Pride Month has begun, and at city hall two flags were raised to recognize day two of City of Nanaimo's Pride Week.
A crowd filled the parking lot in front of city hall on Monday, June 3, for the raising of both the intersex-inclusive pride flag and transgender pride flag.
Lauren Semple, Nanaimo Pride Society president, said the message she would like people to take away is that pride is loud and proud in Nanaimo, attracting everyone from nine months to 90 years old.
"Our community is connected and we support one another, we're resilient and we're here to celebrate a really awesome Pride Week together," Semple said. "It just means to show up unapologetically as our true authentic selves, to take up space and ensure our beautiful 2SLGBTQIA+ community is represented."
The event had many returning officials, including members of council, Mayor Leonard Krog, Nanaimo-Gabriola MLA Sheila Malcolmson, but also appearances by newly-elected Nanaimo-Lantzville MLA George Anderson and Nanaimo-Ladysmith MP Tamara Kronis.
Both MLAs pointed to Nanaimo's own Pride history in speeches, ahead of the flag raising.
"Put your hand up if you fought to have city council proclaim Pride," Malcolmson asked the crowd. "A whole lot of you did, right?"
The city raised its first pride flag in 2009, after John Ruttan took office. This followed years of advocacy from the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, and refusal by the previous mayor, Gary Korpan.
"The old mayor refused to proclaim it even when council voted in the majority, so John Ruttan was the first mayor that stepped up with the gulls to raise the flag here and now look where we are," Malcolmson added. "We don't take it for granted, we're grateful for all of you."
The honour of raising the intersex-inclusive pride flag this year was held by Rick Meyers and Canary Paul while the transgender pride flag was raised by members of the Wild Cat Drag Club and Mardi Pieronek.
While it is a festive event, Semple said the community also has to remain vigilant.
"Pride is about celebrating the milestones, celebrating the work that has already been done, but it also is about the work that still has to come," Semple told the News Bulletin. "We have to stay aware of what is happening right here in Canada and I know, to the mayor's remarks, Canada is a wonderful country, it is better than a lot of other places when it comes to LGBTQ+ rights."
She drew attention to Saskatchewan, Alberta and New Brunswick, which all proposed explicitly anti-trans legislation, although New Brunswick's was reversed by the current Liberal government.
"We still have three provinces in Canada that have passed explicitly anti-trans legislation, we have constant attacks on the SOGI curriculum and other diversity, inclusion and equity efforts. We need to stay on our toes here and make sure we aren't losing these hard-fought rights we've already gained."
One thing that people can do, Semple said, is to vote at every election, researching what representations will support the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Other actions people can take is to write to representatives, asking them to stand up to anti-trans and regressive legislation; show up as an ally, not just when it's convenient; and "coming to events to support Pride in our beautiful community."
"Being loud and proud is a 365 day-a-year mission, it's not just for June, it's not just for Pride Week. So continue living out loud and authentically and bringing your true self forward, because what makes Nanaimo vibrant, big and beautiful is that we're all different and we need to celebrate that diversity."
Ahead of the event, Krog told the News Bulletin that the turnout made him proud, while MP Kronis said she committed to defending 2SLGBTQIA+ rights in Ottawa.
"I'm a human rights lawyer," Kronis said, "I'm always going to be on the side of people's human rights."
WHAT'S ON:
Rainbow Rave silent disco will be held June 4 from 7-10 p.m. at Neck Point Park. All-ages.
Laugh Out Loud comedy June 5 at the Vancouver Island Conference Centre. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. 19-plus event.
Club Soda sober Pride party June 6 from 7-11 p.m. at the Pleasant Valley Social Centre. 18-plus event.
Pride dance June 7 at 7:30 p.m. at the Vancouver Island Conference Centre. 19-plus event.
Pride parade on Fitzwilliam, Bastion and Front streets June 8 at 11 a.m., followed by the Pride festival at Maffeo Sutton Park from noon-5 p.m.
