Kingston holds first Pride parade in person since pandemic began – Kingston | The Canadian News

Kingston Pride held the 32nd annual Pride parade on Sunday and had excellent weather for the occasion.

“The sun is shining on Pride, as always. He shone in the show and it was fantastic, ”says festival director Ted Robinson.

The theme of this year’s Pride parade was “Together Again.” That’s because more than two years have passed since the festivities were held in person.

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“There are a lot of people for whom COVID-19 has been an extremely difficult time with isolation, you know,” says Robinson. “We as a community are tremendously dependent on each other. So being able to be here and share what has been happening to each of us in the last 18 months is fantastic. “

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While Pride is traditionally celebrated in June, organizers moved the festival to September in hopes of safely bringing people together.

The events at Confederation Park required all attendees to show proof of complete vaccination status and safety protocols were in place.

“People are grateful to be here, they are grateful to be away from home, they are grateful that we have all the security protocols in place that we need,” says Robinson.

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Kingston Pride President Ian Burns says Kingston has shown great support for the queer community.

“People really see Pride as a symbol of community,” says Burns. “And without that visibility, it is much more difficult to find the people you want to be with.”

For some Pride attendees, this year marks their first time at the parade.

“I am very excited to be here,” says Trevor Shyack. “I just came out of the closet, so it’s amazing to have so much support and to be in such an amazing city with such caring people.”

The 2021 Kingston Pride festival marks Shyack’s first parade, and they say they have felt welcomed by Kingston’s LGBTQ2S + community.

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“You can express yourself and you can feel like part of something bigger, which is really important,” says Shyack. “And it’s having that sense of community and that sense of belonging to something bigger. And that’s really cool. “


Click to play video: 'Kingston Pride Goes Virtual in 2020'



Kingston Pride Goes Virtual in 2020


Kingston Pride Goes Virtual in 2020 – Jun 15, 2020

For others, the event gives them strength.

“Being part of the LGBTQ community, I feel welcome and I feel very welcome to everything right now and I feel more empowered,” says Addison Russell.

Sunday’s Pride parade and festivities mark the end of more than a week of celebration by the LGBTQ2S + community.

Kingston Pride says it will have more community events in the coming months to keep Kingston residents involved.

“If you don’t know about the queer community, check it out, make sure you do a little research,” says Burns. “And he also just talks to people. We are all people, and we are all here and we all love. “

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