drop-in style, fuelled by what the youth attending want to see, McConnell said.

"There's been a lot of positive support across the community and the cultures," McConnell said.

Neither woman said they had any firm idea of how many LGBT people might be present in Inuvik, much less who would show up to the club's events.

It's going to be a family-friendly environment, Jellema said.

"We want it to be something you could bring your family to, and we want you to bring them."