Pride Week in Williams Lake will take place Aug. 18-24 and the city will raise the Pride flag for inclusion on August 19.
City council voted unanimously at their regular meeting on July 16 at city hall to support the declaration of Pride Week after a delegation on behalf of the Williams Lake Pride Society.
The flag-raising will take place at city hall Monday, August 19 at noon.
Carrie Julius, vice president of Williams Lake Pride Society, expressed her appreciation for the council's "leadership and vision" as they unanimously passed the resolution to approve the declaration put forward by her delegation.
"Your dedication to provide a more inclusive society is profoundly felt," she said.
"The beauty of this country is we respect each other," said Mayor Surinderpal Rathor.
Williams Lake Pride Society will kick things off with an inclusive swim at the Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex, on Sunday, August 18, inviting 100 Mile House Pride Society to join in.
"So that's really exciting because we haven't done that before," said Julius.
Julius said the idea actually came from 100 Mile House Pride Society as a suggestion for a fun outing for 100 Mile members because their community does not have their own pool facility.
100 Mile Pride's Society's Saturn Zezza said they mentioned the idea while 100 Mile Pride were collaborating with the Williams Lake group on their participation in the Stampede parade and Williams Lake organizers jumped on the idea and got the ball rolling.
"We're really excited," said Zezza.
One Hundred Mile Pride members are hosting their own Pride events in July, including a masquerade ball on July 26, Pride Parade, Pride in the Park and Rainbow Roller Disco on July 27.
In Williams Lake, on August 18, at the same time as the event at the pool, Williams Lake Pride will also be hosting a rock garden replenishment for those not wanting to go to the pool. Rocks can be decorated and added to brighten up the goodwill rock garden near the entrance to the Cariboo Memorial Recreation Centre, as the rocks there have been depleted over time.
Julius said they hope to brighten it back up and make it nice for the community.
A rainbow walk will also take place during Pride Week, everyone is invited to join them in support to walk as a group in the downtown from one Pride landmark to another.
On Saturday, August 24, the group will be hosting a dinner, and trivia night mixer at the Central Cariboo Arts and Culture Centre for those 19+.
Anyone interested in getting involved is invited to their next planning meeting at the BGC Williams Lake office Aug. 1 at 7 p.m. or follow their Facebook Page for more information.
