A new LGBTQ society has been formed in Cochrane and will soon be holding a public launch.

The Cochrane Rainbow Society recently received society status and aims to improve their connectivity to each other and with the community. It will largely focus upon people 40-plus, although they leave the door open for younger adults to participate.

“I’m aware of a number of gay couples but nobody has connected and there’s no presence of LGBTQ so we want to bring a presence to the community,” explains Rob Halfyard, of the society, who has a partner of 34 years.

The Cochrane Rainbow Society will offer older adults, including seniors, a chance to build friendships, enjoy social functions and contribute to the community. 

On Nov. 7, they help to establish the 32-ft. artificial Christmas tree on the rooftop of Rexall Drugs for Cochrane Light Up. They will be taking on the responsibility for future Light Ups.

“I’m stoked,” says Halfyard of their involvement with Light Up. “It’s a really nice partnership. We’re doing something productive and we’re helping the community that we’re part of.”

Halfyard says social and community events being discussed include drag shows and pride parades. They will be reaching out to the business community to sell and display rainbow merchandise.

“I think Cochrane is ready," says Halfyard. "I’ve been living here for three years talking to people and there has never been any negativity. I think we have a lot of value to inject into the community.”

“We have amazing family and friends and children and all that but we want time for ourselves now to go out and mingle and just have fun.”

In the past, many people in the LGBTQ community have had to move away from smaller towns to live in more accepting metro centres like Vancouver and Toronto. That’s changing.

“We want to try and bring it here so they don’t have to leave their hometown. We’re finding people my age are coming back to their grassroots, coming back to small towns, because things are more accepting. We just want to be back at home and be part of the community.”

The society’s board will now be finalizing the plans for an official launch. Halfyard believes it will take place before Christmas. In the meantime, a website and Facebook page are being prepared and will go public soon.