Members and allies of the LGBTQ community were joined by their supporters including Mayor Steve Black, MPP Gilles Bisson, several local businesses and hundreds of participants in Hollinger Park for the second annual Timmins Pride Parade on Saturday.
The parade was part of Pride Week which was organized by 18 volunteers of Fierté Timmins Pride.
Live entertainment and speeches from members of the LGBTQ community as well as words from Mayor Black and MPP Bisson took place prior to the parade.
The afternoon parade followed by a Drag Show at Amigos Bar ended the Pride Week celebrations which ran from June 6-14.
Events over the week included a flag rising at City Hall, documentary showing, and pancake breakfast; as well as the parade and Drag Show.
Kevin Chiasson, one of the organizers of Pride Week, said the support from the community has grown this year compared to last year, and that several sponsors had approached the Pride committee this year offering sponsorship and showing support.
“We had reservations at first but Timmins is fantastic,” said Chiasson regarding the support that the LGBTQ community has received at the first annual Pride Week, and second annual Pride Week success.
“We were hoping for 100 participants last year, it was our first year, “said Chiasson.
Last year the Pride Week ran in September and approximately 450 participants from all over Northern Ontario.
This year’s parade saw even more participation though exact numbers are not available at this time it was clear that the parade had reached or exceeded the numbers from the 2014 Pride Parade.
“Last year we had our Pride events in September, this year we’re trying June. Our weather is great, and I think we may keep it going in June for next year,” said Chiasson who also mentioned that in years to come the LGBTQ community and its supporters can look forward to seeing changes in events, and offerings during Pride Week.
The parade started at Hollinger Park and followed along Algonquin to Pine Street, then First Avenue, Spruce Street and finally ending on Brunette back at the Hollinger Park.
A participant who requested to remain anonymous said she supports what the committee is doing and that she believes the Pride events are great for the community and its younger generations.
She mentioned that she herself is straight, but has many friends who can identify with the LGBTQ community and that as a supporter she hopes one day we all have the same rights to love who we wish and be whoever we may choose to be.
With a float in the parade displaying a sign saying “Free to be Me”, the organizers are hoping that by raising awareness, being open about the positive and negatives to being LGBTQ will allow younger generations more freedom to be who they are, and allow those who identify as LGBTQ to be who they are without prosecution, harassment, bullying and fear which many deal with on a daily basis.
Chiasson also mentioned that while the Canadian LGBTQ community has more rights and freedoms than other countries, there is still need for improvement due to high rates of suicide due to bullying, fear and other negative actions against those who identify as LGBTQ, and the change within the blood donation regulations against gay men which are not imposed on straight men.
“We hope that will change. There is no scientific evidence why gay men cannot donate blood. No matter what letter or label you want to put on things, we are all one. We are all human. Our differences are literally only skin deep. Love is love.”
Protestors who are against the Pride Parade and Pride Week events followed the parade yelling and carrying a sign in an attempt to deter those who are LGBTQ and those who supported them from parading in the area, but that didn’t stop the parade and it’s participants from marching for their cause and providing a very positive atmosphere for those in attendance.
Kevin Chiasson and the organizers of the event would like to convey that they are very thankful for all the support they have received from businesses, participants in the Pride Week events, and supporters.
(PHOTO: PRIDE balloons at the beginning of the parade. Jennifer Massie for TimminsToday)
