The Pride Parade: A gathering that does good

Thousands of people converged on downtown Manitoba’s capital for the occasion. For Chloe Minkley and other Manitobans, this was their first in-person Pride Parade.

Chloe Minkley says she announced she was pansexual in 2019 and later identified as queer.

It means a lot to be able to bring my sister to the show and not be afraid to show who I am anymore.

Over the years, Chloe Minkley has experienced shame and loneliness due to her gender expression and sexuality, but this show allows her to celebrate who she is, for who she is.

I have people supporting me now and I love that the only people I allow into my life are the ones who are going to support me and love me completelyexplains Chloe Minkley.

Chantel Pavao came to the parade with her parents, Sally and John, who wore shirts expressing their pride in their daughter.

Chantel, who came out of the closet six years ago, is happy to be able to participate in the parade with her parents, who are part of her support system.

When I was young, I never thought I was going to make my coming out, to be accepted by my parents and even to be here. To be here today, with them, wearing these shirts, supporting me for who I am, there are just no words.she says.

Her mother Sally says she wished Chantel had come out sooner because she could have lived more authentically.

She can love whoever she wants, we won’t love her less, she says, tears in her eyes. I am a proud mom.

For mixed-race drag queen Contessa Lestrange, the day couldn’t be more glorious.

It’s so hard to feel this energy [dans des rencontres à distance des plateformes comme zoom]so right now I don’t think we can do bettershe says.

Ever since I was a teenager, when I come to the pride parade and see us all there together, it reminds me that I’m not alone and that queer people don’t live on an island.adds the drag queen.

Feather Talia says more needs to be done to promote and support people’s rights LGBTQ+but, she said, queer people also do a good job of supporting each other.

I think what we do and what we try to promote is self-love and self-acceptance. And I think we’re doing a good job as a community.

Former Winnipeg Mayor Glen Murray was one of the first openly gay elected officials in North America. He could not hide his emotion on Sunday, thinking of the path traveled by the community LGBTQ+.

I remember when this all started, in 1986 and 1987, we had 80 people wearing paper bags over their heads with holes in their eyes, because our rights were not protected. Showing you here made you lose your jobhe said.

I don’t think I ever believed that we could, in my lifetime, experience this release of our souls and our hearts, and this kind of human equality.

The Pride Parade is a celebration, but also a call for the inclusion of all members of the community LGBTQ+. The parade featured posters calling for harm reduction measures and gender-responsive and inclusive health care.

Pride Winnipeg president Barry Karlenzig says there’s still a lot to do.

Right now there are still people in our community who don’t have equal rights, who are still being persecuted in their jobs, who are still being persecuted where they are and that’s not righthe said.

Glen Murray, who remembers the situation more than 30 years ago, is hopeful to see the community LGBTQ+ win his freedom.

I have hope when I see some of the worst wrongs and systemic racism being tackledhe said.

After the parade, participants were able to enjoy several activities at The Forks where tents were set up for the weekend. As Barry Kerlenzig reminds us, we have a stage for Winnipeg artists, a space for children, programs offered by the province, tons of things happening right now.

With information from Rachel Bergen and Anne-Louise Michel