Nanaimo’s full spectrum got together to show pride today.
The Nanaimo Pride Parade and Festival was held Saturday through the downtown and at Maffeo Sutton Park.
Though it rained off and on and there were even thunder showers, that was just a part of the rainbow as people gathered after the parade for speeches, music, dancing and more at the park.
Coun. Diane Brennan thanked organizers, the LGBTQ-plus community and allies. She talked about what a difference there’s been in the city’s attitude toward pride week.
“I am so proud to mark this day with everyone,” she said. “This is, for Nanaimo, a significant event and we will never forget that we stood up and said to the politicians of the day, ‘this is a right and you can’t mess with it.’”
Sheila Malcolmson, Nanaimo Ladysmith MP, said she will bring back to Ottawa “the strong messages of human rights and equality and love meaning love. So thank you for the boost and the strength you bring to that fight.”
Leonard Krog, Nanaimo MLA, said he sees people supporting those who have been discriminated against and “driven into the closet” for too long in Canada.
‘It is wonderful to live in a community that demonstrates its compassion and its tolerance and its acceptance and its love for one another,” he said.
Doug Routley, Nanaimo-North Cowichan MLA, said “we are witnesses of a generation that has no more excuses to make about how they love, who they love…” he said. “I love you, Nanaimo, and I love pride.”
This photo shows the tail end of the Nanaimo Pride Parade, after the last float went by. Nanaimo's LGBTQ community and allies joined the parade and walked together to the pride festival at the park. #Nanaimo #Pride https://t.co/iSlywsNjnH pic.twitter.com/uzU1LXKGVL
— Nanaimo Bulletin (@NanaimoBulletin) June 10, 2018
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editor@nanaimobulletin.com
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