June is Pride Month and CURLSASK would like to shine a spotlight on one of our associate members, the Prairie Lily Curling League.

Jason Evanochko is the President of the Prairie Lily Curling League and also part of the LGBTQ2S+ community.

“Pride month is a time of year we get to truly be ourselves and build cohesion within our community and strive for equality for everyone” said Jason when asked what Pride Month means to him.

The Prairie Lily Curling League began in 2014 with a group of 5 curlers and their friends who wanted to start Saskatchewan’s first LGBTQ2S+ curling league. With the dedication of these original five, other volunteers and community leaders they were able to form the Prairie Lily Curling League and have their first season, curling out of the Nutana Curling Club. The first season was a tremendous success with 8 teams (34 members) and several other casual players we were able to enjoy a fun and friendly curling atmosphere. The 2023-24 season marks the 10th year of the league, and they look forward to serving the Saskatoon community for years to come.

“Having an LGBTQ2S+ sporting organization like the Prairie Lily Curling League is really important to allow a safe place where some may feel uncomfortable in a straight league we can offer that for them and still be active” said Jason on why its important to have a league like the Prairie Lily Curling League in Saskatchewan. “It also allows us to showcase and break stigma’s that Gay curlers can are just as competitive as you see on TV.”

Jason was also a member of one of the teams that represented Saskatchewan at the 2023 Canadian Pride Curling Championships in Halifax!

“Halifax hosting the Pride Cup this year was outstanding. My team took 5th place while our other Saskatoon team took 3rd. Our hosts put on such a great show with socials, an awesome Opening Ceremonies with Christina Black as the ceremonial first rock thrower! In East Coast hospitality we were even invited out for a lobster boil to our first matches house.”

CURLSASK is proud to help create an inclusive space where everyone can slide into the game without fear of judgment.

For more information about the Prairie Lily Curling League can be found here!