Calgary Pride: Work ongoing for 2SLGBTQ+
Posted Aug 31, 2022 9:32 am.
Last Updated Aug 31, 2022 9:33 am.
With Calgary Pride week upon us, members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community are reminding participants and allies that Pride is still very much a protest.
Those involved say Pride has always seen counter-protesters, with more anticipated this year.
“Pride is very much a protest, things are getting better in the world, generally speaking,” said April Friesen, president of Trans Equality Society of Alberta, who is encouraging people to speak up if they hear or see anything derogatory.
“People should step in more. They should step in more and sometimes all it is is ‘Hey, you can’t say that’ or something. That’s all it is usually,” Friesen added.
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Those involved say long-serving members of the community and allies especially will be on the lookout for anyone looking to cause harm.
“It’s grown, it’s way more colourful, and it’s so many people, but we’re still fighting,” Lindsey Peace, executive director and co-founder of Skipping Stone, explained.
“For some people that don’t have affirming spaces, this is literally the one day a year that they’re celebrated and they get to go out in the world as themselves and they get to feel love when the other 364 days, they don’t.”
Peace says Pride is a good reminder that everyone is at a different stage in their journey, and those who are comfortable should support those who might not be there yet.
“I think the people that we’re marching for and the marginalized groups, they really need the rest of us to be loud and to stand with them and I think that’s also why we have Pride. It’s to stand with everybody whos not here yet.”
Montreal’s Pride parade was cancelled due to a lack of contracted security, but that won’t be happening for Calgary’s festivities, says Brit Nickerson, communications manager of Calgary Pride.
“There will also be CPS. While they’re not permitted to march in the parade, they will still have a presence there just from a safety perspective,” Nickerson said.
The Calgary Pride parade is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 4.
