The Pride celebration swept through downtown Winnipeg on Sunday as thousands marched in parade, a reminder to many of how far the province has come and how far it has yet to go.
“It’s going to be a tremendous day. It’s like a rainbow sea out there, it’s amazing,” said Heather Stefanson, speaking to the crowd that gathered on the steps of the Manitoba Legislature on Sunday. in the morning.
AJ Robelo was one of those who celebrated the rally and parade on Sunday. Rebelo says he went out with his mother this year, making the celebration especially special for him.
“Having the support of other people makes things a lot easier for you as a 2SLGBTQIA person,” Robelo said. “Even though we seem to have a lot of freedom and a lot of acceptance, there are a lot of places in the world that don’t have a lot of acceptance, so I think we’re lucky to have that. The opportunity to be able to walk in a parade ”.
It was echoed by Winnipeg Mayor Brian Bowman, who spoke at the 2022 Pride Rally, a tradition that says that Pride Winnipeg honors the group of 250 people who gathered in 1987 for the first time. Pride parade.
Bowman said the crowd has grown in the following decades.
“That says a lot about where this community has gone in 35 years,” Bowman said. “35 years is a long time, and a lot of things have changed since then and we know there is more work to be done to build a community and a city where we are all really proud to be home and we all feel we can be who we are. really. “
Thousands marched in a floating parade through downtown Winnipeg to The Forks to continue the celebration.
“It’s great because it shows people you’re accepted. There’s nothing wrong with being gay, lesbian, transgender, whatever,” Kevin Baker said.
Uzoma Asagwara, the first black, queer, non-gender person to be elected to the Manitoba Legislature, was named the parade’s Marshal. They said they were surprised to be nominated.
Although it was a day of celebration, Asagwara said pride must continue beyond concentration and parade.
“We must remember that Pride is a daily action, that every day we have the opportunity to interrupt and occupy space and Pride action,” they said.
A full program of Pride 2022 events and artists can be found online.
-with archives of Mason DePatie of CTV