It has been a work in progress for over two years, but Pride Radio Canada is now available in the North Bay area.
It's an internet-based radio station that highlights 2SLGBTQ+ artists from Canada.
"Too many times, 2SLGBTQ+ artists have been overlooked or bypassed in Canada, and we are here to change this," says the local manager Jason Maclennan. "Supported by North Bay Pride, we launched on Feb 14. "We are currently developing shows to add to the station soon."
Maclennan confirms local programs are coming.
Pride Radio Canada has partnered with Pride World Media and Pride Radio UK.
“In the North East of England, Pride Radio can now be heard by over one million people on their home, office radios and in their cars. Through various online platforms, we have 137 countries tune in to the network with listeners in 37 of the 73 countries where it’s illegal to be LGBTQ+. Of the 13 countries where being LGBTQ+ is punishable by death, seven tune in.
"When Jason Maclennan talked to us about Canada, we saw a strong partnership understanding the importance of sharing our stations and expanding our brand, because we are for the community, by the community.”
“We recognized a gap in music stations around Canada, playing Canadian 2SLGBTQ+ and marginalized artists, so we stepped up to the plate to fill the gap," explains MacLennan.
The station is currently playing music from all over Canada, like Quanah Styles from Vancouver who is a two-spirited trans artist, Jada Shada Hudson from Toronto who was on Canada’s Drag Race, or Danny Dymond from Toronto.
"They overlooked these artists and others many times, even though their music is upbeat and fun to listen to. While other stations are missing out by not playing current relevant Canadian 2SLGBTQ+ and marginalized artists, we jump at the chance to do this and our community deserves it. We play artists like Madonna, Lady Gaga, Elton John too, because we know what our community wants because we are the community.” added Maclennan, Communications Director, North Bay Pride.
You can find the station at www.prideradiocanada.com
