Winnipeg’s biggest Pride parade sees thousands celebrate in sweltering heat

Thousands donning every colour of the rainbow marched in sweltering heat in celebration of love and pursuit of equal rights in the biggest Pride parade in Winnipeg’s history.

Pride president Barry Karlenzig told a crowd Sunday morning that 10,000 people had registered to march, marking the largest parade to date.

Youth marshall Alex Appleby told the crowd, which had gathered for a rally in front of the Legislative Building before the march, about their experience starting a gay-straight alliance group in their school after coming out as non-binary.

“I wanted to help kids like me find people who would accept them, protect them faster than I did,” said Appleby.

“If I had had a GSA when I was younger … I would not have struggled for as long as I did. I’m so excited for next year, when we will start the year with the GSA and safe spaces cards hung all over the school.”

The first parade floats left the area around Memorial Park at 11 a.m. and they kept coming until after 12:30 p.m.

People danced in the streets to the sounds of marching bands playing songs by the Village People and Spice Girls.

Organizers urged attendees to stay hydrated, wear hats and use hydration station around the route, as temperatures pushed 30 C by midday Sunday.

Dianna Delts attended Pride in drag for the first time this year.

“I think it’s so much fun. I get to look pretty, I love the interactions I get to have with people … it’s another way to represent myself,” said Delts.

This year’s pride feels “bigger and better this year,” which is important, given some recent events which have raised concerns about the rights of LGBTQ people, she said.

“People need to be heard more than ever, it’s now or never. We have to show that we’re still here, we’re not going anywhere and that’s how it’s going to be.”

Several attendees who have been coming to Pride for years commented that the crowd at this year’s Pride appeared larger and more energetic than ever.

“We’re celebrating, you know, how far we’ve come,” said Lucky Vandenbroeck.

“If I could tell myself when I was a teenager that I would be experiencing this and seeing this, I would be so happy.”

Janet Skinner and her son Jason Skinner have been coming to Pride for nearly two decades.

“Pretty much since my son came out,” she said.

After coming to Pride for many years, Jason Skinner said he has noticed some differences this year. He noted more commercialization of the event, “but also but you can definitely see the growth in the community but also you can see the youth changing,” he said.

Jason volunteered with a youth group at Rainbow Resource Centre in the past, “and seeing those kids grow up and coming to the community now is pretty cool.”

First Pride

Kyna Burdeniuk attended her first Pride parade with friends Mac Pratt and Lelya Kukura.

“I’ve been out as Pan [pansexual] for a while now, so it’s just really exciting to get to come and be among the community and just celebrate being out and stuff,” she said.

Pratt and Kukura had both been to Pride twice before.

“It’s nice to be around people that are part of my community and to know that I’m, like, in a safe space for once,” said Pratt.

“I’m here to support my best friend and my sister, as well, for coming out and accepting who they are and support everyone else here,” said Kukura.

The Pride festival began at noon on Saturday with various events throughout the day until 6:45 p.m. Events continue on Sunday following the parade.

At the rally Sunday morning, some attendees held signs addressing recent issues like efforts to remove books from libraries. Assembly of Manitoba Grand Chief Cathy Merrick also spoke at the rally.

Elizabeth May, the leader of the Green party of Canada, was also in Winnipeg for Pride and to support Winnipeg South Centre candidate Doug Hemmerling in the upcoming byelection

Premier Heather Stefanson walked in the parade with several other political leaders, but was banned by Pride Winnipeg from speaking at the event this year after she failed to walk in last year’s parade.

Winnipeg’s first recognized Pride march was held in 1987.