Winnipeg Pride marches on during Manitoba's ongoing state of emergency over wildfires
More than 10,000 people walked through downtown Winnipeg on Sunday as the annual Pride parade marched on amid Manitoba's ongoing state of emergency.
Thousands more people cheered and waved flags in support of the 2SLGBTQ+ community as they lined up along the smoky parade route from the Manitoba Legislature to The Forks, where Pride Festival events were planned to run into the evening.
Pride Winnipeg president Barry Karlenzig said it's not only an important time for the community to come together, but also to acknowledge Pride's roots as a political protest movement.
"It is a time to be loud and proud but also acknowledge what is going on up north," Karlenzig said, referring to the wildfires.
He said Pride Winnipeg is donating half of the scholarship money raised over the weekend to the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs to help First Nations that have had to evacuate.
"What Pride means to me is recognizing and remembering those who paved the way for where you are today and making sure that we take our privilege and our power to build it forward for the next generation," he said.
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew was among the thousands marching on Sunday.
"This year, it's very unique with the wildfires. So we're celebrating Pride within a state of emergency," Kinew told CBC, adding that Pride could be a positive outlet for people affected by wildfire evacuations.
"It's important for us to move ahead with Pride because even in these more challenging moments, it's still a good opportunity for Manitobans to show who we are as a province," he said.
Winnipeggers of all ages came out to celebrate Pride on Sunday.
Terra Morrissette, who attended the parade with her children, told CBC News it's important for her to be at Pride to show her children that she loves them and supports them for exactly who they are.
"It's always nice to see everybody coming out as a community, whether you are gay, straight, bi, trans, an ally. It's so nice that everybody can come together and be prideful of who you are," Terra said.
Her son Fizz Morrissette has been attending the Pride parade for the past four years and said he feels like he can express himself fully there.
"Having this parade every year just means so much to me because I get to be myself to my full extent," he said.
Representatives from school divisions also walked in the parade, as students and educators showed up for 2SLGBTQ+ youth.
Teacher Jeremy Stubler said he brought his family to the event on Sunday to support the students he works with, while showing his young son the importance of acceptance.
"We want him to know when he grows up that he can be whoever he wants and do whatever he wants and being at an event like this is really important to see that," Stubler said.
He said Pride is also a fun, colourful and exciting event for everyone.
To Stephanie Cielen, Pride is "just pure happiness" and is an event that she looks forward to "every day of the year."
"This brings me more joy than anything," she said.
This year, Pride Winnipeg's Karlenzig said about 140 organizations walked and rolled down the streets with colourful displays. That's nearly triple the number of entries compared to when he first started with Pride Winnipeg a decade and a half ago.
Six marching bands helped provide the soundtrack, playing popular songs from artists like Lady Gaga and Chappell Roan.
"I'm feeling absolutely amazing to see the amount of diversity today, the amount of floats and the passion," Karlenzig said.
"It just brings a tear to my eye after 15 years."
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