LGBT youth worried about displaced Windsor Pride

City council's decision to evict Windsor Pride from its Pelissier Street locationis causing concern that some at-risk LGBT youth will fall through the cracks during the relocation.

• Retail space reverted to parking spots in Pelissier parking garage
• Windsor shop owner struggles with eviction from Pelissier

Windsor Pride is being evicted from a space they've had for the last eight years on the ground level of the Pelissier parking garage.

Council decided Monday to turn all the retail space into additional parking spaces.The decision comes at a time when the Pride centre planned to expand for a new suicide prevention and bullying program.

"We're going to do everything we can to continue those programs because falling through the crack is not acceptable," said Bob Williams, Windsor Pride executive director. "It just isn't acceptable to have blood on our hands, so to speak, and lose one is just not acceptable."

Parking fight over

Debate over the retail space below the parking garage has been revisited manytimes over the past 11 years. Somecouncillors expressed their frustration with several retailspaces sitting empty.

"It has proven over 11 years that there just isn't the demand there," Mayor Drew Dilkens has told CBC News."Taxpayers are looking for us to make the right decision with their money," he said.

Despite being told they must vacate by May 31, Williams says they will still move into theofficenext door. Some of the work has already started on the six offices.

Williams says he's been getting overwhelming support from downtown neighbours and the community as a whole.

"It was very emotional. If there were tears in my eyes, there were tears in their eyes," Williams said."I have heard from a number of organizers who started the centre and the question is: What are we going to do? That just upsets me even more."

Windsor Pride will remain open as they search for a new location.Williams wants to remain downtown, on a bus route and in a visible location in the community.

"We're on the look. It's only been 48 hours basically since they've decided to pave over the pride centre and put cars in here," Williams said.