The Big Reveal Against Teen Suicide

By Tecumseh MacGuigan

 

Sept. 24

 

Photo Editor

 

 

The Windsor Pride Community, Education and Resource Centre hosts the third annual Big Reveal saturday.

Makeovers by “Fairy Godfather” David Clemmer took place for Dina Spencer, Bob Boughner, Dino Chiodo and Norma Coleman. Accompanying the makeovers, a dinner used to raise money for Windsor Pride’s After School’s OUT! program.

Last years event raised over $35,000 and this year’s event is expected to have the same results. Executive director of Windsor Pride, Bob Williams, thanked all in attendance during the evening, including Mayor Eddie Francis, MP Percy Hatfield, and mayoral candidates Drew Dilkens and Larry Horowitz.

“Our after school program is about to launch and this is what it’s all about” said Williams. “ We have 17 high schools and all of those kids are coming together on an ongoing basis and make sure they have a healthy and wonderful life. Thats is what the centre is going to do with the money we raise tonight.”

Invited as a guest speaker was Niko Niforos, an 18-year-old who believes that without the help of Windsor Pride, he would not be alive today.

“I am a son, I am a brother, I am a recovering drug addict, I am a productive member of society and I am bisexual ,” said Niforos. “One year ago on an island in Greece, I hated myself so much for being bisexual that I stood at the top of a cliff and was about to take the last drink of my life, or so I thought.”

Niforos is a graduate from Walkerville High School, the first high school in Windsor to have a gay-straight alliance.

“Earlier that week I had called my mother in a frantic mood saying I needed to open up to someone who knows what I am going through,” Continued Niforos. “She somehow got ahold of Windsor pride, and they put me on the phone with a man named Mike, Mike Cardinal. He has a special place in my heart because of all his love and support. Mikes words gave me the courage to live. Although I can not predict alternative realities, I can tell you that without Windsor pride I would not be here carrying the message of hope for the LGBT community and our community as a whole.”

Over 300 people are estimated to have been in attendance at the event. With ticket prices ranging from $90 to $150, Windsor Pride could see numbers as high or higher than last years event. Catered by Moxie’s Bar and Grill and Tim Hortons, the event featured a full course meal, coffee and dessert, as well as local wine available for purchase.

“It’s so awesome that all of you came out here tonight to see this awesome show and support suicide prevention,” said Clemmer to the audience. “You have all made a difference by being here tonight and that is incredible, I want to

thank you all so much.”

With the third year of the big reveal being a success, the event will likely continue in the coming years.