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Local demonstrators received official recognition from the City of Edmonton for a year-long effort that protested against hateful messages.
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More than 100 people gathered at the southeast corner of Whyte Avenue and 104 Street Friday night to celebrate a City of Edmonton proclamation that recognized the area as Pride Corner, where protestors have held dance parties to counter street preachers who organizers say have promoted homophobic and transphobic views.
Amid dancing, music, and the occasional honk of support from drivers passing by, Jade Connors joined the celebration by dancing and waving a pair of silk fans.
Over the past year, Connors said, the community supporting the effort has grown, thrived and welcomed queer youth in a space reclaimed to make them feel safe and seen.
“It’s a space of hope and a space where the next generation is going to have way less challenges than the previous one,” Connors said.
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In a 2017 update to its plan to prevent and end homelessness, the City of Edmonton recognized that LGBTQ2S+ youth are particularly vulnerable to housing instability and homelessness due to family conflict.
In a Friday news release, Erica Posteraro, one of the Pride Corner organizers, said the team behind the protest saw a need to push back against harmful narratives and create space for unhoused and queer youth to feel welcome and express themselves freely.
“The positive power of having a safe space has allowed beautiful friendships to blossom,” Posteraro said, “and having an official proclamation tells us what every 2SLGBTQIA+ person needs to hear: that we are seen, heard, accepted and supported.”
Connors said that the proclamation serves to recognize the time, energy and effort of advocates and members of the community who’ve consistently worked to counter hate.
“Having the city recognize that is a gift because it does create a queer space and outlines some of our queer history in the city,” Connors said.
An online petition to officially recognize Pride Corner has collected more than 10,600 signatures and is aiming to reach 15,000.
There was no street preaching observed at the time of the celebration.